Doctor Warns NHSO: Gold Card Treatment Costs Skimmed, Healthcare System at Risk

MGR Online•General•234d ago

Reader Briefing

A prominent doctor warns Thailand's national healthcare system is at risk of collapse due to the National Health Security Office (NHSO) drastically cutting reimbursement rates for "Gold Card" patients below actual treatment costs.

•Prof. Dr. Somsak Thiamkao, Director of Srinagarind Hospital, has sent an open letter to the NHSO, criticizing the reduced reimbursement for Gold Card patient treatment.
•The NHSO has cut the rate from 8,350 baht to 3,505.14 baht per unit for treatment starting December 2568 B.E. (2025 A.D.).
•This reimbursement rate is significantly lower than the actual costs, which range from 13,000 baht for general hospitals to 23,000 baht for university hospitals like Srinagarind.

Overview

•On Jan 31, Prof. Dr. Somsak Thiamkao sent an open letter to the NHSO regarding the Gold Card budget crisis, urging a review of reimbursement policies to maintain efficient services.
•The NHSO's reimbursement rate for Gold Card patient treatment (1RW) has been reduced to 3,505.14 baht, a decrease from 8,350 baht.
•The actual cost of treatment for 1RW is estimated at 13,000 baht for general hospitals, 17,000 baht for provincial hospitals, and approximately 23,000 baht for university hospitals.
•The current reimbursement represents only about 27% (general), 20.6% (provincial), and 15.3% (university) of the actual treatment costs.
•The significant reduction in reimbursement rates is expected to cause financial strain on hospitals, potentially leading to a decrease in drug and medical supply budgets and staffing issues.
•Hospitals may be forced to reduce treatment standards and limit access to essential medicines and medical supplies in order to cut costs.
•This financial pressure could lead to medical personnel experiencing burnout and resigning from the system.
•Prof. Dr. Somsak Thiamkao highlighted that the reimbursement rate for civil servant patients (1RW) is 13,500 baht, which is 10,000 baht higher than for Gold Card patients, creating inequality in access to care.

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Key Quotes

ศ.นพ.สมศักดิ์ เทียมเก่า

"The 3505.14 baht per RW is far below cost."

1RW 3505.14 บาท นั้น ต่ำกว่าต้นทุนมากๆ เลยครับ

ศ.นพ.สมศักดิ์ เทียมเก่า

"The 1 RW treatment cost for civil servant patients is 13,500 baht, 10,000 baht higher than for Gold Card patients."

อัตราการจ่ายค่ารักษาของผู้ป่วยสิทธิข้าราชการ 1 RW เท่ากับ 13,500 บาท ซึ่งสูงกว่าผู้ป่วยบัตรทองถึง 10,000 บาท

Key Entities

Person

Somsak Thiamkao(สมศักดิ์ เทียมเก่า)

Director of Srinagarind Hospital and a neurologist who authored an open letter to the NHSO.

Organization

NHSO(สปสช.)ℹ️

National Health Security Office, the body responsible for Thailand's universal healthcare coverage, which is criticized for low reimbursement rates.

Srinagarind Hospital(รพ.ศรีนครินทร์)

A university hospital affiliated with the Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, facing financial strain due to low NHSO reimbursement.

Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University(คณะแพทยศาสตร์ มหาวิทยาลัยขอนแก่น)

Academic institution to which Srinagarind Hospital belongs.

Policy

Gold Card(บัตรทอง)

Refers to Thailand's universal healthcare coverage scheme for low-income citizens.