Health insurers' concern over global rise in diabetes
Approximately 642 million people are expected to be diagnosed with diabetes by 2040, with Asians representing more than half of all cases, experts in China claim
In the first large scale study to be conducted since the implementation of medical insurance in China, researchers looked at the complexity and cost of drug therapy for Asian people with diabetes.
Examining treatment records from Beijing's medical insurance bureau from 2016 to 2018, they found that over three years there was a gradual decrease of almost nine per cent in diabetes medications.
In addition, researchers found an 18-per-cent decrease in estimated annual medication, however this could be down to rational use of medications, leading to a decrease in the usage of medications over the three years. This is especially true for what the authors call the needless use of most types of insulin, which could have indirectly led to decreased costs.
Diabetes medication and treatment is expensive
Diabetes is a disease associated with ageing and poor diet and is responsible for some of the most expensive treatment costs. In May, William Russell cited the highest claim for diabetes for the period as being US$ 6,806.91 (in Thailand).
“These figures cover the period 2019-20,” commented Inez Cooper, Managing Director and Co-Founder of William Russell, “but at a time when the cost of global healthcare is increasing year on year, there is no telling what they may look like in 2020-21.
“This only serves to highlight how vital it is for families already living or planning to move abroad to urgently seek international health insurance from a trusted provider. Families may also want to consider the addition of medical evacuation insurance, which will provide cover should they need to travel to another country for medical treatment.”