Mandatory Health Insurance for Non OA Visa Holders

 

The law that came into force on November 1st has caused quite a bit of confusion, not only amongst the foreigners living here but also at the various immigration offices in Thailand. The latter still do not act uniformly (for example: some immigration offices do not ask for the mandatory health insurance at all or foreign policies are accepted for renewals) but in general we can now say that the obligation to have health insurance with one of the approved Thai Companies applies to:

 

1 Anyone applying for a NON OA visa at a Thai Embassy or Consulate abroad (for example in the Netherlands or in Belgium);

2 Anyone applying for an Extension of Stay within Thailand where this Extension of Stay is based on an initial NON OA visa.

 

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions:

 

Q Are Foreign policies accepted?

A In principle, a foreign policy is accepted when one applies for a Non-OA visa for the very first time at a Thai Embassy or Consulate abroad. The foreign policy will have to meet the minimum requirements (400.000 Baht coverage for Inpatient and 40.000 Baht coverage for Outpatient). The foreign insurer will have to sign the standard form for foreign insurers.

Q I have been in Thailand for years and applied for my very first visa abroad. In the following years I have arranged my extension of stay in Thailand. Does this new law apply to me?

A If the Visa applied for abroad is marked with the letters “O A” then the insurance obligation indeed applies. The "extension of Stay" stamps for the NON O and the NON OA look the same so from the stamp itself you cannot tell. When in doubt, it is wise to check with immigration.

 

Q I have never applied for a visa abroad. From the start, all has been arranged in Thailand. Does the insurance obligation apply to me?

A No. No NON OA visas are issued within Thailand, only NON O.

 

Q I have a NON O "marriage", "education" or "Business" visa. Does the insurance obligation apply to me?

A No.

 

Q Can I convert my NON OA into a NON O visa?

A Yes, that's possible. In principle, one must then leave the country (border run) without a re-entry permit and return with a Visa Exemption (Tourist). This is valid for 30 days. The application for a NON O can then be started within Thailand. When applying for an NON O, your Visa needs to be valid for at least another 15 days. 

 

Q I am too old to apply for a policy at 1 of the approved companies. What can I do?

A The legislator has not yet provided for this. The only solution at the moment is therefore to convert it into a NON O visa.

 

Q Because of my medical history I am not accepted anywhere. What are my options?

A This is also not yet officially provided for. Convert to NON O or simply lie on the medical questionnaire that accompanies the application form. Please note: this makes the policy unusable and therefore you cannot claim under the insurance. Thai companies can cancel the policy with immediate effect if they find out that something has not been reported. Without claiming, they will not find out.

 

Q Can I apply for a Thai policy and cancel it immediately after my visa has been extended to get the premium back?

A There is a central database where companies can upload the insurance certificates. Immigration has access to this. Without the insurance the visa immediately becomes invalid.

 

Q Do I have good insurance with this mandatory health insurance policy?

A No. It is better than nothing, but the minimum coverage is way too low in the event of a serious accident or illness. 

 

Q I have a good foreign insurance policy with high coverage and I would like to keep this in place. Is this possible?

A It is not a problem to hold 2 policies. Please do check the general terms and conditions) as some companies do have to report this. It is advisable to check if a deductible can be taken out to lower the premium of your foreign insurance. The Thai insurance policy can then be taken in addition to your foreign policy and be used to cover the deductible of the foreign policy.

 

Q Is it better to apply directly to the company or through AA Insurance Brokers?

A Someone recently posted that it was best to request the all the information via us and to then purchase the policy directly from the insurance company as this would be cheaper. This is utter nonsense: whether you purchase the policy via AA Insurance Broke or with the insurance company the premiums are always the same. We can assist you with the communication and the claim handling and can assist you in either English, German, Dutch and Thai. Insurance can be complicated so being able to communicate in your mother tongue is a major plus and can also help to prevent misunderstandings. Please take advantage of us as your broker and let us do the work for you.

 

Q I think the coverage of this compulsory health insurance is too low. Can I also take a higher coverage plan?

A Yes, you can. As long as it is a plan of 1 of the approved companies, this is perfectly ok. 

 

Q I don't feel like going through all this hassle. Are there other options besides changing visas?

A It is also possible to take the Thailand Elite Card. We are also an intermediary for Thailand Elite. Unfortunately, it knows a 500,000 Baht price tag for a 5 year multiple entry visa. 

 

Q As an insurance intermediary, how do you view these new regulations?

A We have a negative view on the new regulations as it brings too many people into trouble. There is nothing wrong with compulsory health but then there should also be an obligation of the insurance companies to actually accept you. It would have been better if the Universal Health Scheme (the so-called 30 baht scheme) had also been made compulsory for foreigners living here for a certain fee/premium.

 

In the appendices you will find an overview of the most commonly used approved plans with the premiums per age. All available through AA Insurance Brokers

 

Should you wish to receive more information on this subject or are in need of health insurance (even if it is not a NON OA visa)? 

 

Please feel free to contact us for a quote via 

https://www.aainsure.net/quote_healt_insurance.html

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

A good overall summary of the situation, thank you.

 

I would add just two clarifications:

 

1.  some Embassies/consulates will accept foreign insurance without the signed certificate based on submission of policy documents. It is ultimately up to the Embassy/consulate issuing the OA visa. What is essential is that they issue the visa with a written notation that insurance requirwments have been met and stating policy effective dates.

 

2. Since most policies don't run more  for than a year at a time, this will usually mean you can use the foreign policy for only  a year (or less if the policy dates and your travel dates aren't well synchronized). You will be stamped in under an OA visa only up to the expiration date noted on your visa. However if you are able to get a policy effective for 2 or more years from date you will enter Thailand, you could in theory apply the foreign policy for a full 2 years of stay. You cannot use a foreign policy for an in-country extension of stay however.

OP wrote >

... the obligation to have health insurance with one of the approved Thai Companies applies to:

1 ....;

2 Anyone applying for an Extension of Stay within Thailand where this Extension of Stay is based on an initial NON OA visa.

>>> This is not correct.  The obligation to have health insurance is ONLY required when applying for an extension of stay based on an initial Non OA Visa for reason of RETIREMENT.

When the extension of your OA Visa is due and you are married, you can apply for an extension for reason of MARRIAGE which does not require health-insurance.

1 hour ago, Peter Denis said:

OP wrote >

... the obligation to have health insurance with one of the approved Thai Companies applies to:

1 ....;

2 Anyone applying for an Extension of Stay within Thailand where this Extension of Stay is based on an initial NON OA visa.

>>> This is not correct.  The obligation to have health insurance is ONLY required when applying for an extension of stay based on an initial Non OA Visa for reason of RETIREMENT.

When the extension of your OA Visa is due and you are married, you can apply for an extension for reason of MARRIAGE which does not require health-insurance.

Actually there have been reports of IOs requiring it for marriage extensions as well if oroginal visa was OA. Best to check with your specific IO. Several people expecting to just change reason for extension have had to leave and return on an O. 

19 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

Actually there have been reports of IOs requiring it for marriage extensions as well if oroginal visa was OA. Best to check with your specific IO. Several people expecting to just change reason for extension have had to leave and return on an O. 

Correct, but those cases are the exception rather than the rule as the Police Order is crystal clear that health-insurance is only required for extensions based on RETIREMENT.  But indeed, better check beforehand with your local IO in case they also require it for extensions based on MARRIAGE.  They are blatantly wrong, but as your local IO has the Final Say on your application, you would then be forced to exit Thailand, return Visa exempt and apply for a 90-day Non Imm O Visa (for retirement or marriage) at your local IO and in the last month of that Visa apply for an extension (which will not require health-insurance).

Thanks for the info, good overview of health cover from the nominated companies.

I would question Pacific Crosses table of premiums, their basic cover premium table says from 66 to 70 is a fixed price of B51,589 I was with pacific cross when I turned 65 with a premium of 50,000B plus, keeping in mind for memory I had cover fo 1,000,000B, I was told that the premium would not change the following year, however when renewal time came, it jump to 70,000B plus. Now they offer 400,000B cover for 51,000B for my age group of 67, When you start to read the fine print, many of these policies are not worth the paper they are written on.  The tables above do not show excess figures, so I take it that all the above figures are excess free?

After 75 years I was told it was impossible to find an inssurance for the first time, I am with the same Thai "girl friend" for height years, everything being perfect betwee us, and with her familly too, if I marry her, my visa will still be non OA of course, but will an insurance still be compulsory?

21 hours ago, Peter Denis said:

Correct, but those cases are the exception rather than the rule as the Police Order is crystal clear that health-insurance is only required for extensions based on RETIREMENT.  But indeed, better check beforehand with your local IO in case they also require it for extensions based on MARRIAGE.  They are blatantly wrong, but as your local IO has the Final Say on your application, you would then be forced to exit Thailand, return Visa exempt and apply for a 90-day Non Imm O Visa (for retirement or marriage) at your local IO and in the last month of that Visa apply for an extension (which will not require health-insurance).

and the last month of that Visa apply for an extension (which will not require health-insurance). 

Apply for an extension for retirement woud be possible? 

17 minutes ago, Tchooptip said:

and the last month of that Visa apply for an extension (which will not require health-insurance). 

Apply for an extension for retirement woud be possible? 

Yes, the health-insurance requirement is ONLY for extensions based on an original OA Visa for reason of RETIREMENT. 

1. OA Visa extensions for reason of MARRIAGE do NOT require health-insurance.

2. Likewise extensions of Non Imm O Visas (be it for reason of retirement or for reason of marriage) do NOT require health-insurance.

Note: Marrying your girlfriend, would make it possible for you when your OA extension of stay is due, to apply for reason of marriage.  However, some rogue IOs (e.g. Phetchabun, Nonthaburi) insist - incorrectly - that the thai-approved health-insurance is required for all OA extensions.  So better check up front with your IO, what is their stance in this.  Extensions for reason of MARRIAGE also have lower financial requirements when using the Money in the Bank approach (400K instead of 800K), so that's a nice bonus when you consider that option. 

 

4 minutes ago, Peter Denis said:

Yes, the health-insurance requirement is ONLY for extensions based on an original OA Visa for reason of RETIREMENT. 

OA Visa extensions for reason of MARRIAGE do NOT require health-insurance

Likewise extensions of Non Imm O Visas (be it for reason of retirement or for reason of marriage) do NOT require health-insurance.

 

I reckon the motivation are not easy to understand even more if it is not so difficult to change OA in O, the health risks being the same. Of course in a few month they could decide mandatory for O visa too, because if I remember well a few months ago, it seems   having read people with OA asking for retirement extension should not be affraid inssurance will not be mandatory since the money in bank cannot go under 400.000 anymore.

I have still 7 month to find the best solution before my next extension.

23 hours ago, Peter Denis said:

extension for reason of MARRIAGE which does not require health-insurance.

one probably assumed a happy life is the best health insurance,
or that the family will come to the rescue in case.

Still have not found a break-down of unpaid bills (preferably compared to paid bills)
by Nationality, age group, and reason for Medical Attention.

Once those statistics are available, maybe we can discuss premiums with the major providers or a new entrant.
 

8 minutes ago, Tchooptip said:

I reckon the motivation are not easy to understand even more if it is not so difficult to change OA in O, the health risks being the same. Of course in a few month they could decide mandatory for O visa too, because if I remember well a few months ago, it seems   having read people with OA asking for retirement extension should not be affraid inssurance will not be mandatory since the money in bank cannot go under 400.000 anymore.

I have still 7 month to find the best solution before my next extension.

Attached a link to my post #93 in a different thread in which I outlined the reasons why I don't think thai authorities will also require health-insurance for Non Imm O - retirement Visas anytime soon (and even less likely for Non Imm O - marriage type Visas).  And if they do it will not be done in the incommunicado bulldozer way they mishandled the present debacle.

 

Is anybody aware if any expat clubs still offering group buy insurance? 

I have come across in archived posts about such clubs in pattaya, hua hin and chiang mai offering 20% on selected policies.

For some 400b yearly membership might be worth saving thousands.

Has anybody got an experience or opinion?

In one comment I have also read, that because members of those clubs are mainly seniors, he was out priced, above expected yearly increase. Not sure if his observation was correct.

I am in bangkok and haven't come across such club with discounted insurance, so probably will have to register in pattay