Thailand's Universal Coverage Scheme
2016
This case study describes the development and roll-out of a universal health coverage program in Thailand. In 2001, Thailand rapidly implemented its Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS), merging two existing health coverage schemes for the poor and the near-poor to achieve 98 percent coverage of the population within the year. The case describes UCS’s roll-out and changes in its design (e.g. to cover more expensive services and eliminate copayments), its impact on health and financial risk, and key reasons for its success.
This case study is part of Millions Saved: New Cases of Proven Success in Global Health, a collection of case studies produced by the Center for Global Development that profiles 18 remarkable cases in which large-scale efforts to improve health in low- and middle-income countries succeeded, and 4 examples of promising interventions that fell short of their health targets when scaled-up in real world conditions. The cases featured on the website are shortened versions of the respective book chapters in the print edition.
Thailand's Universal Coverage Scheme
Source:
Glassman A, Temin M. Thailand’s Universal Coverage Scheme. Millions Saved: New Cases of Proven Success in Global Health. Center for Global Development 2016. http://millionssaved.cgdev.org/case-studies/thailands-universal-coverage-scheme.