Post by : Shakul

The Thai government has reassured the public that the payment system under Thailand’s universal healthcare scheme remains stable and transparent, despite concerns circulating on social media about delayed payments to hospitals. On May 8, 2026, Deputy Government Spokesperson Ms. Ploytale Laksmisangchan clarified that the National Health Security Office (NHSO) continues to transfer healthcare funds regularly according to established payment schedules and service criteria.

The clarification came after online claims suggested that hospitals under the universal healthcare or “gold card” system were being forced to pay treatment costs in advance and later seek reimbursement from the NHSO, causing financial delays and incomplete payments. In response, the NHSO explained that its payment system is structured through several different models depending on the type of healthcare service provided. Officials stressed that the system follows clear regulations and verified payment procedures.

According to the NHSO, outpatient services and health promotion programs are funded through a lump-sum per capita payment system known as OP-PP Cap. Other services, including inpatient care and specialized medical treatments, are reimbursed based on actual service data submitted by healthcare providers through systems such as the OP-IP Fee Schedule. Officials stated that all transfers undergo verification and processing procedures before payments are released.

Government data revealed that Bangna 1 Hospital received a total of 52.85 million baht from the NHSO during fiscal years 2025 and 2026 up to May 6, 2026. The hospital received 13.59 million baht during fiscal year 2025 and 39.26 million baht during fiscal year 2026. The funding covered multiple healthcare services, including outpatient treatment, inpatient care, renal replacement therapy, disease prevention programs, and specialized medical services.

Mitpracha Hospital also received substantial support from the NHSO. According to official records, the hospital received a total of 164.15 million baht during fiscal years 2025 and 2026 up to May 6, 2026. This included 66.96 million baht during fiscal year 2025 and 97.19 million baht during fiscal year 2026. The transferred funds covered outpatient and inpatient services, health promotion programs, specialized treatment services, medical investment projects, and other healthcare operations.

Ms. Ploytale emphasized that the NHSO has transferred more than 217 million baht to both hospitals combined. She explained that the payment system operates continuously with several payment cycles every month depending on service categories, processing timelines, and data verification schedules. According to the government, this demonstrates that payments have not been suspended or significantly delayed as claimed in social media discussions.

The government also announced plans to protect patients and ensure uninterrupted healthcare services during upcoming changes involving Bangna 1 Hospital and Mitpracha Hospital. The NHSO confirmed that both hospitals will lose their status as primary healthcare service units starting June 1, 2026. To avoid disruption for patients under the national healthcare scheme, the government has already prepared a transition plan for transferring patient healthcare rights to nearby hospitals.

For the 18,831 patients currently registered with Mitpracha Hospital, healthcare rights will be transferred to Phramongkol Thepmuni Hospital, while Rajpipat Hospital will serve as the referral hospital for specialized treatment. Meanwhile, the 22,365 patients currently registered with Bangna 1 Hospital will have their healthcare rights transferred to Kluaynamthai 3 Hospital, which officials say is fully equipped to provide primary care, referral services, and continuous medical treatment.

The government stressed that all related agencies are working closely together to ensure that citizens continue to receive smooth and uninterrupted healthcare services throughout the transition period. Officials reassured the public that there will be no impact on ongoing treatments and that the healthcare rights transfer process has been carefully planned to maintain public confidence in Thailand’s universal healthcare system.

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