National insurance to cover diabetes test

Blood-sugar-level measuring kits for diabetes patients will be covered by national health insurance from July, the Ministry of Health and Welfare said Wednesday.

According to a ministry official, it costs about 50,000 won a month ($46) if one uses six kits every day. The new plan will cover 30,000 won of the monthly cost. This will help 40,000 patients nationwide save 15 billion won a year, the ministry said.

(baejisook@heraldcorp.com)