Situational Analysis of the Health Insurance Market and Related Educational Needs in the Era of Health Care Reform in Thailand
JIRUTH SRIRATANABAN, M.D., Ph.D.*, PIROM KAMOLRATANAKUL, M.D., M.Sc.*, SAMRIT SRITHAMRONGSA WAT, M.D., M.H.S. *** SOONTORN SUPAPONG, M.D., M.Sc.*, KAMJORN TATIYAKAWEE,M.D.**,
Affiliation : *Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, **Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, *** Health Insurance Office, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi ll 000, Thailand.
The purposes of this study were to explore the situation of health insurance in Thailand,
to compare public and private perspectives and to identify related educational needs. Between
March and April of 1998, the study employed in-depth interviews of 12 public and private
major stakeholders of the health insurance systems, including policy makers, providers and
insurers. Additional inputs were gathered in a brainstorming session with 41 participants from
organizations with important roles in regulating, monitoring, paying, or providing health care
services, as well as research and education.
The findings indicated the health insurance market was expanding. But there was no
national policy on health insurance. Insurance-related law was outdated. Public and private
schemes overlapped, and were generally characterized by inadequate risk diversification, over-
utilization of services, lack of effective cost containment, inconsistent service quality, and poor
understanding of health insurance principles. There were needs for more education and training
in various aspects of health services management and health-insurance related functions.
Consequently, continuing education and training related to health insurance services for
policy makers, system administrators, managers, providers and insurers are strongly recom-
mended during the health-care reform process.
Keywords : Health Insurance, Health Care Reform, Education, Thailand
