The Social Security Office (SSO) is giving financial support to telemedicine services for patients with 26 chronic illnesses, which would reduce travel costs during the ongoing fuel price crisis linked to conflict in the Middle East.
Social Security Office secretary-general Kanchana Poolkaew said on Tuesday the Medical Committee under the Social Security Act had issued a regulation governing medical service payments for telemedicine services during the Middle East conflict situation.
The measure took effect on May 1 and will remain in force until July 31 to help ease the impact of rising fuel prices and reduce transportation costs for insured workers.
Under the regulation, the SSO will reimburse designated hospitals and healthcare facilities for telemedicine services provided to insured persons under Sections 33 and 39 of the Social Security Act who suffer from any of 26 chronic diseases and receive outpatient treatment.
Ms Kanchana said the Medical Committee approved additional medical service payments to support treatment for chronic disease patients whose conditions are stable and suitable for remote care.
Currently, 118 medical facilities nationwide have joined the SSO's telemedicine programme to improve accessibility, convenience and speed of healthcare services while helping reduce overcrowding at hospitals.
Hospitals participating in the programme will bill the SSO directly, meaning patients do not have to pay upfront costs.
The 26 chronic conditions covered include diabetes, hypertension, chronic liver inflammation and cirrhosis, heart failure, stroke, cancer and immunodeficiency disorders.
