A Comparative Analysis on The Reimbursement Status Of Sensor Augmented Pump Therapy in Turkey and Other Selected Countries.

Abstract

Sensor augmented therapy (SAP) with automated insulin suspension is the most advanced technology for the treatment of severe and moderate hypoglisemia in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus. In order to sustain a better uptake of sensor augmented therapy for patients, it is crucial for this technology to be included in the reimbursement scheme of Turkey and in the other countries. Thus, we aimed to study and analyze reimbursement status of this technology in Turkey and across other selected countries of Western Asia, North America and Western Pacific. Mainly official web resources such as health authority web pages, direct contact with authority responsibles and published articles on SAP are utilized. Most of the countries examined have either reimbursement or limited status of SAP. European countries such as Ireland, The Netherlands, Sweden, Estonia, Czech Republic; Israel in Western Asia, Japan in Western Pacific and USA are the ones where this technology is reimbursed mainly for patients with Type 1 Diabetes. Within these selected countries, Turkey has a position of having reasonably well defined reimbursement status for SAP despite insufficient number of sensors reimbursed - 2 sensors instead of 5 sensors a month; which potentially causes an incomplete therapy for the patients. Despite the operational hurdles and insufficient number of sensors reimbursed per patient in Turkey, the country still stands as a successful example of reimbursement practice, by making this technology available for the indicated patients.