Satisfaction with High Deductible Policies among Patients with Diabetes in the Korean General/University Hospital System.
10.4093/jkd.2011.12.4.179
- Author:
Dae Jung KIM
1
Author Information
1. Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea. djkim@ajou.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Editorial
- Keywords:
Diabetes mellitus;
Health insurance reimbursement;
Drug costs
- MeSH:
Deductibles and Coinsurance;
Diabetes Complications;
Diabetes Mellitus;
Drug Costs;
Humans;
Insurance, Health, Reimbursement;
Korea;
Prescriptions
- From:Journal of Korean Diabetes
2011;12(4):179-182
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
The Korean government implemented a new policy on October 1st, 2011, requiring that patients with type 2 diabetes in the general or university hospital system pay 40% or 50% rather than 30% of total prescription drug costs. The Diabetes Association of Korea performed a survey regarding satisfaction with the new policy among patients with diabetes from August 24th to September 2nd, 2011. A total of 548 patients participated in the survey through one-to-one interviews. About 90% of patients with diabetes regarded diabetes as a serious disease, while only 4.5% regarded diabetes as a mild disease. The reasons why patients regarded diabetes as a serious disease were risks of developing diabetic complications (64.3%), difficulty of diabetes care (18.0%), and difficulty of cure (15.1%). About 70% of patients felt burdened by the increased prescription drug costs and deductibles, while only 12% did not. Finally, 85% of patients thought that the new policy was unfair to patients with diabetes and about 75% of patients regarded the new policy as inappropriate. In conclusion, the Korean government's new high deductible policy for patients with diabetes in the general/university hospital system should be withdrawn immediately.
