Universal Health Care Card

[peterlord]

Need advise on health care pulic system

[PMNL]

Hi PTL

Universl Health Coverage or 30 baht card or gold card is a health care system for thais, similar to NHS in UK just thais do not have to pay one baht out of their income/salary. Every single thai can access the treatment at registered hospital for free of charge. For emergency they can go to any hospital including many private hospitals for emergency treatment, once they are clinically stable, they will be transferred to their registered hospital. The quility of the treatment is not quite good due to the working overload of medical staff and the budget per head per year(2400b/y but actual payment to hospital ~1500 B/y). There are limitation on medications and certain treatments such as original drugs(even though the generic ones do not work for the patients) Haemodialysis (pay 500B extra). Selective surgery is normally long waiting list. Over all it is acceptable for most non insured thais as it is free. However for that reason they often abuse the system by making unneccessary visit such as simple cold, simple dyspepsia and work related non threatening backache. The more workload for medical profession, the more substandard treatments.

For employee(thais/farngs), there is social security health system which the emplyee participate on monthly payment ( 5% of salary max:750B/m). You can choose private hospital as a registered hospital with this program but you can imagine what is the quality of the medication are used on OPD case basis according to the money they get paid per head per year(~2000B/head/year). For inpatient, they are pretty ok. Limitation on certain things though such as a number of heart surgery ( who wants so many??). It is quite fine in general anyway.

Hope this help.

Edited May 18, 2010 by PMNL

[Pib]

By chance do you know of any web site or document that provides a summary/translation "in English" of the benefits/rules of the 30 Baht program? Thanks.

[Pib]

I stumbled upon the Thai National Health Security Office which provides English information in describing the program (a.k.a., 30 baht program).

Go to: National Health Security Office Homepage v1.0.1.3 update 26/08/2552 # and then select NHSO Information, and then select Benefits Package.