NHSO denies additional funds for advanced Thai treatments

The National Health Security Office (NHSO) firmly rejected a proposal from a national network of hospitals to allow patients under Thailand’s universal healthcare scheme to pay extra for enhanced treatments.

A coalition of hospitals, including the university hospital network, approached Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin last month, seeking the ministry’s intervention to address the budgetary constraints of the universal healthcare scheme. The hospitals raised alarms about potential funding shortages and proposed that patients be permitted to pay additional fees for superior medical care options.

The NHSO responded by emphasising that the universal healthcare scheme, launched in 2002, was designed to provide free medical treatment for all Thai citizens. To curb unnecessary hospital visits, a national committee had previously decided that patients should co-pay for each visit’s treatment fee.

According to the NHSO, Article 5 of the National Health Security Act stipulates that any co-payment rate must receive approval from the National Health Security Committee. The committee has sanctioned a co-payment rate of 30 baht per visit, which remains in effect.

Concerns have escalated recently about the scheme’s financial viability due to an increasing number of patient visits and rising costs of drugs and medical equipment. Many hospitals are struggling with inadequate funding, prompting multiple appeals to authorities for financial relief.

NHSO Secretary-General, Dr Jadet Thammathat-aree noted that the council of state had previously interpreted a flexible co-payment scenario based on necessity. However, the council concluded that allowing patients to pay more for better medical access would violate the principle of equality, said Dr Jadet.

“The extra payment is feasible for services like room upgrades but not for obtaining superior medicine or treatments.”

Dr Jadet underscored that medical decisions should be made solely by doctors, without patient influence. He reiterated that, according to policy, patients should not incur charges for medical services.

Dr Jadet assured that the universal healthcare scheme is not on the brink of financial collapse.

The NHSO’s stance aims to uphold the integrity of the universal healthcare scheme, ensuring equitable medical treatment for all Thai citizens despite the financial challenges faced by hospitals, reported Bangkok Post.