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Elderly expats dazed and confused over insurance, ‘retirement visas’ and COVID


webfact

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I was planning to use my existing health insurance policy.  I have received a letter from the insurance company stating "We confirm that ********** health insurance does provide cover for Coronavirus (Covid-19) under and subject to the standard terms, conditions, exclusions and warranties of
the policy."  The letter also contains my policy number and maximum annual benefit which exceeds the $ 50,000.  Does anyone know if this is acceptable?   I have a relatively standard non-Thai expat policy underwritten by Allianz.  Thank you in advance.

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4 hours ago, webfact said:

However, those with a work permit can show a valid social security card or certified letter from their employer.

I once asked for a social security card, but I was told it was not necessary because I had a pink card. And indeed I can use social security at the hospital with my pink card, but I'm not sure this would cut it with immigration. So I'd have to make sure to get a certified letter from my employer before leaving the country, since I print out may not be considered valid.

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Maybe they should drop ALL insurance and health costs for ALL countries that do not charge Thais for accidents and dog bites and emergency care. Make it fair, you take care if us in emergencies for free, we do it for you

 

It's nonsense anyway. One poster has stated that 300,000,000 baht in unpaid expenses - or say $10,000,000. Seems to me just charging a ridiculously low 25 cents or 20p entry for hospital care would cover it with ease based on 40 million tourists 

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3 hours ago, HeijoshinCool said:

.

 

So, those on non-imm O retirement extension already in the country will be grandfathered in (if they do not leave and come back)?

 

 

I guess will just have to get our lazy [Cheap] friends or family to come here to see us, for a change.

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Just now, RichardColeman said:

Seems to me just charging a ridiculously low 25 cents or 20p entry for hospital care would cover it with ease based on 40 million tourists 

They have just done this recently by adding a 500 baht entry fee at the airports. But they want the insurance money in addition to that.

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4 hours ago, mokwit said:

No country for old men.

Except for old rich men, as they could always apply for an investment visa, or go with the 5 to 20-year visa scheme (forgot the name!).
Provided those do not require health insurance, which I don't know the answer.

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Might these new restrictions on retirement be something due to the initial retirement idea being from Taksin.?

I only know of one Farang who defaulted on his hospital bills.   That was because he died in Thai hospital, before he could pay his bill.

Incidentally, he also left his Thai wife destitute.  he "did not need" health insurance, because  eh thought that as a Farang he as immune to Thai diseases.  As is ofen said here. "you can't cure stupid.' 

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4 hours ago, webfact said:

Since October 1, applicants are required to have health insurance which offers minimum coverage up to 3 million baht for inpatient care.

 

However, it is important to note that this requirement only applies to O-A visas.

 

You also have to take out 3.5 million baht health coverage for the STV now (was previously 400,000).

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7 minutes ago, RichardColeman said:

Maybe they should drop ALL insurance and health costs for ALL countries that do not charge Thais for accidents and dog bites and emergency care. Make it fair, you take care if us in emergencies for free, we do it for you

 

It's nonsense anyway. One poster has stated that 300,000,000 baht in unpaid expenses - or say $10,000,000. Seems to me just charging a ridiculously low 25 cents or 20p entry for hospital care would cover it with ease based on 40 million tourists 

I agree it should be stopped. Most Thai's pay 30 baht a day in the Hospital and I have been here for 20 years and retired. So why can't I do a deal direct with the Hospital where I live Anything above 30 baht a day is just pure profit for them?

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11 minutes ago, barefootbangkok said:

................................. As a previous poster said "This is no country for old men" despite what the fake news says.

But maybe a country for (old or young) men with a Thai family...? Or at least it should be ?

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34 minutes ago, toho said:

Mentioning  amounts on an insurance statement is a NO-GO for insurance companies in The Netherlands. 

 

I have a basic state health insurance as well as an excellent additional insurance. This basic insurance already fully covers Covid-19.

Moreover I have an extra travel insurance, which also covers medical assistance.

But all of theses insurance companies do not mention amounts (50.000 USD, 400.00 THB, etc.)!!

So now Thai authorities force me to buy another insurance.

Completely unnecessary!! And the older you get, the higher the premium.

 

I asked my insurance companies for a statement several times, but they just give me a general statement without mentioning any amount.

 

I can understand that Thai authorities do not want to pay hospital bills for some stupid foreigners who think they can travel around the world without any health insurance at all.

 

But it would be a big help if Thai authorities would approve that every visitor can enter Thailand if they can show a statement of their health insurance company, including the clause that Covid-19 is covered,  but WITHOUT the required amounts.  

I’m in the same situation. Our Dutch insurance statements basically say that there are no financial limits on coverage, but apparently the Thai authorities consider 50k USD to be beyond ‘unlimited’…….. So I would be forced to pay for a completely useless, superfluous health insurance, but most of them don’t accept me because of the age limits they set. The only possibility I’ve seen boils down to over 15.000 baht a month - not far from 2.5k Euro for the six months of coverage I need.

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3 hours ago, Enzian said:

I think what's being missed is that Non-O persons re-entering the country only need insurance for the period of stay they are stamped in for.    eg, I, a non-O holder, return on Dec. 7 and the IO looks at my PP and sees that my re-entry permit expires 14 days later on Dec. 20; she stamps me in to Dec. 20. The fact that I will stay much longer doesn't matter. I only need to buy 30 days of the required insurance. When that runs out I don't have to renew, Im back like I was way back, essentially self-insured.

Would they not stamp you in until the expiry date of your Non-O ? 

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3 hours ago, Chad3000 said:

Unpaid medical is a total red herring to be polite. We all know this. Most hospitals will literally escort you to ATM before discharge. No joke.

Especially the private hospitals.  Why do you think they always have a person come to escort you to the cashier.  No slipping away then... ????

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6 minutes ago, khunpa said:

Out with the old and poor… Big welcome to the rich!

 

What’s there to be confused about? 

Well it seems that if your elderly and die of covid, then you probably would have died anyway from comorbidities.

But the research does not say , how many years of useful life you may have had if you died from a comorbidity , there are no papers available at present on research about this.

So it seems elderly that reside in LOS must dump the cash they have into insurance companies, or just go home and die, because you would die of comorbidities anyway, and you may be a flight risk , for not paying up for your hospital bill.

Don't worry about the house you own , the Thai children you love and support, or your Thai wife, just pay up or get out.

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5 hours ago, webfact said:

There is currently no requirement for anyone on a Non Immigrant O extension to have health insurance - apart from if they wish to re-enter Thailand, which is a requirement for all foreigners, regardless of their visa status. 

So it's both the Non Immigrant O/A and the Non Immigrant O extension if you are re-entering Thailand.

 

Not confusing at all, but the rest of the article contradicts what it said up to this point.

 

I get it, for those on the Non Immigrant O extension, no need to get the insurance if you stay put, but if you exit Thailand, you will need insurance on the way back.

 

Now I am on a Non Immigrant O extension (marriage), so that means if I exit Thailand and re-enter I have to have insurance, but what about my private health cover insurance, will that do and what docs am I supposed to produce to them because all I have is an insurance card in my wallet.

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