Living with multiple sclerosis (MS) is tough. It can be hard on your body and your wallet. One big worry for people with MS is how much it costs to treat it. In this article, we’ll talk about why MS treatment can be pricey, whether insurance covers it, and what you can do if you don’t have insurance.
How is multiple sclerosis treated?
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a long-lasting disease that affects your brain and spinal cord. It causes inflammation and damages the covering of your nerves. Treating MS involves using different methods to control symptoms, slow down the disease, and help you feel better overall. Even though there’s no cure yet, there are many treatments to tackle different aspects of the disease.
Disease-Modifying Therapies (DMTs)
DMTs are a vital part of treating MS, especially for people with types like RRMS. These drugs help by changing how the immune system works to lower inflammation and stop relapses, which can slow down how fast the disease gets worse. You can take DMTs as pills, shots, or through IVs, and your doctor will decide which one is best for you based on how severe your MS is and other things about you.
Symptom management
MS can make you feel tired, weak, and have trouble thinking clearly. It can also cause muscle stiffness, pain, and difficulty moving. To help with these problems, your doctor might suggest different things like medicine, exercises, and changes to your daily life. For instance, they might prescribe drugs to relax your muscles or make you feel less sad, and they might recommend activities like stretching or using tools to help you move around easier. These treatments aim to make you feel better and improve how you live your life.
Rehabilitation therapy
Rehabilitation therapy is important for people with MS to help them do daily tasks and stay independent. Physical therapy helps with strength, balance, and movement through exercises and special techniques. Occupational therapy helps with daily activities like cooking and getting dressed, and it also works on thinking skills to help you do things on your own. Speech therapy can help with talking, swallowing, and memory problems. These therapies are designed just for you and can happen in different places, like clinics, rehab centers, or at home.
Diet and lifestyle modifications
Besides medical treatments and therapy, making healthy choices in your lifestyle and diet can help with MS treatment. Eating lots of fruits, veggies, whole grains, and lean proteins can make you feel better overall. Doing regular exercise, finding ways to relax, getting enough rest, and quitting smoking are also key parts of managing MS. These things can lower inflammation, boost your immune system, and improve how you feel every day.
How much should you expect to spend on treating MS?
Treating MS can be expensive, and how much it costs depends on a few things, like how bad the MS is the specific treatments, and if you have insurance. The National MS Society says it can cost over $70,000 each year for medical care, medicine, special equipment, and other healthcare staff. This can be tough for people with MS and their families, especially if they don’t have a lot of money or good insurance.
People with MS should talk to their doctors, insurance companies, and programs that help with money to find ways to deal with the costs. This might mean looking into different treatments, finding cheaper versions of medicines, and making sure insurance covers what’s needed. It’s also helpful to reach out to community groups and organizations that support people with MS. They can offer advice and resources to manage the financial challenges and get the right care to live well despite the costs.
Why does the treatment cost a lot?
Treating multiple sclerosis (MS) can be expensive because of a few big reasons:
- MS is Complicated: Managing MS involves a lot of different things like medicines, therapy, and ongoing check-ups with doctors. These treatments add up and can cost a lot over time.
- Expensive Medicines: The main drugs used to treat MS, called disease-modifying therapies (DMTs), are often super expensive. These medications help slow down the disease and prevent relapses, but they’re pricey because they involve a lot of research and technology.
- Lots of Doctor Visits: People with MS need to see their doctors regularly for check-ups and tests to see how the disease is doing and if treatments are working. These visits and tests can be costly, especially if insurance doesn’t cover everything.
- Special Equipment and Changes: As MS progresses, people might need special equipment like wheelchairs or changes to their homes or cars to make getting around easier. These things can be expensive, but they’re important for staying independent and safe.
- Therapy and Support: Therapy services like physical therapy or speech therapy can help manage MS symptoms and improve quality of life. But getting these services can be costly, especially if insurance doesn’t cover them or if there aren’t many places nearby that offer them.
Is MS treatment covered by insurance?
Lots of people with MS use health insurance to help pay for treatment. Medicare, Medicaid, and private health plans can cover things like doctor visits, medications, and therapy.
But every plan is different. Some treatments might need special permission first, and not everything might be fully covered, so patients might still have to pay some costs themselves.
What are your options if insurance is not available?
For individuals without adequate insurance coverage, navigating the cost of MS treatment can be challenging. However, there are several options available to help manage expenses:
- Patient Assistance Programs: Many pharmaceutical companies offer financial assistance programs to help individuals afford expensive medications. These programs may provide discounts, coupons, or free medication to eligible patients.
- Non-Profit Organizations: Organizations such as the National MS Society and the Patient Access Network (PAN) Foundation offer support and financial assistance to individuals living with MS. These organizations may provide grants, scholarships, or other forms of assistance to help cover medical expenses.
- Government Assistance: Eligible individuals may qualify for government assistance programs such as Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which provide financial support to individuals with disabilities.
MS treatment can be expensive
Treating multiple sclerosis can cost a lot, which can be tough on people and families dealing with the disease. Even with health insurance, there are often still expenses to cover. But there are programs, nonprofits, and government help available to assist folks with MS in affording treatment and making life better.