Hepatitis is a viral infection that can cause liver inflammation and be life-threating. This viral infection comes in different types- Hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. Unfortunately, there are no current vaccines that have been proven effective for curing or preventing Hepatitis C, D, and E. However there are vaccines that have been tested to be effective to prevent Hepatitis A and B.
Taking vaccines for Hepatitis are commonly prescribed to individuals who have active travel lifestyle. And if you are one of these people who go and jump from one country to another, it is encouraged that you get vaccinated. How much does a Hepatitis A vaccine cost? And how much does a Hepatitis B vaccine cost?
Average Hepatitis A Vaccine
- For uninsured individuals, the total Hepatitis A vaccine cost is around $70 to $300 or more, and this often includes consultation fees, administration fees and the fees for the doses of vaccine. Although if the patient is insured, the total cost of a Hepatitis A vaccine ranges from $30 to $120.
- For uninsured individuals, the total Hepatitis B Vaccine cost is around $130 to $370 or more, and this often includes consultation fees, administration fees and the fees for the doses of vaccine. Although if the patient is insured, the total Hepatitis B vaccine cost ranges from $40 to $120.
- Travel Clinic North Shore, a clinic located in Auckland, New Zealand, offers Hepatitis A vaccine for $100 and Hepatitis B vaccine for $40. Meanwhile, AITC Immunization & Travel Clinic, a non-profit clinic located at San Francisco offers Hepatitis A vaccine for $84 and Hepatitis B vaccine for $91. These prices are inclusive of the doses alone and do not include other additional services.
- Another type of Hepatitis vaccine is a combination of both Hepatitis A and B vaccines and commonly known as Twinrix. Travel Clinic North Shore offers Twinrix for $150, and the AITC Immunization & Travel Clinic offers Twinrix for $136. These prices are inclusive of the doses alone and do not include other additional services.
Factors Affecting the Cost of Hepatitis Vaccines
- There are numerous factors that could affect the cost of Hepatitis vaccines. The most common factor is the type of the Hepatitis vaccine. Hepatitis A vaccine is cheaper than Hepatitis B vaccine, and Hepatitis B vaccine is relatively cheaper than the Hepatitis A+B (Twinrix) vaccine.
- The purpose of the vaccination is also a factor. In most cases of health insurance policies, travel-related vaccination will not be covered by the insurance. Once the vaccination is not covered, this will affect the cost or amount you will be paying.
- The geographic location should also be considered. States and cities offer different rates for either Hepatitis A vaccine or Hepatitis B vaccine. This is also true for doctors, clinics, and hospital that administer Hepatitis vaccination.
- The inclusion of the vaccine can also affect the cost of the vaccination. There are instances that the bill for the vaccines already includes payments for initial consultation and administration. There are also cases that these are billed separately. For example, AITC Immunization & Travel Clinic only offers the vaccine itself for the above-mentioned price. The consultation fee, or the travel health visit fee for every traveler, is $50 and if you do not undergo a travel health visit, you will be charged $45 for the prescription service. You will be paying around $130 to $190 depending on the type of Hepatitis vaccine to be taken.
Extra Costs
- What is the reason for your vaccination? If it is travel-related, which means that you were advised to get vaccinated first before you can go out of the country, then this can become an extra cost. Travel-related vaccinated are usually nor covered by health insurances as this is categorized as an elective procedure rather than as a routine or preventive immunization. When your health insurance company does not cover Hepatitis vaccination, you will pay for more rather than just a copayment of $10 to $50.
- Your health care provider may sometimes suggest that you take other various vaccination such as Flu vaccine, Cholera vaccine, Polio vaccine or Typhoid vaccine depending on the necessity of the situation and the place you are going to. Additional vaccine cost at least $80, and imagine how much more money you are going to pay if there are not just one but more vaccines you need to take?
- A local health department will charge cheaper than a local doctor’s office since an office exam payment will most likely be billed.
Ways to Save Money
- Get vaccinated at a local health department since they typically charge cheaper.
- There are government provides that offer financial assistance for qualified individuals who wish to be vaccinated.
- It is important you get a health insurance. Health insurance will save you more money despite the fact that you need to pay the premium every month or quarter. However, if you are already insurance, be sure to check with health insurance provider if vaccines for Hepatitis A, B or the combination is covered under the immunization benefits in your policy since not all insurance providers cover for vaccination especially if it is travel-related. You do not want to go to the clinic thinking and assuming that you are covered, but actually, you are not. There also health insurance providers that only recently covered for vaccination, such as the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama.
- There are several hospitals which offer 20% or more discount to patients. You might want to browse the web to see which hospitals offer such discounts.
Important Things You Show Know
- If you have experienced severe allergic reactions towards the vaccine or any components or ingredients of the vaccine, it is strongly suggested that you consult with your doctor first what other options you could get.
- If you are pregnant, inform your doctor. The safety of hepatitis vaccine for expectant women is unknown but, typically, the risk of involved is very low.