Cost analysis of treatment for schizophrenic patients in social security scheme, Thailand
- Author:
Ronnachai Kongsakon, Buranee Kanchanatawan
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
schizophrenia, social security scheme, Thailand, cost of treatment
- From:ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry
2007;8(2):118-123
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Objective: To determine the cost of treatment for schizophrenic patients in Social Security
scheme, Thailand. Methods: The paper reviewed available evidence in Thailand on the cost of
schizophrenia treatment in different hospital settings and data of health service utilization
obtained from various sources. The sensitivity analysis of direct health care cost of schizophrenia
was conducted in social security system, both in outpatient and inpatient services. The
cost for schizophrenia coverage per individual social security applicant was estimated in
different contexts. Results: The total cost of treatment depends on the service utilization rate
and unit cost of treatment. The annual direct health care cost of schizophrenic outpatients in
Thai social security scheme was averagely estimated at about 171 million Baht. (Range: 28.5
million to 372 million Baht in sensitivity analysis). The annual direct health care cost of
schizophrenic inpatients in Thai social security scheme was averagely estimated about 265.3
million Baht (Range; 22.7 million to 531 million Baht in sensitivity analysis). Aggregation
the outpatient and inpatient treatment for schizophrenic employees accounted for 436.5 million
Baht/year (Range from 436.5 million to 903 million Baht). The cost for schizophrenia
coverage per individual social security applicant was about 48 Baht/year. (Range 5.63 Baht to
99.22 Baht). Conclusion: This study illustrated the cost of schizophrenia treatment in Thai
social security scheme in various contexts, which might be useful in planning, preparing,
budgeting and decision making. However, the huge societal impacts of schizophrenia should
be carefully considered for policy makers.
