How Much Does It Cost for Nathalie to Have Cancer?

How much is it to have cancer?

One question that I am sure you all want to ask about Nathalie's cervical cancer. "How much is it costing her to have cancer?". Today after talking to Nathalie we decided to share with you my readers an idea of what Nathalie's cervical cancer really cost.

We all hear that cancer is big business, involving expensive treatment. Yup! Cancer can be a costly illness. It can take a toll on your health, your emotions, your time, your relationships - and your wallet. Those with no health insurance may have extra worries when facing such a serious and expensive disease.

But it turns out that having insurance is no guarantee that you will be protected for major, life-changing expense if you have cancer. In fact, most bankruptcies that happen as a result of medical problems are filed by people who have health insurance.

Keep in mind that even the best health insurance won't cover all your health costs. Although the picture may be changing as health insurance reform goes into effect, it is likely that out-of-pocket costs will remain a burden for many people with cancer. Keep in mind that this is since 2006 when Nathalie was diagnosed with pre-cervical cancer. Most of the treatment was provided at the Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz.

From 2006 up to March 2011

*Actual

• Total cost of care billed:  $162,640.82
• Total paid by insurance: $72,812.84
• Total paid by patient: $16,904.83

• Total cost of  personal health insurance paid by patient: $45,123.00

 From March 2011 to May 2011
*Forecast (second round of chemo) based of first treatment of radiation and chemo received from September 2010 to December 2011 

• Total paid by patient: $4000.00

1) Total (actual and forecast) paid by patient: $20,904.83
2) Total cost of personal health insurance paid by patient: $45,123.00   

Total sum of all heath care cost paid by patient (1+2): $66,027.83

*Includes:

• Doctor visits
• Clinic visits for treatments
• Procedures (for diagnosis or treatment, which can include room charges, equipment, doctors, pathologists, and more)
• Lab tests (blood tests, urine tests, and more)
• Imaging tests (such as x-rays, CT scans, MRIs, which may include radiologist fees, equipment, or medicines)
• Radiation treatments (implants, external radiation, or both)
• Drug costs (inpatient, outpatient, prescription, and procedure-related)
• Hospital stays (which can include many types of costs such as drugs, tests, and procedures as well as nursing care, doctor visits, and consultations)
• Surgery (anesthesiologist, operating room fees, equipment, surgeon, pathologist, and more)

Nathalie says " I think we can agree that $162,640.82 is a lot of money! If you add the amount I paid to the amount that insurance paid, you'll see that the cancer centers received about 55% of what they billed. In some cases, insurance paid all of the billing. In most cases, they paid 50-70%. In a few cases, I have no idea how the provider is able to operate, as insurance paid only 15% of the billed amount!

Cancer treatment is expensive

for the patient

On top of that Nathalie received last Friday a bad news. As of May 1st, 2011, there will be an increase in the monthly fee she is being charged for her health insurance. The health insurance will charge $197/month more on top of the monthly $1087, therefore a fee increase of 18.1%

No matter what, treatment is expensive for the patient. As if the shock of a cancer diagnosis is not enough, it's easy to see how a patient can end up financial devastated by treatment costs.