Proposed health insurance requirements for long stay

[darbyman]

There was an article on this subject not long ago but I can't find it.  Can anyone direct me please?

[topt]

Was only a "discussion" and nothing has been decided so currently not an issue.

[oldcpu]

I searched, but could not find this latest development on Thai Visa ... According to Bangkok Biz News website (in Thai language), it has now been approved by Thai Cabinet (as of 2-April-2019) to apply a health insurance requirement to Long Stay visas (Type-OA) :

http://www.bangkokbiznews.com/news/detail/831535

The article is in Thai language (and I used Chrome browser to translate), but if accurate, that suggests that the Type-OA will be used as a 'trial' for this requirement.  Presumably the implementation will occur sometime in the near (?) future.

[jonwilly]

Well from the 

http://www.bangkokbiznews.com/news/detail/831535

if it's B4,000/ month then I will not complain.

 

john

[oldcpu]

Back in December last year, there was an English language article entitled "Amendment to Change Long Stay Visa in Thailand to Require Insurance Clears First Hurdle" ( https://weexpats.com/long-stay-visa-in-thailand-now-requires-insurance/ ) which is consistent with the "bankgokbiznews" Thai language article on the Thai Cabinet approval.   I don't see a reference to 4,000 baht/month ... only a speculation (?) that   

" all foreigners wishing to apply for this visa will require Thai insurance policies covering the entire duration of their one-year stay. This policy will require a minimum of a 40,000 THB out-patient medical bill coverage, as well as a minimum 400,000 THB in-patient medical bill coverage." 

 

Fortunately for those of us already with health insurance from abroad, there is the statement

"The good news is that if you already have overseas insurance policy coverage that is valid in Thailand for the policy listed above do not need to get Thai insurance as well. Their current insurance will qualify them to apply for the Long Stay Visa. For those, who have comprehensive expat medical insurance valid anywhere in the world, it seems that their bets will covered".

 

I am one of the fortunate to have significant health coverage (valid in Thailand) with my pension plan, so this should not be a concern for myself. ....  I've been told, thou, by friends who are less fortunate, that for older people in their 60s or 70s, it could be a challenge to find monthly health insurance with payments for as little as 4,000 baht/month.  I would be happy to be proven wrong here, with a pointer for these friends (in late 60s and early 70s) where such relatively inexpensive health insurance for one in their late 60s or 70s can be found.

[Sheryl]

It won't be as little as 4,000 baht a month.

 

And it will nto be a good deal - can't be since they are requiring OPD cpver (which is utterly unnecessary) and then an unrealistically low level of IPD cover.

 

Sounds like it has been customized to a Thai insurance company's existing, poorly designed, insurance product.

 

Big questions are:

 

1- what will happen to all the expats with good international policies providing in excess of 15 million in cover but no OPD cover?

 

2 - what will happen to those who try to apply to a Thai company for this   who have pre-existing conditions?

 

3- will the companies listed really insure at all ages? Currently these same companies do not.

 

 

[jonwilly]

There are 6 companies offering and my B4000/ month is way out.

https://longstay.tgia.org/

About B100,000/year but some offer discounts for paying an "excess".

No info on when one needs to be insured by.

 

john

[lyskamm]

Sorry not really relating to the question: me and my husband (EU citizens both) are spending about 5 months per year in Thailand on holiday. Can anyone recommend a reasonably prized health insurance company? Also, are there any Thai companies which accept foreigners for holiday health insurance which you can sign up for while in Thailand (or from back home in EU)? Thanks for all your input.

[Sheryl]

Sorry not really relating to the question: me and my husband (EU citizens both) are spending about 5 months per year in Thailand on holiday. Can anyone recommend a reasonably prized health insurance company? Also, are there any Thai companies which accept foreigners for holiday health insurance which you can sign up for while in Thailand (or from back home in EU)? Thanks for all your input.

If here just 5 months of the year I would sugvest travel insurance rather than full health cover. Much cheaper ut assumes you are willing to go back home if necessary for any non emergency care.

 

AETNA Thailand has a plan for people spending under 6 momths hete ("Sunshine Plan"( but as is often the case with Thsi issued poluvies the maximum level of cover us too liw, only 1 million baht whereas you need 3-5 million.

 

Sent from my SM-J701F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

 

 

 

[lyskamm]

thank you Sheryl!

[Bryan Digby]

Depends on age of course but I specialised in arranging long term medical and travel insurance for most of my insurance career.
The quotes for 60 to 70 year year olds could be up to 15,000 baht a month.
In my late 70s I was quoted £5000 a yearly at Lloyd’s of London.
My solution is simple I am able to extend my high street bank free annual travel insurance.
Being over 80 I am being charged excess premiums but can extend to cover six month periods and still save thousands.
If I am prepared to exit Thailand for a few days every three months the extra savings becomes even more attractive.
Pre-existing medical conditions can be quoted for but obviously would entail additional premiums.



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[Bryan Digby]

Depends on age of course but I specialised in arranging long term medical and travel insurance for most of my insurance career.
The quotes for 60 to 70 year year olds could be up to 15,000 baht a month.
In my late 70s I was quoted £5000 a yearly at Lloyd’s of London.
My solution is simple I am able to extend my high street bank free annual travel insurance.
Being over 80 I am being charged excess premiums but can extend to cover six month periods and still save thousands.
If I am prepared to exit Thailand for a few days every three months the extra savings becomes even more attractive.
Pre-existing medical conditions can be quoted for but obviously would entail additional premiums.



Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect

PS. When I refer to exiting Thailand after three or six months I should have mentioned one having to return to the UK to validate the terms and conditions of the insurance policy.


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[darbyman]

Just wondering.

I will probably be about 80 years old by the time I return to Thailand on an OA visa.  Premiums for me are going to be sky high.  I have more than enough dosh to cover any emergencies so ------- what about a policy to cover the basic requirements but with an excess of outpatient 40,000 and in patient of 400,000? Is that possible? I know I wouldn't be able to claim anything from the insurance if ever needed, but surely the premiums would be rock bottom.

Any advise such as "stay at home you old f-rt" will not be welcome! We have a home there and visit as regularly as business dictates.