The commitment designed to help avert decisions by many private-run hospitals considering leaving the healthcare scheme by year-end, said Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn. This reimbursement rate has not been adjusted to match inflation for the past five years, while the Private Hospital Association has previously asked the rate be adjusted to 15,000 baht. The association says several of the 97 private hospitals under the social security system were mulling whether they should remain in the system. Sometimes, the promised 12,000 reimbursement rate was reduced later in the year to 8,000 baht, creating a level of uncertainty with which Mr Phiphat said he couldn't agree. Even though the rates offered under the social security system may be lower than those offered under the NHSO's health scheme, the social security system does not impose a reimbursement ceiling.
