Kerman University of Medical Sciences International Journal of Health Policy and Management 2322-5939 9 4 2020 04 01 Defining the Benefit Package of Thailand Universal Coverage Scheme: From Pragmatism to Sophistication 133 137 3685 10.15171/ijhpm.2019.96 EN Viroj Tangcharoensathien International Health Policy Program, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi, Thailand 0000-0003-3235-0091 Walaiporn Patcharanarumol International Health Policy Program, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi, Thailand 0000-0003-1798-8767 Waraporn Suwanwela National Health Security Office, Bangkok, Thailand 0000-0003-3217-8172 Somruethai Supangul National Health Security Office, Bangkok, Thailand 0000-0001-9888-9722 Warisa Panichkriangkrai International Health Policy Program, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi, Thailand 0000-0003-3567-3128 Hathairat Kosiyaporn International Health Policy Program, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi, Thailand 0000-0002-7203-8089 Woranan Witthayapipopsakul International Health Policy Program, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi, Thailand 0000-0003-1817-8264 Journal Article 2019 08 19 <span class="fontstyle0">Benefit package is crucial for implementing universal health coverage (UHC). This editorial analyses how the benefit package of the Thai Universal Coverage Scheme (UC Scheme) evolved from an implicit comprehensive package which covered all conditions and interventions (with a few exceptions), to additional explicit positive lists. In 2002 when the Thai UC Scheme was launched; the comprehensive benefit package, including medicines in the national essential list of medicines, formerly offered by the previous schemes were pragmatically adopted. Later, when capacities of producing evidence on health technology assessment (HTA) increased, rigorous assessment of cost effectiveness is mandatorily required for inclusion of new interventions into the Thai UC Scheme benefit package. This contributed to evidence-informed policy decisions. To prevent emptied promises, whichever policy choices are made about the benefit package, either using a negative or a positive list, developing country governments need to make quality health services available and accessible by the entire population. Political decision on benefit package should be informed by evidence on cost effectiveness, equity dimension and health system capacity to deliver equitable services. Low- and middle-income countries need to strengthen HTA capacity to generate evidence and inform policies.</span> https://www.ijhpm.com/article_3685_55a0df4b5a1786cd13a7a8de759859d4.pdf