J Korean Diabetes.  2011 Dec;12(4):179-182. 10.4093/jkd.2011.12.4.179.

Satisfaction with High Deductible Policies among Patients with Diabetes in the Korean General/University Hospital System

• Kim DJ

• KMID: 2059847
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4093/jkd.2011.12.4.179

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government's new high deductible policy for patients with diabetes in the general/university hospital system should be withdrawn immediately.

Keyword

Diabetes mellitus; Health insurance reimbursement; Drug costs

MeSH Terms

Deductibles and Coinsurance
Diabetes Complications
Diabetes Mellitus
Drug Costs
Humans
Insurance, Health, Reimbursement
Korea
Prescriptions

Figure

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  Fig. 1. Opinion about whether diabetes is a serious disease or not.

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  Fig. 2. Reason why diabetes is regarded as a serious disease.

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  Fig. 3. Burden of drug cost and deductible.

Reference

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2. Kim DJ. The epidemiology of diabetes in Korea. Diabetes Metab J. 2011; 35:303–8.