National Health Security Office Under Fire for Accumulating Over 4 Billion Baht Hospital Budget Deficit
Struggling Public Hospitals Face 4.2 Billion Baht Deficit Under 30-Baht Scheme
A senior doctor has accused the National Health Security Office (NHSO) of underfunding public hospitals, contributing to a staggering 4.219 billion baht deficit as of the first quarter of this year. The accusation was made by Dr. Anukul Thaithanandorn, former president of the Thailand Regional and General Hospital Society, during a recent seminar on the 30-baht universal healthcare scheme.
The insufficient funds have caused financial strain for approximately 218 public hospitals, with an additional 91 hospitals running on low reserves. The situation worsened in April, as 82 hospitals had yet to be reimbursed for 119 million baht in medical expenses.
Dr. Anukul highlighted the top 10 public hospitals with the largest deficits. They include:
- Khon Kaen Hospital: 848.32 million baht deficit
- Chaiyaphum Hospital: 180.02 million baht deficit
- Ayutthaya Hospital: 147.45 million baht deficit
These hospitals have been plagued by the NHSO's low payments for the adjusted relative weight (adjRW) system used in Diagnosis-Related Groups (DRGs). While hospitals estimate the cost per adjRW at around 13,000 baht, the NHSO pays only between 7,100 to 8,350 baht, leading to liquidity issues and growing deficits.
The 30-baht Universal Healthcare Scheme aims to provide affordable access to medical services. However, the funding model based on DRGs has not adequately covered the actual treatment costs, threatening the sustainability of the universal healthcare delivery. The shortfall has implications for the quality of care maintained by public hospitals and underscores the urgent need to reassess funding policies.
These findings were presented in a seminar involving hospital societies and networks, emphasizing the importance of reviewing funding formulas to ensure hospitals receive payments that align with their actual service costs.
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- The deficit in public hospitals' budgets under the 30-baht universal healthcare scheme has created a ripple effect, straining the national economy.
- Despite the focus on health-and-wellness and medical-conditions under the scheme, finance and business aspects play a crucial role in ensuring the delivery of sustainable healthcare.
- The deficit in public hospitals has raised concerns in the wider business community, as it may affect the overall health of the stock market.
- The science of Diagnosis-Related Groups (DRGs) and the adjusted relative weight (adjRW) system used in calculating payments are at the heart of the current funding issue.
- The finance sector is crucial in addressing this issue, as proper funding models could prevent deficits and improve the quality of care in the health sector.
