Social security covers emergency treatment at any hospital this Songkran

[rooster59]

Social security covers emergency treatment at any hospital this Songkran

Tanakorn Sangiam

 

 

BANGKOK, 13 April 2019 (NNT) - Holiday travellers this Songkran can rest assured they can go to the closest hospital in case of an emergency, knowing that the medical fee for the first 72 hours of emergency treatment is covered under the terms of Social Security.

 

Ananchai Uthaipattanachep of the Social Security Office, says that employees and persons covered under the national health security program who are travelling back to their hometown or on a trip anywhere, should carry their health security card, as cardholders can attend any hospital in the region to receive treatment in cases of medical emergency or accidents, with the fee for the first 72 hours covered by the Social Security Office according to its terms and rates.

 

-- © Copyright nnt 2019-04-14

[scubascuba3]

Except farang

[bluesofa]

1 hour ago, rooster59 said:

Ananchai Uthaipattanachep of the Social Security Office, says that employees and persons covered under the national health security program who are travelling back to their hometown or on a trip anywhere, should carry their health security card, as cardholders can attend any hospital in the region to receive treatment in cases of medical emergency or accidents,

That doesn't appear too clear to me.

Initially it says 'anywhere', then later says 'in the region'.

 

Surely if it's nationwide, then it's nationwide - full stop, rather than changing and narrowing it down to region.

 

[uhuh]

1. Farang are excluded.

2. Find a hospital at Songkran where staff is actually working.  Good luck.

3. Find a hospital that knows about this rule and is willing to follow the rule.

[Sheryl]

1. Farangs per se are NOT excluded. But this pertains only to those  -- Thai or faranag -- covered by Social Security or (for Thais) the 30 baht scheme. Farangs without SS would indeed be excluded.

 

2. Pertains only in emergencies where it is not possible to safely transfer the person to the hospital they are registered at under SS or 30 baht scheme. 72 hours is the maximum time, the hospital can decide to transfer them much sooner if safe to do so. Even if not safe to be transferred after 72 hours, the hospital can then charge full fee.

 

3. This is nothing new and nothing specific to Songkran, has been law for sometime but is almost completely unenforced. Especially in the case of private hospitals.

 

 

[Thaidream]

1 hour ago, Sheryl said:

1. Farangs per se are NOT excluded. But this pertains only to those  -- Thai or faranag -- covered by Social Security or (for Thais) the 30 baht scheme. Farangs without SS would indeed be excluded.

 

2. Pertains only in emergencies where it is not possible to safely transfer the person to the hospital they are registered at under SS or 30 baht scheme. 72 hours is the maximum time, the hospital can decide to transfer them much sooner if safe to do so. Even if not safe to be transferred after 72 hours, the hospital can then charge full fee.

 

3. This is nothing new and nothing specific to Songkran, has been law for sometime but is almost completely unenforced. Especially in the case of private hospitals.

There was a time when hospitals and all medical providers existed to  treat a person's illness and save lives.  There was never  such a things as  medicine as a profit motive or hospitals that existed simply as an investment opportunity.  

 

Unfortunately, Thailand's private hospitals in many instances have forgotten that the patient is why they exist.

 

In my opinion- no hospital should ever exclude any patient who presents themselves for treatment.  Each hospital should be established as a not for profit institution and administrated as such.  A hospital or any medical provided should  be able to charge an appropriate rate but never so high that an individual could not afford the service or never should a patient be denied  service in any hospital because of a lack of funds.

 

Medical care is a human right not a privilege and until  greedy insurance ; Big Pharma and  Hospitals realize this and are forced to provide it- people will die needlessly

[e2x10]

I'll rest easy