Budget for Universal Coverage Scheme Thailand 2010-2024

In 2023, the budget for the Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS) in Thailand amounted to around 204 billion Thai baht, increasing from the previous year. On November 6, 2023, the cabinet approved the budget of approximately 217.6 billion Thai baht for the year 2024. The UCS is also known as the "gold card" and was introduced in 2002. It allows Thai people to access medical care and treatment in public hospitals with minimal cost, as low as 30 Thai baht.

The implementation of the Universal Coverage Scheme

The health care system in Thailand has been a system of collecting treatment fees directly from patients. Currently, Thais can access public medical services under the health security schemes. For example, the Social Security Scheme, the Civil Servant Medical Benefit Scheme, and the UCS. In 2002, Thailand implemented the UCS nationwide under the government of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. However, the scheme’s coverage has been under constant development. Previously, the program was also known as the gold card (bud thong) as the qualified citizens would have to co-pay the cost of 30 baht (equivalent to about one U.S. Dollar) per visit.

Private health insurance in Thailand

The outbreak of COVID-19 spread health concerns among Thais. This can be seen through the number of health insurance policy purchases that grew exponentially from 2019 to 2020. It clearly demonstrates the demand for quick, convenient medical care and treatment, as well as concerns regarding medical costs that may arise when selecting medical treatment over government welfare or welfare that previously existed. The leading health insurers in Thailand include Cigna Health Insurance, Aetna Health Insurance, and Pacific Cross Health Insurance.