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Assessment of a Voluntary Non-Profit Health Insurance Scheme for Migrants along the Thai–Myanmar Border: A Case Study of the Migrant Fund in Thailand

Author

Listed:
  • Nareerut Pudpong

    (International Health Policy Program (IHPP), the Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi 11000, Thailand)

  • Nicolas Durier

    (Dreamlopments Ltd., Bangkok 10310, Thailand)

  • Sataporn Julchoo

    (International Health Policy Program (IHPP), the Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi 11000, Thailand)

  • Pigunkaew Sainam

    (International Health Policy Program (IHPP), the Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi 11000, Thailand)

  • Beena Kuttiparambil

    (UNICEF Thailand Country Office, Bangkok 10200, Thailand)

  • Rapeepong Suphanchaimat

    (International Health Policy Program (IHPP), the Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi 11000, Thailand
    Department of Disease Control, Bureau of Epidemiology, the Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi 11000, Thailand)

Abstract

Access to health care and financial protection for migrants can be promoted through diverse health insurance schemes, designed to suit migrants’ needs within a specific context. The Migrant Fund (M-Fund) is a voluntary, non-profit health insurance scheme operating along the Thai–Myanmar border in Thailand since 2017 and aims to protect the health of migrants uncovered by existing government insurance schemes. A qualitative evaluation was conducted between December 2018 and March 2019 to determine M-Fund’s operational impacts, provide recommendations for improvement, and draw suggestions about its role in protecting migrant health. In-depth interviews with 20 individuals and 5 groups were conducted in three categories: (1) International, national, and local partners; (2) M-Fund clients; and (3) M-Fund staff. Interview information was triangulated with findings from other informants, a document review, and researchers’ observations. Despite covering a small number of 9131 migrants, the M-Fund has contributed to improving access to care for migrants, raised awareness about migrant health protection, and reduced the financial burden for public hospitals. The M-Fund acts as a safety-net initiative for those left behind due to unclear government policy to protect the health of undocumented/illegal migrants. Despite clear merits, the issue of adverse selection to the scheme is a critical challenge. Evidence from this evaluation is useful to inform the future design of government insurance schemes for migrants.

Suggested Citation

  • Nareerut Pudpong & Nicolas Durier & Sataporn Julchoo & Pigunkaew Sainam & Beena Kuttiparambil & Rapeepong Suphanchaimat, 2019. "Assessment of a Voluntary Non-Profit Health Insurance Scheme for Migrants along the Thai–Myanmar Border: A Case Study of the Migrant Fund in Thailand," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(14), pages 1-15, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:14:p:2581-:d:249833
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Joshua Wassink, 2018. "Uninsured migrants: Health insurance coverage and access to care among Mexican return migrants," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 38(17), pages 401-428.
    2. Cutler, David M. & Zeckhauser, Richard J., 2000. "The anatomy of health insurance," Handbook of Health Economics, in: A. J. Culyer & J. P. Newhouse (ed.), Handbook of Health Economics, edition 1, volume 1, chapter 11, pages 563-643, Elsevier.
    3. Tabor, Steven R., 2005. "Community-based health insurance and social protection policy," Social Protection Discussion Papers and Notes 32545, The World Bank.
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    Cited by:

    1. Woranan Witthayapipopsakul & Hathairat Kosiyaporn & Sonvanee Uansri & Rapeepong Suphanchaimat, 2022. "Effect of the Promulgation of the New Migrant’s Employment Law on Migrant Insurance Coverage in Thailand: An Interrupted Time Series Analysis, 2016–2018," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1-12, April.
    2. Stuart Gilmour & Phuong Le Mai & Phuong Nguyen & Bibha Dhungel & Maki Tomizawa & Huy Nguyen, 2020. "Progress towards Health for All: Time to End Discrimination and Marginalization," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-5, March.

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