Sheryl

Many people have had it but there us no reason to think you need it. See an ortho. You'll need a physical exam and possibly an Xray. Might just be tendinitis commonly occurs when new ir repetiyive activities strain muscles and tendons. ....and does not requirw surgery of any sort.

Indeed no doctor will prescribe this for a non-diabetic and absurd for one to want one. I think we can assume OP's wife is diabetic. CGM is little used in Thailand and other than a few private hospitals I do nto know where one can get it.

Since this thread has devolved into the predictable anti-vax debate I am closing it. Free COVID vaccination is available for adults of any age in the US but not at every pharmacy; might have to go to a health department clinic. @sqwakvfr has been so advised and given links.

The process of being seen at a government hospital is complicated and, at least initially, confusing. You have to register first at one of several different lines, signs are only in Thai and often no-one around who speaks any English, easy to get in the wrong line which you will find out only after waiting an hour or more to get to the front. Other steps then ensue before you get to go to where the doctor is and the process there is also confusing. Just bring a Thai speaker with you, first time at least, and come armed with reading material and drinking water and be prepared for long waits. It is nto the SS factor which makes it complicated, it is that way regardless of payment status. Oh and arrive at crack of dawn to get in the queue if using the public channel. Otherwise use the "after hours", may have to pay 500 baht extra but worth it

Retirees are not the focus of the policy but they are badly affected by it. It would be easy enough to build in an exception f(or lower threshold) or people with UK citizenship from birth who are now aged over say 65. The impact in terms of numbers would be minimal and it would avoid considerable hardship for retirees.

However, some people who retired here adequately funded are now not, due to a combination of rises in the Thai cost of living (which has been considerable in the last 2 decades) and worsening of the exchange rate. By the time all this hits, they are usually 70+, consider Thailand their home, may have a Thai family. So while it is easy to say they should nto be here/should go home, in practice far from easy for them to do. The other considerable group (with some overlap with the above) are those who completely omitted health care from their financial planning, and by the time they figure out that it needs to be factored in, are no longer insurable. Or (due to the above) can't afford insurance. I'm not saying either group planned well -- I worked to the age of 71 precisely because my planning assumed inflation, need to cushion for currency fluctuations, and rising health care needs/insurance costs as I aged. Most of those in difficulty now retired too early, basing their decision on current cost of living in Thailand, their current state of health and not considering the likelihood both would change. But I think that stops short of "feckless". The completely feckless folk come here already inadequately funded. They exist but numbers not huge. The others just did not foresee or plan on the magnitude of changes that might (and did) occur over the long term. In retrospect an error, but I would nto be too harsh on them. Lost of people, including ones who never leave their home countries, do nto know how to plan adequately for long term retirement. (It does irritate me, though when people who retired in their 50's tell me I am "luckier" than they are financially. Luck had nothing to do with it, I'd be in their financial shoes had I retired that soon! Ditto people who've been abroad for a long time tell me I am lucky to have good insurance because they can't get a policy due to pre-existing problems ... If I had left health insurance until now, I would have trouble getting a policy too. I'm well insured because I took out insurance at the start, at a younger age and in good health).

Very few UK retirees have that high an income. Of course they may own thir homes outright but that is nto taken into account under this law.

??? Please see the link. "Adults 18 years and older without health insurance". See this listing of health centers that provide free vaccination in California https://bphc.hrsa.gov/funding/coronavirus-related-funding/covid-19-bridge-funding/fy-2023-awards/ca

Who registered you? If the HR department where you work, ask them. Otherwise you'd have to go to the hospital and ask and it will nto be a quick or easy matter. Lerdsin is fine (quality wise - a nightmare in terms of crowding, wait times, red tape etc).

No, still happening though they very slightly reduced it the new threshold. Proposed 38,700, settled on 29,000 which is still a huge increase form the current 18,600. The number if retirees with an income of 29,000 is surely much less than the number with 18,600, taking all sources into account.

I take it you do not have take Medicare? Even if not, free COVID vaccination is available for the uninsured in the US through the "Bridge" program. See https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/programs/bridge/

What he means is that some Thai insurers charge premiums at older ages equal to the full maximum coverage. Incredible, but true. Apparently the assumption is that anyone that age will be hospitalized every single year and run up bills at or over their maximum cover. Ridiculous but that is the way it is. Many will not insure past age 65 at any price. It is a rare Thai policy that guarantees lifetime renewal.

I do know some who are very dissatisfied but this is due, in every instance, of being registered at a sub-standard hospital. Many people make the mistake of not choosing the hospital carefully (some just let their employer's staff decide it, usually a bad move). And in some localities the choices are poor due to the better hospitals being fully subscribed already. As long as you can register at a decent hospital, it's a good deal. Just remember if you travel out of country to get travel insurance as Thai SS is of no help abroad. And be prepared to argue the point if, due to emergency, you are charged for initial care at a different hospital in Thailand.

I am not sure what you mean by "only part coverage"? Most private hospitals do not accept SS, and some (but not all) of those that do are best avoided. But if registered at a private hospital under SS., it is the same full coverage as at any hospital. SS does have a maximum reimbursement for room charge (I think 700 baht) so some private hospitals might require you to pay that difference, you would also pay extra if you chose an optional private room in a government hospital under SS. (Usually well worth it). But treatments, meds, surgery etc all fully covered.

Not the case in all countries. (To put it mildly). Certainly not true at all in the US. And it seems now that for UK retirees, while they might be able to go back they would not be able to bring their Thai spouse. And UK retirees are disproportionate among those living in Thailand without adequate funds...frozen old age pension and unfavorable changes in exchange rate have hit hard.

You need to go to SS office in person to set it up continuation of SS after you stop working and must do so not more than 6 months later. Be fore-warned that some wrongly tell people that it is not possible, or not possible for foreigners. If you encounter that ,call the head Office. Another bit of wrong information many give is claiming that taking a lump sum retirement benefit rules out continuing the insurance. Not true. Very few Thais continue their SS insurance upon retirement because they automatically get covered under the 30 baht" system. As a result many SS offices have little experience in this. For automatic deduction from bank account might also need to visit your bank or set it up on your banking app.

True but you would have very limited options in terms of available policies if no pre-existing conditions. And some would automatically apply exclusions you could otherwise avoid by getting in earlier. If you have pre-existing conditions (most people do, by age 75) then you might be completely unable to get insured. All that said, best to not get (or get rid of) O-A policy in favor of extensions basedo n non-O so that you are not tied to Thai insurers. International policy rates also go up with age but not as severely as Thai policies. (Many Thai companies will not insure at all past a certain age, or will drop you at a certain age). I would not call the rates for inpatient only interntional insurance at age 75 "astronomical". Higher than at younger ages certainly, but not "astronomical". Some Thai policies really are, though.

I like Dr. Parichart Chalidapong at St Louis Hospital https://saintlouis.or.th/th/FindDoctor But if you want to try much closer by, my suggestion would be either Sikarin Hospital in Bang Na or Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital which is right off the motorway. Dr. Prachiya Paripunna is at both hospitals and had some traning in UK though I have no first hand experience or feedback on her. Associate Prof. Nopadon Noppakun at Samitivej Srinakarin would be another option. Exactly what drug did he apply for treatment? The gold standard is permethrin 5%.

That is a regional level facility. About as good as it gets in terms of government hospitals outside Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen and Hat Yai. And certainly the best choice in Rayong area. That said, given that your issue is whether or not to maintain an international policy, personally I live near a Regional Hospital but still prefer to go into Bangkok for most health care. I like to be able to select my doctor and I want the best. (Also do not want to spend whole day or days waiting in crowding uncomfortable surroundings, but the doctor part is the more important ). And really, really not up for being an inpatient on a crowded non air conditioned ward, I've stayed with friends on same and it is grim in the extreme. Not always possibel ot get a private room). One other point to seriously consider before dropping your private insurance is whether you ever travel outside Thailand. Because your SS insurance will be of no help then. I had a major accident while in Cambodia a few years back, thank god for my April policy.

Oral temp will usually be about 0.5 degrees C higher than axillary (under the arm), sometimes more. Axillary temps are especially low in people in cool air con environments and people with poor circulation (common in the elderly). Oral temp will still be l another 0.5 degrees C (sometimes more) less than actual core temperature. Ear temps, on the other hand, if done correctly with an accurate thermometer are very close to core temp. Important consideration with oral temperature is not to have taken any liquids or food for 10 minutes or more prior, and to do it properly (thermometer up against the underside of the tongue and mouth closed. Digital thermometers in my experience stop working correctly after not much time. The definition of hypothermia is a core temperature below 35 C. With an axillary temp of 34.9, OP's core temp would have been around 36, maybe even a bit more. He is not hypothermic. I would never take an axillary temp on an elderly person unless there was really no other choice.

The problems with the "saving X amount over X years by not paying for insurance" line of reasoning are: It might turn out that way, but it could just as easily occur that you are faced with a costly illness or accident right at the start of this "saving" period. There is no guarantee that you will not need costly care well before you have saved enough in not paying premiums. Once you spend the money, it is gone. What then? No guarantee how many more years will pass before you again have major health expenses. Only people who have already available to them, readily, at least 1 million baht (at least 3 if wanting the option of private hospitals) and the means to replenish it once spent (or a back-up plan like returning to home country), can safely self insure. Ironically most people who meet that criteria prefer to instead get insurance if they can, as a means of protecting their assets. While most of the people who say they are self-insured do not meet this criteria and are really uninsured or under-insured. Which works fine until suddenly it doesn't.

Sorry to hear this. My condolences.

No telling where you will be taken if not conscious. It will be up to the emergency vehicle which responds. This scenario is exactly what the 72 hour law is designed for. By law, SS will reimburse any hospital that provides you with care in an emergency for up to 72 hours...the idea being that by then it should be possible to transfer you to your SS hospital. The problem is that hospitals will often try to recoup directly from the patient. Do not pay, tell them you have SS and SS will pay for the first 72 hours. Call the Head Office if necessary. Good idea to inform your friends/family of your SS status (and which hospital is your SS hospital) and give them copy of the card. You might also consider getting just Personal Accident insurance, it's not expensive and diabetes shouldn't be a problem for that.

Most insurers will not newly enroll a diabetic, full stop. Definitely Thai insurers will not, but also many international ones won't. if they do, exclusion would likely be not just diabetes but also kidney and cardiovascular disease (heart, circulatory etc) since diabetes substantially increases the risk of both. SO very extensive exclusions. What is the medication you refer to? If it is on the MOPH list SS will cover it, otherwise not. SS will cover medical care related to an accident or illness. However you must get care at the specific nominated hospital. Exception is in case of emergency, can receive care elsewhere for up to 72 hours. (Although that is the law, in practice the other hospitals often try to bill patients and it often takes a call to the SS head office to resolve this).