Getting the proper care for hidradenitis suppurativa can be expensive. At myHSteam, people regularly talk about how much their treatment options cost. “I hope this medicine keeps working, but it’s so expensive,” one person shared. Another agreed and added, “It really is expensive — the amount of money I’ve spent on special antibacterial washes, manuka honey dressings, silicone dressings, and whatnot.”

Whether or not you are covered by insurance, paying for hidradenitis suppurativa medications, wound dressings, and more can be costly. Worrying about costs can negatively affect your quality of life and mental health. Here are some ideas that can help you save money.

1. Get a Prescription Discount Card

Prescription discount cards can help you save money on prescription treatments for hidradenitis suppurativa. You can usually find these cards through pharmacies. You can also ask your health care provider for suggestions. You might also find them online via the web or a mobile app. Some pharmacies may even hand these out.

Using a discount card gives you a lower price on certain prescriptions. This discount is negotiated by the company that issues the card. It won’t apply to all medications but should reduce what you pay for many common drugs.

Note that you can’t use a prescription discount card with your insurance. Instead, you will use it if you don’t have insurance or if you don’t have prescription drug coverage. You can also use it if the cost with the card is less than the cost with your insurance coverage. You can always ask at the pharmacy to have them run both options so you know which will save you more.

2. Check for Drug Manufacturer Programs

Many drug manufacturers offer programs to help afford medications. This can be especially helpful if you’re prescribed a biologic like adalimumab (Humira) for hidradenitis suppurativa. Many companies provide a couple of ways to save money. The one you choose depends on whether you have health insurance.

Copay assistance programs help people who have insurance but need help meeting their copay. Depending on the drug and the company, you can save up to 100 percent on your medication. You can find these programs on the drug manufacturer’s website or through your doctor.

Patient assistance programs (PAPs) are also offered by drug manufacturers. These programs can be found through nonprofit organizations and help people who aren’t insured. They may also help people on Medicare or Medicaid who aren’t eligible for copay assistance cards. You will need to register with the drug manufacturer. They may ask you to provide proof that you need the program’s help.

If you’re not sure how to get help paying for the medication you need, the Medicine Assistance Tool can help connect you to the best program for your needs. NeedyMeds can also help you lower your out-of-pocket medication costs. HS Connect has a variety of links to help cover these expenses, too.

3. Seek Care at an Affordable Location

There are many places to receive medical care for free or reduced rates. One program to look into is the Hill-Burton program. Medical facilities enrolled in the program offer certain services for less or for free. This program is only available to people who don’t have insurance coverage, including Medicare or Medicaid. To qualify for this program, you’ll need to show that you meet the income guidelines.

Community health care centers may also be a good option. These are designed to help people get health care no matter their insurance status, the language they speak, or where they live. They will take care of you even if you can’t pay, so don’t hesitate to find one near you if you need hidradenitis suppurativa care.

4. Look Into Insurance Coverage

If you have health insurance, it should cover many of your costs associated with hidradenitis suppurativa. This includes both preventive costs and costs during a flare-up.

There are five basic ways of accessing health insurance coverage in the United States:

• Medicare is the federally sponsored health insurance program in the United States that covers adults age 65 and older and those with disabilities.
• Medicaid is a state-operated health insurance program for people of low income, families, children, pregnant people, the elderly, and people with disabilities.
• Veterans Affairs health care is available to those who served in active duty in the military, Navy, or Air Force.
• Individual health insurance through the marketplace is available to those who are not eligible for Medicare, Medicaid, or employer-based insurance. You may enroll in individual health insurance through HealthCare.gov.
• Job-based health insurance — also known as employer-based insurance or group coverage — is offered by employers or unions to their employees as an employment benefit.

5. Explore Insurance Coverage for Bandaging Costs

You may be able to get insurance coverage for wound dressings for lesions and abscesses.

“Patients are spending, in some cases, hundreds of dollars a month on wound care supplies,” Dr. Julia Riley, a dermatologist at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and an assistant professor of dermatology at Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University told myHSteam. She explained that many people with HS are unaware of how insurance can help with these costs.

“Most insurance companies will cover wound care supplies,” she said. “I think this is a missed opportunity for many HS patients and dermatologists. It does take a little bit of work on the part of both the patient and the provider, so it’s not a simple thing, but it’s worth asking your dermatologist about. I always tell my patients that if they have a specific type of wound care dressing that they’re purchasing, we have the ability to help in many cases.”

Getting your bandaging costs covered can take a while. You may need to take these steps that Dr. Riley outlined:

• Decide which products you need.
• Find a wound care supply company covered by your insurance.
• Provide the necessary documentation to get those products covered.
• Receive confirmation that they will be covered.
• Order and organize delivery.

Note that the products you need may change based on the affected area and where you are bandaging. Bandaging on your breasts, for instance, might be different from bandaging an armpit or a groin.

Ask for Help

Managing the costs of treating hidradenitis suppurativa can be challenging, but you’re not alone. Whether you’re insured or not, there are resources and tips that can help ease the financial burden. By exploring options like financial assistance programs and talking about affordable treatment alternatives with your health care provider, you can find ways to make your care more manageable. Remember, taking care of your health is important, and there are ways to get support when the costs seem overwhelming.

Find Your Team

On myHSteam, the social network for people with hidradenitis suppurativa and their loved ones, more than 40,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with hidradenitis suppurativa.

Have you found financial assistance for hidradenitis suppurativa treatment? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.