Question:
Can I please have feedback on what it costs for B12 shots?
I would like to propose to my surgeon's group coordinator that they offer B12 shots at monthly support group meetings, which I have heard is done at others. What is the cost of this per shot, per month? Or if you have it done in the doctor's office, what is the average cost? Also, when getting a subscription to self-inject at home, how many ml do you use and how often? Looking for info to pass on. Thanks much everyone - Anna — Anna L. (posted on June 25, 2003)
June 25, 2003
The cost at my General MD's office done by a nurse is $35.00 which by the
way my insurance does not cover. They covered the surgery but not the
shots! I live in a suburb of Phoenix Arizona. I did not know you could get
a prescription to self inject. I could not do that any way! I can not look
while they put the needle in!
— Laura K.
June 25, 2003
the cost of my b-12 runs around 31.00
— GRACE M.
June 25, 2003
I have only had one B12 injection since my surgery 19 months ago and I had
it at my surgeon's office. I've never seen a bill for it; I assume the
insurance paid for it. I used to give myself B12 injections years ago but
I have no idea what the cost would be now.
— Patty_Butler
June 25, 2003
final cost to you would depend on insurance coverage. My office charges my
insurance $25.00 - after 'insurance processing' the final cost is $4.95 -
which I have to pay.
— star .
June 25, 2003
I buy my b-12 injections and give them to my self. It is less then $20.00
for a six month supply of the B-12 as well as the needle and syringes. You
give yoursef 1cc every 3-4 weeks.
— Vicki L.
June 25, 2003
My surgeon gives them at our monthly support meetings for $15. a shot. I
had one in his office last month and it was also 15.00 Couldn't tell any
difference tho so I will not be paying that 15.00 anymore unless I just
have to.
— Delores S.
June 25, 2003
Anna, I give myself my own shots... Didn't think I could, but the needle is
soooo small.. I didn't even feel it going in... My surgeon wrote me a
perscription for a 10 month supply...and 10 syringes.... my insurance
co-pay is 15.00 but all of the above came to less than 10.00. Learn to do
it for yourself. You will save money, and before you know it you'll have
enough to buy yourself a cute new outfit!! lap rny 4/9/2003 311/257/-54
— Peg L
June 25, 2003
My PCP wrote the RX for me to inject myself. I have Cigna HMO and it cost
a total of $14.00 for about 10 months worth. $7 for the B-12 and $7 for the
needles. The RN at my Docs office showed me how to give myself the shot.
No biggie... ~Sidney~ Open RNY 10-23-02 down 100+ and counting
— Siddy I.
June 26, 2003
I couldn't even watch my mom do her own insulin and that uses a hair-sized
needle! B12 needles need to be IM, so they're somewhat more substantial.
I got them for $0 at the doc, but took like an hour to drop in, wait, do
the traffic thing. Now I buy a 30 shot vial for $2.91 with ins, syringes
are 4/$1 at Walgreen's. I do weekly (some other things going on, non-WLS)
and Don does every 2 weeks, and I do my dad monthly. Totally lost track of
the total cost, but it's about 2 fast food meals for 6 months worth for all
of us. Some docs do them as a matter of course, but we didn't start them
til the levels tarted to descend. Interesting concept, doing 'em at mtgs.
But wow, are they making a score at $15/shot! Costs them about .40. LOL!
— vitalady
June 26, 2003
I requested a prescription from my surgeon's office (since I am so far
away) and the shots are given to me by my Hubby. Like Michelle said, the
shots are intra-muscular (IM) so the needle is long and thick (1.5 inches
in length and a 21 guage in diameter). Needless to say, it doesn't feel
very good, but the results are definitely worth it. With my prescription,
I received a vial of 30 doses with each dose consisting of 1cc. The B-12
itself was only around $5.00 (with insurance) and the syringes/needles were
absolutely no cost (with insurance). Oh, and I also receive my shots
monthly! Good Luck!
— Dena C.
June 26, 2003
To Dena Coffey, GIRL!!! tell your md to order you 23 gauge at least. You
don't need to be using a honker 21 gauge for this type of shot!! That
hurts thinking about it! I use 25 gauge myself, with a 5/8 inch needle.
We are not fat people anymore. You can pop an injection into your thigh
muscle with a shorter needle quite easy. And the smaller the number on the
gauge, the finer the needle is, AND the lower amount of discomfort when
giving or getting the shot. Vit B12 for injection & needles are very
inexpensive. And you really can't go wrong giving yourself an injection in
the thigh muscle. You must be very careful giving them in the hip as you
can hit the sciatic nerve & cause damage. It's really much safer to do
the arm/thigh thing. You can rotate spots so no place gets the shot each
time. Of course you need help with the arm one. Vit B12 can be given subq
also, but the preferred way is into muscle as it causes the best absorption
in that method. I know people who give it to themselves in their lower abd
also, but I prefer the thigh. I've even used an insulin syringe in a
pinch as the pharmacy was out and I needed to get the injection. I just
put the needle all the way in to the hub. It sure doesn't hurt with a 25
or 27 gauge needle! ASk your md about giving it to yourself to save money
& to be convenient to you. Shots are not hard to learn to do properly
for yourself and it's so much cheaper. Your md will have the pharmacy put
on the label how much you are to use of the B12 fluid. But a time or two
with a nurse can train you to fill a syringe and give a shot into an orange
before doing it on yourself. The first time is the hardest, but after you
realize it really doesn't hurt much you get faster & it's easier to do.
Good Luck!
— Karen M.
June 26, 2003
My surgeon has it that I get a B12 shot every 3 months, and being that hte
hospital is tied into the insurance company, they cover it, they charged
$18.00 for the shot, and the insurance pays for it, I was told by others
that if your surgeon requires you to have a B12 shot and will document it,
then your insurance SHOULD cover it under vitamin B12 deficientcy (sp?)
hope this helps
Chris Wagner
lap rny (11/01/2002) Lost 169 lbs.
starting weight 391 weight now 222 (almost there LOL)
— Christopher W.
June 28, 2003
my surgeon does it free of cost, once a month. it is so important and he
does not want any excuses why, your not getting in your B-12. my Dr is
awesome... he is HUGE on after care, he will even see you post-op if you
loose your insurance and are living on the streets (how he puts it)for no
charge, free of cost- totally. he has you sign a contract about his after
care program and he has his contract to be your Dr for life! i really honor
him for doing that!
— heather S.
June 28, 2003
Higher the gauge ... smaller the hole.
— Sarah H.
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