Lynn S

It must depend on Branch. 
Kasikorn was very friendly to my (with Thai wife present).  I had to provide US IRS form.
Krungsai was not friendly, even though they financed a new car to my wife of no income.
Bangkok bank let me open one with wife and they even had the US IRS form for me to fill out.  (I wish I remembered the Form number)

On 3/17/2019 at 9:36 PM, Langsuan Man said:

Depends upon your insurance, Blue Cross / Blue shield will cover you overseas at select hospitals direct billing or will just reimburse you after you have paid, minus your deductible 

 

You also need to consider Medicare into your planning, especially when you get to the magic age where TRI-Care forces you to pay for Medicare Part B 

Looks like I need to do more reading!

Thanks for all the info.  Most of it is very useful.
In the past I have submitted claims to my private insurance (GEHA) for services in Thailand and they did pretty good at reimbursement.  Chiang Mai RAM advertises they will assist with paperwork and submit direct to Tri-Care Overseas.  The more I research Tri-Care Overseas, the better it looks.  I will switch to that as soon as I can. I should be able to switch to a lower priced private insurance just to take care of loose ends.

I am retired from the Navy Reserve and eligible for Tri-care, but the processing is reported to be a year behind.
I am also retired from civil service.
My wife is Thai and we plan on relocating to Chiang Mai near her family by the end of the year.
Chiang Mai Ram is listed as accepting Tri-Care Overseas.

Question: will I need my civilian insurance? should I drop it to a minimal insurance plan?