Health insurance benefit payments confirmed for blood glucose monitoring supplies for patients with glycogen storage disease (당원병) — implementation planned for the 2nd quarter of 2027, with support for out-of-pocket costs
Source material is a Korean government announcement (in Korean).
On September 9, 2026, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (질병관리청) said it is pursuing support for the out-of-pocket costs that patients with glycogen storage disease (당원병) pay when buying electrodes for continuous glucose monitoring, blood glucose test strips and lancets. On September 8, 2026, the Health Insurance Policy Deliberation Committee (건강보험정책심의위원회) confirmed electrodes for continuous glucose monitoring, blood glucose test strips and lancets — needed for blood glucose management by patients with glycogen storage disease — as eligible for health insurance benefit payments (요양비). Payments are to take effect from the 2nd quarter of 2027. To support out-of-pocket costs once the benefit applies, the agency plans to create a related support item in the medical expense support program for patients with rare diseases (희귀질환자 의료비 지원사업) during the first half of 2027, and to work with the National Health Insurance Service (국민건강보험공단) on linking recipient eligibility and developing a medical expense payment program. The specific support measures and timing will be confirmed after the related guidelines are revised. Inquiries: Division of Rare Disease Management, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (043-719-8778).
Key facts
| Announced | September 9, 2026, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency |
|---|---|
| Supplies covered | Electrodes for continuous glucose monitoring, blood glucose test strips and lancets |
| Eligibility for benefit payments confirmed | September 8, 2026, Health Insurance Policy Deliberation Committee |
| Benefit payments take effect | Planned for the 2nd quarter of 2027 |
| Support for out-of-pocket costs | Plan to create a support item in the medical expense support program for patients with rare diseases (희귀질환자 의료비 지원사업) during the first half of 2027 — patients with glycogen storage disease who are eligible for medical expense support receive the supplies with no out-of-pocket cost |
| Number of patients with glycogen storage disease | About 344 as of 2025 |
| Existing support | Since September 2025, the cost of buying corn starch, a special dietary food, has been supported through the medical expense support program for patients with rare diseases |
| Inquiries | Division of Rare Disease Management, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency 043-719-8778 |
Last checked:
On September 9, 2026, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (질병관리청) said it is pursuing support for the out-of-pocket costs that patients with glycogen storage disease (당원병) pay when buying electrodes for continuous glucose monitoring, blood glucose test strips and lancets. On September 8, 2026, the Health Insurance Policy Deliberation Committee (건강보험정책심의위원회) confirmed these supplies as eligible for health insurance benefit payments (요양비), and payments are to take effect from the 2nd quarter of 2027. The agency plans to create a related support item in the medical expense support program for patients with rare diseases (희귀질환자 의료비 지원사업) in the first half of 2027, so that patients with glycogen storage disease who are eligible for medical expense support receive these supplies with no out-of-pocket cost.
Background — why this change
Patients with glycogen storage disease must take corn starch continuously to maintain blood glucose, and periodic blood glucose measurement is needed to prevent emergencies caused by hypoglycemia. Since September 2025, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency has supported the cost of buying corn starch, a special dietary food, through the medical expense support program for patients with rare diseases. In addition, from 2027 the income and asset criteria for households of persons with a support obligation will be abolished in stages when selecting recipients of medical expense support for rare diseases; in 2027, the support-obligor criteria will be abolished first for diseases for which nursing costs and similar expenses are supported — including glycogen storage disease — and for extremely rare diseases and chromosomal disorders.
Summaries below are factual notes based on government announcements and primary sources — not evaluations or opinions.
FAQ
What kind of disease is glycogen storage disease?
Glycogen storage disease is a rare disease in which a deficiency of the enzyme that converts glycogen into glucose causes glycogen to accumulate abnormally in the liver, muscles and elsewhere, leading to repeated hypoglycemia. As of 2025 there were about 344 patients.
Which supplies are supported, and from when?
On September 8, 2026, the Health Insurance Policy Deliberation Committee confirmed electrodes for continuous glucose monitoring, blood glucose test strips and lancets as eligible for health insurance benefit payments, and payments are to take effect from the 2nd quarter of 2027. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency plans to create a related support item in the medical expense support program for patients with rare diseases during the first half of 2027, so that patients with glycogen storage disease who are eligible for medical expense support receive these supplies with no out-of-pocket cost.
Have the specific support measures been confirmed?
The specific support measures and timing will be confirmed after the related guidelines are revised.