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The herbal formulas required for treatment are not covered by insurance. The total treatment cost depends on the treatment time required which varies according to the type and severity of the condition. To help patients understand the cost, below is a summary of the treatment time required and number of formulas needed. Please schedule an appointment with any of the Practitioners listed to get an estimate of the treatment for your condition.

COPD, Emphysema, and Chronic Bronchitis

Patients with mild or moderate COPD, Emphysema, and Chronic Bronchitis and are not on oxygen require treatment with 2 herbal formulas. Required time will be 2-4 weeks for mild conditions and 1-2 months for moderate conditions.

Patients who have a severe condition and are on oxygen require treatment with 3 herbal formulas. When patients start using oxygen, scar tissue in the lungs and lung tissue degeneration have developed, so an additional formula is required. Required treatment time is 3-4 months.

Some patients with moderate conditions may still require the additional formula since the scar tissue may have already formed even though they have not started using oxygen.

2. Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) and Sarcoidosis

Both conditions require 3 herbal formulas regardless of the severity of their condition. Early stage cases, without the use of oxygen, require 1-3 months of treatment. Late stage cases, with the use of oxygen, require 4-6 months of treatment. End or terminal stage cases require 8-9 months of treatment.

3. Customized Treatment for Patients with Complications

About 80% of patients only require the core treatment with either 2 or 3 formulas. The other 20% of patients who have complications may require additional formulas to address other organ issues in order to achieve desired improvement of their lung condition. Below are the most common complications that require other formulas. Please consult Wei Institute’s Practitioners to get an estimate on the customized treatment.

Coughing and lung inflammation from flu, cold or pneumonia
Lower extremity edema, the use of diuretics such as Lasix, or congestive heart failure
Acid reflux due to GERD and constipation
High cholesterol or diabetes
High blood pressure, adrenal deficiency, or cold hands and feet
Sinusitis, post-nasal drip, or chronic allergies
Asthma

4. Other Types of Chronic Lung Diseases

The treatment cost for other types of chronic lung diseases such as Cystic Fibrosis, Interstitial Lung Disease, Bronchiectasis, etc. is similar to the treatment cost for Pulmonary Fibrosis.

Patients are usually recommended to start with a minimum of 2-4 weeks of treatment with the core formula then have a check-up after 2 weeks to evaluate the results. Patients should experience symptom improvement in 2-4 weeks. If patients experience minimum changes after 4 weeks and have other complications, a customized treatment with additional formulas is required. After finishing the treatment program, patients are encouraged to do a lung function test and or/chest X-ray to confirm improvement in their lung structure and function.

To help patients who need long term treatment, a Package Deal is available to help with costs. Please request information about the Package Deal during your consultation if you are interested.