In 2008, 12.1 million women reported suffering from chronic pain, but only 8.7 of those reported receiving treatment — at a cost of $12.9 billion, according to the News and Numbers from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and a HealthNewsDigest.com report.
Of the $12.9 billion, $5.7 billion was spent on treatment in ambulatory settings and $2.4 billion was spent on prescription drugs. AHRQ also found private insurance paid 68 percent of the cost while 15 percent was paid out of pocket. Medicaid and Medicare paid 10 percent and 3 percent respectively.
Related Articles on Pain Management:
Massachusetts Survey Reveals Widespread Prescription Drug Abuse
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Of the $12.9 billion, $5.7 billion was spent on treatment in ambulatory settings and $2.4 billion was spent on prescription drugs. AHRQ also found private insurance paid 68 percent of the cost while 15 percent was paid out of pocket. Medicaid and Medicare paid 10 percent and 3 percent respectively.
Related Articles on Pain Management:
Massachusetts Survey Reveals Widespread Prescription Drug Abuse
Study: Pain of Those Less Liked Taken Less Seriously
Comparison of Pain Symptoms Reveals Treatment Implications