Unpleasant reading. Best not to read it.

[swissie]

Financial "Regretts" among resident Farangs are few as long as the monthly pension-transfers arrive on time every month from the "nanny state".

The complainers, having to maintain an accout balance of 800'000, can be easily surprised by hospital-bills that can surpass 2 to3 Million Bht in a short period of time.

Them, having cursed western "nanny-states" before, now wishing that Thailand would also be a "Nanny-State".

- In all of my "Thailand-Connections", since 1996, no other reason has destroyed more "Thai-Dreams" than emerging Medical-Problems affecting the Farang and thus affecting his beloved "Thai-Family" as well.

Pleasantly, there are many long-term Farnags, claiming to be happy by living a modest lifestyle in a remote corner of Thailand, fully integrated in Family/Village life, for 10, 20 or more years. I like the concept, more power to them all. But can they pay major medical-bills, without their cozy life-environement collapsing? 

 
- In a worst case, the former "Nanny-State" will be too far away and too long ago.

Foreseeable: Thailand will not increase the 800'000 Bht deposit for long-term residents soon, but may require a minimum health-insurance coverage between 2 to 3 million Bht as a minimum standart requirement for long-term residents. Other "Palm Tree" destinations to follow the example, as nobody will want to welcome "Semi-Rich" elderly caucasian immigrants anymore.

As I said before here: "The doors are closing", globally. Especially for undercapitalised elderly Farangs.

[RichardColeman]

  On 11/7/2021 at 9:58 PM, swissie said:

but may require a minimum health-insurance coverage between 2 to 3 million Bht as a minimum standart requirement for long-term residents.

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Since many don't retire into their 6o's any health insurance will lead to an extreme exodus, since most will be either unable to get it in older age and wont want to stay in a place they know they will be evicted form in a few years

 

But if the Thai government were on the ball, they'd just announce a say 2-3000 baht health insurance per annum premium on your visa and be done with it. 

[Olmate]

Is this an ad for your agent? 

[thaibeachlovers]

  On 11/7/2021 at 9:58 PM, swissie said:

Foreseeable: Thailand will not increase the 800'000 Bht deposit for long-term residents soon, but may require a minimum health-insurance coverage between 2 to 3 million Bht as a minimum standart requirement for long-term residents. Other "Palm Tree" destinations to follow the example, as nobody will want to welcome "Semi-Rich" elderly caucasian immigrants anymore.

As I said before here: "The doors are closing", globally. Especially for undercapitalised elderly Farangs.

Expand  

While I wasn't rich, I always recognised that an unexpected medical event could cost too much, so I was always insured. When that became unrealistic, I reluctantly decided to leave Thailand.

IMO any that choose not to be insured are either fooling themselves that they could self insure for a serious road accident or a serious medical problem ( such can cost millions to survive ), or are willfully ignoring reality ( unless they have a plan B with involves becoming dead ).

I did consider whether to have a plan B involving a sharp blade, but decided I wasn't ready for that ultimate remedy.

[thaibeachlovers]

  On 11/7/2021 at 9:58 PM, swissie said:

but may require a minimum health-insurance coverage between 2 to 3 million Bht as a minimum standart requirement for long-term residents.

Expand  

I'm only surprised that it hasn't been a minimum requirement for non O and extensions already, but why stop there? IMO all tourists should have travel insurance to enter- not allowed on the plane without. If one can't afford it, should one be traveling?

[Albert Zweistein]

  On 11/7/2021 at 10:28 PM, thaibeachlovers said:

I'm only surprised that it hasn't been a minimum requirement for non O and extensions already, but why stop there? IMO all tourists should have travel insurance to enter- not allowed on the plane without. If one can't afford it, should one be traveling?

Expand  

For decades long I do have a year around travel insurance. BUT, it doesn't cover health problems unless caused by an accident.

[sezze]

Better choose a different hospital . You do not have to go to Bangkok Hospital , with tenniscourt , swimmingpool and supernice entrances . Take a standard hospital and your bill is very cheap , spending even 100.000 there is something very very serious happening to you .

[thaibeachlovers]

  On 11/7/2021 at 10:46 PM, Albert Zweistein said:

For decades long I do have a year around travel insurance. BUT, it doesn't cover health problems unless caused by an accident.

Expand  

However, it should cover repatriation if too sick to travel normally.

I'm pretty sure mine covered things like heart attacks, but not minor problems like flu.

[fredscats]

  On 11/7/2021 at 11:18 PM, thaibeachlovers said:

However, it should cover repatriation if too sick to travel normally.

I'm pretty sure mine covered things like heart attacks, but not minor problems like flu.

Expand  

However it does not  and those thinking a high medical insurance policy somehow cures all it does not,even that will run dry in a matter of weeks in private hospital

 

It has absolutely killed off the property market here in Thailand,what was cheap insurance wise,as added years becomes expensive

[shdmn]

  On 11/7/2021 at 11:07 PM, LarrySR said:

If your a cash customer without insurance, laying there in your bed with a serious illness, what are the chances the tilac has the bank account as a priority telling you lies about your health care?

"The doctor says the (expensive) chemotherapy isn't working darling"

"The doctor won't give you the good (expensive) pain killers" Or, "your pain killers ran out" (she sold them to the motorbike taxi)

"Doctor says you don't need that operation"

"I cannot find a nurse to come help me wipe your <deleted>"

 

 

Expand  

I know someone who was in a accident and while he was in the hospital the tilac emptied out his apartment.

[4MyEgo]

  On 11/7/2021 at 9:58 PM, swissie said:

Pleasantly, there are many long-term Farnags, claiming to be happy by living a modest lifestyle in a remote corner of Thailand, fully integrated in Family/Village life, for 10, 20 or more years. I like the concept, more power to them all. But can they pay major medical-bills, without their cozy life-environement collapsing? 

Expand  

This is why I have been an adamant supporter of having private health cover when out of your home country for emergency and elective surgery. The policy also having repatriation included in the policy.

 

I can appreciate those older cannot get it, and others choosing not too, and that is fine as it is their choice, to me private health insurance is = to car and or house insurance, albeit they are lower risk, therefore cost cheaper.

 

As human beings on the other hand, we are ticking time bombs once we reach a certain age, e.g. guy I know has been in hospital 3 times this year, his bill was 2.6 mil baht, and he is in his early 60's, another had a quadruple bypass as he didn't renew his policy due to the increase when he hit the 59-64 bracket, again in his early 60's.

 

I don't know what the operation cost him but it was done in a private hospital, so I would ballpark that at 750k baht.

 

I took that hit last renewal, the policy went 50,000 baht per annum, almost doubling, but without insurance I feel naked and this would expose my life savings should something like the above happen to me, I would take a hit that would hurt, but not enough to wipe me out, or hurt my family, but the point of retiring is to feel safe, secure and covered in the event of something happening to you.

 

So for the 330 baht that it cost me per day, I will continue to insure, i.e. until I get to the next bracket, then assess the increase to the policy, being insured is common sense to me, and it requires good budgeting and accepting that you are worth the outlay, regardless if you don't see anything for your money, e.g. same as car insurance or house insurance, and when something does happen, you can be compensated for it. 

 

It's a choice, and I choose not to go public and pay for that choice.

 

 

[sezze]

  On 11/7/2021 at 11:35 PM, fredscats said:

However it does not  and those thinking a high medical insurance policy somehow cures all it does not,even that will run dry in a matter of weeks in private hospital

Expand  

Ok , but again , why you want to go to such place ? Standard hospital can take care most things , private room is 1000 baht/day extra ( and that room was much larger then the private hospital i visited once ) which is a bit dark room , but airco is present , tv , also there , ... even private staff is present ... that is in public hospital . 3/4 days stay in such hospital with operation sets you back around 10.000 baht .

Do i like to travel in 1st class , or even a private jet , sure ... but i do not have the money for it . I want also a yacht , a Lamborghini just to look at , a private designer for me alone ... ... but i can't afford such things ... A hospital is there to make me better , and as far as i've witnessed , standard hospitals do that also . Then you got also private hospitals which you pay a lot more , get more luxuries , but thats about it . Then you got like Bangkok Hospital where a single day can cost you 100k .

Like i said , look different hospitals , there are plenty around .

 

[worgeordie]

Thailand used to be a nanny state when Thakisin made it possible for

Farangs with yellow book to have medical coverage , and I had 3 years

of free hospital treatment, when he left office, the then current Government

went about changing things he had done, and canceled it, and introduced

insurance coverage themselves, I believe the cost was 2,500 Thb , I went to

hospital had the health check. paid the premium, that lasted a few weeks,

until it was cancelled , and most of the premium was repaid. 

 

regards Worgeordie 

[zzaa09]

There seems to be more than a few here, within this illustrious venue, that most certainly need to get over themselves.  

[Gottfrid]

  On 11/7/2021 at 10:11 PM, RichardColeman said:

But if the Thai government were on the ball, they'd just announce a say 2-3000 baht health insurance per annum premium on your visa and be done with it. 

Expand  

I agree with you, but 2-3000 baht will not be possible to cover uninsured foreigners. Let´s say 15k per year, which should be something everyone can afford to pay if choosing the reside in a foreign country.

[fredscats]

  On 11/8/2021 at 12:43 AM, Gottfrid said:

I agree with you, but 2-3000 baht will not be possible to cover uninsured foreigners. Let´s say 15k per year, which should be something everyone can afford to pay if choosing the reside in a foreign country.

Expand  

Cheap   too cheap,.....medical care is far cheaper too outside of Thailand,elective/selective, that is

[Pravda]

  On 11/7/2021 at 10:11 PM, RichardColeman said:

But if the Thai government were on the ball, they'd just announce a say 2-3000 baht health insurance per annum premium on your visa and be done with it.

Expand  

Are you joking?

 

Do you know how much health insurance costs? 

[thaibeachlovers]

  On 11/7/2021 at 11:47 PM, shdmn said:

I know someone who was in a accident and while he was in the hospital the tilac emptied out his apartment.

Expand  

Sadly, not an uncommon tale of life and love in LOS.

[Gottfrid]

  On 11/8/2021 at 12:51 AM, fredscats said:

Cheap   too cheap,.....medical care is far cheaper too outside of Thailand,elective/selective, that is

Expand  

What are you trying to say?

[Pravda]

  On 11/7/2021 at 11:10 PM, sezze said:

Better choose a different hospital . You do not have to go to Bangkok Hospital , with tenniscourt , swimmingpool and supernice entrances . Take a standard hospital and your bill is very cheap , spending even 100.000 there is something very very serious happening to you .

Expand  

Absolutely not true. 

 

Back surgery in a cheap hospital. 500,000 baht.

 

Head excision - over 1 million baht.

 

These are the prices my ex wife's father paid despite being a retired school director meaning he had government insurance.

 

 

[sezze]

  On 11/8/2021 at 1:06 AM, Pravda said:

Absolutely not true. 

 

Back surgery in a cheap hospital. 500,000 baht.

 

Head excision - over 1 million baht.

 

These are the prices my ex wife's father paid despite being a retired school director meaning he had government insurance.

 

 

Expand  

In a government hospital ? I never ever heard or seen bills like that in such hospital , i did hear about it in private hospitals . Abdomen surgery , 3 days in private room public hospital less then 10k . No special insurance . Other hospital , private but medium range , was something like 70.000 .

I highly doubt it was a government hospital that he went .

[Pravda]

  On 11/8/2021 at 1:21 AM, sezze said:

In a government hospital ? I never ever heard or seen bills like that in such hospital , i did hear about it in private hospitals . Abdomen surgery , 3 days in private room public hospital less then 10k . No special insurance . Other hospital , private but medium range , was something like 70.000 .

I highly doubt it was a government hospital that he went .

Expand  

It was Chula, so it was government hospital.

 

Edit.

 

Also a friend of my ex wife died of bone cancer in her 30's. Price per Chome session was 60,000 baht 10 years ago in the same hospital. She needed a lot. No money. She died.

 

Oh, yes.... She also had private insurance as she worked for Siemens.

[CharlieH]

Troll post and response removed

[pattaya1234was]

Yes, I do know it is expensive! I am 82 and I had a quote of 250000 baht per annum only last week-and that was for minimal cover.. I am sure it is those with money or are in their sixties that are promoting all this insurance stuff.. Wait till you get to my age.

[gim12]

a monthly pension check does not arrive from the "nanny state" it comes from your previous employer.  It is a retention tool to keep employees working at the same company for as many years as possible  so the company does not suffer from a workforce turnover.  Likewise, Social Security checks, at least for Americans, is the money the worker and his employer paid into the system over the worker's  career. Now that lifespans have increased, workers receive more than they pay in but when the system started it was the opposite, shorter lifespans meant retirees died younger so the govt made a killing (yes, pun intended)

[BritManToo]

  On 11/8/2021 at 2:09 AM, gim12 said:

Now that lifespans have increased

Expand  

"The life span of humans – opposed to life expectancy, which is a statistical construct – hasn’t really changed much at all"

Walter Scheidel

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20181002-how-long-did-ancient-people-live-life-span-versus-longevity

 

I like this bit ............

"Surely, by the soot-ridden era of Charles Dickens, life was unhealthy and short for nearly everyone? Still no. As researchers Judith Rowbotham, now at the University of Plymouth, and Paul Clayton, of Oxford Brookes University, write, “once the dangerous childhood years were passed… life expectancy in the mid-Victorian period was not markedly different from what it is today”. A five-year-old girl would live to 73; a boy, to 75."

[Almer]

  On 11/7/2021 at 10:11 PM, RichardColeman said:

Since many don't retire into their 6o's any health insurance will lead to an extreme exodus, since most will be either unable to get it in older age and wont want to stay in a place they know they will be evicted form in a few years

 

But if the Thai government were on the ball, they'd just announce a say 2-3000 baht health insurance per annum premium on your visa and be done with it. 

Expand  

Agreed a discussion in a bar the other evening “coffee bar” you understand on this very subject, gave me the impression many uninsured Falang lives in fear on this very subject.

Thai gvmnt you are missing an opportunity, if Falang are chased out the pensions stop coming in, so why not take say 2500 a month from those willing to pay, i for one would jump at the chance at 72 knowing that it’s this or nothing.

[fredscats]

  On 11/8/2021 at 12:59 AM, Gottfrid said:

What are you trying to say?

Expand  

Posted 1 hour ago

  On 11/8/2021 at 12:43 AM, Gottfrid said:

I agree with you, but 2-3000 baht will not be possible to cover uninsured foreigners. Let´s say 15k per year, which should be something everyone can afford to pay if choosing the reside in a foreign country.

Expand  

Cheap   too cheap,.....medical care is far cheaper too outside of Thailand,elective/selective, that is

[KarenBravo]

I use a Thai based insurance company (PC) and pay about 68,000 Bt per annum for 50 million Baht coverage. Good for foreign countries, including the USA. I'm 63.

I chose a deductible of 100,000 Bt. Have a couple of pre-conditions, but then, who hasn't.

 

Peace of mind. Should never get financially wiped out. For those that say the insurance company will try to stiff me, maybe they will, but it's still far better than no insurance where the outcome is entirely predictable.

[KhunLA]

I worked for an airlines, and IAM, the union representing the workforce, provide pension check info at one of our meetings.  Actually true numbers of monthly pay outs.

 

Broken down by work classification and number of pension checks sent out.   On average, total workforce, 18 checks sent.  In my job classification, 11 sent.

 

This is why pension funds are under funded, they know they won't need to send that many checks out.  Some depressing numbers.  Took mine early, at discount of course.  Been collection for well over a decade, about 15 yrs, and if I live past 75, it wasn't a good decision, and I'll actually get less from total pay out.  10 yrs at full pension vs the 25+ yrs, about the same, at discounted pension received.  So if I live longer than 75, I short changed myself.