Bangkok: The National Health Security Office (NHSO) board has announced its decision to increase reimbursement rates for liver and heart transplants under the universal health coverage scheme. This move aims to enhance access to critical treatments for patients across the country.
According to Thai News Agency, the NHSO's decision stems from a proposal by the Thai Transplant Society to adjust these reimbursement rates. The adjustment will utilize funds saved from a reduction in reimbursement rates for immunosuppressant drugs, which have seen a decrease in market prices. The Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, Ms. Ploytale Laksmisangchan, emphasized that these changes would not compromise treatment quality. Notably, the reimbursement for immunosuppressant drugs for months 13-24 post-surgery will decrease from 20,000 baht to 18,000 baht per month, and from 15,000 baht to 13,000 baht for periods beyond 24 months post-surgery.
Key elements of the NHSO board's resolution include a rise in pre-operative preparation costs for liver donors from 30,000 baht to 40,000 baht per person, and for living donors from 40,000 baht to 45,000 baht per person. Additionally, the cost of heart transplant surgery will be adjusted to a lump sum of 600,000 baht per individual, while the cost of liver transplantation for children will now be 660,000 baht per person. For adults, particularly those with mid- and end-stage cirrhosis, the previous lump sum payment has been restructured to better reflect the cost burden, with separate payments of 200,000 baht for donor liver surgery and 660,000 baht for the liver transplant procedure.
The reimbursement adjustments also extend to medical expenses for complications arising from cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections, which are common in immunocompromised organ transplant patients. Hospitals will now receive 180,000 baht per patient for CMV prevention and treatment, and 40,000 baht for cases where CMV is detected in the bloodstream, a compensation previously unavailable.
Ms. Ploytalee underscored the importance of organ transplantation, stating that these adjustments are crucial not only for maintaining service stability but also for ensuring fair access to life-saving, high-cost medical treatments under the universal healthcare scheme.