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

Park,  Tae Sun

doi:2015.16.1.1

J Korean Diabetes > Volume 16(1); 2015 > Article

Opinion

The Journal of Korean Diabetes 2015;16(1):1-5.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4093/jkd.2015.16.1.1 Published online March 26, 2015.

당뇨병 환자의 혈당관리 필수 소모품 보험급여의 필요성

박태선

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

Tae Sun Park

Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Research Institute of Clinical Medicine of Chonbuk National University and Chonbuk National University Hospital, Jeonju, Korea. pts@jbnu.ac.kr

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.

Key Words: Diabetic supplies, Insurance reimbursement, Self-management