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Check the New Criteria! Social Security Covers All Stages of Kidney Disease Treatment Without Upfront Payment

Life10 Jun 2026 22:59 GMT+7

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Check the New Criteria! Social Security Covers All Stages of Kidney Disease Treatment Without Upfront Payment

Good news for insured persons under Sections 33 and 39: Social Security has revised the criteria for treating chronic kidney failure to cover all stages, enabling faster and easier access to benefits based on eGFR values, with no upfront payments required at designated hospitals.

The new Social Security criteria for kidney disease treatment cover all stages, providing quicker access to benefits without the need for advance payment.

The Social Security Office welcomes 2026 with good news for insured persons under Sections 33 and 39 by overhauling the medical criteria for kidney replacement therapy. This aims to help chronic kidney failure patients access treatment rapidly, improve their quality of life, and reduce financial burdens. Patients can now receive services immediately at designated hospitals without upfront costs.

Unlocking new criteria: Using eGFR values to enable faster treatment access without waiting for a critical condition.

Previously, some benefits required conditions related to time periods. The new criteria eliminate the 180-day rule for hemodialysis access creation or catheter insertion for dialysis fluid delivery. Instead, kidney function measured by GFR (Glomerular Filtration Rate) now determines eligibility, allowing timely care as follows:

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  • eGFR ≤ 15: Patients can immediately apply for dialysis benefits in advance to prepare their bodies and verify eligibility without waiting for a crisis.
  • eGFR ≤ 6: Patients can receive temporary catheter insertion for urgent treatment promptly.
  • eGFR ≤ 20: Patients can register for kidney transplantation rights immediately if a compatible donor is available.

Summary of five benefit categories for kidney replacement therapy for insured persons.

To provide a clear overview of funding and benefits, Thairath Online summarizes the details of medical support and treatment under the new criteria as follows:

Treatment types Details of benefits and funding limits
1. Hemodialysis using a dialysis machine
  • Benefit up to 1,500 baht per session.
  • Maximum of 4,500 baht per week (18,000 baht per month).
  • Covers costs for vascular access preparation/catheter and necessary medical supplies as actually incurred without time limits.
2. End-stage kidney failure patients with HIV infection
  • Social Security pays for hemodialysis at designated medical facilities based on actual costs.
  • Funding limit up to 4,000 baht per session and 12,000 baht per week.
3. Permanent peritoneal dialysis with dialysis fluid
  • Benefit up to 20,000 baht per month.
  • Costs for dialysis fluid delivery tubes and equipment up to 20,000 baht per patient (valid for 2 years).
  • If tube replacement is necessary within 2 years, Social Security covers an additional amount up to 10,000 baht.
4. Automated peritoneal dialysis (APD)
  • For insured persons prepared to use an automatic dialysis machine.
  • Benefit up to actual costs not exceeding 32,700 baht per month.
5. Kidney transplantation (kidney replacement)
  • Covers medical services throughout the pre-, intra-, and post-operative stages.
  • Immunosuppressive drugs are provided lifelong at no additional cost.

Note: Latest update as of June 2026 from the Social Security Office.

Contact channels and further information

If insured persons have questions about benefits or wish to check the list of participating hospitals, they can contact the Social Security Office 24/7 via the following channels:

  • Social Security hotline: Call 1506 (available daily, 24 hours).
  • Official website: www.sso.go.th
  • Application: SSO PLUS
  • Online channels: Line Official Account (@ssothai) and Facebook Fanpage (ssofanpage)