The Social Security Office (SSO) has joined hands with hospitals to step up efforts to ensure subscribers under sections 33 and 39 will be able to access its medical system for Covid-19 treatment, as the number of infections is expected to surge.
SSO secretary-general Boonsong Thapchaiyuth said yesterday all members of the scheme who fall under the two sections can get Covid-19 treatment without charge at registered hospitals or facilities nearby according to their medical coverage.
If the current hospitals where members were being treated fail to provide treatment, they will be transferred to a better hospital.
Members in remote provinces can access its medical system at field hospitals and hospital-cum-hotels (hospitels) as well as regular hospitals, in addition to alternative options for community and home isolation.
The SSO has a backup plan for providing sufficient beds to accommodate subscribers who catch Covid but show only mild symptoms as their numbers are expected to rise.
So far, there are a total of 12,856 beds at its hospitals including hospitels, of which 3,230 remain vacant.
The overall medical expenses for Covid-19 treatment at state-run hospitals vary according to the severity of the symptoms. First, hospitals must cover daily expenses including the cost of the room and food up to 1,500 baht, as well as 300 baht for personal protective gear for mild cases.
For moderate cases, daily expenses will be covered up to 3,000 baht, while hospitals will cover up to 7,500 baht in severe cases. The cost of protective gear for patients in both categories will be covered up to 740 baht per day.
For hospitels and home isolation facilities since Jan 1, up to 1,000 baht will be covered for up to 10 days with the cost of equipment set at 500 baht a day.
Apart from hospitals, Mr Boonsong said the SSO is working with the National Health Security Office (NHSO) to provide further assistance for its infected members who show mild symptoms and can be treated at home.
He also cited a "Factory Sandbox" scheme to screen at-risk groups at large exporting factories. They will be given RT-PCR tests and those who test positive will be isolated for treatment.
For medical expenses outside of hospitals, Thai members can receive a disbursement from the NHSO, while foreign nationals can make requests from the SSO, he added.
Meanwhile, the Royal Gazette announced on its website yesterday that vaccine recipients who show an allergic reaction will be counted as emergency Covid-19 cases, which must be treated urgently according to hospital regulations.
