rooster59 Posted August 3, 2019 Share Posted August 3, 2019 Health Check: Phuket Immigration confirms mandatory health insurance for O-A ‘retirement’ visas not in force By Tanyaluk Sakoot An officer at the Phuket Immigration Office in Phuket Town holds up the application form for an extension to stay for those applying under a Non-immigrant O-A visa. Photo: Tanyaluk Sakoot PHUKET: Foreigners applying for an extension stay under a Non-immigrant O-A visa, nicknamed the “retirement visa”, still do not yet have to provide proof of mandatory health insurance coverage as warned to be introduced “imminently” by senior officials in Bangkok months ago. Phuket Immigration Police Chief Col Kathathorn Kumthieng confirmed to The Phuket News this week that his office has yet to receive an order instructing his office to start enforcing the mandatory health insurance requirement, approved by the Cabinet on April 2. The insurance policy must provide up to B40,000 coverage for outpatient treatment and up to B400,000 for inpatient treatment during their stay in the Kingdom of Thailand, Dr Natthawut Prasertsiripong, Chief of the Ministry of Public Health’s Department of Health Service Support, announced in May. Full story: https://www.thephuketnews.com/health-check-phuket-immigration-confirms-mandatory-health-insurance-for-o-a-retirement-visas-not-in-force-72365.php#FvJwyEUiisRKMPkR.97 -- © Copyright Phuket News 2019-08-03 Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking Thailand news and visa info RELATED: Mandatory health insurance for foreigners aged over 50 in Thailand - why it may not affect you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NCC1701A Posted August 3, 2019 Share Posted August 3, 2019 ???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LivinLOS Posted August 3, 2019 Share Posted August 3, 2019 Every time its explained so poorly.. There isnt an O-A visa extension or renewal anyway.. There is a 12 month in country extension (of the permission of stay), on the basis of retirement, that can be given to anyone who satisfies the conditions for that retirement class. No one in authority so far has said it will be applied to retirement extensions. It 'may' be applied to O-A visa applications outside the country (but isnt yet) and it is applied for O-X visas applied for outside the country. Everything else is fear mongering at this point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smedly Posted August 3, 2019 Share Posted August 3, 2019 1 hour ago, LivinLOS said: Every time its explained so poorly.. There isnt an O-A visa extension or renewal anyway.. There is a 12 month in country extension (of the permission of stay), on the basis of retirement, that can be given to anyone who satisfies the conditions for that retirement class. No one in authority so far has said it will be applied to retirement extensions. It 'may' be applied to O-A visa applications outside the country (but isnt yet) and it is applied for O-X visas applied for outside the country. Everything else is fear mongering at this point. exactly, I don't understand the content of the OP and why Phuket IO are even commenting on it, O-A visa's are not issued in Thailand Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgeCross Posted August 3, 2019 Share Posted August 3, 2019 mandatory health insurance.. buckle up its coming ???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sjohno Posted August 3, 2019 Share Posted August 3, 2019 If you read further into the article an interesting comment is made (see below) and it appears that the new 800000 baht or 65000 baht/per month ruling for O-A visa has seen an exodus of 2400 expats from Phuket (or a halving of applications) to elsewhere or have they have made other visa arrangements. Apply that ratio across the country and it would be a significant amount of people with their lives uprooted! ???? “Col Kathathorn on Wednesday was unable to give a specific number of foreigners staying in Phuket on an O-A visa. However, he did confirm that Phuket Immigration from January through December last year issued extensions to stay to 4,909 foreigners staying in Phuket on some form of Non-Immigrant O type visa. From January to July this year, Phuket Immigration issued extensions to stay to 2,422 persons staying in Phuket on a form of Non-immigrant O type visa.” Read more at https://www.thephuketnews.com/health-check-phuket-immigration-confirms-mandatory-health-insurance-for-o-a-retirement-visas-not-in-force-72365.php#AMS0P6FIOb9s2fpM.99 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xylophone Posted August 3, 2019 Share Posted August 3, 2019 6 minutes ago, Sjohno said: If you read further into the article an interesting comment is made (see below) and it appears that the new 800000 baht or 65000 baht/per month ruling for O-A visa has seen an exodus of 2400 expats from Phuket (or a halving of applications) to elsewhere or have they have made other visa arrangements. Apply that ratio across the country and it would be a significant amount of people with their lives uprooted! Or many IOs buying new cars and houses, and wealthier agents! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madmen Posted August 3, 2019 Share Posted August 3, 2019 'owever, as of Wednesday (July 31), no Royal Thai Embassies or consulates abroad contacted and checked by The Phuket News made any mention of the mandatory health insurance requirement in their details of visa requirements for O-A visas."Was never going to see the light of day with the rip off premiumsMove along now folks nothing more to see Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgeCross Posted August 3, 2019 Share Posted August 3, 2019 27 minutes ago, Sjohno said: If you read further into the article an interesting comment is made (see below) and it appears that the new 800000 baht or 65000 baht/per month ruling for O-A visa has seen an exodus of 2400 expats from Phuket (or a halving of applications) to elsewhere or have they have made other visa arrangements. Apply that ratio across the country and it would be a significant amount of people with their lives uprooted! ???? “Col Kathathorn on Wednesday was unable to give a specific number of foreigners staying in Phuket on an O-A visa. However, he did confirm that Phuket Immigration from January through December last year issued extensions to stay to 4,909 foreigners staying in Phuket on some form of Non-Immigrant O type visa. From January to July this year, Phuket Immigration issued extensions to stay to 2,422 persons staying in Phuket on a form of Non-immigrant O type visa.” Read more at https://www.thephuketnews.com/health-check-phuket-immigration-confirms-mandatory-health-insurance-for-o-a-retirement-visas-not-in-force-72365.php#AMS0P6FIOb9s2fpM.99 the 2422 persons is for half year so assuming that ratio continues that puts it at 4844 or down less than 100 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadMuhammad Posted August 3, 2019 Share Posted August 3, 2019 2 hours ago, GeorgeCross said: mandatory health insurance.. buckle up its coming ???? And it’s a great idea. In the past 12 months my insurances have paid out over 250K for my illnesses and a minor traffic accident. It would have been a big kick in the pants if I didn’t have them. Such a big risk to tootle around uninsured here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skeptic7 Posted August 3, 2019 Share Posted August 3, 2019 While X, Y and Z offices (or even officers) will strictly enforce it! ???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kokesaat Posted August 3, 2019 Share Posted August 3, 2019 2 hours ago, GeorgeCross said: mandatory health insurance.. buckle up its coming ???? You could have said this several years ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madmen Posted August 3, 2019 Share Posted August 3, 2019 mandatory health insurance.. buckle up its coming [emoji20]There is always one dunce in the class [emoji23] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter14 Posted August 3, 2019 Share Posted August 3, 2019 Well all foreigner exodus and the retire one that will not buy fridge car home schootforntheir wife or gf... making immigration harsh will NOT help anyone come back .. Thailand soften your stance or loose all... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ross163103 Posted August 3, 2019 Share Posted August 3, 2019 6 hours ago, LivinLOS said: Every time its explained so poorly. Like a LOT of things in Thailand...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mfd101 Posted August 3, 2019 Share Posted August 3, 2019 The combination of confused policy, confused announcements, confused bureaucrats and confused journalists (if that's what they are) makes for confused falangs. Clarity not a strength in this country. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rossco1 Posted August 3, 2019 Share Posted August 3, 2019 true hey I know a number of people moving on They have sold house car bike everything and off to greener pastures That's the way its going in the estate I'm in 3 houses sold so far soon to be 4 All have said rules getting so much harder and when attitudes like one person in our estate says if I want to make trouble for a foreigner I can because I'm Thai and they will listen to me before listening to a foreigner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nycjoe Posted August 3, 2019 Share Posted August 3, 2019 Not well thought out. Perhaps more rational minds will be heard in the new government. We can only hope. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rossco1 Posted August 3, 2019 Share Posted August 3, 2019 Don't hold you breath not looking good at all Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hotchilli Posted August 3, 2019 Share Posted August 3, 2019 7 hours ago, rooster59 said: The insurance policy must provide up to B40,000 coverage for outpatient treatment and up to B400,000 for inpatient treatment I just spoke to an AIA insurance agent here in Thailand.... their best policy still only gives you 10,000 baht coverage for out-patient cover... they do not have a policy that covers 40,000 !!!! So no-one can purchase that in Thailand.... maybe immigration should talk to insurers first to see what policies they provide instead of pulling figures out of the air as to what foreigners should buy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sambum Posted August 3, 2019 Share Posted August 3, 2019 5 hours ago, GeorgeCross said: mandatory health insurance.. buckle up its coming ???? As I detect a certain type of smugness in your post, I presume you are one of those who can well afford it, or are not yet in the age range where you can not afford it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrissables Posted August 3, 2019 Share Posted August 3, 2019 6 hours ago, smedly said: exactly, I don't understand the content of the OP and why Phuket IO are even commenting on it, O-A visa's are not issued in Thailand I agree, but it seems they are clarifying in country renewal of O-A visas. But also not clarifying what they do need. I would presume the 800.000 route, but as ever not clear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4MyEgo Posted August 3, 2019 Share Posted August 3, 2019 3 hours ago, MadMuhammad said: And it’s a great idea. In the past 12 months my insurances have paid out over 250K for my illnesses and a minor traffic accident. It would have been a big kick in the pants if I didn’t have them. Such a big risk to tootle around uninsured here Totally agree, while it's expensive for some, one has to ask oneself, are you prepared to pay big money out of your own pocket, or risk not being treated in a better environment if you had the choice. I also understand some cannot get insurance, fair enough. I have insurance for emergency and elective surgery only, as outpatient is cheap enough for me to pay. The above said, 180 baht per day I do not consider expensive in my situation for a 1.2 mil US $ coverage and while I can afford it, I will maintain the coverage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianezy0 Posted August 3, 2019 Share Posted August 3, 2019 14 minutes ago, hotchilli said: I just spoke to an AIA insurance agent here in Thailand.... their best policy still only gives you 10,000 baht coverage for out-patient cover... they do not have a policy that covers 40,000 !!!! So no-one can purchase that in Thailand.... maybe immigration should talk to insurers first to see what policies they provide instead of pulling figures out of the air as to what foreigners should buy! Pacific Cross and others do have policies in line with the proposed regs. The issue is that, PC as an example, offers a max 1,500 per day or a max of 30 visits per year. So it is not a one off 40k insurance for out patient. Here is the link to the 6 companies that offer Long Stay Health Insurance in line with the proposal. https://longstay.tgia.org/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hotchilli Posted August 3, 2019 Share Posted August 3, 2019 3 minutes ago, ianezy0 said: So it is not a one off 40k insurance for out patient. Which is what I was saying AIA cap a one-off visit at maximum 10,000 baht for out-patient treatment. The insurer said if you reached a value of 40,000 baht you would likely become an in-patient... but then again maybe he's not seen some foreigner bills ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianezy0 Posted August 3, 2019 Share Posted August 3, 2019 3 minutes ago, hotchilli said: Which is what I was saying AIA cap a one-off visit at maximum 10,000 baht for out-patient treatment. The insurer said if you reached a value of 40,000 baht you would likely become an in-patient... but then again maybe he's not seen some foreigner bills ? Agree 100%. But the 5 companies in the link state that the policies will be acceptable to immigration. All they seem to have done is moved some figures around and then charge a lot more for less coverage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevinmartyn Posted August 3, 2019 Share Posted August 3, 2019 I'm 64 and just received a quote for medical cover in Thailand and the quote was over $6,500.00 USD per Year. OMG. I do not have that amount of spare cash per year! The quote was not the cheapest and there were others in exceeding 10,000 USD. Mm... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevenl Posted August 3, 2019 Share Posted August 3, 2019 21 minutes ago, chrissables said: I agree, but it seems they are clarifying in country renewal of O-A visas. But also not clarifying what they do need. I would presume the 800.000 route, but as ever not clear. O-A visa are not renewed, a stay can be extended. A thread like this shows the importance of that distinction. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marcusarelus Posted August 3, 2019 Share Posted August 3, 2019 17 minutes ago, kevinmartyn said: I'm 64 and just received a quote for medical cover in Thailand and the quote was over $6,500.00 USD per Year. OMG. I do not have that amount of spare cash per year! The quote was not the cheapest and there were others in exceeding 10,000 USD. Mm... Stick to Thai baht as this forum is about Thailand. I'm in my mid 70's and I got 4 quotes for around 150,000 baht per year. Think you are trying to scare people as you are nowhere a reasonable cost. For future posting all of your posts will be fact checked. There an insurance area on this forum better check it before buying or attempting to scare others. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marcusarelus Posted August 3, 2019 Share Posted August 3, 2019 22 minutes ago, ianezy0 said: Agree 100%. But the 5 companies in the link state that the policies will be acceptable to immigration. All they seem to have done is moved some figures around and then charge a lot more for less coverage. Did you watch the video with the two insurance guys. They haven't a clue about visas and what they are selling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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