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by ng12
3321 days ago
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As an American this is the single biggest fear I have about a nationalized healthcare system. I've been using the Dexcom CGM for 4 years and never had to pay more than a standard co-pay. It seems to me systems like the NHS are set up to serve the majority and people people with (relatively) rare diseases get screwed. |
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In England there are some weirdness with treatment for people with diabetes.
If you use insulin of medication to manage your diabetes you're entitled to free prescriptions. This is free from the time you're diagnosed to your death, and for all medications not just insulin. (But not free dental or optician care)
Prescriptions are low cost in England. Currently they cost:
http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcosts/Pages/Prescriptionc...
>> The current prescription charge is £8.60 per item (£17.20 per pair of elastic hosiery). A three monthly PPC is £29.10 and will save you money if you need more than three prescribed items in three months. A 12-month certificate is £104.00 and will save you money if you need more than 12 prescribed items in a year.
(I think this is right, but it might have changed) I feel that it's an injustice that glucose monitors and test strips and these new devices are not covered by this medical exemption certificate, and that people with diabetes need to pay for them, even if they don't have to pay the 20% VAT.
England has an independent organisation called NICE that decides on best current practice treatment (with an eye to cost effectiveness). Clinical Commissioning Groups (the local organisations that commission NHS services) need to pay regard to NICE guidance. Here's their standard for type one diabetes: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng17
Here's their list for blood glucose management: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng17/chapter/1-Recommendati...