Cost Of Reclast

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I had an infusion of Reclast at an infusion center in June 2010 and my Medicare HMO received a bill for over $7000 for which they paid $5800 claiming that was the average price that Medicare allows. My local pharmacy as well as an online quote was $1000 at the time. Why is there such a vast difference between a hospital charge and the retail market price?

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Reclast contains the active ingredient Zoledronic Acid, it is used to prevent bone fractures in cancer patients and people with certain other health issues.

The reason there is such a huge difference is because, when at the hospital or infusion center, you are paying for a lot more than just the drug. You're also paying to use their equipment, the time you are taking up space to have it done there and the salaries/wages of any personal involved in administering the medication and that can include people from the pharmacy, the nurse, any nurse's aides and etc.

https:/­/­rxchat.com/­wiki/­Reclast/­

Are there any other questions?

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2

I was given Reclast for the first time last year and just received my secind dise. I had been on Fosamax since it was first offered to the public. Imagine my surprise when my insurance (Medicare) was charged $1513 dollars of which they only pain @$200. This did not include Office Visit or administration fee. Why is it so expensive?

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3

THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE DRUG (RECLAST)AND THE OFFICE VISIT WERE LISTED SEPARATELY. THE $1513 WAS FOR PRESCRIPTIONS DRUGS ONLY. BECAUSE OF THE COST I MAY HAVE TO GO BACK TO THE FOSAMAX.

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4

I RECENTLY RECEIVED AN INFUSION OF RECLAST. WHAT A SHOCK TO SEE MEICARE WAS BILLED OVER $3300 FOR THE DRUG AND JUST UBMDER $400 FOR THE COST OF ADMINISTERING THE DRUG... YET I READ ON THE INTERNET THE PRICE QUOTED IS $60. SOMETHING DOES NOT SEEM RIGHT.

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5

I had RECLAST at Methodist University Hospital Memphis, Tn. I was charged $3716 WHICH is totally ridiculous since the medicine doesn't cost that much Next time, I will go to a doctor's office for my RECLAST IV. I refuse to support the hospital and pay the nurse's salary when the IV only lasted 15 MINUTES!! Hospitals are a total rip-off!!!!

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6

last year I went to south miami hospital (miami, fl.) for a shot (reclast) on an out-patient basis. I remained in the office less than one hour. My insurance was charged the amount of $12,806.oo, and they paid the total amount. I CALLED THE INSURANCE COMPANY AND THEY AGREED WITH THE EXHORBITANT (TO ME) CHARGES. I WAS EXTREMELY UPSET FOR WHAT I CONSIDERED A REAL RIP OFF.

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7

I will be getting Reclast in Dr Office. I called insurance company. They said if it is in Dr's office and they use procedure code 96365 they will pre-approve. They said they will pay the entire $800 cost.They called doctor & called me back & said I'm good to go. Sadly my deductible has been met so no cost to me. Otherwise my cost on coo insurance would've been $160.

If you have insurance make sure you call & ask questions, take notes etc.

Good Luck !

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8

Hospitals in Florida seem to charge way more than other places. That is what I found when I went there last year--they charged $20,000. for an angiagram plus the other charges for the few days I was there.

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9

Had my second Reclast infusion last month. Just received Bill. Insurance was billed over $11,000! Luckily our share was$700.
The infusion was in the pre-open area of hospital with an RN infusion specialist, still...!
As to side effects: first time was AWFUL!! Flu-like symptoms-was down for a week! This time was SO much better. Just one day of feeling like was 'coming down' with flu.
As I have osteoporosis which was diagnosed after a bad leg fracture (fell getting out of bed), we decided to treat as if for osteoporosis. The monthly pills were not an option because of reflux. Have 3 more Reclast treatments. Will have discussions with both insurance and personal physician. Thanks for all your helpful information and comments. God bless.

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10

What is the average cost of Recast infusion done in hospital? Drug and service? Hmo doesn't pay.

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11

How much would Medicare pay for Reclast infusion in Myrtle Beach, SC. BCBS supplement.

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12

Did you have a secondary insurance that this was submitted to?

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13

Florida Hospital in itself is a total rip off, if a band-aid and tylenol cant fix you, then you are "TO COMPLEX FOR THEIR CARE!"

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14

My best friend and world's best Cometic Dentist (who later also earned an MD) id about 10K work on my mouth. H found two cavities UNDER the caps. He shipped me off to a periodontist and they drilled and filled or whatever UNDER the crown. Cost was outrageous, but it was all professional courtesy and there;s been more trouble for 20 years or more. Dr. Bill literally kidded then into it, saying, "You never know when you or a family member might go nuts...and my boy, Joey, here is the best there is." They did ask some pharm questions, which I was glad to answer.

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15

My rheumatologist wants' me to stop Fosamax and switch to Reclast transfusions. However my Pharmacist daughter just told me that Reclast also comes in pill form and asked why my doctor isn't trying that first before going straight to transfusions which are so much more expensive. Has anyone tried the pill form of Reclast?

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16

Dee, I hope someone can let you know about the pill form, if there is one in the US. I need this also but can not, afford the 20% of the bill I would have to pay. Best of luck to you Dee.

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17

I've decided to do "nothing". I've been taking this over the counter OsaPlex. I had a bone density test done then repeated it the following year and there was no change. a little better but no worse. so I am going to continue on this course.

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18

Reading the different prices charged for an Infusion of Reclast Looks like there are a lot of people ripping off the consumer and Insurance Comp's. and getting away with it. I had an Reclast infusion Tuesday at the VA, Took less than one hour, one nurse did everything, For a drug that cost around $1000 dollars and a Hospital charging from $1000 to $12,000 That's stupid, and something the Government should look into, People need to call around and look for the best price. Hell I could give myself the medicine as good as they can.

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19

I have been diagnosed with osteopenia but am losing bone and it has been recommended that I do the Reclast infusion. I am reluctant. Any thoughts?

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20

I'm only 46 yrs old, i went to guadalajara mexico on a vacation trip last January. Once i was there i went with a family member to this lab to pickup some papers and once i was there i decided to test myself; hey it was like 600 pesos, about 30 dollars and only took like 30-40 minutes for a lot of tests, vision, glucose, bone density, cholesterol etc. Well, i found out i have osteoporosis. I went to the doctor at a private hospital there with the results and he sent me to get the same test at a diferent lab and it was confirmed that I had osteoporosis. Since i was there and had no insurance here in the states, i decided to go ahead and get the treatment. Reclast was administered right there in the hospital in January but i have to buy it in a specialized pharmacy with a prescription. The cost of it was about 16000 Pesos at that time was (about 800 dollars) plus 1200 pesos (60 dollars) from the hospital and doctor. So yes it was around 900 dollars out of pocket but from what I have been reading, that was good. I'm going back next January for my next treatment.

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Re: Verwon (# 1) Expand Referenced Message

So where else can you get this done to keep the cost down?

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