The True Medical Costs of Allergy Season
Spring is almost here. For some of us still stuck in the cold, it can’t get here soon enough.
But April showers bring more than just May flowers. Spring is big allergy season for people across the country.
And, as the New York Times’ Patient Money column illustrates, there are some serious costs for what is often an annual ordeal.
Take these stats from the column:
- Two million missed school days each year
- $2.3 million in medical bills for children under 12
These numbers don’t include any expenses the parents have with treating their own allergies or missed income from taking days off for their or their children’s allergies.
So what can you do to save money?
The experts advise taking two courses of action:
- Spend money on treatments that work.
- Don’t spend on unproven, over-the-counter gimmicks.
So how do you know what works? Start with a doctor, potentially even an allergist. Before you go, check with your insurance to see if your visit’s covered. If it’s covered, it may be worth your time, and even if you have to pay out of pocket, the information they provide may be valuable.
An allergist can perform special tests to help you identify the items that make your nose twitch the most. Then, you can take simple steps to avoid these.
Second, your allergist may recommend a series of allergy shots to help you cope. The first year, these may cost $1,000 and then another $350 the second year, says the Times.
However, some experts say that this cost could save you in the long run. A few years of allergy shots may save you from missed work and annual treatment of allergy symptoms, including buying costly medications.
These same experts also recommend that buyers beware when it comes to over-the-counter products promising relief. These include: “air filters, humidifiers, dehumidifiers, ozone machines, mattress and pillow cases, special breathing masks and more.”
Continues the NYT:
“Many of these products are expensive and some are ineffective. Ozone, for instance, can be a pollutant and actually worsen allergies.”
These lower-cost treatments may seem attractive, but if there’s no return then you may want to reconsider even a small investment.
In many cases, allergies aren’t just seasonal, they’re certain. Instead of treating the symptoms, and shelling out for short-term care medical bills, you may want to speak with a specialist and get long-term, real help. Remember, preventive care is often less expensive treating the symptoms later.