OA Health Insurance

[KiChakayan]

I think that that this might be interesting to show the extent of this (male chicken)-up. I reckon, that there is little hope we see a solution and yes it is the IB who doesn't want move, probably because they see it as a good opportunity to finance luxury cars and good schools for their kids.

 

"Dear FliT-ers,

 

Through the kind offices of the Liaison Officer in the Host Country Relations Unit in ESCAP’s Division of Administration and the Human Resources Management Section, we had an opportunity meeting the Director, International Health Division, MoPH, on Friday, 13 March 2020.

We were briefed about the current situation regarding the health insurance issue when applying for or extending a retirement visa in Thailand, i.e., for holders of NON-OA, NON-O, NON-OX permits. We found understanding and handed over respective document showing that our insurance situation with Cigna and others UN insurers was generous and surpassed the requirements laid down by MoPH.

We were informed, however, that in enforcing the newly introduced immigration law MoPH and IB were still strictly adhering to the prescribed policy of accepting only insurers listed by MoPH, in consultation with the Office of the Insurance of Commission. We were also informed that there were no restrictions getting on the list of originally twelve companies, now 15 (including South East Insurance Company, a new entrant, offering coverage for over-70-old applicants), and that, e.g., Cigna, could, upon request, be included in this list, since it is locally represented. We could clarify that this would not be of much help to us, since local and international Cigna, covering parts of the UN, were separate operations.

When pointing out that we really did not need new insurance but recognition of our existing one, the idea was floated that IB should be recommended, e.g., by MoPH, accepting health insurance certificates from Cigna and other UN agency insurers, endorsed by the respective former employers. It was then suggested that another meeting be arranged including representatives from IB.

That is where we stand, further news will follow, perhaps not tomorrow, since, as you can imagine, MoPH has a few other pressing issues on their hands.

 

Apart from the above and with support from ESCAP’s Division of Administration and the Human Resources Management Section, efforts are also being made via UN-HQ, New York and hopefully Thailand's permanent mission, moving ahead on the issue, including a request to FAFICS, our global federation, for support.

 

Kind regards,

 

xxx, xxx, xxx

[Langsuan Man]

I am not going to waste space quoting the above, but I can summarize it succinctly: 

 

 

 xenophobia