A new era dawns for Thailand’s universal healthcare scheme

[reader]

From Thai PBS World

The government’s universal healthcare scheme will make a groundbreaking leap next year, when Thais will be allowed to receive free medical treatment anywhere in their home province, including private hospitals, simply by presenting their national ID card.

“We are revolutionizing the country’s public healthcare. The paradigm will change for the first time in 20 years,” said Dr Surapong Suebwonglee, secretary to the National Healthcare Service Plan Development Committee.

In the initial phase, individuals covered by the healthcare scheme in four pilot provinces, namely Roi Et, Phetchaburi, Phrae and Narathiwat, will be able to enjoy this privilege from January 8. No prior registration is required; members can visit any medical facility and gain treatment by showing their national ID.

“I am fully confident this move will benefit the public,” Roi Et’s public health chief Dr Suradet Chawadet said.

“Let’s see how far we can go with the implementation.”

Hundreds of hospitals and clinics in Roi Et, including 400 private medical facilities, have now integrated their databases for the initial phase of the plan.

If the first phase is successful, the second phase will commence in March, expanding to eight more provinces before being gradually rolled out nationwide within a year.

The universal healthcare scheme, launched in 2001 as the brainchild of the Thai Rak Thai Party (TRT) government, has evolved significantly. Initially costing users 30 baht per visit, it marked a breakthrough in Thailand’s healthcare sector by providing free or low-cost medical services.

The scheme, now covering some 48 million people, offers a guarantee of accessible healthcare provided by the state.

Gone are the days when ailing people had to worry about being financially ruined by medical costs or being denied treatment if they or their family had no proof they could cover their bills.

Continues at

https://www.thaipbsworld.com/treatment-anywhere-a-new-era-dawns-for-thailands-universal-healthcare-scheme/

 

[Keithambrose]

This seems too good to be true?

[PeterRS]

When Thaksin introduced the original healthcare plan, it was universally praised - except by the hospitals, even the much cheaper public ones, which would in future have to perform expensive cancer and other comlicated surgeries for the same 35 baht it would cost them to treat a cold. It took about four years but a large group of hospitals complained that they could be forced to close.

Within a few years the government realised the scheme needed rethinkiing. So it removed the 35 baht charge and much healthcare became basically free for Thai citizens. Since then hospitals have been reimbursed out of general tax revenues. The new policy seems to extend benefits to greater numbers. 

[Keithambrose]

8 hours ago, PeterRS said:

When Thaksin introduced the original healthcare plan, it was universally praised - except by the hospitals, even the much cheaper public ones, which would in future have to perform expensive cancer and other comlicated surgeries for the same 35 baht it would cost them to treat a cold. It took about four years but a large group of hospitals complained that they could be forced to close.

Within a few years the government realised the scheme needed rethinkiing. So it removed the 35 baht charge and much healthcare became basically free for Thai citizens. Since then hospitals have been reimbursed out of general tax revenues. The new policy seems to extend benefits to greater numbers. 

I see the idea. However will the government really reimburse hospitals for free treatment of 60m plus people? The cost would be eye watering. Plus, I imagine that the medical system would not have enough facilities.

[PeterRS]

3 hours ago, Keithambrose said:

I see the idea. However will the government really reimburse hospitals for free treatment of 60m plus people? The cost would be eye watering. Plus, I imagine that the medical system would not have enough facilities.

Since they have largely been treating most of the public in this way for quite a few years, I imagine an increase will not prove too much of a drain on the tax revenues given the country's increasing prosperity. Plus even in private hospitals, treatments and procedures are very substantially lower than in western countries. In pubic hospitals, I have had MRIs which cost 14,500 baht each and a Professor of Retinology to thoroughly check my eyes and previous retina damage for 2,000 baht. My abdominal specialist's fee is 200 baht with the hospital taking a 50 baht facilities fee! 

My expectation is that as tourism increases, the larger and richer private hospitals like Bumrungrad will just put fees up yet again to cover the cost of treatment of Thais.

[Keithambrose]

8 hours ago, PeterRS said:

Since they have largely been treating most of the public in this way for quite a few years, I imagine an increase will not prove too much of a drain on the tax revenues given the country's increasing prosperity. Plus even in private hospitals, treatments and procedures are very substantially lower than in western countries. In pubic hospitals, I have had MRIs which cost 14,500 baht each and a Professor of Retinology to thoroughly check my eyes and previous retina damage for 2,000 baht. My abdominal specialist's fee is 200 baht with the hospital taking a 50 baht facilities fee! 

My expectation is that as tourism increases, the larger and richer private hospitals like Bumrungrad will just put fees up yet again to cover the cost of treatment of Thais.

OK! Let's hope.