Sublingual Immunotherapy Cost

Are you considering sublingual immunotherapy (also known as allergy drops) for your allergies? Sublingual immunotherapy was developed in the mid-1980s as a safer, easier alternative to allergy shots.

The perks? For one, there are no shots. SLIT is taken by squeezing droplets of an antigen mix under your tongue. (The drops absorb into your bloodstream through cells in the mouth). Second, drops are not linked to the same degree of risk for anaphylaxis that allergy injections are, so they are a safer option.

But what about the costs? Whether you are getting allergy shots or allergy drops, most insurances cover allergy testing and physician check-ups to some degree.

The variation comes in regards to the actual allergy serum—the substance you take, either through allergy shots or allergy drops—that helps you become immune to allergens in the environment.

More insurance companies are disposed to cover the serum when it is delivered through allergy shots than they are to cover sublingual immunotherapy cost. For that reason, many people assume that shots will be cheaper. However, even if your insurance does not cover sublingual immunotherapy cost, there are a lot of hidden costs associated with allergy shots that may still make drops the cheaper option.

Hidden costs:
Since shots have to be taken under medical supervision, the cost of gas (traveling to the doctor’s office) should be taken into consideration. Also, if you have to take off work to go get allergy shots, there may be some loss in work productivity.

Also, most insurances require you to pay co-pays every time you get an allergy shot. This can add up! However, if you are taking drops at home, there is no co-pay.

And finally, many physicians will offer a cash-pay discount to patients who do not have insurance coverage for allergy shots.

Contact AllergyEasy for more details. You may be surprised to find that drops are more cost-effective than you thought…..and certainly much more convenient.