TAT announces compulsory medical insurance for foreign visitors

[snoop1130]

TAT announces compulsory medical insurance for foreign visitors

 

 

Bangkok, 23 October, 2020 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is pleased to share the latest announcement from the Office of Insurance Commission (OIC) that foreign visitors will be able to purchase compulsory COVID-19 insurance policy online prior to visiting the Kingdom.

 

TAT Governor, Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, said, “A medical insurance policy with at least USD $100,000 coverage or about 3.16 million Baht for possible COVID-19 treatment is among the official documents required from foreign visitors planning to visit Thailand during this challenging public health crisis.

 

“TAT hopes the COVID-19 insurance protection programme, under the regulation of the OIC, offers additional peace-of-mind for foreign visitors and hopefully makes it easier for inbound travellers before departing from their country of origin,” Mr. Yuthasak added.

 

The Thai General Association (TGIA) and the Thai Life Assurance Association (TLAA) plus 16 leading and non-life insurance companies in Thailand are partnering together with the oversight according to regulations from the OIC to offer the COVID-19 insurance protection programme to foreign visitors.

 

Foreign travellers will enjoy the following advantages of purchasing an OIC-endorsed medical insurance policy, which is available online at https://covid19.tgia.org/:

 

• The insurance policy has been approved by the Thai government and can be used in the Thai visa application process. Coverage begins immediately upon arrival in Thailand.
• No need for advance payment or out-of-pocket expenses when admitted at private hospitals nationwide. Insurance coverage does not exceed USD $100,000 or about 3.16 million Baht.
• In the case of death from COVID-19 infection, the insurance company will provide a life insurance benefit of USD $100,000 or about 3.16 million Baht to the beneficiary.
• The insurance premium cost is reasonable, the process is overseen by the OIC, and purchase can be done efficiently online.
• Thailand’s public health infrastructure and healthcare facilities,  as well as healthcare professionals are recognised as some of the best in Asia for treating infectious diseases.

 

The OIC-endorsed COVID-19 insurance packages vary from 30 days to one year. The premium ranges from 1,600-4,800 Baht for 30 days of coverage; from 2,880-8,640 Baht for 60 days; from 3,840 – 12,160 Baht for 90 days; from 7,680 – 23,040 Baht for 120 days, and from 14,400 – 43,200 Baht for one year.

 

TAT highly recommends foreigners planning to visit Thailand to enquire at the Royal Thai Embassy/Consulate-General in their home country before making any bookings.

 

Source: https://www.tatnews.org/2020/10/tat-announces-compulsory-medical-insurance-for-foreign-visitors/

[ThaidDown]

OK guys snouts at the ready ginormous trough coming.

 

[YetAnother]

5 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

TAT announces compulsory medical insurance for foreign visitors

ok; i revise my early estimate of 5 visitors to 4

[Pilotman]

sensible move

[steve187]

on a winner there with those prices, 

 

Important Exclusions:

1. This insurance does not cover
   1. - Treatment which is not considered a modern medicine, including alternative medicine.
   1. - Medicine Treatment or investigation not related to medical expenses from Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

[mjnaus]

I was expecting insanely high premiums; but I guess they're not too bad. Although, cheaper alternatives can definitely be found outside of Thailand's borders. 

[tso310]

Agree with mjnaus. Just been on the site. 6400 THB for 90 days visiting Thai family. I suppose the question is will they only accept this insurance for the issuing of the CoE and not the cheaper alternatives. 

 

[sammieuk1]

Sure this will still be in effect long after a vaccine and will be extended to those already captive here there is money to be made and we know who is going to pay it ???? 

[andre47]

4 minutes ago, mjnaus said:

I was expecting insanely high premiums; but I guess they're not too bad. Although, cheaper alternatives can definitely be found outside of Thailand's borders. 

If this insurance cover only Covid 19 and no other treatments then the premiums are insanely high. It is robbery...outrageous...

[tso310]

8 minutes ago, andre47 said:

If this insurance cover only Covid 19 and no other treatments then the premiums are insanely high. It is robbery...outrageous...

Good point, just looked at the terms and conditions. 

 

1. Additional Limitation:
   1. - Limitation for medical expenses from Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic only.
   1. - Room and board for inpatient must not exceed single standard room cost.
   1. - This limitation does not apply to hospitalization in an I.C.U. according to the medical necessity.
2. Important Exclusions:
   1. This insurance does not cover
      1. - Treatment which is not considered a modern medicine, including alternative medicine.
      1. - Medicine Treatment or investigation not related to medical expenses from Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

[samsensam]

14 minutes ago, steve187 said:

on a winner there with those prices, 

 

Important Exclusions:

1. This insurance does not cover
   1. - Treatment which is not considered a modern medicine, including alternative medicine.
   1. - Medicine Treatment or investigation not related to medical expenses from Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

 

so only valid for corona virus treatment. surely a policy that covers medical treatment including corona virus is going to be far more useful?

[RotBenz8888]

24 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

additional peace-of-mind for foreign visitors

Additional?  To what? 

[AbeNormal]

6 minutes ago, andre47 said:

If this insurance cover only Covid 19 and no other treatments then the premiums are insanely high. It is robbery...outrageous...

Agree, this is nothing but extortion 

 

another greedy nail in the coffin of Thai tourism

[Flying Saucage]

31 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

The insurance policy has been approved by the Thai government

 

So it's just another scam on foreign tourists, and another business model for the generals to line up their pockets by pay backs from the Thai insurances? Likely. What else could be a reason to force foreigner to exclusively buy these overpriced Thai insurances when they are already covered by their existing insurances? 

 

[scorecard]

18 minutes ago, mjnaus said:

I was expecting insanely high premiums; but I guess they're not too bad. Although, cheaper alternatives can definitely be found outside of Thailand's borders. 

And is this policy available to work permit holders, permanent residents and other categories of foreigners who are now allowed to join repatriation flights to Thailand?

[johnnybgood]

Never let a gouging opportunity pass do they ?

[calbts2]

The TAT is "pleased" to announce a forced overpriced insurance program that is counter to what I thought was their main goal of tourism recovery?

My god what a bunch of clueless idiots!!!

 

I would watch what surrounding countries do in regards to compulsory insurance. As far as I know only Cambodia is forcing insurance. I surely do not expect other countries in essence requiring this large "additional cost" to visit their country. So as a result - tourists will obviously choose countries to visit that don't force insurance on them. This insurance scheme probably comes from the same greedy group that came up with the O-A visa insurance scam. Now with Covid, they have found an easy way to spread it to all foreigners.

 

You can guarantee the tourist ministers in Vietnam and the Philippines are very "pleased" that many future tourists will now skip Thailand and spend their money elsewhere if this idiocy continues.

[Flying Saucage]

If Thailand is interested in welcoming tourists to help the Thai tourism industry, why do they not copy this sensible, intelligent and welcoming move from Spain:

 

https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/canary-islands-coronavirus-insurance-tourists-holidays-tenerife-lanzarote-a9656751.html

 

But okay, this is Thailand. We all know. They expect bigger profits by scamming foreigners instead of welcoming them in a honest and fair way. ????

 

[bkk6060]

Great idea.

If  person does not want to comply and cannot afford this important insurance,  then no choice but to stay where you are.

[howerde]

18 minutes ago, scorecard said:

And is this policy available to work permit holders, permanent residents and other categories of foreigners who are now allowed to join repatriation flights to Thailand?

Yes see here, you should be able to get cheaper in your home country and its not just repatriation flights there are currently 6-9 airlines flying from uk to Thailand

https://covid19.tgia.org/

[SomchaiCNX]

So agents don't need insurance any more? Don't think so but like I have told before somebody high up makes a lot of money with all these insurances.

[aussiep]

So when I come to Thailand with this policy I am not covoured for....
Any preexisiting conditions and riding on a motor bike or any small accidient.
So the Thai policy covers me for the virus...
But l have to take out more/other insurence from my country to cover anything els.
Add the 2 together...A bit exencive now.
Plus next time l come l will be over 75.
And the Thai policy wont cover me, as far as l know.

aussiep...

[ezzra]

Imagine if you will a coffin, a tourism coffin, and now the government add on more nail to that proverbial coffin, why? once a prospect tourists will know he has to insure himself against the Covid that means that country still has Covid, and is in the right minds will pay good money to himself at risk?...

[2530Ubon]

Do we all need COVID insurance now, or is this only for those coming in?

[simple1]

From the website:

 

1. This policy is not cover any benefits for pre-existing conditions (Cover for COVID-19 only).

Given existing condition/s can cause complication for Covid-19 infection and recovery, it would be essential to clarify the disclaimer.

[trainman34014]

Sorry; but this is just another nail in the Coffin of Tourism, Europeans will not pay unless they have a reason other than Tourism, which some will but the average Joe with his family is not going to cough up this extra financial burden when he can take them elsewhere cheaper.

[Justgrazing]

49 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

 

The Thai General Association (TGIA) and the Thai Life Assurance Association (TLAA) plus 16 leading and non-life insurance companies in Thailand are partnering together with the oversight according to regulations from the OIC to offer the COVID-19 insurance protection programme to foreign visitors

 

No mention of being able to exercise the right to seek insurance with a company of your choice from your homeland .. this is basically a coup to benefit Thai Insurance companies only .. " arm up your back buy it from us " ..

 

if there's any doubt that they are exploiting this whole C V situation then this should remove it .. 

Two words containing 7 letters three of which are F .. 

 

[steven100]

1 hour ago, snoop1130 said:

Thai Life Assurance Association (TLAA) plus 16 leading and non-life insurance companies in Thailand are partnering together

i'm absolutely sure they are ......    what a farce   !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[HiSoLowSoNoSo]

42 minutes ago, tso310 said:

Good point, just looked at the terms and conditions. 

 

1. Additional Limitation:
   1. - Limitation for medical expenses from Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic only.
   1. - Room and board for inpatient must not exceed single standard room cost.
   1. - This limitation does not apply to hospitalization in an I.C.U. according to the medical necessity.
2. Important Exclusions:
   1. This insurance does not cover
      1. - Treatment which is not considered a modern medicine, including alternative medicine.
      1. - Medicine Treatment or investigation not related to medical expenses from Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

1. - This limitation does not apply to hospitalization in an I.C.U. according to the medical necessity. This is what the insurance should include, imo the most important thing for a Corona insurance, will cost a lot if you have to pay out of your own pocket for I.C.U.

[steven100]

14 minutes ago, 2530Ubon said:

Do we all need COVID insurance now, or is this only for those coming in?

it is only for foreigners coming in .....  I purchased absolute cover $130k everything for  500 baht some months back. 

if I was you I would get cover asap .....   imo