Recently, several of the posts have been discussing the benefits of
avoiding AMB because of possibility of IDDM and encouraging hospitals and
insurance companies to be more supportive of breastfeeding to help avoid IDDM,
or at least delay the onset of same.
One of our fellow LACTNUTS wrote me asking for details regarding actual costs
related to this disease in children. After calculating same, I was once
again
schocked (at the expense) and outraged that they haven't wisened up yet to
help avoid aiding the ocurance of same in our children.
For that reason, I've decided to share these figures with you in the hopes
that
someone can help babies in their facility avoid this chronic condition.
Barbara Petzoldt, LLLL, AAPL/MO, WIC Peer Counselor
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(Sorry if it lines don't set-up well on your receiving E-Mail.)
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Annual Treatment Cost for Juvenile Diabetic
Item Unit Price # Per Day Annual Price
Humulin N Insulin $25.00 vial 2 shots (1/2 vial per month) $ 150.00
Humalog Insulin $25.00 vial 4 shots (1 vial per month) $ 300.00
Syringes $22.53 per 100 4 per day $ 337.95
Lancets $15.00 per 200 6-8 per day (7 average) $ 195.00
Glucometer Strips $36.00 per 50 6-8 per day (7 average)
(plus two per week are used with test solution to test monitor and strips
= 2660 + per year or 2700 strips/54 boxes)
$1,944.00
Alcohol Wipes $1.60 per 100 6-8 per day (7 average) $ 41.60
Ketodiastix $12.00 per 100 as needed (1/2 vial month) $ 72.00
Test Solution $15.00 as needed (3 per year) $ 45.00
Batteries for Monitor $4.00 as needed (3 per year) $
12.00
Glucometer $100.00 each (Need one for home and one
for school. Need to be replaced every two years due to malfunctioning.
This averages one machine per year.) $
100.00
Penlet for Lancets $15.00 each 2 per year $ 30.00
Glucose Tablets $5.00 per 100 average 4 per day $ 75.00
Juice Boxes $2.50 per 10 1 Box per Week $
130.00
Snack Packs $2.50 per 12 1 Box per Week $
130.00
(Above 3 items are routinely necessary as children are extremely active in
an
unscheduled manner, which causes many incidences of Hypoglycemia.)
Glucagon Injections $46.00 per dose 2-3 per year $
138.00
(Children slip into severe Hypoglycemia without noticing warning side
affects
resulting in several incidences per year where glucose tablets, etc. are
not
sufficient measures to raise blood sugars. Even if not needed, these
are important, though they often expire and need to be pitched.)
Trimethobenzamide Injections
$100.00 per 25 vials 15-20 vials per year
(Used to stop vomiting during cases of flu. Helps prevent dehydration
and
emergency room treatments for same. We have not been able to purchase
vials individually, only in full boxes which expire annually.) $
100.00
Intramuscular Syringes for above $.25 each $
5.00
Endocrinology Visits $70.00 each 3 per year $ 210.00
Extra Ped. Visits $35.00 each avg. of 5 per year $ 175.00
(Necessitated by any unknown reasons for continued elevated blood sugars
or continued high Ketones. Visits necessary to determine if above if
caused
by a virus or an infection which must be treated quickly.)
Antibiotics for same $25.00 each average price x 5 per year $ 125.00
Medic Alert Bracelet and Fee (Fee is annual and the
bracelets need to be replaced annually due to active child.) $
30.00
ANNUAL TOTAL $4,345.55
In 1997 with current insurance, I guestimate our portion of above to be
approximately $1,100. We have pretty good insurance at the moment
that 100% covers some of the supplies and the home Glucometer. It also
covers visits with only a $10.00 co-pay.
Previous insurance company paid 80% of acceptable charges for a service
or product, had deductibles, didn't cover many items/services, leaving us
with a portion around $2,500.00.
Also, insurance companies often don't pay for items they feel are
unnecessary, although because of this, they pay greater fees due to
non-treatment. Examples of this are:
1. Glucagon Injections are not covered. A child suffering severe
Hypoglycemia, which is not resolved through glucose tablets, etc. and
whose parents/school do not have access to Glucagon Injections, needs
to receive Emergency treatment. This means an Ambulance fee, ER
fee, and possible admittance and resulting fees.
2. Trimethobenzamide Injections are not covered. This is the most
effective
solution to stopping vomiting. Without this, patient must have
suppositories, which are less effective. Typical cases of flu not
treated
with injections in the home usually end up in ER for IV treatment,
admittance for duration of the illness, and all resulting fees.
The above figures do not include the initial diagnosis for IDDM. Typical
hospital stays for this are 7-10 days. Naturally, fees for this are
astronomical.
Our biggest shock was the bill for Physical Therapy we received. Children
with IDDM are sent to PT twice per day in order to attempt to simulate their
activity levels at home so that insulin dosage can be set correctly. Our
insurance company only paid for half of these visits and I could have just as
easily chased him up and down the halls myself, or played more actively in
the exercise room for free!!
Additional Thoughts: Having a child with IDDM can also cause the parents
other costs. Children are really hard to keep regulated. Their bodies are
always growing and necessitating changes in insulin dosages. Their physical
activities are spontaneous and affect blood sugar readings. Whenever child
is not within standard blood sugar goals, they have a lower resistance to
germs. Schools are breeding grounds for germs. Therefore, they become ill
more frequently. For a working parent, this means time off work, often
without pay.
Also, all the parents of children with IDDM that I know, carry pagers so that
they can be reached by school, or whomever is caring for the child. My fees
for this service are approx. $15.00 per month.
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I hope this information is what you were looking for. If you have any
questions, or need
additional clarification, etc. please do not hesitate to contact me.
Barbara A. Petzoldt
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May 25, 1998.
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