Bangkok: The House Committee on Public Health has called upon the Ministry of Public Health, National Health Security Office, and Social Security Office to provide detailed information regarding treatment benefits amid suspicions of inequality. The agencies have assured that new treatment rights have been added, ensuring that individuals do not need to pay upfront for high-cost diseases.
According to Thai News Agency, Dr. Tossaporn Sereerak, MP for Phrae from the Pheu Thai Party and chairman of the committee, convened a meeting to examine 'Medical Benefits for Insured Persons.' Relevant agencies, including the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH), the National Health Security Office (NHSO), and the Social Security Office (SSO), were invited to the Parliament building to discuss and clarify various issues.
During the meeting, Mrs. Chanikar Kova Pradit, Director of the Medical Service System Management Office at the Social Security Office, explained that the Social Security Fund provides medical benefits for illness, childbirth, disability, emergency cases, and specialized treatments. The contributions are equally divided among insured individuals, employers, and the government, with specific rates for different categories of benefits.
Further inquiries were made by Ms. Kalayaphat Rajiroj and Ms. Sirilapas Kongtrakarn of the Prachachon Party regarding the Social Security Office's budget, the 900 baht per person annual dental treatment right, and issues such as emergency illnesses requiring upfront payments and insufficient hotline services.
The Social Security Office representative clarified that the budget is integrated with basic rights disbursed by NHSO. For dental treatments, clinics in agreement with the Social Security Office can directly disburse funds, while others can claim electronically. Hospitals can directly handle expenses for high-cost diseases, eliminating the need for public deposits.
Ms. Waraporn Suwanwela, Deputy Secretary-General of the NHSO, added that their agency is committed to protecting human rights with a fully tax-funded budget. She confirmed that additional rights have been introduced to align with current needs, facilitating access to treatment for diseases like cerebrovascular conditions, kidney stones, and cancer.