CHARLOTTE — Petting a cute cat in your neighborhood could seem innocent, however one girl discovered it’s one thing that might find yourself costing you hundreds of {dollars}.
Sabrina Daswick was out on her again patio and didn’t assume a lot about it when a cute cat confirmed up someday.
“It just came into the yard and I just stooped down to pet it,” she mentioned.
But then the cat’s demeanor modified. Daswick mentioned she was petting the cat when it simply turned and bit her.
It wasn’t a nasty chunk, however the cat took off, and he or she hasn’t seen it since. After a go to to the physician, the priority about rabies got here up.
Rabies is deadly if left untreated, so Sabrina took no probabilities, deciding to get the prolonged and painful post-exposure remedy.
“I just showed up to the ER, and they said, ‘We’re glad you did this, this was the best thing to do for getting a bite from a wild animal,’” Daswick mentioned.
The whole cost for remedy from a Florida hospital tallied to greater than $25,000. Even with insurance coverage for Sabrina, it meant $4,500 out of pocket.
“The rabies vaccine, compared to other medications even in the United States, is particularly expensive because it’s made from an expensive material,” mentioned Caitlin Donovan with the National Patient Advocate Foundation.
Donovan identified that the immunoglobulin given after the publicity is derived from human blood donated from folks with the antibodies for rabies. It’s sometimes not held in native docs’ workplaces, which suggests a visit to the emergency room is required.
“So you’re forced into the series of healthcare decisions that are barely a decision, and yet you’re wallopped with this enormous cost,” Donovan mentioned.
Last yr, California Rep. Ami Bera, who’s a health care provider, launched laws to attempt to decrease the cost for the uninsured after he and others close to the Capitol grounds have been bitten by a rabid fox. At this level, the invoice hasn’t gained traction.
But even for these with insurance coverage like Sabrina, immediately getting a invoice for hundreds of {dollars} isn’t simple to swallow.
“I mean, you have no choice. When you think you might get rabies, you gotta get your rabies vaccine,” Daswick mentioned. “I can’t be the only one, and I think that’s crazy.”
She was in a position to get her follow-up rounds of the vaccine pictures at a well being division at a considerably decrease cost.
Many hospitals even have monetary help packages for individuals who are in want of help.
Patient advocates say it’s best to wait to pay any medical invoice till you obtain your clarification of advantages, and ensure there isn’t a mistake. If there’s something that doesn’t look proper, contest it with the supplier.
(WATCH: Two folks uncovered to rabies in Caldwell County after skunk infects pet cat)
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