Latvia proposes expanded diabetes device coverage at 6.86 million euros a year

Latvia’s Health Ministry has proposed covering 75% of continuous glucose monitoring sensors for all patients and fully reimbursing insulin pumps and supplies for certain groups, LSM reported. The government approved the proposal on Tuesday. The measures are expected to cost 6.86 million euros a year.

Full reimbursement of insulin pumps and supplies would be available to patients with type 1 diabetes who are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, people who have had an organ transplant, and those with severe diabetes complications. The state would also fully cover supplies for patients already using insulin pumps who are older than 24 or bought their pumps themselves.

The plan allocates 3.66 million euros a year for 75% coverage of continuous glucose monitoring systems, 470,000 euros for full coverage of insulin pump supplies for existing users, and 2.73 million euros for full coverage of pumps and supplies for the specified patient groups.

The ministry says it aims eventually to cover both types of equipment in full for all patients with type 1 diabetes. Doing so for an estimated 7,100 patients would require an additional 30 million euros from the state budget. The ministry’s working group developed the current proposal because of limited resources. Patients and the Latvian Diabetes Association have called for state reimbursement of glucose monitoring sensors and insulin pumps.