Mandatory health insurance for foreigners aged over 50 in Thailand - why it may not affect you

[boonrawdcnx]

I understand that everybody should have health insurance - but the requirements stated - are totally unrealistic especially the outpatient requirement which does not even exist here. Thai insurance companies all offer outpatient cover PER VISIT of in between 600- 2500 Baht but nobody actually offers outpatient cover for 40.000 Baht.
Before they come out with these statements somebody should maybe switch their brain on and come up with an insurance policy that is affordable and accessible to everyone and is realistic for every age group.
Nobody believes the lie that long term residents on retirement or marriage extensions are cheating hospitals out of their money as we all have to report every 90 and authorities know where we reside.

Also I could hardly imagine that any of the poor private hospitals who overcharge us every time we visit are suffering terrible losses - the opposite is the case they are ever expanding with their rip-off prices profits. But this is what you get in a third world country that has turned healthcare into a money making scheme.
It is tourists who have accidents and who have often no insurance who cause these problems for everyone but surely not the retirees .
If I need health insurance it is for unforeseen emergencies or major illnesses but surely not for a quick outpatient checkup/ visit that drives up the premium!



Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect

[mamypoko]

Nobody knew healthcare could be so complicated

[George Bowman]

A little over 20 years ago when I arrived in Thailand, I knew more back then about this country than I do now. Regardless, these are my observations about insurance companies based in Thailand.

 

My place of employment paid for my insurance throughout the years until I retired.  At that point I decided not to pay the insurance company for continued coverage. I would self-pay and my wife who was an agent (now retired) for one of the largest insurance companies in Bangkok agrees. Here is why.

 

My experience has shown that most of these companies try to stop paying for coverage once the hospital bill at private hospitals reach B2 million. Unfortunately, I have seen this numerous times with young Western workers, usually involving a motorcycle accident. At the end of the day, the injured party just wants to go home and eventually coughs up the money.

 

A few times I have seen elderly Westerns who had been paying expensive annual insurance bills for years to a local Thai insurance company and needed a heart tune up. And once again the insurance companies balked after the bill hit the magical 2 million mark.

 

We do have accident insurance through AIA and I think it costs B2,000 for 100,000 coverage per person. Well worth the money as I have used it many times. My wife and teenage daughter are also covered under the B30 scheme.

 

 

[OJAS]

48 minutes ago, connda said:

and is so full of exclusions for pre-existing conditions as to be fundamentally useless. 

Can see the powers-that-be coming down hard on pre-existing conditions sooner rather than later.

 

48 minutes ago, connda said:

but it doesn't meet the terms of Thailand's mandated insurance.

Presumably because it doesn't include out-patient cover??

[Peterw42]

2 minutes ago, boonrawdcnx said:

I understand that everybody should have health insurance - but the requirements stated - are totally unrealistic especially the outpatient requirement which does not even exist here. Thai insurance companies all offer outpatient cover PER VISIT of in between 600- 2500 Baht but nobody actually offers outpatient cover for 40.000 Baht.
Before they come out with these statements somebody should maybe switch their brain on and come up with an insurance policy that is affordable and accessible to everyone and is realistic for every age group.
Nobody believes the lie that long term residents on retirement or marriage extensions are cheating hospitals out of their money as we all have to report every 90 and authorities know where we reside.

Also I could hardly imagine that any of the poor private hospitals who overcharge us every time we visit are suffering terrible losses - the opposite is the case they are ever expanding with their rip-off prices profits. But this is what you get in a third world country that has turned healthcare into a money making scheme.
It is tourists who have accidents and who have often no insurance who cause these problems for everyone but surely not the retirees .
If I need health insurance it is for unforeseen emergencies or major illnesses but surely not for a quick outpatient checkup/ visit that drives up the premium!



Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect

Maybe do some research before making statments that the insurance isnt available

Here is a list of several insurance companies that offer the 400/40 insurance requirements. These companies have been offering this insurance ever since the OX visa was introduced, the OX has the same 400k in/40k out requirements.

 

https://longstay.tgia.org

[MikeN]

16 minutes ago, KhunFred said:

Thai expats can choose between Cambodia, Vietnam and the Philippines. All three of these countries are glad to take the expats that Thailand kicks out.

And are they equally happy to take the wives and children ? Or do they stay in Thailand ?

[topt]

30 minutes ago, Peterw42 said:

I imagine any current policies will be adjusted to take in the new requirements or you will be able to switch to a policy that provides your current coverage and the new requirements. 

Have you looked at the details of the policies currently offered on the sponsored web site? 

 

The total cover is less than their standard for the costs they quote due to the inclusion of the 40k outpatient clause.

 

I don't see International health insurance companies bringing out new policies to just cover this. Adding outpatient to a normal $500k/1m outpatient will add 50% or more to the overall cost which is why many go without - the out patient part. 

 

I wonder what the actual details are on how many individual foreigner bills below 40k go unpaid........

[topt]

5 minutes ago, Peterw42 said:

Maybe do some research before making statments that the insurance isnt available

Here is a list of several insurance companies that offer the 400/40 insurance requirements. These companies have been offering this insurance ever since the OX visa was introduced, the OX has the same 400k in/40k out requirements.

 

https://longstay.tgia.org

See my reply above - and if you already have insurance covering you for $1m plus in patient only what do you do.......

 

[stevehhd]

Very simple

 

Retired and got 800k in the bank to support yourself and get you home if it goes tits up ?  Visa granted.    Health/accident Insurance up to you but stupid not to have IMO

 

0ver 50 and either don't have, or don't want 800k in the bank etc ?  Must have proper health/accident insurance for Thailand so Thailand does not have to pay all your bills.

 

Personally I would rather my paid up taxes went to better causes than patching up and sending home yet another pisshead after his 10th motorbike crash.

 

That said. All this exposure will turn everyone you meet into an insurance agent with the best deals to offer. Wait and shop around.

 

[Krataiboy]

1 hour ago, malagateddy said:

Reliably informed that the 1st of July is "starting date "...also sadly expats on retirement or marriage extensions will have to have the mandatory h/c requirements.

Sent from my SM-G7102 using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app
 

Thanks for the heads-up. If your "insider" info is right, the writing is on the wall for expats unable to afford the sky-high insurance premiums or too old/infirm to qualify for cover.

 

Hopefully, between now and implementation, the Thais will address the situation of these "uninsurables" and - as has been hinted by the Thai immigration spokesman - let them stay if they can show they have the means to cover their future medical needs. 

 

Otherwise, a mere six weeks from now, many aging falangs face being refused a visa extension and forced to exit the country at short notice. In many instances they will have no choice but to leave behind loved ones, including dependants and/or carers.

 

I gather a Forum petition is being organised highlighting the potential plight of the "uninsurables", targeted at Thai immigration. We also need to inform our own governments about the wave of repatriations they will face from "refugees" forced out of Thailand by the red tape.

 

The threat of having to deal with yet another "refugee crisis" - particularly of the costly sick and elderly - might galvanize them into to lobbying the Thai government for a more humane visa policy.

[gamini]

2 hours ago, dcnx said:

Not yet. It will apply to everyone eventually.

 

I would love it. because of my age I can't get health insurance. The government could force insurance companies to insure everyone of every age, like in some other countries where it's against the law to discriminate against aged persons

[Laza 45]

I am currently on an OA visa.. can I apply for an extension of stay without renewing?

[Estrada]

6 minutes ago, gamini said:

I would love it. because of my age I can't get health insurance. The government could force insurance companies to insure everyone of every age, like in some other countries where it's against the law to discriminate against aged persons

As previously quoted in the link in this thread, Virayah Insurance covers people up to the age of 100.. Congratulations on being over 100 years old!

[natway09]

Maybe it should apply to all long term residents over 50 as we are the ones who are most 

likely to need extensive, expensive hospital treatment when things go pear shaped.

The 800,000 Bht required for our extension will not suffice

[zydeco]

3 minutes ago, natway09 said:

The 800,000 Bht required for our extension will not suffice

It's 400,000 more than what they are requiring for the insurance policy.

[Peterw42]

4 minutes ago, natway09 said:

Maybe it should apply to all long term residents over 50 as we are the ones who are most 

likely to need extensive, expensive hospital treatment when things go pear shaped.

The 800,000 Bht required for our extension will not suffice

People on an O-A stay for up to 2 years without putting any money in a Thai account. Maybe thats part of the whole idea to do with insurance for O-A

[dinsdale]

This article should begin with an apology something like this: "We sincerely apologise for the previous article which was misleadling, uninformed and complete crap."

[marcusarelus]

1 hour ago, jessc said:

Currently the Pacific Cross insurance Thai Visa is hawking .......
 

I didn't know that.  Do we get a special deal?

[bigginhill]

24 minutes ago, gamini said:

I would love it. because of my age I can't get health insurance. The government could force insurance companies to insure everyone of every age, like in some other countries where it's against the law to discriminate against aged persons

You will find that the price will make you not "love it" imo

[totally thaied up]

10 minutes ago, Peterw42 said:

People on an O-A stay for up to 2 years without putting any money in a Thai account. Maybe thats part of the whole idea to do with insurance for O-A

That exactly what I am thinking but the idea has been born and for me, that is a worry. This is a literal cash cow for certain parties. Maybe they want the O-A visa to die off? I thought it requirements without the need of bringing money in, too lax.

[marcusarelus]

1 hour ago, kingstonkid said:

It will be interesting. I assume our fav mod ubonjoe would have had input.  Personally until i hear from him anything immig related is hearsay.

 

GO JOE

Did you check out the forum he moderates?  That would be the first place I'd look.  I don't think he is primarily moderator of the Thai news forum. 

[zydeco]

11 minutes ago, Peterw42 said:

People on an O-A stay for up to 2 years without putting any money in a Thai account. Maybe thats part of the whole idea to do with insurance for O-A

People on Non-O retirement extension through monthly income also need not put any money in a Thai account. So, will they be targeted, too?

[4MyEgo]

What's next ?

[Peterw42]

3 minutes ago, marcusarelus said:

I didn't know that.  Do we get a special deal?

You get to stay, lol

 

1 minute ago, totally thaied up said:

That exactly what I am thinking but the idea has been born and for me, that is a worry. This is a literal cash cow for certain parties. Maybe they want the O-A visa to die off? I thought it requirements without the need of bringing money in, too lax.

I couldnt get one, dam elephantiasis and 3rd stage syphilis  

[Peterw42]

2 minutes ago, zydeco said:

People on Non-O retirement extension through monthly income also need not put any money in a Thai account. So, will they be targeted, too?

How are they getting an extension without putting money in a Thai bank ? its 65k a month 800k pa

[Shaunduhpostman]

Looks like marriage visa applicants will skate by for now, I see that an O-A visa is a retirement visa and an O visa is a marriage visa. If Ubon Joe or anyone can confirm that O visa holders will not have to worry about the insurance requirement.

 

I'm all for being repsonsible and having the ability to cover, but of course the main problem is grappling with  deliberately unclear rules and other rules set to benefit the insurance companies and stiff people out of their money and the disconnects between immigration and embassies issuing visas,  and the inevitable bunglings because its new rules and procedures and oh sorry sir have to go back your country its the mistake. Or going to the bank to get the policy and "Sorry no have."

[wgdanson]

2 hours ago, jessc said:

I thought this article was clear and helpful, even if the rules still are not. Thanks!

However, a suggestion: should this new requirement for mandatory health insurance ever be extended to apply to extensions based on retirement, perhaps the health insurance that Thai Visa is selling (notably, right along side these articles) could also be available to the full range of retirees who've lived in Thailand for many years - - often because paying full rate for medical care in Thailand is STILL less expensive than buying insurance back home. Currently the Pacific Cross insurance Thai Visa is hawking only covers people to age 64.

The expats who will be most effected by this requirement, if applied to extensions based on retirement, are those who have retired here on a fixed income, and who have aged out of basically any insurance (affordable or otherwise) available for purchase in Thailand. So, even if financially able to buy the insurance, they can't. And, likely, have no where to go to if unable to stay in Thailand.

I got in touch with this company, and got nowhere. Cannot put birth year less than 1955, got un-helpful email reply. Still waiting.

[scorecard]

2 hours ago, Teddy3943 said:

It's funny that sometimes immigration officers in various cities use various interpretations of their own laws...

It also shows the total lack of professionalism at the top of the said ministry and over many decades. 

[wgdanson]

9 minutes ago, Peterw42 said:

You get to stay, lol

 

I couldnt get one, dam elephantiasis and 3rd stage syphilis  

But they ignored your hepatitis and terminal haemorroids, yeh?   LOL

[Destiny1990]

I understand the rule something like this : some retirees need the mandatory insurance and other retirees do not need it and the price of the insurance is various.