Permanent Secretary for Labor Mr. Somkiat Chayasriwong said every Thai national would be able to avail himself to the emergency service at any hospital in the country without charges.
While the new service may appeal to all Thai citizens, Mr. Somkiat said the matter would be finalized on March 13th, 2012. According to him, it has been concluded from the meeting between the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Labor, the Office of National Health Security Office (NHSO), the Social Security Office (SSO) and those overseeing the medical treatments for civil servants, that all systems should be merged and simplified for public convenience.
Under the current social security requirements, although patients are entitled emergency treatments at any hospitals not covered by the social security scheme within 72 hours without paying, he must notify the hospital he has been assigned to by the SSO and receive further treatment at the latter.
The Permanent Secretary said it would be less of a trouble for patients if they could only make one stop for their treatment. He added, the SSO would be responsible for the expenses according to the degree of conditions. All 3 existing social security systems will adopt the same approach. It will be applicable within this year to patients with chronic diseases such as AIDS and renal problems.
via New social security system to include all hospitals : National News Bureau of Thailand.
