As if being diagnosed with a serious health issue wasn’t overwhelming and stressful enough, then come the medical bills. Sometimes the expenses associated with doctor visits, treatments and medication — not to mention the cost of taking time off work — can be crippling. A 2014 study published in Maine Law Review found that medical debt causes between 18 and 26 percent of all bankruptcies.
Many of the illnesses that come with a huge financial burden are chronic conditions, which require ongoing care versus a one-and-done surgery, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Here’s the bright side: Chronic diseases also happen to be the most preventable. Take a look at eight medical conditions with steep price tags attached to their treatments, (but also keep in mind that the cost associated with treatments may be significantly lower when insurance is factored in).