Why is antivenom treatment for snakebites so expensive?
The Medical Procedure
When Brigland Pfeffer was just 2 years old, he suffered a snakebite while playing in his backyard. His mother, Lindsay, noticed a small rattlesnake coiled up by the firepit, and an ambulance transported him to Palomar Medical Center Escondido. Upon arrival, Brigland’s hand was swollen and purple, and emergency room staffers struggled to insert an IV to administer antivenom.
The Final Bill
The total bill for Brigland’s treatment was $297,461, with antivenom alone accounting for $213,278.80 of that amount. This is not an isolated incident, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that venomous snakes bite 7,000 to 8,000 people in the United States every year, resulting in about five deaths annually.
The Billing Problem: The High Cost of Antivenom
Many snakebites occur far from medical care, and not all emergency rooms keep costly antivenom in stock, adding big ambulance bills to already expensive care. It often takes more than a dozen vials, typically costing thousands per vial, to treat a snakebite. The median number of vials per patient is 18, said Dr. Michelle Ruha, an emergency room doctor in Arizona and a former president of the American College of Medical Toxicology.
The high cost of antivenom is attributed to several factors, including manufacturing, which has not changed fundamentally since antivenom was developed over a century ago. Antibodies are extracted from the blood of animals like horses or sheep, and then processed to make antivenom. Hospitals also mark up products to balance overhead costs and generate revenue.
The Takeaway
Not all emergency rooms have antivenom, and there are no online resources identifying which ones do. Dr. Ruha recommends going to a large hospital, which is more likely to have antivenom in stock than free-standing emergency rooms. When the bill comes, be ready to negotiate, and use cost estimation tools to compare charges against average prices.
Conclusion
The high cost of antivenom treatment for snakebites is a complex issue, involving manufacturing, marketing, and hospital billing practices. While some argue that the cost of antivenom is justified by the saving of lives, others believe that the high cost is unfair and can lead to financial hardship for those affected by snakebites. As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes, "Time is tissue. If bitten by a snake, get to medical care."
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is antivenom?
- Antivenom is a type of antibody therapy that disables certain toxins.
- Why is antivenom so expensive?
- The high cost is attributed to manufacturing, marketing, and hospital billing practices.
- What is the cost of antivenom per vial?
- The median cost per vial is thousands of dollars, but Medicare pays an average of $2,000 per vial.
- Can I negotiate my antivenom bill?
- Yes, providers may be willing to take less. Use cost estimation tools to compare charges against average prices.
- Where can I find antivenom in my area?
- Large hospitals are more likely to have antivenom in stock than free-standing emergency rooms. You can also use online resources to find emergency rooms with antivenom in stock.
