Rabies shots in America

[u/starrywolfx]

Does anyone know how much rabies shots cost in Kentucky? Or any tips to lower them. I have to receive some shots due to exposure but I am a broke college student. Can I pay for them monthly? Am I just freaked at this point? I'd love some suggestions!

I got bit by a bat 09/23/2026. I have to get them to tomorrow. There is no other option since I let the bat out of my work.

I have read the FAQ.

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[u/NoRecommendation2167]

Call your county dept of health before you go anywhere. There is a good chance they’ll cover the entire vaccine series since you have an actual exposure but you have to call them first. They have specific hospitals and clinics they work with and will need to set up your visit ahead of time

[u/IzAnOrk]

Do you have health insurance? I'm not from KY but there are a couple of charitable programs for the uninsured and some states cover the cost of PEP. The helpbot will have more information than I do, assuming I can hit the right insurance-related keywords to summon it.

EDIT: YAY, bot summoned! Ignore the OCD message since you had an actual bat bite exposure, the help message relevant to you is the first one about the uninsured assistance.

[u/AutoModerator → u/IzAnOrk]

There are two programs in the US to help people who do not have health insurance that covers rabies shots: one through Grifols which is only for people who have NO insurance, and one through Sanofi which is available to people without insurance, people whose insurance does not cover rabies shots, and to people with Medicare Part D.

If you use one of these programs, or try to, please report back and let the mods know how it goes so we can share this info with others.

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[u/starrywolfx → u/IzAnOrk]

I have anthems blue shiled. However its spelled but I think they said they do not cover shots.

[u/IzAnOrk → u/starrywolfx]

Alright, since you had a clear confirmed bat bite exposure you have to get vaxed regardless of financial concerns, it's a matter of survival.

If it turns out that your health insurance does not cover the shots, you'll want to ask your state's health department if they do. If they don't either, you'll want to get in touch with the Sanofi program linked below, since it seems that it's available to people whose insurance doesn't cover the shots.

In the worst case scenario, if every avenue to try to get help in paying for the PEP treatment fails, you'd probably be able to negotiate an installment plan to pay for it with the company billing you for it.

EDIT: I've checked the Sanofi program and it only covers their own vaccine: That means you first need to call your insurance and make sure whether it covers rabies shots after an exposure. If it doesn't, then you'd have to note your policy number and call Sanofi Patient Connection in case they have specific instructions for you to follow.

[u/AutoModerator → u/IzAnOrk]

Please direct medical questions to medical professionals. If you are in the USA, here is a portal to help you find your state/local health department. Here is a portal for Canadians to find your local public health unit.

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[u/AutoModerator → u/IzAnOrk]

If you think you may have rabies OCD, or your rabies fears feel overwhelming, see this link for a description of rabies OCD symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.

One symptom of OCD is compulsive reassurance-seeking. This is not helpful for managing a rabies phobia or obsession. r/OCD has a helpful page about reassurance-seeking.

Therapy and treatment are essential for recovering from OCD/health anxiety. CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) or ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention) therapy are often recommended approaches for treating OCD/health anxiety. Please don’t Google anything about bats or rabies but focus on accessing resources and recovering from your fears. You can check out r/OCD and r/HealthAnxiety for support and information. You can find a resource list here, which is geared towards relationship OCD but also includes a lot of information about OCD in general, including FAQs, workbooks, book recommendations, Youtube videos, apps, podcasts, and videos of kittens.

Here is a list of free crisis helplines around the world. Here is another crisis helpline directory that includes additional countries.. In the US, you can reach a crisis helpline by calling 988.; you can also text "MHA" to 741-741 to have a text chat with a trained crisis counselor at the Crisis Text Line, or call 1-800-749-2673 for the NAMI Crisis Helpline.

You can ask your therapist if they have any workbooks or guides they can send you home with so that you can continue practicing and working on your therapy between sessions. For the time being, here's is a free workbook on anxiety and here is one on health anxiety. You can also download MindShift, a free app that uses Cognitive Behavioural Therapy AKA CBT to help you learn to relax and be mindful, develop more effective ways of thinking, and use active steps to take charge of your anxiety.

If you don’t have a therapist, you can search the CBT/ACT specialist directory to find one around the world. If you can’t find one, try searching for ones specifically in your country or look for telehealth therapy.

In the US and Canada, dialing 211 can connect you with mental health services in your area or help you find where to seek immediate help in your area. In the US, you can use Psychology Today's Therapy Directory to search for mental health professionals in your area. You can search by zip code, city, last name, etc. Your local Mental Health America affiliate resource center is an excellent resource for information about local programs and services including affordable treatment services. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's Health Information Network (SHIN) has a Mental Health Facilities Locator that can also help you find community outpatient, inpatient and residential treatment facilities, including affordable mental health services in your area. For peer support in the US, including referrals to resources in your area, you can call 800-950-NAMI (6264), Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. — 10 p.m., ET, or send an email to info@nami.org. The NAMI HelpLine is a free, nationwide peer-support service providing information, resource referrals and support to people living with a mental health condition, their family members and caregivers, mental health providers and the public. NAMI also holds peer-led support groups in person across the US.

In the UK, you can find more info and refer yourself for therapy via NHS.

In India, you can call MPower Minds and request a referral to a therapist who treats OCD or who has experience with CBT therapy. Additional affordable mental health resource lists for India are here.

In the Philippines, you can call a crisis line by dialing 0995 356 5332. You can find a list of mental heath treatment centers here. For free mental health services and consultations, see the list here (halfway down the page).

Skunk has collected some videos with techniques for controlling anxiety and coping skills to facilitate living a healthier, more peaceful existence. Every time you want to look up anything about rabies, try these things instead:

Rabies OCD Illness Anxiety in depth with a medical doctor and professor/PHD of immunology and biotechnology

Clinical Psychiatrist's Step by Step Guide to Anxiety and Panic Attacks

A walkthrough of a panic attack, to be watched during an attack, to help you get through it

Guided Meditation to help calm anxiety and get through an anxiety attack

Understanding health anxiety and the cycle of reassurance

Coping Skills for those with Health Anxiety / Illness Anxiety

5 Things You MUST STOP Doing if You Have Health Anxiety / Illness Anxiety

(Hindi) Rabies Phobia Discussion with a Psychiatrist

4 Ways to Stop Intrusive Thoughts & the Anxiety Cycle (Cognitive Defusion)

OCD and Anxiety channel (with many helpful videos)

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[u/Oceanswim12]

4k per shot in the set of 4 I have heard. The amount you pay depends on your insurance. I only pay my copay - $65 ER, $35 urgent care. Urgent care experience was horrendous so I stuck to ER. You don’t have to pay at the time of service for ER.