Maj Gen Dr. Riengthong Nanna, the dynamic leader and owner of Mongkutwattana Hospital, recently announced a bold move that has sent ripples through the healthcare community. The hospital, known for its robust healthcare services, decided to cease treating outpatient referrals under the universal coverage healthcare card, popularly recognized as the gold card scheme. This decision is part of a strategic effort to mitigate financial losses.
The gold card scheme, managed by the National Health Security Office (NHSO), has been a cornerstone in providing accessible healthcare to millions. However, according to Dr. Nanna, the NHSO has faltered on its commitment to settle outstanding debts for outpatient referrals since March, leading to a staggering 44 million baht shortfall for Mongkutwattana Hospital. “Continuing to serve referred outpatients without payment jeopardizes the hospital’s survival,” Dr. Nanna emphasized, reminiscing about a similar financial predicament in 2020 that had culminated in a 13.2 million baht debt. That year, the hospital resorted to legal action against the NHSO in the Administrative Court, a case yet to see resolution.
In an effort to protect the hospital’s sustainability, Dr. Nanna stated that they would temporarily halt accepting outpatients sent from clinics, unless patients are willing to pay out of pocket or the NHSO clears its debts. The possibility of terminating the contract with the NHSO looms over the hospital’s future engagements.
In contrast to the hospital’s claims, Atthaporn Limpanyalert, deputy secretary-general and spokesperson for the NHSO, contends that there is no lingering debt with the hospital. The 13.2 million baht debt initially stemmed from a now-defunct clinic that once referred patients to Mongkutwattana Hospital. Due to a problematic budget disbursement, the clinic’s contract with the NHSO was canceled in 2020, leaving no authority for the NHSO to channel funds from the National Health Security Fund to cover the clinic’s debts to the hospital.
The plot thickens with the 44 million baht debt, which remains unpaid due to an ongoing investigation into outpatient payment data in Bangkok. A mammoth probe involving 2.1 billion baht worth of payments from various clinics further complicates the issue. Additionally, there is an unresolved inquiry into a central reimbursement budget of 1.2 billion baht. Consequently, the NHSO has decided to delay payments related to these inquiries until further notice, according to Dr. Atthaporn.
In an attempt to ease the hospital’s liquidity crunch, the NHSO board has stepped in with a preemptive strike, approving a 60 million baht advance payment to Mongkutwattana Hospital, delivered on November 6th. This financial lifeline was intended to sustain operations during this tumultuous period.
Should Mongkutwattana Hospital choose to permanently withdraw from providing outpatient referral services, the NHSO is prepared to redirect patients to other reputable institutions such as Chulabhorn Hospital and Phaet Panya Hospital, ensuring continuous care without disruption.
The brewing storm between Mongkutwattana Hospital and the NHSO epitomizes the intricate dance of healthcare finance. Caught between the fiscal pragmatism and the moral imperative of delivering accessible healthcare, stakeholders eagerly anticipate a resolution that balances the books and restores faith in Thailand’s healthcare system.
Mongkutwattana’s move to drop gold card outpatients feels harsh. What about the patients left in the lurch?
It’s harsh but necessary. Hospitals can’t operate on air. They need funds to function.
But isn’t the government supposed to ensure these funds are available? Patients shouldn’t suffer.
Agreed, Alice. Plus, this puts extra pressure on already crowded hospitals.
Maybe they should explore other funding sources instead of cutting off patients.
I don’t blame both sides entirely. The NHSO and the hospital need a common strategy to resolve this fast.
Common strategy sounds great, but it never seems to happen. Too much bureaucracy.
True, Joan. But without cooperation, the whole healthcare system could weaken.
What intrigues me is whether other hospitals might follow Mongkutwattana’s lead.
The NHSO should’ve seen this coming and acted beforehand. Reactive moves don’t help.
Couldn’t have said it better. Proactive governance is seriously lacking.
What are the chances that this NHSO probe will actually uncover and resolve these issues? Color me skeptical.
Unfortunately, these probes often drag on with little outcome. Skepticism justified.
It might take a while, but transparency processes are getting better over time.
The immediate 60 million baht advance payment is a quick fix. Longer-term solutions needed!
Yes, that’s like putting a bandaid on a gaping wound.
Honestly, the hospital’s move makes me lose confidence in Thailand’s healthcare safety net.
This isn’t the first time financial troubles have rocked this hospital; remember 2020? What changed since then?
From what I see, not much. New debts, same struggles.
Can Thailand’s healthcare system really be trusted if payment issues like this keep occurring?
I think the trust issue is deeper. Financial mismanagement and corruption are endemic.
On the flip side, won’t moving patients to Chulabhorn Hospital improve their care quality? Less financial drama there!
Depends on capacity. New inflow might strain their resources too.
Incredible how some decisions can pivot an institution’s fate so drastically and yet unpredictably.
Indeed, it’s like they walk a tightrope of decisions, one misstep and it’s chaos.
Why not have patients pay a small fee to lessen the financial load until NHSO pays up?
That might work, but for many, any fee is unaffordable.
Legal actions, loans, delays – this feels more like a soap opera than healthcare.