How Much Does Chemotherapy Cost?

Last Updated on January 5, 2024
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker

Receiving a cancer diagnosis is frightening on many levels, including facing the costs of treatment. Expenses like chemotherapy can be financially devastating without adequate insurance.

In this guide, we’ll break down how much chemotherapy typically costs and what impacts pricing so you can plan for this important care.

We’ll provide sample chemotherapy costs for common cancers, look at insurance coverage caveats, and offer tips for managing expenses. Read on for a full picture of what to expect to pay for this lifesaving cancer treatment.

Key Takeaways on Chemotherapy Prices

The most important aspects to remember about chemotherapy costs include:

• Without insurance, chemotherapy can cost $15,000 to $200,000+ out-of-pocket depending on cancer type and length of treatment.
• Those with insurance still pay thousands in copays, deductibles, and coinsurance for chemo.
• Medicare provides significant financial help for chemo for those 65+ but requires analyzing coverage carefully.
• Drug type, treatment length, delivery method, and location all impact chemo pricing.
• Reputable groups offer financial aid and copay assistance for struggling patients.

How Much Does Chemotherapy Cost Without Insurance?

The average costs of chemotherapy are anywhere between $1,000 and $8,000 per month and vary widely based on the drug regimen, duration of care, and other aspects. Overall chemotherapy costs typically range from:

• Oral chemotherapy pills – $1,000 to $14,000 per month
• IV chemotherapy – $5,000 to $50,000+ for 6 months

Some sample average chemotherapy costs by cancer type without insurance:

• Breast cancer – $20,000 to $100,000+
• Lung cancer – $15,000 to $25,000+
• Colorectal cancer – $15,000 to $18,000+
• Leukemia – $70,000 to $200,000+
• Lymphoma – $20,000 to $40,000

Expenses climbing well into six figures illustrate why health insurance is so important for cancer patients. Next, let’s look at how insurance impacts out-of-pocket chemotherapy costs.

Chemotherapy Costs With Health Insurance

For patients under a health insurance plan, your out-of-pocket costs for chemotherapy depend on your plan’s prescription drug and treatment benefits. With insurance coverage, typical expenses for 6 months of chemo include:

• Copays – $500 to $4,000 for medications/treatment
• Deductible – $1,500 to $6,500 if not met for year
• Coinsurance – 10%-20% of costs after deductible

So with insurance, chemo may cost roughly $10,000 to $15,000+ out-of-pocket depending on coverage levels and degree of cost-sharing. While still expensive, insured chemo is far cheaper than self-pay options.

According to Medical News Today, the average total cost of a 6-month course of chemotherapy is almost $27,000. However, the cost of chemotherapy can vary depending on the type of cancer, the length of treatment, and the specific chemotherapy drugs used.

Cancer.org notes that the cost of chemotherapy can vary depending on the type of cancer, the length of treatment, and the specific chemotherapy drugs used. Patients should talk to their healthcare team about financial assistance or help setting up a payment plan.

Progress Report states that the national costs for cancer care were estimated to be $190.2 billion in 2015. The cost of cancer care can vary depending on the cancer site, the stage of cancer, and the type of treatment.

What is Chemotherapy and How Does it Work?

Chemotherapy, often shortened to “chemo”, is a popular method for destroying cancer cells. It uses anti-cancer drugs to kill fast-growing cells in the body. Chemo may be used alone or along with surgery and radiation therapy.

Chemo works by disrupting cell reproduction. While toxic to tumor cells, it unfortunately also damages some healthy cells, causing side effects. But modern chemo drugs target cancer cells far more accurately than in the past.

Chemo is delivered either by IV infusion, orally by pill, or even topically. Let’s look at typical pricing.

You might also like our articles on the cost of an endoscopy, mammogram, or biopsy.

What Cancer Related Costs Does Medicare Cover?

Medicare provides vital financial assistance for chemotherapy costs and other cancer care for those 65 and over. Here’s how Medicare helps cover treatment:

• Part A covers surgeries, hospital stays, and inpatient care costs.
• Part B covers doctor visits, outpatient treatments, and chemo drugs.
• Part D helps pay prescription drug expenses, with copays varying by the plan selected.
• Medigap supplemental plans can help cover coinsurance, copays, and deductibles.

What Factors Affect the Cost of Chemotherapy?

While chemo costs vary widely based on cancer type, the full pricing picture depends on several important factors:

• Drugs used – Newer, patent-protected drugs are most expensive
• Number of drug doses per cycle
• Number of cycles needed over weeks/months
• Delivery method – IV, pill, injection, etc.
• Inpatient vs. outpatient administration
• Provider and facility fees administered
• Geographic location and COL – Big cities mean higher prices

A long, aggressive chemo regimen with the newest drugs at a prestigious cancer center will clearly cost far more than basic limited treatment at a community clinic.

Tips for Lowering Cancer Treatment Costs

While there’s no getting around chemo’s high prices, here are some useful ways to minimize expenses:

• Explore financial assistance programs from drug makers and non-profits
• Enroll in copay or prescription discount programs when possible
• Ask about generic drugs or biosimilars that work equally well
• Have chemo administered by an oncologist in their office versus hospital
• Use IV treatment on an outpatient basis rather than inpatient
• Consider oral chemotherapy pills when recommended by your doctor
• Schedule lengthy multi-hour treatments on the same day to consolidate copays
• Coordinate carefully with Medicare/insurer to verify exact drug coverage

Proactive planning, communication with your care team, and research can help people with cancer control costs. Don’t be afraid to advocate for the most affordable yet effective treatment plan for your needs.

Assistance Programs for High Costs of Cancer Care

Reputable organizations like the American Cancer Society and CancerCare provide financial grants and copay assistance for patients struggling with crushing chemo costs. They can help access resources like:

• Direct bill payment assistance for treatment costs
• Gas cards, lodging stipends, and transportation reimbursement
• Free wigs, turbans, and head coverings
• Copay cards and drug manufacturer discounts
• Help appealing insurance claim denials
• Guidance Applying for disability coverage

Final Words on Chemotherapy Treatments

Don’t let the high costs of chemotherapy treatment stop you from seeking treatment. With proper budgeting, insurance navigation, and financial assistance, receiving lifesaving cancer treatment is possible. Stay strong and proactive.