SSO ups coverage for work-related injuries

Arak said Cabinet resolved on November 25 to approve the Labour Ministry’s regulation on adjusting the criteria for health rehabilitation payment for injured or ill workers. 

Under the new regulation, a further Bt40,000 will be allowed for workers requiring more medical treatment, in addition to an initial Bt48,000 in medical and vocational rehabitation coverage.

If the injury or illness is serious enough to require further treatment, the worker would be entitled to a maximum of Bt150,000 in rehabilitation funding, he said. 

Cabinet also approved a second regulation allowing up to Bt160,000 for artificial limbs per person, he added.

In a meeting on December 4, the Cabinet also approved a third regulation on medical expenses, hiking it from Bt45,000 to be Bt50,000 per head, he said. Those who suffer serious injury or chronic illness would be entitled to up to Bt1 million per head – up from the previous rate of Bt300,000, he said.

These moves are now being reviewed by the Council of State and, if approved, the regulations on rehabilitation and artificial limbs could go into effect by February, while the one on medical expenses could be in effect from March. 

Should the treatment for an injured or ill worker require extra funding, it would need a nod from related sub-panels and the fund’s medical committee first, he said.