Abstract
The study aims to investigate an accessibility of assistive technology for people with disabilities and
the costs of assistive technology during 2009-2012. The secondary data was derived from three main sources:
1) Disability survey data (2012) from National Statistical Office-NSO 2) Registration of National Office for
Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities-NEP, Ministry of Social Development and Human Security,
and 3) Database from the budget of assistive devices to people with disabilities: National Health Security
Office-NHSO, Social Security Office and The Comptroller General’s Department. In addition, the data
was analyzed and presented with descriptive statistics.
According to disability survey data (2012), there were 1.5 million people with disabilities in which
accounted for 2.3 % of the population in Thailand. Moreover, the estimation survey showed that 7 out of
10 people with disabilities were still in needs of assistive devices. According to the analysis of three main
health benefit packages in Thailand (Universal Coverage Scheme-UC, Social Security Scheme-SSS and
Civil Servant Medical Benefit Scheme-CSMBS), they annually subsidized with an increasing support of
assistive devices to people with disabilities. The budget subsidized on CSMBS patients was 4 to 10 times
higher than the budget supported to UC and SSS patients. According to the expenditures of assistive
technology: UC’s expenses increased 7 times, SSS’s expenses rose at the lower rate, and CSMBS’s expenses
slightly reduced. However, only CSMBS reimbursed the high price cochlear implant sets that accounted
for more than half of the total costs of devices. Moreover, it is found that cost from an overuse of
the assistive devices in each main health benefit package was increased every year, especially in 2011 the
cost was 6-10 percent of total cost of devices.
People with disabilities under Thailand’s health benefit packages still have an unequal access to
assistive devices. People with disabilities under CSMBS gained more access to assistive devices than other
insurance schemes. Henceforth, the decision makers of Thailand’s main three health benefit schemes need
to revise the policy to make more equal benefits. Moreover, it is necessary to collaborate with both public
and private sectors to solve an inappropriate use (overuse) of the assistive devices that continues to cause
more costs each year.
