A Study on Accessing to Health Guarantee of Non-Thai People and Recommendation

Abstract

Even though Thailand allows non-Thai nationals could access to Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and requirements to purchase paid health insurance schemes and sell self-paying health insurance for non-Thai nationals. There are several groups of populations excluded from the health insurance systems. This research paper has policy recommendations as follows. First, ensure access to health insurance by act-level legislation. This access should not be discriminated against by nationalities. Immigration statuses, etc. A specific law and channels should be enabled any person to purchase a health insurance scheme.  The cost of contribution for UHC should be considered from an individual’s genuine link with Thailand. A person should be able to access services without concern about affordability or financial protection or being impoverished because of the cost of healthcare-seeking needs. The research presented three options. The first option is the healthcare fund for non-Thai nationals. Researchers proposed only two funds. The funds should be in a health insurance system or the Social Security Fund for a work-related scheme.  It is recommended that the non-work-related insurance scheme should ne within the responsibility of the Division of Health Economics and Security, under the Minister of Public Health. The non-work-related funds should be consolidated into a single “Fund for the Non-Thai Health Insurance System” for the stability of the health financing system. The second approach is transferring the Social Security Fund to the “Fund for the Non-Thai Health Insurance System” under the supervision Division of Health Economics and Security, Ministry of Health. This approach can strengthen and stabilize the health finances. The third approach is delegating the National Health Security Office as a custodian of the health insurance fund for Thai nationals and non-Thai nationals and enacting new legislation at the act level to vest NHSO with the mandate to provide health insurance for non-Thai nationals.