Journal List > J Korean Diabetes > v.16(1) > 1054958

Park: Urgent Reimbursement Need for Diabetes Supplies in Blood Glucose Management of Diabetic Patients

Abstract

To achieve long-term diabetic complication reduction and decrease the health care costs, all diabetic patients must have access to the components of diabetes care modality, such as medications, supplies, and self-management education programs. However, our current government policies for diabetic patients are not sufficient to allow for adequate blood glucose control. Our national insurer does not reimburse for diabetes supplies such as blood glucose testing monitors, blood glucose test strips, lancet devices and lancets, insulin syringes and pen needles, and alcohol swabs. The government officer states that national laws, regulations, executive order, and financial problems prohibit the reimbursement of diabetes supplies. However, to achieve good outcomes and decrease the public burden of medical care costs, all stake holders, health care professionals, and diabetic patients should exert effort to require reimbursement of diabetic supplies.

References

1. American Diabetes Association. Third-party reimbursement for diabetes care, self-management education, and supplies. Diabetes Care. 2014; 37(Suppl 1):S118–9.
2. Ministry of Health and Welfare. 2014–2018 Mid-term health insurance plan protection-type reinforcement. Sejong: Ministry of Health and Welfare;2015. p. p17–8.
3. Yeaw J, Lee WC, Aagren M, Christensen T. Cost of self-monitoring of blood glucose in the United States among patients on an insulin regimen for diabetes. J Manag Care Pharm. 2012; 18:21–32.
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4. Yeaw J, Lee WC, Wolden ML, Christensen T, Groleau D. Cost of self-monitoring of blood glucose in Canada among patients on an insulin regimen for diabetes. Diabetes Ther. 2012; 3:7.
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5. Sim KH. Cost of essential medical supplies in diabetes management. J Korean Diabetes. 2008; 9(Suppl):121–6.
6. Kim DJ. Policies for enhancing insurance coverage for diabetes care-focus on diabetes supplies. 2014 International Conference on Diabetes and Metabolism Abstract Book. 2014. 73. Available from: icdm2014. diabetes.or.kr/file/CS3–1.pdf (updated 2014 Oct 17).

Table 1.
Insurance coverage status of supplies for blood glucose test strip
Country Policy Blood glucose test strip
Korea Benefit expansion 90% reimbursement for only type 1 diabetes mellitus patients up $ 360 per year
United States Medicare B 80% reimbursement
Different figures insulin users and non-users
Canada Assistive Device
Program
75% reimbursement up to a maximum of $820 per year
Insulin user, gestational diabetes mellitus patient
Australia National Diabetes
Service Scheme
Free or low-cost the National Diabetes Services Scheme
France Long-Term Illness
Scheme
Free
Different for insulin users and non-users
Germany National Disease
Management Programme
Free
Only insulin user

Modified from Sim KH. J Korean Diabetes 2008;9(Suppl):121–6 [5].

Table 2.
Insurance coverage status of supplies for insulin injection (syringe and needles)
Country Insurance coverage status
Korea Coverage plan established to start in 2015 only in type 1 diabetes mellitus patients [2]
UK Free
United States Medicare prescription drug coverage (Part D) may cover insulin and certain medical supplies used to inject insulin, like syringes, gauze, and alcohol swabs
France Free
Japan Full reimbursement
Netherland Free
Germany Full reimbursement
Italia Regional reimbursement differs by region
Taiwan Free
Australia Free

Modified from Sim KH. J Korean Diabetes 2008;9(Suppl):121–6 [5].

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