Have a Plan for Successful Aging? Opinion by U.S. Embassy Bangkok

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Have a Plan for Successful Aging?

opinion by U.S. Embassy Bangkok

 

 

Thailand remains one of the most popular retirement  destinations in the world.  Great culture; great food; great people.  And as U.S. citizens age, Thailand also offers access to excellent health care, provided at world-class private hospitals by internationally trained doctors.  But you need to be able to afford it.

 

Sadly, we at the Embassy in Bangkok have seen many instances whereU.S. citizens discover, too late,that essential, high-quality health care is out of financial reach and their options are limited.  As you contemplate your own preparedness, we urge you to plan for a few key expenses: medical treatment, nursing care, and, if necessary, medical evacuation.

 

Do You Have a Plan to Receive Treatment in Thailand?

 

Access to healthcare in the United States and Thailand differs.  When you live abroad, Medicare  cannot pay for your healthcare. U.S. healthcare programs that can sometimes be used overseas, such asprivate health insurance, TRICARE, and VA-provided care, work differently and may require upfront payments.As a non-Thai, youdo not enjoy the same subsidized access to the public healthcare system as your Thai neighbors.  While Thai law directs hospitals (both private and public) to provide emergency life-saving care, they are not required to provide care for routine or chronic conditions andmay require full payment in advance.

 

Tragically, some of the most common challenges we witness relate to home healthcare and long-term hospitalization.  Even the most prepared retirees in Thailand, capable of withstanding several medical emergencies, may not realize just how expensive professional care can be if they develop a debilitating conditionin retirement.You may wish to consider purchasing long-term care insurance andhaving a written plan in place in the event you become incapacitated.

 

Do You Have a Viable Way Back to the United States?

 

If you lack a caretaking option in Thailand and/or your only access to treatment for a chronic condition is Medicare, your best option is likely to return to the United States for healthcare.Medical evacuation and medical insurance are often covered through different programs. Many do not realize, however,the obstacles to flying once you are sick.  Trips back to the United States can be arduous due to the distance and required transits, and airlines can refuse to board anyone who does not appear to be of health stable enough to endure a flight.

 

What the U.S. Embassy Can and Cannot Do

 

When contacted for helpwe can point you toward a number of medical service providers or put you in touch with friends and family who may be able to assist.  We can then assist those family members and friends in transferring money to you, or directly to a hospital or nursing home.  The U.S. government has no ability to pay for your medical costs overseas.  We urge you to take steps now, while you are physically and financially able, to prepare for medical eventualities: budget for long-term care and consider purchasing health insurance that covers emergency medical and dental treatment abroad, as well as medical evacuation to the United States.  Having appropriate medical insurance and sufficient personal savings can prevent your destitution or the denial of necessary care and keep you happy and healthy in the Land of Smiles.

 

This article was drafted by the American Citizen Services unit of the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok, part of an advice column for U.S. citizens permanently living in Thailand.

 

Disclaimer for medical insurance providers: The Department of State assumes no responsibility or liability for the professional ability or reputation of, or the quality of services provided by, any provider.

 

For more information that could assist you in planning for your family’s future, please visit "U.S. Citizen Services /Medical Emergencies.” (click here).

 

Older travelers may wish to contact Medicare, the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)(https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/before-you-go/your-health-abroad.html#ExternalPopup), or a travel agent for information about foreign medical care coverage with private Medicare supplement plans. 

 

For the Department of State’s checklist for older travelers please visit this page(click here) . 

 

Stay on top of the latest news and current events with the U.S. Embassy homepage (click here), which includes links to homepages of other U.S. government agencies.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/opinion/30368711

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2019-05-02

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RELATED :  Make sure you're covered in case of a medical emergency in Thailand

 

 

[wwest5829]

Aside from the inability to return stateside if too ill to fly, I am wondering if anyone has done an analysis of the cost difference if Medicare were to approve healthcare coverage to approved hospitals in Thailand? In Thailand, we can receive world-class healthcare at a fraction of the cost for the same care in the U.S. I support extending Medicare coverage in Thailand on the same basis that earned military medical benefits are paid in Thailand. By either military service or civilian service with premiums paid, the benefits have been earned.

[Emdog]

Successful aging  health guide:

1. be born in country with universal health care, preferably Scandinavian

 

[THAIJAMES]

4 minutes ago, Emdog said:

Successful aging  health guide:

1. be born in country with universal health care, preferably Scandinavian

 

And hope they don't have a residency requirement before you can get healthcare

[keemapoot]

23 minutes ago, wwest5829 said:

Aside from the inability to return stateside if too ill to fly, I am wondering if anyone has done an analysis of the cost difference if Medicare were to approve healthcare coverage to approved hospitals in Thailand? In Thailand, we can receive world-class healthcare at a fraction of the cost for the same care in the U.S. I support extending Medicare coverage in Thailand on the same basis that earned military medical benefits are paid in Thailand. By either military service or civilian service with premiums paid, the benefits have been earned.

I don't think there is much, if any chance of medicare approving foreign coverage. I have been covered by health insurance policies until now, but it has been my plan and will be into retirement, that I will self-fund in-patient and preventive care in Thailand, will sign up for medicare b, and will plan on repatriating for treatment of anything serious. 

 

If Sheryl reads this, it would be helpful to hear from her on her exact plan, because I think that would be useful. She has decided to keep medicare b for the reasons I stated, and also for regular preventive care on trips back to the USA. However, she mentioned that she has a policy in Thailand, that has exclusions in an effort to reduce costs.

 

If anyone knows of any medigap plan that covers evacuation, (or any foreign treatment) or any reasonable medical evacuation plans for those based in Thailand, please list them here. My plan at this point is self-funding medivac if that should ever arise. Also, would be interested in any reasonable health plans where you can choose to exclude things that would be best treated in the US on medicare. 

[Juan B Tong]

My aging plans?

I'm 72 y.o. $1/mil coverage w/ $5k deductible/excess costing less than Medicare part B which I don't have or need.  Self funded preventative and dental.  $500k AD&D policy costing next to nothing.

Prefer Thai docs with board certification working in Thailand over foreign docs working in USA. 

Buy your med insurance before age 70 as new policies after 70 are as rare as virgins working girls on Beach Road.

[mania]

Seems like another whisper that medical insurance will soon become a requirement to extension of Visa's to stay in Thailand as an aging expat

[VocalNeal]

But OK to work here with a work permit without? 

 

Sounds like just another money grab to me.

[ocddave]

Medicare should still provide the same equivalent contribution to payments as if the care was done in the US, otherwise refund all the money ever paid by the individual that is now unused.

[Langsuan Man]

3 minutes ago, ocddave said:

Medicare should still provide the same equivalent contribution to payments as if the care was done in the US, otherwise refund all the money ever paid by the individual that is now unused.

You chose to move here, no one forced you , so don't expect the US taxpayers to fund your life style overseas

[ocddave]

11 minutes ago, Langsuan Man said:

You chose to move here, no one forced you , so don't expect the US taxpayers to fund your life style overseas

Did you miss the part where the individual paid into the system their whole life, that isn't just the taxpayers money, its the individuals money. Tell you what give me back the money I put into SS and Medicare (with compounding interest), and I'll gladly fund my own lifestyle overseas.

[Orton Rd]

'Great culture; great food; great people' - I must be living in a different Thailand then

[marcusarelus]

19 hours ago, Orton Rd said:

'Great culture; great food; great people' - I must be living in a different Thailand then

I would imagine you are.  Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.  Up to you. 

[ocddave]

1 minute ago, Orton Rd said:

'Great culture; great food; great people' - I must be living in a different Thailand then

I was thinking the same thing, though the food is good if you don't mind dying early from the chemical cocktail applied to it.

[marcusarelus]

10 minutes ago, ocddave said:

Did you miss the part where the individual paid into the system their whole life, that isn't just the taxpayers money, its the individuals money. Tell you what give me back the money I put into SS and Medicare (with compounding interest), and I'll gladly fund my own lifestyle overseas.

Very good point.  People think USA is a nanny state.  It is only a nanny state for the things that screw the individual and help the government. 

[Skallywag]

52 minutes ago, Juan B Tong said:

My aging plans?

I'm 72 y.o. $1/mil coverage w/ $5k deductible/excess costing less than Medicare part B which I don't have or need.  Self funded preventative and dental.  $500k AD&D policy costing next to nothing.

Prefer Thai docs with board certification working in Thailand over foreign docs working in USA. 

Buy your med insurance before age 70 as new policies after 70 are as rare as virgins working girls on Beach Road.

Agree.  Could you tell us what insurance company your medical is covered under?  Regards

[mok199]

Now that The flooded condo market, inflated currency and general daily Thainess have taken its toll.not much left in my accout...check Bin !!

[marcusarelus]

1 minute ago, mok199 said:

Now that Thailands flooded condo market, inflated currency and general daily beatdown have taken its toll..check Bin !!

Condo market not flooded, currency not inflated and no one beats on you.  Why not come and visit Thailand sometime?

[Boon Mee]

Guide for successful aging here in Thailand? 

Avoid as much as possible the rude service and cramped overcrowded little room at the ACS. American Embassy. 

[Orton Rd]

7 minutes ago, ocddave said:

I was thinking the same thing, though the food is good if you don't mind dying early from the chemical cocktail applied to it.

Food is very restrictive if vegetarian, even the sandwiches all have fish or meat. There are some exceptional restaurants though, the newish Tonklar Facai, gate 14 Chula Hospital is the best vegan food I have ever had. Mays Veggie kitchen opp exchange tower near Sirikit Park is also good. The people who come here and rave over street food muck amuse me, they don't realize a lot of it is cooked in palm oil over used until it's black, the plates are left sitting in stinking water for ages and it's all done with rats running about.

[Bournville]

1 hour ago, THAIJAMES said:

And hope they don't have a residency requirement before you can get healthcare

I was born in England. I've always wondered what my "wait time" would be to become a resident once again. Anyone know? 

[Kasane]

1 hour ago, Juan B Tong said:

My aging plans?

I'm 72 y.o. $1/mil coverage w/ $5k deductible/excess costing less than Medicare part B which I don't have or need.  Self funded preventative and dental.  $500k AD&D policy costing next to nothing.

Prefer Thai docs with board certification working in Thailand over foreign docs working in USA. 

Buy your med insurance before age 70 as new policies after 70 are as rare as virgins working girls on Beach Road.

From many post here I thought people above 60 have a very hard time getting med insurance. Which company are you covered through?

[Bournville]

38 minutes ago, Langsuan Man said:

You chose to move here, no one forced you , so don't expect the US taxpayers to fund your life style overseas

I disagree. He's doing the USA taxpayer a favour... Care in the USA would cost way more! 

[simon43]

1 minute ago, Bournville said:

I was born in England. I've always wondered what my "wait time" would be to become a resident once again. Anyone know? 

Zero seconds, if upon your return to the UK you state that your intention is to permanently reside in the UK again.

[Juan B Tong]

18 minutes ago, Skallywag said:

Agree.  Could you tell us what insurance company your medical is covered under?  Regards

I sent you a private message.

[Orton Rd]

Just now, Juan B Tong said:

I sent you a private message.

why the secrecy, let us all in on it

[Juan B Tong]

4 minutes ago, Kasane said:

From many post here I thought people above 60 have a very hard time getting med insurance. Which company are you covered through?

See Private Message.

[Juan B Tong]

Just now, Orton Rd said:

why the secrecy, let us all in on it

I am a secretive guy.  They advertise here, but send me a PM.

[marcusarelus]

3 minutes ago, Orton Rd said:

why the secrecy, let us all in on it

Could you post it after he sends you the PM?

[Juan B Tong]

4 minutes ago, marcusarelus said:

Could you post it after he sends you the PM?

I could, but prefer not to be a tout.  I will send you (or anybody) a PM if requested.