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

Nareerut Pudpong, Nicolas Durier, Sataporn Julchoo, Pigunkaew Sainam, Beena Kuttiparambil and Rapeepong Suphanchaimat
Additional contact information
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

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 14, 1-15

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.

Keywords: health protection; health insurance; migrant health; undocumented migrant; illegal migrant; migrant; Migrant Fund; M-Fund (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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