An analysis of guidelines for collecting medical fees from foreign patients at government health service facilities, toward being an international medical health center

Abstract

The objectives of this study are: 1. to review literature of foreign patients’ service systems in foreign countries; 2. to analyze how government health centers in Thailand collect health service fees from foreign patients, based on Health Service Support Department’s Announcement, B.E. 2561. The findings showed that 10 processes of health service fee collection from foreign patients are lucid. These processes include 1) Reimbursement Process from Workmen’s Compensation Fund in compliance with Road Accident Victims Protection. Act, B.E. 2535, 2) Reimbursement Process from Insurance Type 1/2/3, 3) Compensation Reimbursement Process from Travel Accident Insurance for Tourism Business and Guide, 4) Reimbursement Process from Foreign Tourists Assistance Fund in compliance with Ministry of Tourism & Sports Regulations, 5) Reimbursement Process from life/health insurance companies, 6) Reimbursement Process via cash/credit cards, 7) Reimbursement Process from Ministry of Finance in compliance with its Rules of Welfare Reimbursement for Medical Treatment, B.E. 2553, 8) Reimbursement Process from Universal Health Fund, 9) Reimbursement Process from Social Security Fund, and 10) Liaising Process with foreign embassies in Thailand