Thailand expands 30-baht healthcare scheme nationwide
Thailand has extended its Treatment Anywhere 30-baht universal healthcare scheme to cover the entire nation, with the initiative now active in the remaining 31 provinces. This marks the completion of the scheme’s fourth and final phase since being introduced by the National Health Security Office (NHSO).
According to Athaporn Limpanylers, deputy secretary-general of the NHSO, the initiative now encompasses all 76 provinces in Thailand. The healthcare policy initially began its rollout on January 7 last year in four pilot provinces: Phrae, Roi Et, Phetchaburi, and Narathiwat.
The scheme aims to enhance the accessibility and efficiency of healthcare services for Thai citizens, ensuring that people can receive medical care close to their homes. One of the key objectives is to expedite financial support for healthcare providers and integrate artificial intelligence (AI) systems for pre-payment verification, which will streamline the processing of claims.
“Integration of data systems and seamless information sharing between service providers is crucial for the success of this policy.”
To further improve access to healthcare, the NHSO has expanded its hotline services by adding more phone lines to the 24-hour hotline 1330. This enhancement allows individuals to access various services, including requesting assistance and scheduling appointments. The system is directly linked with the NHSO’s database for real-time service verification.
In addition to the hotline, the NHSO has recruited more volunteers to support its operations and has established communication channels on platforms like LINE (@NHSO), Traffy Fondue, and Facebook to facilitate public access.
By the end of the year, a total of 13,004 healthcare units are participating in the scheme. These units include 788 medical clinics, 1,394 dental clinics, 5,491 pharmacies, 4,344 nursing clinics, 340 physical therapy clinics, and 453 traditional Thai medicine clinics.
To date, approximately 7.04 million people have benefited from the services provided under this healthcare scheme. The NHSO has also clarified the reimbursement procedures for healthcare service units participating in the initiative, ensuring a smooth operation and efficient service delivery, reported Bangkok Post.
