NHSO promises patient care after clinics withdraw

The National Health Security Office (NHSO) has announced that community healthcare centres in Bangkok will help accommodate patients affected by the withdrawal of 30 primary clinics from the universal healthcare scheme.
NHSO deputy secretary-general Dr Lalitaya Kongkam said the 30 primary clinics in the capital stopped participating in the universal healthcare system starting Oct 1 for the 2025 fiscal year.
She said these clinics were responsible for serving over 108,000 eligible patients.
As such, patients seeking medical services at these healthcare facilities from Oct 1 have faced issues, such as being denied referrals or treatment from referral hospitals.
Dr Lalitaya said the NHSO 1330 hotline has been coordinating with service providers to resolve such issues.
Directives were also issued to all healthcare units under the Bangkok Metropolitan Administrative to provide continued treatment to patients referred from their original contracted healthcare facilities to avoid disruptions in care.
If patients do not have a referral document, healthcare units may consider allowing the service under the emergency or “Out Patients Anywhere” measures without having them return to obtain a referral form.
The NHSO has also asked the withdrawn healthcare units to cooperate regarding affected patients’ medical records so they can continue treatment at a new healthcare facility.
The withdrawal of the 30 healthcare clinics followed complaints by more than 200 primary care clinics, which said the NHSO had failed to pay outstanding funds owed to the clinics under the universal healthcare scheme.