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KMID : 1039620130030030299
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Korean Journal of Family Practice
2013 Volume.3 No. 3 p.299 ~ p.307
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Survey of the Opinion about Non-insurance Coverage Policy for Longterm Use of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor in Primary Care
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Han Jae-Kwon
Cho Hyun-Sun
Lee Jung-Ah
Sun Woo-Sung
Yoo Byung-Wook
Kim Young-Sik
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Abstract
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Background: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most commonly used antidepressant drugs. In Korea, however, insurance coverage is only provided within 60 days when it is prescribed in departments other than psychiatry. This regulation makes it diffi cult to prescribe SSRIs to depressed patients in primary care. We aimed to survey patients with depression on their opinions regarding SSRI use and the current insurance policy for the drugs.
Methods: Subjects included 100 patients with depression, who were newly prescribed with SSRIs in the department of family medicine of two university hospitals (from February 2010 to August 2011). The survey was performed using a standardized questionnaire on the 4th to 8th weeks after the start of SSRI use.
Results: The mean age of the subjects was 54.3 years, and 38 patients were men. In response to the question about edical care after 60 days of prescription, 45.5% of patients replied that they were willing to be prescribed SSRIs from family
physicians without insurance coverage, while only 12.1% reported that they would like to visit psychiatrists. Eighty onepoint-one percent replied that the current insurance policy on SSRI use is unreasonable, and should be amended to be
applied to prescriptions which are made even in departments other than psychiatry.
Conclusion: Under the current insurance policy for SSRIs, 42.4% of depressed patients reported being inadequately treated.
Moreover, 83.9% had complaints that the current policy is limiting the use of SSRIs, and choice of patients. Revision of the
policy should be considered.
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KEYWORD
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Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, Depression, Health Insurance
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