Foreigners applying for non-immigrant (O-A) visas for stays in Thailand of up to one year are now required to have a health insurance policy with minimum coverage of three million baht for in-patient medical fees, instead of the previous 400,000 baht.

 

Deputy Public Health Minister Sathit Pitutecha said today (Tuesday) that the new rule is intended to ensure that they will receive proper medical treatment if they fall ill during their long stay in the country.

 

According to the Thai Immigration Bureau and the Department of Consular Affairs, 3,768 foreigners were granted non-immigrant visas last and this year.

 

The insurance policies can either be purchased in Thailand or in their home country, but the coverage amount of foreign issued policies must be on a par with the sum stipulated in policies issued in Thailand.

 

Source: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/non-immigrant-visa-applicants-required-to-have-3m-health-insurance/

 

 

Long Stay Visa Health Insurance Plans
Visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m

 

 

 

 

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There are two different requirements depending on what visa/extension you require.  The 3m baht covid insurance and the 400/40 in/outpatient one.  This is not new any more.

"According to the Thai Immigration Bureau and the Department of Consular Affairs, 3,768 foreigners were granted non-immigrant visas last and this year."

 

Guess, they won't get many more applicants anytime soon.

(Deputy Public Health Minister Sathit Pitutecha) he aint from immigration department, until it confirm on https://www.immigration.go.th, it just gibberish, he's just lobbying for the healthcare industry

I see it more and more how Thailand trying to get rid of farangs. 

8 minutes ago, olfu said:

I see it more and more how Thailand trying to get rid of farangs. 

They only want foreigners who stay a week or two.

I see clearly Penang waiting as Malaysia just lifted restrictions.

Will wait couple weeks to pay my real estate taxes. 

I've got no idea if there's any substance to this news report, but for what it's worth, I've always thought the required 400,000 baht for in-patient care was ridiculously low while the required 40,000 baht for out-patient care was ridiculously petty (or simply unnecessary). I hope they get rid of the latter while increasing the former.

Another smart move to lure foreigners to Thailand. Must have cost a lot of ‘mulling’ to come up with this one!

Smells like a money grab but then my policy from the US is unlimited, while my PCH policy here is good for up to

20 million THB.

7 minutes ago, Caldera said:

I've got no idea if there's any substance to this news report, but for what it's worth, I've always thought the required 400,000 baht for in-patient care was ridiculously low while the required 40,000 baht for out-patient care was ridiculously petty (or simply unnecessary). I hope they get rid of the latter while increasing the former.

I take it, in case of being ill, you have to foot the bill first, before trying to recover the hospital bill from the insurance firm? - Who in their right mind will pay a lot for such an insurance, and still having to pay when sick, with no guarantee that he will get his money reimbursed.

 

With these new conditions, this is a visa now which I will never apply for.

It is often the case here, that "new policy" is hot air, replaced by different hot air within days. Often spouted by headline seeking morons. Repeatedly, though often with different parameters and by different morons, who don't talk to each other.

When the Royal Thai Gazette publishes it is when you should consider it reality.

That to the best of my current knowledge is not yet the case.

 

6 minutes ago, darksidedog said:

It is often the case here, that "new policy" is hot air, replaced by different hot air within days. Often spouted by headline seeking morons. Repeatedly, though often with different parameters and by different morons.

When the Royal Thai Gazette publishes it is when you should consider it reality.

 

In the article it reads like it is a given. However, both, tourist numbers, and number of applicants for this visa may be way below officials' expectations. Still a chance that they'll do a U-turn...

41 minutes ago, olfu said:

I see it more and more how Thailand trying to get rid of farangs. 

I wish they would try a bit harder, give me a good excuse to get out- 'see dear it's not my fault'

Regardless of whether it's going to be implemented or not, it seems like a perfectly reasonable requirement for people staying in TH mid- to long-term.

 

Clearly an issue for some washouts, but a no-brainer for anyone with a sliver of a gray cell.

1 hour ago, StayinThailand2much said:

I take it, in case of being ill, you have to foot the bill first, before trying to recover the hospital bill from the insurance firm? - Who in their right mind will pay a lot for such an insurance, and still having to pay when sick, with no guarantee that he will get his money reimbursed.

 

With these new conditions, this is a visa now which I will never apply for.

It varies with the insurance and hospital you use. Some of the Thai insurance copanies deal directly with the hosptital and handle the billing

1 hour ago, StayinThailand2much said:

I take it, in case of being ill, you have to foot the bill first, before trying to recover the hospital bill from the insurance firm? - Who in their right mind will pay a lot for such an insurance, and still having to pay when sick, with no guarantee that he will get his money reimbursed.

Just look for an insurance with a "cashless scheme" or something with a similar name.

 

Many providers have agreements with the major hospitals - agreements which allow you to just show your insurance card in order to be treated.

2 hours ago, StayinThailand2much said:

Guess, they won't get many more applicants anytime soon.

push towards agents

Are non-immigrant (O-A) visas based on retirement or marriage?

2 hours ago, treetops said:

There are two different requirements depending on what visa/extension you require.  The 3m baht covid insurance and the 400/40 in/outpatient one.  This is not new any more.

From the article:

Foreigners applying for non-immigrant (O-A) visas for stays in Thailand of up to one year are now required to have a health insurance policy with minimum coverage of three million baht for in-patient medical fees, instead of the previous 400,000 baht.

2 hours ago, shadowofacloud said:

Regardless of whether it's going to be implemented or not, it seems like a perfectly reasonable requirement for people staying in TH mid- to long-term.

 

Clearly an issue for some washouts, but a no-brainer for anyone with a sliver of a gray cell.

Your point is reasonable, as long as Thailand does not want rich elderly retirees who cannot get health insurance (and do not want it) but can easily afford any medical expenses that arise. I guess the argument is that the truly wealthy would never choose Thailand as the country has too many negatives already without the insurance condition.

4 hours ago, clivebaxter said:

I wish they would try a bit harder, give me a good excuse to get out- 'see dear it's not my fault'

 

I'm trying that too, whilst showing my Thai wife brochures/ TV programs of  living in Spain/Portugal/Greece.

let foreigners pay into the Thai health system - solved

Mandatory health insurance just doesn't work for those with preconditions, those of an older age, those already with good health care in their home countries, and those with enough wealth to self insure.

 

For me, I fit in 3 of those 4 categories, but luckily have an 'O' visa, avoiding this requirement. Many of my friends have 'O-A' visas, and fall into this trap.

 

3 million baht cover is also excessive. For that money, they could bring you back from the dead.

A little taken aback but it is real.

 

I am out of Thailand for a few months and applying for a new OA in the US early nest month. I paid to renew my OA compliant policy at a discount waiting for certificate Some days ago I was e-mailed by my Ins broker in Thailand, used her a couple years already.  

 

From Oct 1 the coverage requirements are for  "Inpatient + Outpatient $ 100,000 USD ". Thought it might be an upsell but there are enough links out there.  covid-19 was just the thin edge of the wedge. From now on $100,000 dollar insurance to be in Thailand is permanent. Thin on details until official announcement hope it is not in addition to the "100,000 dollar insurance covid-19"

 

 

Why not get a single entry Non O, come to Thailand and see an agent. Just a thought.

I get it that Thailand doesn't want to give free health care to long term visa holders. What I think they should do is add  fee to visas or visa extensions and and put visa holders on the government heath insurance scheme. You get treated like everyone else, and that's what happens if you have an accident or you don't have money. Most farang, if given a choice, would pay at the private hospitals anyway.

 

My daughter did a study on Thailand's heath care for her Masters in Canada. The Thai health system has a focus on stopping problems before they happen, and is surprisingly cheap and effective. Patient outcomes are similar to the private and military health system at a fraction of the cost.

Looking at this again it seems the 3 million baht requirement is also very similar to the 100k USD policy required for tourists, just another view 

8 hours ago, olfu said:

I see it more and more how Thailand trying to get rid of farangs. 

Taken you a while then. 20+ years ago I worked that out and I'm sorry I didn't get the <deleted>£k out 15 years ago. At best we are barely tolerated at worst despised. Am I bitter? Heck no sometimes I even laugh at some of the <deleted>. The sad fact is the person in most cases you should trust least is the woman closest to you. That all said God if there is one created Thai women for one thing. 

3 minutes ago, ThailandRyan said:

Looking at this again it seems the 3 million baht requirement is also very similar to the 100k USD policy required for tourists, just another view 

I guess the puzzling part is 1) will this be applied to OA extensions also and if so, 2) why only OA extensions and not all 1 year extensions ?