Insights
The high cost of rheumatoid arthritis infusions and how Leap fixes it
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a debilitating autoimmune disease that requires ongoing treatment to manage inflammation, pain and joint damage. For many patients, biologic infusions such as Remicade, Actemra, and Orencia are essential but they come at an enormous cost, often due not just to the drug itself but also to the site of service.
Why are RA infusions so expensive?
The cost of an RA infusion can vary drastically based on where it’s administered:
- Hospital-based infusions can be marked up by as much as 500%.
- Ambulatory infusion centers (AICs) still add a 50% markup.
- Home infusion eliminates these markups, saving thousands per treatment.
And the impact is significant:
- Higher costs: RA patients receive seven infusions per year on average and, according to a SHRM study, incur approximately $4,687 more in annual medical and pharmacy spend than other employees.
- Increased absenteeism: On average, employees with RA take an additional 3.58 days off per year, including 1.2 more sick leave days and 1.91 more short-term disability days, leading to higher indirect costs.
- Overall economic burden: According to SHRM, RA contributes to 172 million lost workdays and $304 billion in combined medical costs and lost earnings annually in the United States.
For employers, these inflated costs aren’t just a burden. They’re avoidable.
How Leap saves employers $24,000 per RA patient
Leap eliminates unnecessary markups through pass-through pricing, ensuring that employers and patients pay only the true drug cost. With Leap:
- No hidden fees or inflated provider charges
- A nationwide specialty pharmacy network securing lower pricing
- Home infusion options that cut costs even further
Average employer savings per patient = $3,500 per treatment / $24,000 annually
The bottom line
RA patients shouldn’t have to navigate financial roadblocks just to stay mobile and pain-free. With Leap, infusion therapy is both affordable and accessible, helping employers save millions while ensuring their employees receive the care they need.
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