The Access to the 50:50 Co-Payment Scheme : A Case Study of Elderly in Nakhon Ratchasima Province

Abstract

          This research investigated the access to the 50:50 co-payment scheme, a case study of elderly people in Nakhon Ratchasima Province. The research objectives were to investigate factors affecting elderly people’s access to social assistance program of the 50:50 co-payment scheme in Nakhon Ratchasima Province, and to compare the access  of elderly people in urban to that of rural areas. The research informants consisted of 32 elderly people aged over 60. The research method used in this research was in-depth interview.
          The research findings suggested that the 50:50 co-payment scheme was accessible to most of elderly people living in urban and rural areas through 5 factors affecting access to the services: (1) Accessibility to the source of service, it was found that the elderly people living in and outside Mueang district had a consensus opinion that they were able to learn about the scheme through various ways, particularly on television; (2) Sufficiency, those living in Mueang district commented that the amount grant was not sufficient to meet their needs as their living costs were somewhat high and products were increasingly expensive, whereas the amount was sufficient to those living outside Mueang district due to lower living costs; (3) Convenience, it was discovered that it was more convenient for the elderly people living in Mueang district to participate in the scheme due to a suitable and fast registration process on online platform, but it was less convenient for those living outside Mueang district as a result of limited internet access and lacking knowledge on digital technology; (4) Expenses, it was found that the scheme should require no expense as it was launched by the government; and (5) Acknowledgement, they acknowledged that they enjoyed benefits from the scheme as their living expenses were partly supported during COVID-19 pandemic.