Bangkok, Thailand–On July 10, 2024, Dr. Boonchai Kijsanayotin, a Thai informatician and physician, and chair of Asia eHealth Information Network (AeHIN), delivered an informative presentation titled “Demystifying TMLT: Standardizing healthcare data for reimbursement and better outcome” at the Laboratory Management Conference during the Med Lab Asia Congress 2024.

Dr. Kijsanayotin emphasized the critical role of the Thai Medical Laboratory Terminology (TMLT) in standardizing healthcare data, facilitating seamless integration, and improving the efficiency of healthcare delivery and reimbursement processes in Thailand.

Dr. Kijsanayotin also highlighted the importance of adopting international standards like LOINC (Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes) to ensure compatibility and comprehensive coverage of laboratory tests and the importance of standardizing healthcare data through TMLT to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare delivery in Thailand. His insights provided valuable guidance for healthcare professionals and policymakers working towards a more integrated and standardized healthcare system.

The key points presented were:

TMLT and Healthcare Integration

  • TMLT provides national medical laboratory codes and descriptions used in Thai healthcare systems.
  • It ensures efficient integration of healthcare data, aiding in seamless and value-based healthcare delivery.

Importance of TMLT

  • Standardization through TMLT is essential for accurate and efficient healthcare data management.
  • It supports better health outcomes and streamlined reimbursement processes.

Challenges and Solutions

  • Outdated laboratory test lists and codes pose significant challenges.
  • Regular updates are necessary to reflect new technologies and diagnostic methods.
  • Comparing Thailand’s lab test list with LOINC highlights the need for standardization.

Public Health Insurance in Thailand

  • Overview of major public health insurance schemes: Social Security Scheme (SSS), Universal Coverage Scheme (UC), and Civil Servant Medical Benefit Scheme (CSMBS).
  • Discussion of payment mechanisms, including DRG (Diagnosis Related Group) for inpatient services and capitation for outpatient services.

Reimbursement Process

  • Hospitals need standardized codes like TMLT for reimbursement from insurers.
  • Implementing LOINC and TMLT in hospital and laboratory information systems is crucial for streamlining the reimbursement process.

Future Directions

  • Ongoing efforts to update and maintain TMLT, integrating it with LOINC for enhanced efficiency and accuracy in healthcare data management.