Health Insurance for Undocumented Migrants: A Literature Review in Developed Countries
Yaowaluk Wanwong BSc*, Sirinard Nipaporn PhD**, Prapaporn Nopparattayaporn MSc***, Waraporn Poungkanta MA*, Weerasak Putthasri PhD*, Rapeepong Suphanchaimat MD*,****
Affiliation : * International Health Policy Program (IHPP), Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi, Thailand ** National Health Security Office (NHSO), Bangkok, Thailand *** Siriraj Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand **** Banphai Hospital, Khon Kaen, Thailand
Background : Undocumented migrants are a population that is of concern in the policy discourse in many countries, including
Thailand.
Objective : Draw lessons regarding the health insurance management for undocumented migrants in certain developed
countries.
Material and Method: Literature reviews were conducted on academic literatures of the European Union (EU) and relevant
journals and websites. Constant comparison was used for data analysis. Four EU nations (France, Germany, Italy, and the
United Kingdom) and two non-EU nations (Japan and the United States) were selected.
Results : In principle, the degree of care could be categorized into three levels, namely, 1) emergency services, 2) primary
care and emergency services, and 3) (almost) full range of care. These levels were overlapping and the countries always
faced operational problems from different legal interpretations and ignorance of health care rights and benefits amongst
both providers and users. Based on the constant comparison synthesis, the insurance management for migrants in most
countries was sorted into four tiers, 1) the insurance for legal migrants, 2) the insurance for illegal migrants who later
registered with the state, 3) the insurance for certain populations, such as pregnant women and children and patients with
communicable diseases, and (4) the special funding for health facilities to recoup the treatment cost from caring the uninsured
patients.
Conclusion : The review findings here may serve as a valuable lesson for Thailand to better manage its health care system
for migrants (particularly amongst the undocumented) and to make it more effective and equitable implement.
Keywords : Migrants, Health insurance, Literature review, Health financing
