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

[donnacha]

 

 

 

2 hours 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? 

If born in the UK before 1983, that gives you a right of abode that cannot be revoked, but British citizens lose their right to benefits and state-subsidized services if they spend more than 3 months outside the EU.

This is applied with varying degrees of rigor, depending on the department you are dealing with and the region of the UK you are applying in, but any official protecting public funds must be satisfied that you are habitually resident in the UK.

Again, the rule is that anything above 3 months outside the EU cannot be considered a mere holiday. The original intention of these rules was to prevent expats returning when they needed public assistance but they are now deployed wherever possible.

For example, if a young person applying for benefits or housing happens to mention that she recently returned from a gap year, or a stint studying abroad, or 4 months volunteering in Africa, her application will be denied.

In addition, any local council must be satisfied that you have a real, current connection to that area before they will put you on any waiting list, and it is not in their interests to make it easy for you to prove that.

The NHS has a similar rule, but they refer to it as "ordinary residence" rather than "habitual residence". They have many different criteria to establish you have to pass to be considered ordinarily resident in the UK but a key criterion is that you must prove you have been resident in the UK for at least 6 months before receiving NHS care. Emergency care, sure, everyone can get that, but any ongoing care or medication will have to come out of your own pocket.

[jdlancaster]

3 hours 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.

Though I'd agree with providing health care for US citizens overseas, I'd disagree with the I paid for it my whole life and deserve it. That's not how it works. This isn't a private plan you saved for your whole life.

 

People paying taxes today are paying for people on social security and Medicare today. The trusts keep losing money relative to the increase of beneficiaries. 

 

People live much longer and the demographics are changing. The ratio of tax payers to beneficiaries is going down, future generations will likely lose benefits without drastic changes to tax law.

 

I'm lucky as I will have Tricare and/or VA plans... I wish others got the same. 

[Krataiboy]

The entire article could have been condensed to one sentence:

 

"You're on your own, buddy."

[zydeco]

4 minutes ago, Krataiboy said:

The entire article could have been condensed to one sentence:

 

"You're on your own, buddy."

That and "don't bother us with your problems. We've got cocktail receptions to attend to."

[Orton Rd]

3 hours ago, Juan B Tong said:

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

I did

[jdlancaster]

4 hours ago, Bournville said:

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

Yes and no... On the immediate side, yes it is cheaper. However, this means money leaving the country instead of moved around in the US which can be taxed during each transaction (contributing to salary etc.) and contributing to the economy. The actual math would be complicated.

 

But I'd agree with giving health care overseas, I just see it as the right thing to do.

[koratkarlos]

For people interested I am a 61 year old American that recently obtained health insurance here.  As I am new to Thailand the first thing I did was get a 1700 Baht health check-up at the local university hospital (excellent service).  I take medicine for my high blood pressure which is under control and this was an issue with two companies, Luma and April as they would not underwrite my heart or circulatory system.  I came to Thailand with Regency Insurance but found out that they may not cover existing conditions.  Eventually I found a company David Shields who is willing to give me full coverage at a reasonable price.  I hope that they are a good company as I must wait until 65 to apply for Medicare.  For me this whole topic is quite important and I wish good health and luck to all forum members.

[losworld]

Hey usa embassy how about spending some effort to prevent aging veterans from being deported from Thailand with the recent visa changes you rolled over for instead of spending your time writing travel features!!!!

[from the home of CC]

6 hours ago, mania said:

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

Yes I get the same impression, Thailand could be complaining to embassies and this is one who is responding.

[nong38]

6 hours ago, mania said:

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

The problem here is the age, the older you get the worse the risk the provider takes so the premium rockets upwards every year, they may say hey will offer the cover but the cover price will not be affordable. Also, most insurers I have seen here stop offering at 75 and in some cases 85 so the problem is always going to be there and the only to solve it is for the ex pat to self insure themselves with cash in the bank to cover

I also wonder if it is worth speaking directly to hospitals and see if you can come to  private arrangement with them, it might work with single or some groups of hospitals.

[Bournville]

If born in the UK before 1983, that gives you a right of abode that cannot be revoked, but British citizens lose their right to benefits and state-subsidized services if they spend more than 3 months outside the EU.

This is applied with varying degrees of rigor, depending on the department you are dealing with and the region of the UK you are applying in, but any official protecting public funds must be satisfied that you are habitually resident in the UK.

Again, the rule is that anything above 3 months outside the EU cannot be considered a mere holiday. The original intention of these rules was to prevent expats returning when they needed public assistance but they are now deployed wherever possible.

For example, if a young person applying for benefits or housing happens to mention that she recently returned from a gap year, or a stint studying abroad, or 4 months volunteering in Africa, her application will be denied.

In addition, any local council must be satisfied that you have a real, current connection to that area before they will put you on any waiting list, and it is not in their interests to make it easy for you to prove that.

The NHS has a similar rule, but they refer to it as "ordinary residence" rather than "habitual residence". They have many different criteria to establish you have to pass to be considered ordinarily resident in the UK but a key criterion is that you must prove you have been resident in the UK for at least 6 months before receiving NHS care. Emergency care, sure, everyone can get that, but any ongoing care or medication will have to come out of your own pocket.

I was born there in 1973... Haven't lived there in several decades. So the nhs will be tough on me? The nhs is my plan B if the poop really hits the fan with my health.

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

[Longcut]

10 hours 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.

With private hospitals being accused of charging as much as 300% more than other hospitals and having separate rates Thai vs. Farang. Not much chance Medicare is going to allow Thai hospitals to treat patients on their dime. 

[onera1961]

10 hours 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 think the fear is medicare fraud. It will be a bonanza for fraudulent people.

[ocddave]

48 minutes ago, Longcut said:

With private hospitals being accused of charging as much as 300% more than other hospitals and having separate rates Thai vs. Farang. Not much chance Medicare is going to allow Thai hospitals to treat patients on their dime. 

I haven't been charged anything in Thailand for healthcare that would even come close to the ripoff artist in the US.

[Thaidream]

10 hours 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

Guess what- for the 50 years I worked- Medicare tax was taken automatically from my salary. Last time I looked there was a considerable amount  sitting in the Social Security Department that I cannot use nor will they refund.

 

US taxpayers do not fund medicare and there is a plan to get rid of insurance companies and have Medicare for all.  I am hopeful once we get a real President- Medicare for All will pass and  US citizens who have already paid into the system will be treated the same wherever they live.

[Isaanbiker]

19 hours ago, Orton Rd said:

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

 Please board the next plane that can get you out of your misery. 

 

[Orton Rd]

13 minutes ago, Isaanbiker said:

 Please board the next plane that can get you out of your misery. 

 

Not miserable, just realistic

[rabas]

3 hours ago, Thaidream said:

Guess what- for the 50 years I worked- Medicare tax was taken automatically from my salary. Last time I looked there was a considerable amount  sitting in the Social Security Department that I cannot use nor will they refund.

 

US taxpayers do not fund medicare and there is a plan to get rid of insurance companies and have Medicare for all.  I am hopeful once we get a real President- Medicare for All will pass and  US citizens who have already paid into the system will be treated the same wherever they live.

 

I'm sorry. What money they were saving for you was just spent on an 11 year old girl who was hospitalized one day due to a snake bite. The bill came to approximately five million baht, give or take.

[donnacha]

6 hours ago, Bournville said:

I was born there in 1973... Haven't lived there in several decades. So the nhs will be tough on me? The nhs is my plan B if the poop really hits the fan with my health.

You are certainly not the only person with that Plan B ????

The chances are that, yes, they will be tough on you, but you will probably receive the treatment you need, you may simply have to wait 6 months for anything beyond emergency care. So, if you are talking about needing help right now, in 2019, you'll be okay.

The problem is that, over the next few years, restrictions are likely to grow, particularly if the economy falters and the number of citizens entirely dependent on state aid continues to grow. As the government has already been using habitual residence as a valid grounds upon which to deny aid, I would expect those rules to continue tightening.

A bigger question is whether it is actually smart to rely upon the NHS to provide the care you might need.

As it stands today, NHS services are already ridiculously over-stretched, with treatments prioritized according to PR sensitivity - resources are allocated to areas which have maximum publicity value / bad PR risk.

The NHS remains venerated by the majority of the population, but that favourability drops sharply among people who have actually received treatment for conditions requiring more long-term, complicated or expensive treatment. That experience allows you to see beyond the veneer. That was a big factor in why older Britons voted heavily in favour of Brexit.

Typically, before the age of 60, people see a very different reality and are unaware that their care as they age is not as guaranteed as the propaganda has led them to believe. It is generally taboo to discuss this because any criticism is framed as being "an attack on our beloved NHS". People feel they have to be so pathetically grateful for basic treatment, when they have spent their lives paying for it through some of the highest taxes in the world.

At 46, you are still fairly young. Unless you are overweight, drink a lot, or stay in northern Thailand during the pollution season (Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr), you are unlikely to have serious health problems over the next decade or two. So, you still have time to work out a better Plan B.

If you would like to live as long as possible, and have the ability to earn money now, it might be worth investing in the best possible medical insurance you can find geared towards receiving private treatment in a country with particularly high survival rates.

Private medical care in the US is excellent, but insurance to cover that would be particularly expensive. Private medical care in some other first world countries comes close, but at a lower overall cost. In Europe, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Austria, Sweden, Norway and The Netherlands are all top tier. In Asia, Singapore is top notch too and has the added benefit that your carers will all speak English. Hong Kong and Australia are also within the Top Ten countries worldwide.

Sadly, the mythos of the NHS has meant that those of us from the UK have been lulled into a delusion that we do not need to worry about this stuff. We spend years feeling superior when we look at the system in America but fail to realize that there are alarming gaps in what our "free" NHS will be able to provide.

Then, as we hit our forties, we slowly become more aware of how the world actually works and that it is up to us to figure out how to get the care that will make the difference between wasting our final years in frustration waiting for the care we need and receiving substandard treatments, or getting prompt. cutting-edge treatment when we need it and living a fuller, longer life.

If you want to make it into your 80s, and see what the 2050's will be like, you need to start planning for that now. If you are currently semi-retired and living here on a low budget, the smart move might be to put in a few more years of work, specifically so you can afford proper insurance that allows you to access the best possible medical care. It will make a real difference, not only to your health, but also to the looming uncertainty you feel now about your final decades.

 

[metisdead]

An off topic post has been removed. 

 

A troll post has been removed. 

[gunderhill]

19 hours 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? 

Welcome fellow  Bournvillian,  my  neck of the woods. The wait time, I think you can turn up and just claim you are  moving back permanently, I kept my  Bournville  address and am still registered with my doc who sent me  a letter  only the other day to have some anal probe cancer check.

[Longcut]

11 hours ago, Thaidream said:

Guess what- for the 50 years I worked- Medicare tax was taken automatically from my salary. Last time I looked there was a considerable amount  sitting in the Social Security Department that I cannot use nor will they refund.

 

US taxpayers do not fund medicare and there is a plan to get rid of insurance companies and have Medicare for all.  I am hopeful once we get a real President- Medicare for All will pass and  US citizens who have already paid into the system will be treated the same wherever they live.

Why would you think that? Obama care cannot be used outside of the United States either. In fact, you were never required to sign up for it if you lived outside of the U.S.

[Benmart]

21 hours ago, marcusarelus said:

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. 

Oh dear. If you are a USA citizen and so unhappy, you are free to renounce your citizenship and find another country that suits your needs.

[ocddave]

21 hours 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.

I calculated out with compounding interest in todays dollars, then converted to baht. They owe me the equivalent of 45,000,000 baht, even with todays horrible bank interest rates I should be able to pull in 1,500,000 in interest on my money every year without touching the principal......yeah, I'll take this plan over dealing with SS and Medicare treating me like I am a burden on them ???? 

[bkk6060]

18 hours ago, Krataiboy said:

The entire article could have been condensed to one sentence:

 

"You're on your own, buddy."

Yes, you are right.

Which is different then the stupidity I hear from most US expats that believe Medicare will cover them in Thailand.

 

 

[bkk6060]

12 hours ago, Thaidream said:

Guess what- for the 50 years I worked- Medicare tax was taken automatically from my salary. Last time I looked there was a considerable amount  sitting in the Social Security Department that I cannot use nor will they refund.

 

US taxpayers do not fund medicare and there is a plan to get rid of insurance companies and have Medicare for all.  I am hopeful once we get a real President- Medicare for All will pass and  US citizens who have already paid into the system will be treated the same wherever they live.

God man, seriously?

You think Bernie Sanders is going to win??

That will never ever happen please, get a clue....

[crees]

I left 100% VA Health care in America and my wife left 75% ChampVA in America … and yes it was well worth the move. We both pay out of our pocket … and it has been a great plan for us. Our bills here normally don't go much over 100,000 baht per stay at a private hospital and we buy our prescription drugs at a local pharmacy in town.  My family and I are "fans" of Thai Health Care 

[ocddave]

9 minutes ago, bkk6060 said:

God man, seriously?

You think Bernie Sanders is going to win??

That will never ever happen please, get a clue....

He will never win, he has always been too radical, and too polarizing......the Left has gone so far left now, they will be lucky if they ever win again.

[jayboy]

23 hours ago, Emdog said:

Successful aging  health guide:

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

 

How about being born in any advanced country with the exception of the United States?

[VocalNeal]

22 hours 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.

Where I come from mostly everyone pays in but not all people use the system that keeps the payment amounts reasonable. It is a social system not an insurance policy. 

From a medical standpoint nobody wishes to get sick and many times it is outside the control of the individual so the risk is shared.

I am sorry if you grew up in a different system.

 

PS There is no such thing as successful ageing. Nobody makes it out alive. This is just corporate nonsense speak.