Treating and managing eczema can be expensive. Aside from medications, you may also have to plan financially for diagnostic testing, different doctors, and other treatments to manage this skin condition.
Managing the costs and expenses tied to eczema can add up, becoming a financial burden for many people who live with this chronic inflammatory skin condition.
Eczema can involve frequent appointments with different doctors and specialists, as it can be treated with topical or over-the-counter treatments, medications, injections, and other testing related to the condition.
Here’s an idea of what you can expect to pay yearly for eczema treatments, as well as tips to help manage costs.
Roughly
It
That means the overall amount spent on eczema treatments each year can vary significantly from person to person. The actual cost depends on the severity of symptoms, how actively you’re treating symptoms, and the specific therapy.
But the overall message is that eczema management can be a financial burden for many.
It’s also impacted by your location, insurance coverage, and products used. Therefore, people with mild symptoms or in certain geographic areas might spend less compared to those with moderate or severe symptoms or those in areas with higher costs.
This 2022 research review noted that managing atopic dermatitis, the most common form of eczema, may cost each person $4,411 a year. That annual average figure was based on many different studies analyzed, with some of those clinical research citing costs as low as $769 a year, while others went as high as $23,638 a year.
It looked at everything from doctors’ visits, testing, treatments, and management costs.
The study’s part determining an average annual cost didn’t include lost productivity and other unrelated costs, as other parts of the research delved into.
Those without insurance coverage or on certain plans may also spend considerably more.
This 2019 survey of 1,118 people living with atopic dermatitis by the National Eczema Association (NEA) also found that 42% of people in the United States spent more than $1,000 per year at the time to manage their atopic dermatitis.
The median out-of-pocket yearly cost was $600, and about 8.5% of survey participants reported spending $5,000 or more per year.
The survey factored in the amount people spent on copays and deductibles for doctor and hospital visits, and prescription and nonprescription medication. It also considered complementary and alternative therapies, including traditional Chinese medication, yoga, and massage.
The survey asked people about treatments they received over the previous 30 days to measure the average yearly cost of treating atopic dermatitis.
According to the results, 94.3% of those surveyed spent up to $50 in the prior 30 days on nonprescription over-the-counter products (moisturizers, hydrocortisone, and other anti-itch products, allergy medication, bathing products, supplements, and sleep aids).
What do different treatments include?
Prescription medications may include immunosuppressants, biologics, and steroids.
Nonprescription medications and products include:
- household cleaning products
- moisturizers
- allergy medications
- hygiene products
- itch relievers
- supplements
- sleep aids
Explore the different treatment options for severe eczema.
Some supplements might reduce inflammation and ease symptoms of eczema.
These include vitamin D, turmeric, fish oil, and CBD creams. Some people also use sleep aids to cope with sleep issues caused by severe itching.
In the NEA survey, few participants spent money on complementary and alternative therapies over the previous 30 days. Those who did spent up to $50 on specialized cleaning products, perhaps fragrance-free and dye-free products to lessen skin irritation.
About 31.2% spent more than $100 on copays and deductibles for doctor visits, and about 34% paid more than $50 on prescription copays.
Another recent
Keep in mind that cost is also impacted by insurance deductibles that must be met prior to coverage. People with higher deductibles will incur more out-of-pocket costs before qualifying for insurance coverage.
The financial impact isn’t limited to the out-of-pocket cost of treatment for eczema.
Other
Roughly 5.9 million workdays are lost each year due to eczema, according to the NEA. Likewise, “people living with eczema are more likely to take five or more days off from work each year.”
Having a child with eczema can also impact one’s income. Some parents reported
Eczema typically results in more doctor visits, urgent care visits, and hospitalizations in severe cases. These healthcare services aren’t without cost, and as a result, “about 17.6% of people living with eczema have delayed treatment due to concerns about costs.”
Roughly 13.1% didn’t seek care altogether because of costs, and about 15.7% have been unable to fill their prescriptions due to cost.
Whether you’re insured or uninsured, here are ways to reduce the cost of managing eczema.
Apply for patient assistance programs (PAP)
If you can’t afford your treatment, you might qualify for free or low cost medication. Drug companies set up patient assistance programs, and each program sets its own rules.
Depending on the pharmaceutical company, you might qualify even with insurance. But you might need to meet hardship requirements. You can apply for assistance directly with the pharmaceutical company or drug manufacturer.
Apply to nonprofit organizations
Another option is getting financial help through a nonprofit organization, which might pay for some or all of your prescription drug costs. You can apply for programs like the PAN Foundation or NeedyMeds.
Understand your health coverage
You can also reduce your out-of-pocket expense for eczema by understanding how your insurance policy works. This includes knowing your out-of-pocket responsibility before scheduling appointments, as well as choosing in-network healthcare providers.
In-network providers have a contract with your insurance carrier so that you’re able to pay lower rates.
Find discounts or coupons
Your dermatologist might have access to drug coupons to help lower your out-of-pocket expense. Keep in mind, you might be ineligible for these discounts if you have Medicare or Medicaid. If eligible, you’ll receive instant savings when buying certain prescription medications.
You may also be able to find discounts or rebates that can be used whether or not you have insurance, but they are only available for generic medications.
Ask your employer about an HSA or FSA
Speak with your company’s HR department to see if you can set up a health savings account (HSA) or a flexible spending account (FSA). If so, the money you put in this account can help cover some of your healthcare expenses.
These accounts differ, though. An HSA earns interest and can be transferred to a new employer. But with an FSA, your employer owns the account and it doesn’t earn interest. The funds in an HSA also roll over each year, but you must use funds in an FSA within the calendar year.
Eczema is a chronic skin condition that can result in multiple primary care and specialist visits, several prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, and hypoallergenic home products to decrease flares, which often leads to a large financial burden.
Understanding how your insurance works and learning about assistance programs can help you get the most affordable care.