당뇨병 경증질환 분류에 대한 당뇨병환자의 반응 |
김대중 |
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Satisfaction with High Deductible Policies among Patients with Diabetes in the Korean General/University Hospital System. |
Dae Jung Kim |
Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea. djkim@ajou.ac.kr |
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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government's new high deductible policy for patients with diabetes in the general/university hospital system should be withdrawn immediately. |
Key Words:
Diabetes mellitus, Health insurance reimbursement, Drug costs |
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