MOPH to propose universal emergency healthcare benefit

[Lite Beer]

MOPH to propose universal emergency healthcare benefit

NONTHABURI, 15 March 2015 (NNT) – The Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) is preparing to propose the amendment on healthcare benefits allowing emergency patients to be accepted in all hospitals and healthcare centers to the cabinet, says the Deputy Minister.

The Deputy Minister of Public Health Somsak Chunharas, along with the Secretary-General of the National Institute for Emergency Medicine (NIEMS) Anucha Setasaetien has revealed the outcome of the Emergency Medical Committee (EMC) that the EMC has approved the development of Emergency Medicine in Thailand with the aim to save the life of patients through free services by all medical institutions.

The EMC has suggested the improvement of the universal emergency healthcare benefit, effective since 1 April 2012, in which some patients experienced the declination of their benefit and some have been charged for medical expenses by some hospitals. There are also cases of private hospitals declining to joining this campaign, and the different understanding of the definition of emergency cases between the patients and doctors.

The MOPH Deputy Minister has said that the EMC’s new suggestions includes a classification of emergency sickness and symptoms in three levels, namely red, yellow, and green. Red level is when the patient is faced with life threatening symptoms and will be covered by the Emergency Medical Act 2008.

Patients in the red category can admit themselves to any medical institutions, their treatment cannot be declined. Patients can receive treatments in the admitted hospitals for up to three days, then they can be referred to hospital registered in their social security. In the cases of yellow and green category patients, they will not be considered as emergency patients.

The EMC has also suggested an establishment of a management office for emergency medicine in hospitals in the National Institute for Emergency Medicine as the main agency for central management and inspection, as well as establishing a complaints center for the public.

The committee on the pricing of emergency medical services will also be required and will eventually be set up. The committee will include experts and academics on the health security, and from the private sector, with the executive of the MOPH as the chairperson and the executive of the NIEMS as the secretary, says the MOPH Deputy Minister.

The public can call the 1669 hotline for 24 hours to report any emergency cases or symptoms to receive immediate care.

-- NNT 2015-03-15

[zaphod reborn]

So no proposal as to how this will be funded? Yes, slap a universal emergency care plan, usable at any hospital, on top of an already economically unsustainable medical coverage system. Brilliant!

[wpcoe]

Patients can receive treatments in the admitted hospitals for up to three days, then they can be referred to hospital registered in their social security.

So this is only for participants in the national social security system? i.e. Not for most resident or visiting foreigners?

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

That would seem to be the implication, based on the language you quote about ultimately being referred to their Social Security registered hospital for further care.

I guess it would including working foreigners who pay into the Social Security system, but not retirees and tourists.