The theme in my life this week seems to be all about asthma.  I had some rough asthma moments this last weekend with wildfire smoke, altitude and my lack of exercise.  Although, I also had a record number of asthma questions this week too.   Clearly, people are currently being effected by outdoor  air quality, hay fever and the end of springtime colds.  What keeps gnawing at me is that many people are struggling with access to their life saving asthma medications and treatment.  Here’s the deal with asthma: managing asthma takes three major steps and they all cost $$$.  It’s not cheap living with asthma.  I want to note that the people I am talking about are not limited to citizens with low income, but university professors, school teachers, restaurant workers and other professionals.

Spacer, rescue inhaler and maintenance inhaler

The three major steps of Asthma Management

• Annual lung function test and check in with a board certified allergist or pulmonologist is key.  At this appointment  patients should ask for an Asthma Action Plan including when and how to use a Peak Flow Meter and a plan for avoiding asthma episodes.
• Understanding the use of and importance of maintenance medications.
• Carrying and properly using rescue inhalers, including understanding when to use them with a spacer.

 

All of the three crucial steps are costly.  The physician visit, lung function test, purchase of a Peak Flow Meter, monthly purchase of asthma maintenance medications and rescue inhalers easily add up into the hundreds of dollars to thousands.  The Affordable Care Act does offer help for asthma medications for those living in poverty.  BUT, what about everyone else and do those folks living in poverty have access to this information and the ability to travel to receive services?  The bottom line is that many people do not manage their asthma due to high costs.  Often the shared costs of the co-pay prohibit people from buying much needed asthma medications.

Ideas to help keep asthma management costs down (if you have ideas, please share below)

please note:  these are simply ideas to get the discussion started—speak to your board certified physician to confirm the best plan of action for your health needs or that of your family.

• Avoid your asthma triggers–avoiding asthma attacks will reduce urgent care costs and possibly the cost of steroids, etc–but understand that waiting too long to seek medical attention can result unnecessary harm–never delay treatment or taking medications.  Speak to your physician regarding methods to use to avoid your triggers.
• Visit Needy Meds New Users website link for several valuable reasons: coupons (I’ve used a coupon for an inhaler before), patient assistance program listing, how to find local low cost health care facilities and much more.  I think Needy Meds is one of the mportant health care websites online.  I use it often to find coupons myself.
• Call the American Lung Association’s Lung Help Line.  The call center is open 24/7 and you will be immediately connected to a registered nurse or respiratory therapist.  They can give you advice regarding asthma and other lung related diseases (including lung cancer) and steer you in the right direction.  The call center is also certified to help and guide you through understanding the Affordable Care Act or other insurance.
• Don’t wait until you are in deep trouble.  Get an Asthma Action Plan in place and follow it.  Managed and controlled asthma is much cheaper than uncontrolled asthma.  If my son’s asthma spun out of control, I used to spend around $500 on average for that episode (physician costs, medications, time off, etc.).  When he was controlled and taking his daily maintenance medications, I spent less.

We all need to remember how dangerous asthma can be and even though I get very upset that Americans have trouble with affordable access to asthma medications, it’s important to support each other and encourage everyone to find good health care.  Asthma is a disease that kills often and we just can’t take it lightly.

Please share below any tips you might have come across regarding affordable asthma care and medications.

p.s.  Note: do make any changes to your health care plan without speaking to your board certified physician.  My hope with this blog to keep up the conversation regarding asthma management and access to needed medications.