Health insurance mandatory for long-stay foreigners in Thailand

[uzynkotak]

23 hours ago, Gecko123 said:

If medical self-insurance translates to higher financial deposit requirements, are visa agents now going to get into the "self-insurance" business as well? No doubt.

 

Just looks like more opportunity for corruption to me. Insurers selling overpriced policies to people forced to buy them, or visa agents gouging foreigners and immigration officers taking bribes to circumvent these regulations.

 

If Thailand's so worried about getting stuck with unpaid medical bills from foreigners, why, pray tell, have they required that retirees tie up 800K for 5 months and 400,000 baht permanently on a year round basis? Money which could be used in a medical emergency? And if Thailand's so worried about getting stuck with unpaid medical bills from foreigners, why didn't they consider allowing foreigners to buy into the national health care system? Especially, foreigners who have Thai family here?

 

And how about simplifying immigration requirements, Thailand? There'd be so much less stress. Fewer expats having heart attacks, strokes, nervous breakdowns, abusing alcohol, suffering from insomnia, eating disorders and anxiety from worrying about their next 90 day report, TM-30 report, bank letter, or visa renewal. Less stress equals less burden on Thailand's health care system.

 

What'd'ya say, Thailand?

That's a great lecture, very convincing. Next time try to go to a zoo and lecture monkeys who try to steal your stuff. See how that works out for you. 

[bkk6060]

9 hours ago, Deerculler said:

Most of us are seniors who have retired here.
Getting insurance cover for pre-existing medical conditions is next to impossible.
Has anyone got a sensible answer please?


Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect

Not saying to do this but I guess many will just lie.

 

If your goal is to just get the insurance to qualify to stay here.

[pagallim]

11 hours ago, JetsetBkk said:

 

Nothing about extensions?

 

"According to Nattawuth, the new rule applies to both new applicants for the non-immigrant visa (O-A), which offers a stay of up to one year, and those wishing to renew their visa. Each renewal is valid for one year."

 

 

This from the Phuket News.   Of course we'll have to wait and see what the actual Police Order says, but at face value, the new requirement is only for an O-A visa, and not the Non Imm O visa extensions that most of us have (retirement/marriage/dependents etc).   The O-A is already different, as it can only be applied for in your home country or country of permanent residence.   It also requires both medical and police certification, neither of which is required by local Immigration Offices.

 

UPDATE: Phuket Immigration Chief Col Kathathorn Kumthieng confirmed to The Phuket News today (May 14) that he has been informed of the new requirement but that he has yet to receive an order for his office to start applying it when processing applications for one-year Non-Immigrant O-A permits-to-stay.

Col Kathathorn also confirmed that the new insusrance requirement applies only to Non-Immigrant O-A "retirement" visas.

[BritManToo]

9 hours ago, Jingthing said:

Is Siam Reap super polluted?

Zero pollution (beyond the normal Asian trash thrown around).

Air was completely clear, there was a bit of field burning between Poipet and Siem Reap, but it didn't seem to hang around.

Very similar to Chiang Mai ten years back in the social 'feel', I really liked it.

[Mango Bob]

21 minutes ago, bkk6060 said:

Just for info. none of this has been approved by immigration to implement.  They will need to approve it (if in fact they do) and set rules accordingly.

If it hasn't been approved why did they say the cabinet has approved it?

[lamyai3]

6 hours ago, JetsetBkk said:

Semantics. People here often say "renew my retirement visa" when they actually mean "get an extension".

 

Of course, when you criticise them for not using the correct terminology, they usually say "Oh, don't be pedantic, you know what I mean."  

Do you seriously call people out for this, other than in a conversation concerning the technicalities of an extension? Most Thais (including those in immigration) refer to it generally as a retirement visa, whether in the initial period of the actual visa or on extensions. There's a world of difference between casual speech describing how you stay in Thailand, and detailed specifics when dealing with the technicalities of a renewal. Anyone who saw fit to correct my turn of phrase outside of a discussion of extension procedures would come over as unusually officious. 

[mike787]

14 hours ago, zydeco said:

I've seen this problem before among posters. You still think of the 800,000 as YOUR money. But it's now THEIR money.

Absolutely correct...and now they want more!  How are we going to come up with that?  What are the options now?  Other countries? Philippines? Vietnam? Cambodia? Bali? Malaysia? etc.....We can all see where this is going.  This is only the begging.  There will be more requirements of all kinds.  Just give it a little more time.  BJ is gone, but his legacy continues. Times are very quickly changing...get Plan "B" ready... 

[Nemises]

Does the Insurance provided by the AU credit card provide, in the Thai language..

Of course an AU credit card travel insurance policy is not written in Thai, it’s written in English....just like EVERY OTHER AU issued travel insurance policy [emoji3]

[hotchilli]

On 5/14/2019 at 4:48 AM, Orac said:

 

Yes - the over 50 bit does imply just retirement extensions but not clear if they will include those of us on marriage extensions.


Sent from my iPad using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

 

The statement is quite clear... those over the age of 50 require health insurance... on any long term visa.

[edwinchester]

3 hours ago, fisherd3 said:

34,000 thb for first shot in Rabies course of injections at Bangkok Hospital Rayong , gonna be expensive insurance young or old. 

That is insane price gouging. 2000 bht for the whole course of injections at a local clinic here in Kanchanaburi and that included cleaning and dressing the wound.

[ocddave]

1 hour ago, Mike Teavee said:

It doesn't matter whether it was 1 or 1,000, the simple answer is enough to make the Thai government to believe that it's a problem and feel the need to introduce compulsory health insurance for all of us

 

P.S. I don't know how many people were abusing Visa Exempts either, but my answer would be the same, I.E.  Enough...   

I'm thinking its based more on greed, there is always someone lurking behind the curtain looking to feed from the trough, Thai's are more than willing.

[BritManToo]

10 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

The statement is quite clear... those over the age of 50 require health insurance... on any long term visa.

They only say O-A VISA, mention of any other VISA or extension is only in your mind.

[p414]

On 5/13/2019 at 10:42 PM, gunderhill said:

dont  forget  the 10  copies  required  all  signed and  within 1  minute  of  applying.

all notarised

[Peterw42]

23 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

The statement is quite clear... those over the age of 50 require health insurance... on any long term visa.

Yes, the statement is quiet clear, it doesn't use the words any/all visa/extensions. The statement specifically names one visa, O-A.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Deerculler]

Okay, we have insurance.
Malaysia and Indonesia have that.
I can accept that.

I just wish they would they would get there act together on immigration issues and all do the same thing.



Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect

[mike787]

5 minutes ago, Peterw42 said:

Yes, the statement is quiet clear, it doesn't use the words any/all visa/extensions. The statement specifically names one visa, O-A.

 

 

 

 

 

 

...just wait for it...It will...takes a little more time.  This is the first step.  Once the kingdom of Thailand feels the power, ALL visas will be included....

[eddysmit]

22 minutes ago, edwinchester said:

That is insane price gouging. 2000 bht for the whole course of injections at a local clinic here in Kanchanaburi and that included cleaning and dressing the wound.

Some years ago when I found out I would need an operation quickly I did the rounds(Pattaya area) after finding out, I began with Bangkok hospital because they are known to be the best, they wanted as an estimated a start off for over one hundred thousand, I did other hospitals with tests(all paid for) it ranged from one hundred to seventy odd thousand as an estimated price, I eventually took some good advice from a Thai lady to go to a hospital near her home(Korat) that she had used and had a good name and she volunteered to take me, I was impressed as soon as I walked in, the doctor( that has done one other smaller op since, plus sorted out other problems for me over the years) got me to have an x-ray and said the same as all the other Doctors, and advised me to get it done soon,he nicely said up to you where,I asked for an estimate so he sent me to the office, when I got the estamate I said okay, I was immideatly sorted with the usual tests and on the table within the hour, fantastic treatment and not one problem, it cost just over twenty thousand Baht.

[gmac]

20 hours ago, david555 said:

He stated anyway :

new requirement for all foreigners staying in the country on one-year Non-Immigrant O-A “visas”, or “permits-to-stay”.

 

That last line is clear enough …..any I.O. has the possibility to applicate in their agent connection direction  

But then there this :- 

 

"UPDATE: Phuket Immigration Chief Col Kathathorn Kumthieng confirmed to The Phuket News today (May 14) that he has been informed of the new requirement but that he has yet to receive an order for his office to start applying it when processing applications for one-year Non-Immigrant O-A permits-to-stay.

Col Kathathorn also confirmed that the new insusrance requirement applies only to Non-Immigrant O-A "retirement" visas."

Read more at https://www.thephuketnews.com/cabinet-approves-mandatory-health-insurance-for-long-stay-visas-71424.php#pLgXBXuJ2VvlgRuJ.99

 

Apologies if some one has already posted this I'm only up to page 38  so far!  

[eddysmit]

3 hours ago, Billy Bloggs said:

So everytime I go for treatment anywhere my passport is copied, so someone is incompetent here as all hospitals have to do is notify immigration, then the person is flagged and either on exit or they report they are held to account. If however its a problem of so many illegals who don't report then they have a bigger problem than people not paying at hospitals.

Exactly, well said.

[onera1961]

But then there this :- 
 

"UPDATE: Phuket Immigration Chief Col Kathathorn Kumthieng confirmed to The Phuket News today (May 14) that he has been informed of the new requirement but that he has yet to receive an order for his office to start applying it when processing applications for one-year Non-Immigrant O-A permits-to-stay.

Col Kathathorn also confirmed that the new insusrance requirement applies only to Non-Immigrant O-A "retirement" visas."

Read more at https://www.thephuketnews.com/cabinet-approves-mandatory-health-insurance-for-long-stay-visas-71424.php#pLgXBXuJ2VvlgRuJ.99
 
Apologies if some one has already posted this I'm only up to page 38  so far!  

O-A makes sense as each embassy will be in a better position if insurance offered in their respective country is acceptable or not. I don't think immigration office in Thailand will be able to do that.

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[Olmate]

12 minutes ago, eddysmit said:

Exactly, well said.

Is there any evidence of immigration acting as debt collectors, I’m not aware of it?

[taipan1949]

On 5/14/2019 at 5:10 AM, gunderhill said:

More vagueness.

BUPA Thailand told me that because I was hypertensive but maintained by a few little pills every day I had to sign a waiver stating that if I incurred any health problems due to it then I would not be covered. After a few years my rate was getting ridiculous and I also did not trust them as just about anything can be related to high blood pressure so I quit them.

[hml367]

28 minutes ago, gmac said:

But then there this :- 

 

"UPDATE: Phuket Immigration Chief Col Kathathorn Kumthieng confirmed to The Phuket News today (May 14) that he has been informed of the new requirement but that he has yet to receive an order for his office to start applying it when processing applications for one-year Non-Immigrant O-A permits-to-stay.

Col Kathathorn also confirmed that the new insusrance requirement applies only to Non-Immigrant O-A "retirement" visas."

Read more at https://www.thephuketnews.com/cabinet-approves-mandatory-health-insurance-for-long-stay-visas-71424.php#pLgXBXuJ2VvlgRuJ.99

 

Apologies if some one has already posted this I'm only up to page 38  so far!  

Perhaps this is more accurate:   http://hss.moph.go.th/show_topic.php?id=2808

 

[riclag]

On 5/14/2019 at 6:32 AM, alfalfa19 said:

does medicare parts a and b work in thailand, does anyone know?

no

[jmd8800]

9 hours ago, gentlemanjackdarby said:

I'm not sure that all U.S. medical insurance does

 

I know that employer group plans certainly do and policies sold on the government exchanges do as well, but not all citizens have access to the exchanges;

 

It's unfortunate that the exchanges aren't functioning as intended because a lot of the big insurance companies have withdrawn - when I last looked at coverage available where I live, it was not very good and fairly expensive

Yes it is expensive. I pay 730USD per month with up to 7000USD maximum out of pocket. I'm 63. This is through CoveredCA which is California's version of Obamacare.

 

My policy says they will cover me outside of the USA for emergency situations to save my life but nothing more. I'm not sure how they decide this unless it is in the codes the hospital exchanges with Blue Shield. By the way, Blue Shield already has payment structures set up with hospitals all over the globe so having coverage here is not a matter of logistics.

[fforest1]

Folks dont worry Dr Nikki can write you a Heath insurance policy up to age 130 that gives you unlimited coverage and no deductible for 500 baht a year.....

[bbbbooboo]

Hmmm...... bye bye Thailand I guess

[luckyluke]

2 minutes ago, bbbbooboo said:

bye bye Thailand I guess

Will depend from one individual to another, according to :

What he is ready to undergo,

what he is able to undergo. 

[HuskerDo]

8 minutes ago, jmd8800 said:

Yes it is expensive. I pay 730USD per month with up to 7000USD maximum out of pocket. I'm 63. This is through CoveredCA which is California's version of Obamacare.

 

My policy says they will cover me outside of the USA for emergency situations to save my life but nothing more. I'm not sure how they decide this unless it is in the codes the hospital exchanges with Blue Shield. By the way, Blue Shield already has payment structures set up with hospitals all over the globe so having coverage here is not a matter of logistics.

Have you not looked for better rates with another company? In two years you'd have nearly free coverage via Medicare if you returned home. Might be worth considering as the "savings" you have by living in Thailand are being eaten by the insurance costs.

[brewsterbudgen]

7 minutes ago, bbbbooboo said:

Hmmm...... bye bye Thailand I guess

Or easier, don't apply for an OA or OX visa.