Health Care Costs Extend Beyond Treatment: Planning Expenses from Prevention to End-of-Life

Thailand has entered an aging society, now with more than 14 million people aged 60 and over, representing 22.5% of the total population. As age increases, health expenses rise; therefore, to live smoothly into old age, how should one begin planning?

Life planning must include preparing for health challenges to ensure smooth management.

Professor Dr. Yuwaretmakot Sitichanbancha, Senior Palliative Care Specialist, explained that elderly individuals may require more care than other age groups. Additionally, over 200,000 chronic patients annually need palliative care, a group that demands special attention to maintain good quality of life.

Thus, the first step should be regularly reviewing and checking the health status of oneself and elderly family members to receive appropriate treatment, design lifestyle adjustments, or tailor physical care, including planning ahead before serious illness occurs.

This is because at the end of life, patient care involves complex medical and legal details, such as financial transactions or issuing death certificates. If patients are under hospital care, these processes tend to be smoother.

Care needs vary clearly by age group: those aged 60–69 mostly can receive general treatment; those 70–79 tend to become homebound; while those 80 and above often require close care, with some bedridden. This implies costs that should be prepared for well in advance.

Health expenses span from prevention through to end-of-life care.

Akkarapol Ueararak, Chief Executive Officer of One Welah International Hospital, emphasized the concept that "prevention costs less than treatment." Investing in health care today may cost less than treatment expenses incurred during illness.

Currently, people aged 30–45 show increased interest in health care, leading to specialized services such as Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, which accelerates wound healing and suits diabetic or post-surgical patients. Preventive services like IV Vitamin Drip are popular among those over 40, offering formulas for brain health, sleep improvement, and skin care. However, all such services require prior medical evaluation.

Meanwhile, long-term care for patients often involves multiple costs that must be factored into financial planning, including:

• Room charges at hospitals start at 4,900 baht per night (Size S), with long-term stays usually available in more economical packages.
• Physical therapy (rehabilitation) costs range from 1,000 to 2,000 baht per session, including bedside therapy services for those with limited mobility.
• Nursing care fees,
• Medical service charges,
• Additional medication expenses.

With rising health costs, how should one plan accordingly?

Interest in health care is growing, as shown by KTC credit card spending in the hospital category increasing by 6% in 2025 compared to the previous year. Notably, members aged 50 and above account for nearly 60% of hospital-related spending. Since aging often requires higher expenses, how should planning be approached?

• Check all available welfare rights, health insurance, and assets.
• Calculate monthly post-retirement expenses and plan for potential special health expenses to cover possible risks.

With complete information, determine savings goals, possibly adopting a monthly savings plan. If existing health benefits are insufficient, consider purchasing additional health insurance, keeping in mind that premiums often increase significantly at retirement age.

Finally, beyond expense planning, Thai society should pay attention to Caregiver Burnout, a critical cost that families must acknowledge and jointly address. This requires clear planning similar to that for health expenses.

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