Reimbursement for medical bills for Covid-19 in Thailand
According to a Facebook post on the ‘Thai Khu Fa (Government House)’ page, the Thai government has informed that private hospitals are not allowed to send medical bills to Covid-19 patients or their family, the post says that the government will reimburse all the medical bills back to the hospital.
Many complaints were sent the government that Covid-19 patients at private hospitals are being forced to pay for treatments, in some cases, expenses have reached 100,000 baht. Others are complaining that some of Thailand’s hospitals are using the current situation to price-gouge patients whilst they are at their most vulnerable.
The government says, “private hospitals should keep all records of medical treatment and services and send the bills to related agencies for reimbursement.”
The Public Health Ministry has draft regulations on reimbursement that have been initially approved by the cabinet and will take effect soon. However, if the patients have health insurance that covers Covid-19 treatment they are being encouraged to use their benefits first.
The Department of Health Service Support insists the cost of Covid-19 treatment would be covered by the country’s health security funds. This announcement was signed by The Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul who supervises Thailand’s universal health fund.
The Social Security Office has also published an announcement on their facebook page (@ssofanpage) about regulations and reimbursement of medical fees and service charges for Covid-19 case. The regulations were approved by the medical committee on the SSO’s board and consist of…
- For out-patients SSO will pay for actual costs of lab tests and personal protective equipment used by medical personnel, capped 3,000 baht per time.
- Medical expenses for in-patients, including drug costs, capped at 7,200 baht per case.
- Hospital room charges capped at 2,500 baht per day.
- Transportation fees will also be provided, in cases form the same province capped at 500 baht, in other provinces, the initial payment is 500 baht and an additional 6 baht per kilometer.
- Paying for personal protective equipment (PPE), deep cleaning of the transport and fuel for the vehicles capped at 3,700 baht per time
The social security fund relates to all workers paying the monthly social security as part of their pay, including foreigners with valid work permits. According to the announcement, if patients are seeking treatment at private hospitals, reimbursement will be made in line with the Public Health Ministry’s regulations.
NOTE: It is incumbent on everyone who goes into hospital for Covid-19 treatment to check the situation relating to their particular visa and work situation relating to re-imbursement.
SOURCE: Bangkok Post / Facebook
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