Treatment of Type 2 diabetes mellitus in Chongqing of China: unaffordable care for the poor. Issue 1 (17th August 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Long, Q.; He, M.; Tang, X.; Allotey, P.; Tang, S.
• Is Part Of: Diabetic medicine. Volume 34:Issue 1(2017)
• Page Start: 120
• Page End: 126
• Publication Date: 2016-08-17
• Subjects: Diabetes -- Periodicals; 616.462
• DOI: 10.1111/dme.13193
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0742-3071

Abstract

Abstract: Aim: This study aims to investigate the medical expenditure of people with Type 2 diabetes mellitus in Chongqing, China; to explore factors that contribute to the expenditure; and to examine the financial burden placed on households, particularly poor households. Methods: A cross sectional survey was conducted with a sample of people diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes mellitus in 2014. Of the 664 people eligible, 76% were interviewed. Descriptive statistics and log‐linear regression were used to examine respondents' age, sex and level education, location of residence, income and type of health insurance associated with out‐of‐pocket expenditure on accessing diabetes mellitus care. Results: In a year, average out‐of‐pocket expenditure on the purchase of drugs from pharmacies and having outpatient care were US $333 and US $310, respectively. The average out‐of‐pocket expenditure on accessing inpatient care was 3.7 times (US $1159) that of accessing outpatient care. After adjusting for age and sex, out‐of‐pocket expenditure on diabetes care was significantly higher for people covered by the Urban Employee Basic Medical Insurance programme and those enrolled in the identified priority diseases reimbursement programme, which provided higher reimbursement rates for outpatient and (or) inpatient care. Out‐of‐pocket expenditures on the purchase of drugs from pharmacies, having outpatient and inpatient care, respectively, were 9.8%, 16.2% and 62.6% of annual household income in low‐income group. Conclusion: Even with health insurance coverage, poor people with Type 2 diabetes mellitus suffered from significant financial hardship. This has significant implications for models of care and healthcare financing in China with the growing burden of diabetes. What's new?: The prevalence of diabetes mellitus in China has been increasing, along with the substantial healthcare costs attributable to the disease. This study investigates the medical expenditure of people with Type 2 diabetes in the less‐developed provinces of western China and examines the financial burden placed on households, particularly poor households. The findings indicate that even with access to health insurance coverage, poor people with Type 2 diabetes still suffer from significant financial hardship caused by diabetes mellitus care.