Study of Registration and Renewal of Health Insurance, Groups of Diseases, and Health Treatment Cost of Migrant Workers at Ta Phraya Hospital, Ta Phraya District, Sa Kaeo Province

Abstract

This descriptive research aimed (1) to investigate the number of migrant workers who registered and renewed the health insurance, situations of disease, and medical treatment cost (2) to compare medical treatment cost between the migrant workers holding a health insurance and those having no health insurance and (3) to compare medical treatment cost with total medical security fund for migrant workers. This study collected secondary data from HOSxP database of Ta Phraya hospital in the fiscal year 2016-2019. The data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics presenting as percentage, average and standard deviation. This study found that:

The number of registration and renewal of health insurance of the migrant workers in the fiscal year 2016 – 2019 were 521, 1,136, 2,474 and 1,692 cases respectively.

2. In the fiscal year 2016-2017 and 2019, most of outpatient migrant workers were in antenatal care services. In the fiscal year 2018, tuberculosis was the most common disease among migrant workers in outpatient department. In inpatient department during the fiscal year 2016 – 2019, the most common healthcare service providing for migrant workers was normal birth delivery.

3. Medical treatment cost of migrant workers holding a health insurance during the fiscal year 2016 to 2019 was 1,008,186 Baht (10.69%); whereas, that of migrant workers having no health insurance (self-payment) was 7,438,552 Baht (78.90%). For those having no health insurance and money to pay, medical treatment cost of 980,943.29 Baht (10.40%) was subsidized by the hospital.

4. To compare medical treatment cost with total medical security fund for migrant workers, only 22.20% of total health security fund for migrant workers were spent for migrant workers who held a health insurance, while 77.80% of total medical security fund for migrant workers were still remained.

          This study suggested that public relations regarding benefits of health insurance and accessibility to healthcare services should be advocated in order to increase registration and renewal of health insurances. The results of this study would benefit for budget planning regarding workforce, medical equipment, and health campaigns including health care services, health promotion and disease prevention.