Health Insurance.

[Richard70au]

While looking at the requirements for Non-immigrant Visa O-A Retirement, I notice that you have to have health insurance for the 12 month period of the visa with 400000 Baht for in-patient and 40000 Baht for out-patient.

 

My question is if you have travel insurance with unlimited hospital cover will that fit the requirement or do you need to also have the Thai health cover that they are offering on some websites?

 

Cheers

Richard

[Langsuan Man]

The subject of mandatory Thai based health insurance has been done to death here a Thai Visa, do a search

 

18 minutes ago, Richard70au said:

do you need to also have the Thai health cover that they are offering on some websites?

But quick answer, Yes

[DrJack54]

25 minutes ago, Langsuan Man said:

The subject of mandatory Thai based health insurance has been done to death here a Thai Visa, do a search

 

But quick answer, Yes

You sure about that?

When applying for O-A (which is done in own country) you can use non Thai insurance companies.

For subsequent "extensions" you need to Thai insurance from the list they provide.

OP, if you have long term plan of obtaining ongoing extensions, do yourself a favour obtain non o by entering Thailand with visa exempt or setv and obtain your non o at immigration or obtain non o at nearby consulate outside of Los.

Then you can have the insurance of your choice or none.

[Langsuan Man]

5 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

You sure about that?

Yes, look at the Washington DC,  Thai Embassy web site:

 

Quote

8.2. Foreign Insurance Certificate as stipulated by the Office of Insurance Commission and Health Insurance of Thailand, which must be completed, signed and stamped by the insurance company. The form can be downloaded here: Foreign Insurance Certificate Form

source: https://thaiembdc.org/consular-services/non-immigrant-visas/non-immigrant-category-oa/

You may be able to use foreign insurance so long as you get your US insurance company to sign the Thai form, something no one has yet reported being successful in obtaining 

[UncleMhee]

1 hour ago, Langsuan Man said:

Yes, look at the Washington DC,  Thai Embassy web site:

 

You may be able to use foreign insurance so long as you get your US insurance company to sign the Thai form, something no one has yet reported being successful in obtaining 

Not everyone is American..... fortunately.

[Vascoda]

Or you can use an agent nothing is required. Only money is required. If you're already using an agent to get your extension, you may need an additional 2K if you have an O-A. Or you can do an exit/entry to start the process anew with an O.

[DrJack54]

3 minutes ago, Vascoda said:

Or you can use an agent nothing is required. Only money is required. If you're already using an agent to get your extension, you may need an additional 2K if you have an O-A. Or you can do an exit/entry to start the process anew with an O.

I have not seen a report anyone using an agent to get around the insurance requirement.

Guess it's possible, but only a guess.

Where did the 2k quote come from?

[Langsuan Man]

20 hours ago, UncleMhee said:

Not everyone is American..... fortunately.

Well, Thai Embassy, Canberra says the same thing:

 

Quote

• Health Insurance certificate covering the entire period of stay in Thailand with the details of coverage as follows: In-patience, at least THB400,000/polic                                                                                                 Out-patience, at least THB40,000/policy year
• Original health insurance policy (a copy of policy can only be accepted only if purchased from participating Thai insurance companies (http://longstay.tgia.org/))
• source: https://canberra.thaiembassy.org/non-immigrant/

 

[Olmate]

34 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

I have not seen a report anyone using an agent to get around the insurance requirement.

Guess it's possible, but only a guess.

Where did the 2k quote come from?

That’s about the price.

[DrJack54]

1 minute ago, Olmate said:

That’s about the price.

And a report of someone using an agent to bypass the insurance requirement for extensions to O-A? 

I haven't seen one. Of course doesn't mean it hasn't happened.

[Olmate]

5 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

And a report of someone using an agent to bypass the insurance requirement for extensions to O-A? 

I haven't seen one. Of course doesn't mean it hasn't happened.

I’m sure they would not quote that price and not deliver, and we would certainly hear reports of that.

[DrJack54]

1 minute ago, Olmate said:

I’m sure they would not quote that price and not deliver, and we would certainly hear reports of that.

One thing you would certainly hear, is report from someone that actually paid an agent a fee and was able to obtain "extension" without the new requirement re insurance. Many many threads running about insurance. I haven't read ONE report of someone using an agent to avoid these rubbish Thai insurance covers.

Have you?

[Olmate]

5 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

One thing you would certainly hear, is report from someone that actually paid an agent a fee and was able to obtain "extension" without the new requirement re insurance. Many many threads running about insurance. I haven't read ONE report of someone using an agent to avoid these rubbish Thai insurance covers.

Have you?

Correct, I haven,t read one on here!

[ChouDoufu]

On 1/31/2020 at 10:40 AM, Langsuan Man said:

Yes, look at the Washington DC,  Thai Embassy web site:

 

You may be able to use foreign insurance so long as you get your US insurance company to sign the Thai form, something no one has yet reported being successful in obtaining 

i contacted my agent in london about this.

(i have non-O, just planning ahead.)

 

he checked with the carriers they sell policies for,

found one that would provide the signed certificate.

 

changing policies to get signed coverage would have

raised my annual cost from us$1250 to.........$5000.

would also provide LESS coverage, as pre-existing

conditions would not be covered.  exclusions have

already expired on my existing lifetime policy.

 

[Tom F]

On 1/30/2020 at 9:40 PM, Langsuan Man said:

Yes, look at the Washington DC,  Thai Embassy web site:

 

You may be able to use foreign insurance so long as you get your US insurance company to sign the Thai form, something no one has yet reported being successful in obtaining 

I got it signed.   In early January.  Maybe I just got lucky.   My insurer is specific for retired state government employees.   The insurer touts itself for providing overseas coverage for retirees.   And, it competes with other insurance options for retirees.  It took some polite persistence, and explaining, to get it done.   On the phone, the first level contact said it was impossible.   I got kicked up to the next level, who said "sure,"  and went out of her way to help.   All done within a week, by phone and emails.

 

Ultimately, this time around I didn't need it for my January re-entry on my pre-Oct. 31 OA.   But, I'm sure that I can get another one for when I go to the consulate for my next OA.  I'm confident that the form will pass muster at the consulate.

 

Any lesson based on this experience?  Luck does matter.  You might better your odds by letting your insurer know that you're shopping around for a company that will sign the form.

[JimGant]

On 1/31/2020 at 11:24 AM, UncleMhee said:

Not everyone is American..... fortunately.

Yeah, fortunately for all Americans.

[Tracy79]

Hello every one i think UncleMhee says right not every one American what do think.?                              

[DrJack54]

43 minutes ago, Tracy79 said:

Hello every one i think UncleMhee says right not every one American what do think.?                              

The thread is about health insurance.

You have some knowledge re new insurance requirement to post?

Guessing not.

BTW the person that posted negative comment about USA folk is a dill.

I'm OZ.

 

 

[Peter Denis]

11 hours ago, Langsuan Man said:

Well, Thai Embassy, Canberra says the same thing:

When applying for a Non Imm OA Visa in your home-country, the Royal Thai embassy in USA (as well in most other countries) allows a foreign health insurance policy when the insurer has signed the Foreign Insurance Certificate stating that the policy meets the thai criteria (400K in-patient / 40K out-patient).

However, the website of the thai embassy in Canberra < https://canberra.thaiembassy.org/non-immigrant/ > insists on Original health insurance policy (a copy of policy can only be accepted only if purchased from participating Thai insurance companies (http://longstay.tgia.org/).

I guess that reduces the number of applications for an OA Visa in OZ close to zero.

Especially since you can enter VisaExempt from OZ or on a Tourist Visa, and then apply for a 90-day Non Imm O - retirement (or marriage) Visa at the IO of the place where you intend to stay, in the last month of that 90-day Visa you can then apply for a 1-year extension of stay based on that Non Imm O Visa.

The requirements and conditions for an extension of stay based on a Non Imm O - retirement Visa or a Non Imm OA Visa are identical, except for the fact that there is no requirement for the bogus thai-approved health-insurance policy for the Non Imm O - retirement Visa.

For more info on how to do the above, just PM me and I will send over a comprehensive roadmap outlining all details/options to convert to a Non Imm O Visa (and subsequent extension).

 

[DrJack54]

Perhaps this post is off topic....but anyway.

Little prior to changes to extensions (non o) based on retirement re money in bank method, I had decided to apply for non O-A. Easy as I return OZ at least once per year. As I fly in out every couple of weeks the multi entry aspect (for first year) was a bonus. 

Then they introduced the rubbish insurance requirement. 

It's just one person's opinion but I now view non O-A a dead man walking visa. 

As I understand it many folk from countries such as USA can obtain good insurance coverage. 

Live here on extensions to non o and select insurance that suits YOU.

Not the rubbish insurance from Thai companies.

[UKresonant]

If you are a new applicant, the Thai insurance companys T&Cs require you to have been in Thailand more than 6 months out of 12 months.

Your Travel insurance to give you medical (and other cover).

Thai insurance to tick the box on the insurance database, may provide some cover depending on your circumstances. 

I was looking at the non-OA as a possible Multi entry visa option mid 2019, viewed now as not an opion for me, since Oct 2019!????

[UKresonant]

3 hours ago, Peter Denis said:

 

I guess that reduces the number of applications for an OA Visa in OZ close to zero.

The stats on the O-A visa issuance, may be interesting to see....

[ubonjoe]

7 hours ago, UKresonant said:

f you are a new applicant, the Thai insurance companys T&Cs require you to have been in Thailand more than 6 months out of 12 months.

I don't think that would apply to the insurance when applying for a OA visa and getting it from one of the authorized insurance companies.

A lot of people has said that but I have not seen a link to where it is shown.

[Langsuan Man]

19 hours ago, Tom F said:

I got it signed.   In early January.  Maybe I just got lucky.   My insurer is specific for retired state government employees.   The insurer touts itself for providing overseas coverage for retirees

Thanks for replying but without knowing the name of your insurance company the information is worthless

 

Blue Cross / Blue Shield offers me worldwide coverage also but they will not sign any form provided by the Thai government 

[zaZa9]

On 2/1/2020 at 7:41 AM, DrJack54 said:

I have not seen a report anyone using an agent to get around the insurance requirement.

Guess it's possible, but only a guess.

Where did the 2k quote come from?

Just done it. No 800k or 400k either.

[zaZa9]

15 hours ago, Peter Denis said:

When applying for a Non Imm OA Visa in your home-country, the Royal Thai embassy in USA (as well in most other countries) allows a foreign health insurance policy when the insurer has signed the Foreign Insurance Certificate stating that the policy meets the thai criteria (400K in-patient / 40K out-patient).

However, the website of the thai embassy in Canberra < https://canberra.thaiembassy.org/non-immigrant/ > insists on Original health insurance policy (a copy of policy can only be accepted only if purchased from participating Thai insurance companies (http://longstay.tgia.org/).

I guess that reduces the number of applications for an OA Visa in OZ close to zero.

Especially since you can enter VisaExempt from OZ or on a Tourist Visa, and then apply for a 90-day Non Imm O - retirement (or marriage) Visa at the IO of the place where you intend to stay, in the last month of that 90-day Visa you can then apply for a 1-year extension of stay based on that Non Imm O Visa.

The requirements and conditions for an extension of stay based on a Non Imm O - retirement Visa or a Non Imm OA Visa are identical, except for the fact that there is no requirement for the bogus thai-approved health-insurance policy for the Non Imm O - retirement Visa.

For more info on how to do the above, just PM me and I will send over a comprehensive roadmap outlining all details/options to convert to a Non Imm O Visa (and subsequent extension).

 

Peters info is very helpful

.. do note that getting a Non Immigrant O , IN Australia is made difficult because the Thai Embassy there only issue them for family Reunion purposes and NOT for Retirement . So if you dont want the dubious "approved" insurance and u are from Aus , do not go with an O-A. Get an O as Peter Denis describes above.

[Tom F]

4 hours ago, Langsuan Man said:

Thanks for replying but without knowing the name of your insurance company the information is worthless

 

Blue Cross / Blue Shield offers me worldwide coverage also but they will not sign any form provided by the Thai government 

As I initially said: "My insurer is specific for retired state government employees."  I'll be more specific.  It is for New York State government retirees only.  It is called the Empire Plan.  If you are not a NYS government retiree, that additional information will be worthless.   The insurance is administered partly through Blue Cross/Blue Shield (Exactly how, I don't know; the insurance business is a truly byzantine affair).  But, I have no direct dealings with BC/BS; only with the Empire Plan.  Which is a smaller operation, and therefore maybe more customer friendly.  They are the ones who signed the form.

 

My overall understanding of BC/BS is pretty limited.  I do know that it is not just one big company.   Rather, it is a federation of 36, or so, separate insurance companies that operate using the BC/BS trademark.  And, the individual companies can do business across state lines.  

 

As I also initially said, maybe my own success comes down to luck. I got a human being on the phone, who was willing to listen and to try something new.  If I were to try buying a BC/BS policy, I might try an independent health insurance agent (or two), and tell the agent(s): I'm interested in this kind of policy, but it only works for me if you can get this form signed.   Maybe the agent's possible commission would be an incentive for them to shop around for you.  If not, well, maybe my own case is just a unicorn.

 

 

[ThailandRyan]

7 hours ago, Langsuan Man said:

Thanks for replying but without knowing the name of your insurance company the information is worthless

 

Blue Cross / Blue Shield offers me worldwide coverage also but they will not sign any form provided by the Thai government 

 

[khunPer]

On 1/31/2020 at 3:40 AM, Langsuan Man said:

You may be able to use foreign insurance so long as you get your US insurance company to sign the Thai form, something no one has yet reported being successful in obtaining 

Yes, that's what I also heard, and even seen the form that need to be signed by the insurance company, and it was not America, but in Europe.

[ThailandRyan]

Just now, ThailandRyan said:

 

I can verify that they will not sign the Thai form. Take a look at some of my earlier posts on this in the other OPS.  I now use my US insurance with Blue Cross Worldwide to cover a reimbursement for the deductible on my Pacific Cross Ultima Plus policy.