Social Security Clarifies Cancer Treatment Rights, Confirms Full Coverage According to Standards

The Social Security Office clarifies treatment rights for cancer and confirms full coverage according to standards.

On 28 Jan 2026 GMT+7, Ms. Kanchana Phulkew, Secretary-General of the Social Security Office, addressed recent news and social media reports about differences in cancer treatment rights between the SSO Cancer Care program under the social security system and the Cancer Anywhere rights under the National Health Security System (Gold Card). These reports may have caused misunderstandings and concerns among insured persons. The Social Security Office wishes to clarify the facts with care to foster correct understanding among insured persons on four key points as follows.

1. The cancer treatment benefits under the SSO Cancer Care program, including medications and therapies, meet standard levels and are not inferior to those under the NHSO. In some areas, coverage is even broader.

• Chemotherapy treatment covers both drugs listed in the National Essential Medicines List and those outside of it, including high-cost medications.
• Radiation therapy expenses are supported for up to 48 items to provide treatment options suitable for each patient.

2. The program offers a variety of hospital choices. Although the program does not use the name "Anywhere," in practice, SSO Cancer Care includes many participating hospitals across both public and private sectors, giving insured persons diverse options for receiving services if they prefer not to be treated at their designated hospital.

The main goal is to distribute patients to capable hospitals beyond just medical schools, reducing overcrowding, shortening wait times, and ensuring timely treatment, which is crucial to controlling and mitigating disease severity.

3. Regarding treatment at medical school hospitals, the Social Security Office explains that regardless of which system patients use—social security or Gold Card—they must have a referral letter from their primary hospital to access medical school hospitals. Direct service access is not permitted because these hospitals must prioritize complex cases and manage large patient loads.

4. To facilitate insured persons who wish to receive cancer treatment at hospitals other than their designated ones, the Social Security Office has established a registration and identity verification system. This protects insured persons’ rights, prevents misuse, and helps ensure efficient care without concerns over additional expenses.

Nevertheless, the Social Security Office reaffirms its commitment to maintaining and improving medical service systems so insured persons receive quality, standard, and appropriate treatment. It also welcomes all feedback to enhance benefits and services further.