New Health Insurance Requirement for Long-Stay Visa Applicants (November 8, 2019) Location:  Thailand Event:  As of October 31, 2019, Thailand requires all long-stay (O-A and O-X) visa applicants to carry health insurance.  Per Royal Thai Police Order Number 548/2562 dated September 27, 2019, foreign nationals who have been granted a nonimmigrant O-A or O-X visa must purchase health insurance which covers their length of stay in the Kingdom of Thailand.  The coverage must be no less than 400,000 Thai Baht per policy year for inpatient care and not less than 40,000 Thai Baht per policy year for outpatient services.  U.S. citizens can present proof of existing insurance (U.S.-based or otherwise) that covers them in Thailand or they can purchase an insurance policy via the Thai General Insurance Association’s website at http://longstay.tgia.org.  U.S. citizens will need to download the Overseas Insurance Certificate and have it completed, signed, and stamped by their insurance company if using a non-Thai insurance policy to qualify. Actions to Take: ·        Visit the Royal Thai Embassy website to review visa requirements. ·        Learn more about Thai health insurance policy options. ·        Learn more about Insurance Providers for Overseas Coverage.   U.S. Embassy Bangkok, Thailand American Citizens Services         They have no clue that this has not been allowed.

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I will have to see what documents ethna insurance Thailand will provide.

39 minutes ago, hereforgood said:

They have no clue that this has not been allowed

Looks like your Embassy provides a good cut and paste service, I wonder if they even read it...!

Extensions of stay based on retirement do not require health insurance.

Those getting a new retirement visa from there homee countries will have to have health insurance.

 

The statement is correct just not complete

7 minutes ago, JESSVANPELT said:

Extensions of stay based on retirement do not require health insurance.

Those getting a new retirement visa from there homee countries will have to have health insurance.

 

The statement is correct just not complete

No it is incorrect as it has been reported insurance from your home country will not be considered or the guys that have tried and been rejected are not telling the truth and I doubt that is the case. They seem to be requiring Thai based ins companys and they are happy to show you a list

Actually they are not wrong, but they left out the crucial part which will cause lot's of confusion because most people would consider their insurance policy to be proof of having insurance.

1 hour ago, hereforgood said:

U.S. citizens can present proof of existing insurance (U.S.-based or otherwise) that covers them in Thailand

They forgot to explain that to "proof" this you need to get the "foreign insurance certificate" signed by the directors of the company, which most insurance companies won't provide you.

19 minutes ago, JESSVANPELT said:

Extensions of stay based on retirement do not require health insurance.

Those getting a new retirement visa from there homee countries will have to have health insurance.

 

The statement is correct just not complete

Your out of date..

 

All extensions coming from an original OA visa, however old, DO require insurance. 

19 minutes ago, JESSVANPELT said:

Extensions of stay based on retirement do not require health insurance.

Those getting a new retirement visa from there homee countries will have to have health insurance.

 

The statement is correct just not complete

So you know for a fact that if you are here on an O-A and have extended and will extend again...that you do not have to have insurance???

 

4 minutes ago, jackdd said:

 

They forgot to explain that to "proof" this you need to get the "foreign insurance certificate" signed by the directors of the company, which most insurance companies won't provide you.

 

They did kind of mention that in their email:

 

Quote

U.S. citizens will need to download the Overseas Insurance Certificate and have it completed, signed, and stamped by their insurance company if using a non-Thai insurance policy to qualify.

 Just not who exactly it needs to be signed by, and the apparent difficulty in actually getting the required people to actually sign that kind of form.

 

I thought all of this had been resolved as NOT applying to extensions, then was shocked to get the embassy message shown in my email. So extensions up through October 31st only, then they apply the hook. ????
We can hope our various embassy staff internationally might yet offer an alternative - one I suggested last May.
Why not a THAI MEDICAL SAVINGS ACCOUNT?  



Banks would love it. Even hospitals would love it. Just set up a bank debit card that can only be paid out to a hospital.  As I wrote in this proposal (that got ignored) with healthcare payments insurance, “consumers may engage in riskier behavior, increasing the likelihood to need more healthcare, and/or simply purchase more healthcare than medically needed. In addition, providers may also supply more care than necessary. Such bad behavior changes increase the quantity of healthcare consumed. It is allocatively inefficient as too much of society’s resources are directed to healthcare, creating a welfare loss."

I'm 71 years of age, several of the dozen authorized companies already won't insure me, all promise far higher rates in my approaching future. The best rate spotted with the minimum coverage will already cost more per year than the ฿50,000 I spent during all of my first 12 years here total. Guaranteed there will be exclusions and such that does exactly what a private company wants - collect far more than they pay out.

See https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1100759-mandatory-health-insurance-for-non-immigrant-o-a-retirement-visa-holders-likely-to-take-effect-in-july/?do=findComment&comment=14166271

A very good friend of mine who is in his early 70s has been coming here one or twice a year for extended periods on an O-A visa.  He comes for the same reasons a many single (and perhaps married) foreign guys do.  Inexpensive (until recently), female company, and exotic scenery (it ain't Kansas or Texas or anything like America).  My friend doesn't drink so I won't add that as an attraction.

With the news that O-A visas were going to require insurance, he relocated his itinerary to Cambodia almost immediately.  He began going there right after the initial news regarding insurance broke. 

His view is reflective of what will probably become a common view for guys 65 and up:  Why purchase an insurance policy that is over-priced for the minuscule amount of benefits paid and that is so packed with exclusions for pre-existing conditions and age related conditions including moratoriums on most pathologies that affect aging people that the policy is essentially useless - especially if you can self-insure.  And he has the money to self-insure.
"But, you really, really need insurance because if you get sick you may end up with a 1 or 2 million THB bill."  Really?  And what good is an insurance policy that doesn't cover that 1 or 2 million THB bill?  Seriously!

So my friend said the heck with it (I can't print what he really said) and now splits his time between Cambodia and the US. 

I believe that they'll be a downturn in the number of men in the 65 year old and up range coming to Thailand on O-A, which is sort of a harbinger of what's to come if suddenly the Non-O expats find themselves saddled with having to obtain worthless, expensive mandatory insurance for the sole purpose of 'having the privilege' to reside in Thailand. 

"Good riddance losers!"  Yeah, whatever.  Thailand isn't the only game in town and in short order nor will it be the best imho.

They are wrong re US policies being accepted. Only for the first entry and only if your insurer will sign a form worded such that no fiteign insurer can possibly sign it.

 

I enailed them accordingly and received an intetesting response I reported on elsewhere.

 

As to need for it with extensions, the dust is yet to settle but thus far most people seem to being told it is required even those who have already done many,many extensions.

 

Good luck finding the director of your insurance to sign the document. and in the document it states :

"; the insured person is insured in accordance with the Cabinet Resolution, dated 2 April B.E. 2562 (2019) "

How would the director of your insurance know the requirements of the Thai cabinet resolution dated 2 April B.E. 2562 (2019)  , and if their insurance coverage complies? 

5 hours ago, hereforgood said:

No it is incorrect as it has been reported insurance from your home country will not be considered or the guys that have tried and been rejected are not telling the truth and I doubt that is the case. They seem to be requiring Thai based ins companys and they are happy to show you a list

 

5 hours ago, LivinLOS said:

Your out of date..

 

All extensions coming from an original OA visa, however old, DO require insurance. 

I never said OA Visa, A lot of us originally started with an O visa and then it went to extensions based on retirement

I just renewed my extension of stay based on retirement yesterday (Nov, 7) at Chaeng Watana.  There was NO mention of any need for medical insurance.  This process was an 8 hour ordeal, however.  Standing room only pretty much all day. 

41 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

I emailed them accordingly and received an interesting response I reported on elsewhere.

Which thread?

15 minutes ago, payanak said:

I just renewed my extension of stay based on retirement yesterday (Nov, 7) at Chaeng Watana.  There was NO mention of any need for medical insurance.  This process was an 8 hour ordeal, however.  Standing room only pretty much all day. 

Do us a favor and don't bother posting unless you're going to tell us "what type on visa you entered this country on".  That is the whole thrust of this conversation...Non Immigrant O-A visas...

 

OK...

13 minutes ago, mosan said:

Do us a favor and don't bother posting unless you're going to tell us "what type on visa you entered this country on".  That is the whole thrust of this conversation...Non Immigrant O-A visas...

 

OK...

"My 30 day tourist visa was extended no problem" ????????????

5 hours ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

Just not who exactly it needs to be signed by, and the apparent difficulty in actually getting the required people to actually sign that kind of form.

Apparently three directors need to sign it. Something tells me that if they were willing to help they could find three people in some office who are authorized to sign  on behalf of the company or Board.   When policies are issued they would need to be signed on behalf of the company/Board.

 

According to Sheryl (as far as I could tell) the signed certificate is only good for your original entry on a visa ... although I thought that acceptance was made by Thai embassies when issuing the O-A visa and indicating proof of insurance with a notation on the visa??

 

According to another poster he was able to renew his extension at CW without any mention of insurance, but then another poster went ballistic because that poster didn't mention whether his first entry was on an O-A or O visa.

 

So, as usual here at TV, we have an abundance of "experts" who all post conflicting information or at least conflicting interpretations of the same information... and of course a good sampling of posters who "reliably" report the experience of a friend.

 

 

2 hours ago, RPCVguy said:

We can hope our various embassy staff internationally might yet offer an alternative - one I suggested last May

Have you ever dealt with "our various embassy staff internationally?"  Wouldn't all US Embassy staff be found internationally and when would the State Dept get involved in medical savings accounts? Embassy staff are even forbidden to do signature guarantees on financial institution documents by order of the SEC.

 

 

 

Edited November 8, 20196 yr by Suradit69

6 hours ago, hereforgood said:

reported insurance from your home country will not be considered or the guys that have tried and been rejected are not telling the truth

Quote

"guys who have tried"

Tried what?

 

Getting an O-A visa or entering the country with an O-A visa or applying for extension of stay following an original entry on an O-A visa or applying for an extension of stay based on retirement  regardless of original entry visa?

 

Quote

have tried and been rejected are not telling the truth

Any links to these "guys" who have been rejected for extensions of stay?

 

1 hour ago, payanak said:

I just renewed my extension of stay based on retirement yesterday (Nov, 7) at Chaeng Watana.  There was NO mention of any need for medical insurance.  This process was an 8 hour ordeal, however.  Standing room only pretty much all day. 

What was your underlying visa...a Non O or Non OA?   Probably a Non-O since insurance is not required for a Non-O; only a Non OA supposedly...  

 

But if you had an Non OA then please report so as that would be good news.....just be sure to look closely as to what kind of underlying visa you had as the type of underlying visa is critical to whether insurance is required or not.

 

 

 

1 hour ago, La Migra said:

Which thread?

https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1132569-oa-visa-and-insurance-experience-today/page/39/#comments

1 hour ago, sirineou said:

How would the director of your insurance know the requirements of the Thai cabinet resolution dated 2 April B.E. 2562 (2019)  , and if their insurance coverage complies? 

How would immigration know if the signatures on the form were made by three directors or three people one each, in the company mail room, the lunch lady in the staff dining room and the guy who tends the potted palms in the lobby.

 

Realistically, all policies the company writes have to be signed on behalf of the company and Board. Whether or not three of them would be willing to sign this document is questionable, but then you go back to plan A above.

 

 

 

 

Edited November 8, 20196 yr by Suradit69

I applied for new spouse visa Oct. 28 at Chiang Mai immigration (had retirement visa last year). There was no mention of insurance. It was surprisingly easy (and don't think it was due to the officer being a cousin of my wife, but maybe). The immigration team came to my wife's house two days later, took photos and verified with neighbor, etc., also easy. 

 

Who knows, when I come to pick up my visa later this month maybe they will demand I show proof of insurance. It would be a deal-breaker for me - would have to expend so much energy and money to settle somewhere else.

 

I checked out some of the major farang insurers, and no way am I going to pay $300 a month, which was about the minimum I found.

Edited November 8, 20196 yr by SometimezaGreatNotion

13 minutes ago, Suradit69 said:

How would immigration know if the signatures on the form were made by three directors or three people one each, in the company mail room, the lunch lady in the staff dining room and the guy who tends the potted palms in the lobby

????

2 hours ago, sirineou said:

Good luck finding the director of your insurance to sign the document. and in the document it states :

"; the insured person is insured in accordance with the Cabinet Resolution, dated 2 April B.E. 2562 (2019) "

How would the director of your insurance know the requirements of the Thai cabinet resolution dated 2 April B.E. 2562 (2019)  , and if their insurance coverage complies? 

How would Thai Authorities know who signed it?

 

Sign it yourself!

13 minutes ago, bwpage3 said:

How would Thai Authorities know who signed it?

 

Sign it yourself!

Good point

2 hours ago, payanak said:

I just renewed my extension of stay based on retirement yespoterday (Nov, 7) at Chaeng Watana.  There was NO mention of any need for medical insurance.  This process was an 8 hour ordeal, however.  Standing room only pretty much all day. 

This is important, please tell us which visa you had, non-immigrant O or non-immigrant O-A. 

1 minute ago, ThaiBob said:

This is important, please tell us which visa you had, non-immigrant O or non-immigrant O-A. 

I politely asked for that, explaining all reports so far were either incorrect or trolling and got a indignant refusal.. 

 

Even if it turns out to be correct, immigration inconsistency isnt exactly unusual. The order clearly states it includes extensions of stay (for OA visa generated permissions of stay).