Managing the costs of IBD care

• Look closely at your insurance options before you choose a plan, and use their insurance checklist to make sure it covers your medications, tests, and specialists.
• Talk openly with your gastroenterologist about cost. They can often suggest different medications that may still be effective for you, but that your insurance plan may cover.
• Be sure to research financial assistance programs, and copay programs that you may qualify for.

Alert your healthcare team as soon as you know you may have a gap in your insurance. If this is due to a major life event or other circumstance, you can also find out if you qualify for plans through the Health Insurance Marketplace

Reach out to the drug manufacturer to determine what services they offer to patients without insurance. Check out the Foundation's listing of Financial Assistance Programs.

Research has suggested that people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) often face direct health care costs in the range of $9,000–$12,000 per person per year for doctor visits, hospitalizations, and medications, though costs can be much higher for those on expensive biologics or needing surgery. However, there are many programs available to help cover costs and this can vary greatly depending on your insurance plan and your medical coverage.

The exact cause of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis is still unknown. Researchers believe these conditions develop from a combination of genetics, the immune system, and environmental factors. IBD is not caused by something you did, although stress and certain foods may affect symptoms for some people.

If your insurance denies coverage for your Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis care, don’t panic. You have options, and denials can be successfully overturned with help from your healthcare team. Some tips include:

• Get the denial letter and understand why you were denied.
• Ask your doctor for a “letter of medical necessity. Appeal letter templates are available for your team to customize.
• File an internal appeal with your insurance company.
• Request more reviews of your case. This may include peer reviews and an external review which can be requested through your state.

Many insurance plans do cover ostomy and other IBD-related supplies, including ostomy bags, tubing, and wound care items, but the details depend on your plan, whether you have private insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid, and how these items are coded by your healthcare team. Talk to your doctor and healthcare professional about how to best navigate