Universal healthcare pilot project kicks off in Buri Ram
As of November 1, all state hospitals in Buri Ram province are required to provide four additional services to universal healthcare cardholders.
The new services will give cardholders the right to get treated at all member hospitals, patients transfers will be free of red tape, cardholders will be allowed to shift registration to another hospital immediately and cancer patients can be treated at all hospitals.
Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who was visiting state hospitals in Buri Ram on Tuesday, said if this pilot project proves successful it will be expanded nationwide next year.
He explained that under the new system, people can be treated at all hospitals under the universal healthcare scheme instead of being forced to stick to the one they are registered with.
Patients can also get admitted at sub-district health promotion hospitals or community hospitals without requiring certification from the hospital they are registered with. All that is required for admission is a national ID.
Cancer patients can also be treated at any hospital that is ready in Buri Ram province or can be sent to hospitals in the ninth health area, including Nakhon Ratchasima, Chaiyaphum and Surin provinces. Patients can also shift their membership to a different hospital immediately without having to wait for 15 days for the paperwork to be completed. This shift can be done four times per fiscal year.
