Thai UHC cardholders can now use any hospital

Cardholders can now seek treatment from units where they did not register.

Holders of Thailand's 30-baht universal healthcare cards are now eligible for medical treatment at primary care units nationwide, Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said on 2 January.

There is no need to seek referral documents from the units where patients are registered, Charnvirakul said as he outlined the reform to the 30-baht health scheme. "If cardholders happen to be sick in areas where they did not register for the service, they can now receive treatment at primary health care units nationwide without the need for referrals. The change will ease the plight of cardholders and cut unnecessary steps involving referral of patients to improve access to treatment."

National Health Security Office Secretary-General Jadet Thammathat-aree said budget allocations fall under his remit.