Registration for the 30 bath Health Program "Schemme"

[umbanda]

Do not get excited..no Health Card for "farangs" anymore...That was "too good to be true"....

This morning I went to the local hospital to use my Health Card card before expiring in 30 days, and I encounter a lot of people having examination and getting the registration for the 30thb program, Thai, Cambodians, Burmese, Laosians, etc on a special government set up. Even with so much people, took me just one hour for me do a complete check up, blood and urine testing, x-rays, and a doctor consultation with free medication, that normally cost more than 2000thb, paying just 30thb.

My wife commented that the 30thb program was implemented by Taksin. Before no Thai people had any Public Medical coverage and had to pay normal pricing. I was surprised by that, and very happy to know that the new government is keeping the program for the sake of its people.

But...What will happen if Thailands neighbords do not have similar programs? Will them cross the border jut to getting and using the Thai Health Card? Will the program be valid for all the Asean Community countries? How about Malaysians? By my knowledge, medical treatments in Malaysia are very expensive...What kind of Public Health Programs are in those countries?

Just curiosity.

Edited September 29, 2014 by umbanda

[seajae]

does anyone actually have any verifiable knowedge on this scheme, for those that are already on it does it continue or is it no longer valid for foreigners when their current card finishes.

[citizen33]

The position with the 30 baht scheme has been explained many times on other threads. In brief the programme is for Thai citizens only, though some westerners have been mistakenly registered in the past. Perhaps that is what happened in this case. In other threads some westerners think they are in the 30 baht scheme when they register with a public hospital for the purpose of creating a medical record, and a westerner doing this will then pay the same prices applicable to Thai private patients, which for minor treatments can be as low as 30 baht, but for major things is a lot higher.

The issues of pressure on Thai health budgets from cross-border movements, the implications of AEC membership and the health policies of neighbouring countries are all interesting. Basically the former Minister had been trying to address the first two issues both by building up facilities in border areas of Burma, Cambodia and Laos (mainly with external finance), and plugging existing gaps in coverage for groups such as stateless people, migrant workers from the above countries,. expats and uninsured tourists. Sadly these efforts were not all successful, partly because of technical difficulties and some confusion in the MoPH, but partly because the conservative faction led by the MoPH Permanent Secretary opposed extra spending. Thus the ideas of introducing an expat scheme and a mandatory tourist scheme have gone on the back burner, and my sense is that the new regime is not at all sympathetic to the first. The former Minister, Dr Pradit, wanted to extend healthcare coverage to everybody resident in Thailand, but lost the fight to some of the 'good people'.

Health policy in the surrounding countries had been quite diverse (Singapore for instance is in a completely different situation than Laos). However, the positive response to the Thai universal coverage reforms from bodies like the WHO and Rockefeller Foundation after a glowing evaluation two years ago, got a bit of momentum for change going. At the ASEAN + 3 Health Ministers' meeting in Phuket in July 2012 it was agreed to form a UHC network, with Thailand providing the secretariat. Several member countries which did not have UHC, including Indonesia and Lao PDR, have put in place a timetable to achieve it, Even the PRC (one of the +3) is extending coverage so as to achieve something very close to UHC. The UHC network has been rather slow getting off the ground and the first working meeting took place near the Rose Garden in April. Unfortunately the political troubles have meant that this is not a big priority for the Thai side and so far the network hasn't got much further than agreeing terms of reference etcetera. In 2012 Rockefeller Foundation and the Thai Government funded a project called CAP UC to build capacity for universal coverage in Asian countries. This revolves around short courses and study visits where NHSO, Ministry and International Health Policy Programme staff explain some of the technical issues concerned with UHC financing and service organisation to visiting groups of policy makers and professionals. This is still going strong and many have visited to learn the lessons Thailand has to offer.

The start of the AEC is an additional driver that has influenced some of these developments. Probably the consequences for the professional workforce, for migrant labour, cross-border movements and future internal community rules have not been fully digested, In the case of the European Union, there seems to have been a kind of policy creep whereby initial economic measures concerned with ensuring free movement and trade within the single market quite quickly led to directives regulating health and safety and then 'services of general interest' (including health). I would doubt that AEC will go as far down that path, but there is likely to be some requirement to provide basic care to workers and perhaps visitors from member states. Probably the changes that will come with AEC are the most likely route by which the issue of subsidized basic healthcare for long-term residents might get back on the policy agenda.

If Seajae's question is about the 'healthcard for foreigners' scheme, he needs to read other threads from a day or two ago on this sub-forum.

Edited September 29, 2014 by citizen33

[citizen33]

P.S.Re timetable for UHC the above should read Vietnam and not Lao PDR.

[Toknarok]

I was registered on the 30 baht scheme for years. From 1st October last year foreigners were no longer covered and had to pay full price.

Edited September 30, 2014 by Toknarok

[umbanda]

I was registered on the 30 baht scheme for years. From 1st October last year foreigners were no longer covered and had to pay full price.

I was registered In Chiang Rai 31 of October 2013, and was valid for one year. I can use it until 31 of October 2014.

Some hospitals in other provinces canceleld the card validation and also returned the 2800thb paid. In my case, no money back, but I can use it until expired.

No more registrations or extensions for "farangs" with this card, and I believe is what is happening in all provinces.

The only exeptions are for "farangs" with WP under 60 y.o and on Thai social security, or married with Thai Government employees.

Those still under the 30 thb schemme.

Edited September 30, 2014 by umbanda

[TerryLH]

"I was registered In Chiang Rai 31 of October 2013, and was valid for one year. I can use it until 31 of October 2014.

Some hospitals in other provinces canceleld the card validation and also returned the 2800thb paid."

If there was a cost to get into the system, it is not the 30 baht system.

"The only exeptions are for "farangs" with WP under 60 y.o and on Thai social security,..."

As long as you get enrolled in the SS system prior to age 60, you can remain in the system after 60. If you lose eligibility through employment, you can continue paying on your own. 432 baht a month. It's easy to apply at the SS Office.

"...or married with Thai Government employees."

Not all government workers are in the Civil Servant health system. If they are not, there is no coverage for spouses.

[citizen33]

The only exeptions are for "farangs" with WP under 60 y.o and on Thai social security, or married with Thai Government employees.

Those still under the 30 thb schemme.

Yes many in these two groups are covered by a public insurance scheme, but not the 30 baht scheme (AKA the universal coverage scheme).

Those in formal employment (a work permit alone is not the defining requirement) can join the social security scheme before age 60, and can maintain coverage past 60 for a small monthly payment.

Those married to a civil servant (not a non-civil service public employee) are eligible for coverage under the civil servant medical benefits scheme.

The three public schemes:

1. UCS

http://www.nhso.go.th/eng/Site/Default.aspx

2. SSS

http://www.sso.go.th/wpr/home_eng.jsp?lang=en

3. CSMBS

http://www.ilo.org/dyn/ilossi/ssimain.viewScheme?p_lang=en&p_geoaid=764&p_scheme_id=1199

http://www.coopami.org/en/countries/countries_partners/thailand/projects/2014/pdf/2014062205.pdf

CSMBS (CGD) has no English language website

Edited September 30, 2014 by citizen33

[umbanda]

"I was registered In Chiang Rai 31 of October 2013, and was valid for one year. I can use it until 31 of October 2014.

Some hospitals in other provinces canceleld the card validation and also returned the 2800thb paid."

If there was a cost to get into the system, it is not the 30 baht system.

"The only exeptions are for "farangs" with WP under 60 y.o and on Thai social security,..."

As long as you get enrolled in the SS system prior to age 60, you can remain in the system after 60. If you lose eligibility through employment, you can continue paying on your own. 432 baht a month. It's easy to apply at the SS Office.

"...or married with Thai Government employees."

Not all government workers are in the Civil Servant health system. If they are not, there is no coverage for spouses.

Thank you for the explanation. Because I paid just 30 thb for a 2000thb service, I believed that my Farang Card was also on the 30thb system...