COVID Insurance Arranged for Visitors upon Arrival

[webfact]

 

BANGKOK, Jan 12 (TNA) – Government organizations arrange for COVID-19 insurance for visitors upon their arrival to solve their problems of lacking such insurance or having inadequate coverage for COVID-19 treatment.

 

Dr Tares Krassanairawiwong, director-general of the Department of Health Service Support, said the department, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports and the Office of the Insurance Commission invited 10 insurance firms to sell COVID-19 insurance policies to the visitors who lacked such insurance. coverage just when they arrived to prevent the problems of advance payment before claims for compensation.

 

The visitors who lacked the insurance must take out policies and the coverage which matched COVID-19 treatment in the country would take immediate effect, he said.

 

Full story: https://tna.mcot.net/english-news/line-today-english-news-860126

 

-- © Copyright TNA 2022-01-13

 

- Aetna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

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[alyx]

But I thought that the insurance was compulsory in order to be allowed to fly in. Unless they are talking about land borders or... Are they suggesting that soon they will not prevent the visitors to turn up at the borders without prior registration ??? ????

 

In any case, nice of them to be so thoughtful and arrange everything for the visitor, let it be the 300 Baht tax upon arrival planned in April or the insurance upon landing but..wait..wait...I was sure that the 300 Baht was going to be charged to be used as an insurance cover 

 

 

I am lost 

[RichardColeman]

12 minutes ago, webfact said:

the Insurance Commission invited 10 insurance firms to sell COVID-19 insurance policies to the visitors who lacked such insurance. coverage just when they arrived to prevent the problems of advance payment before claims for compensation.

If reading it correctly, they seem to be wanting to target the odd market of selling insurance to people to pay the advance bill of the hospital before you get the money from your insurance company ! Absolutely nuts - just make the first insurance company pay, or you could end up with multi companies lining up to insure the non-payout of the previous 10 companies !

 

 

[RandiRona]

Reading from Thailand scam book of temple closed today...will show you tailors....

Your Insurance no good...buy this good for 70k bhat now on Airport or cant come in.....

Money in everyone's pocket...Wais all around!

[Gold Star]

Perhaps since so many have been incarcerated for 10 days in an expensive hospital upon arrival without testing positive or having Covid, normal insurance won't pay the extremely high bill, as they could not present documentation of any infection. 

 

Such was the case of my friend from the UK on Dec 25, and he refused to pay for his wretched detainment.

 

This would allow them to reap even more profits from the scam.

[charmonman]

As is typical, this article raises more questions than it answers. As previous posters have mentioned, covid-19 insurance is a condition of receiving a Thailand Pass. Without a Thailand Pass you can't even board a plane to go to Thailand. So how the heck are people arriving in Thailand without already having covid-19 insurance? It seems this is a question that should have been addressed in this article.

 

I am constantly amazed by the sheer amount of shoddy journalism out there.

[cnx101]

2 hours ago, alyx said:

But I thought that the insurance was compulsory in order to be allowed to fly in. Unless they are talking about land borders or... Are they suggesting that soon they will not prevent the visitors to turn up at the borders without prior registration ??? ????

 

In any case, nice of them to be so thoughtful and arrange everything for the visitor, let it be the 300 Baht tax upon arrival planned in April or the insurance upon landing but..wait..wait...I was sure that the 300 Baht was going to be charged to be used as an insurance cover 

 

 

I am lost 

Don’t worry it’s just another scam

[pattayapip]

One of the main problems with Covid Insurance, is they mostly refuse to pay if you are asymptomatic, as in Western Countries you go home and isolate, and here you are forced into Government Hospital or Hospitel (Hospital Run Hotel)
I have had this twice now . . both times my Insurance refused to pay as mandatory confinement and zero/minor problems/symptoms . .  
If you actually were sick, then no problem with covering
It is the forced confinement with no sickness that sort of invalidates the coverage . . . .  

[hioctane]

35 minutes ago, charmonman said:

As is typical, this article raises more questions than it answers. As previous posters have mentioned, covid-19 insurance is a condition of receiving a Thailand Pass. Without a Thailand Pass you can't even board a plane to go to Thailand. So how the heck are people arriving in Thailand without already having covid-19 insurance? It seems this is a question that should have been addressed in this article.

 

I am constantly amazed by the sheer amount of shoddy journalism out there.

The way most insurance works is that you pay first and the insurance reimburses you. Some people seem to think that since they have insurance, they don’t have to fork over a dime. ????‍♂️ 

[TheFishman1]

I thought you had to have insurance to get on the plane to come here seems like that may be a scam to me TAT

[hioctane]

6 minutes ago, pattayapip said:

One of the main problems with Covid Insurance, is they mostly refuse to pay if you are asymptomatic, as in Western Countries you go home and isolate, and here you are forced into Government Hospital or Hospitel (Hospital Run Hotel)
I have had this twice now . . both times my Insurance refused to pay as mandatory confinement and zero/minor problems/symptoms . .  
If you actually were sick, then no problem with covering
It is the forced confinement with no sickness that sort of invalidates the coverage . . . .  

I wouldn’t say most. It is probably 50/50. You should clarify in advance. When I bought my insurance, they said if I test positive and the doctor says I need need to go to a hospital, they will cover it.

[Paul Henry]

Dumb Falang, just shut up and pay. We need your money not you.

[Jack West Jr]

Well,well,well, now the Thai government has shown its stripes . A scam, pure and simple . Any arrival is at least double and often triple-vaccinated so why do they need insurance ? 

Answer : to line corrupt government leaders' pockets . Stay out of Thailand and go to Spain or Portugal, none of those shenanigans there.

[wealthychef]

1 hour ago, charmonman said:

I am constantly amazed by the sheer amount of shoddy journalism out there.

Why?  You do know what's going on that's causing it right?  Does the word "click" mean anything to you?  It worked on you didn't it?  They got their half cent of ad revenue and that's all they care about.  Period. 

[cheapcanuck]

Another baht grab by the los. Another way to attract tourists...NOT!

[Shocked farang]

1 hour ago, charmonman said:

As is typical, this article raises more questions than it answers. As previous posters have mentioned, covid-19 insurance is a condition of receiving a Thailand Pass. Without a Thailand Pass you can't even board a plane to go to Thailand. So how the heck are people arriving in Thailand without already having covid-19 insurance? It seems this is a question that should have been addressed in this article.

 

I am constantly amazed by the sheer amount of shoddy journalism out there.

From what I have understood it's meant to remediate policies that are insufficient, or exclude Covid, so these people don't have to go back. But, of course there's plenty of space for abuse. 

[NanaSomchai]

19 minutes ago, Paul Henry said:

Dumb Falang, just shut up and pay. We need your money not you.

This. Essentially. THIS.

[NanaSomchai]

12 minutes ago, Jack West Jr said:

Stay out of Thailand and go to Spain or Portugal, none of those shenanigans there.

As I'm physically there myself, I can only concur.

 

Spain:

 

Cádiz: Daytime weather: 20, night time: 12.

 

Canary Islands: Daytime weather: 22, night time: 14.

 

Portugal:

 

Lisbon: Daytime weather: 16, night time: 11.

 

"UK":

 

Gibraltar: Daytime weather: 15, night time: 12.

 

And in case you're really in the mood:

 

Cyprus:

 

Limassol: Daytime weather: 17, night time: 13.

 

 

[pattayapip]

30 minutes ago, hioctane said:

I wouldn’t say most. It is probably 50/50. You should clarify in advance. When I bought my insurance, they said if I test positive and the doctor says I need need to go to a hospital, they will cover it.

"doctor says I need need to go to a hospital" Exactly, But what is Asymptomatic but still need to be isolated / Quarantined Due to Government Regulations . . 
If you are actually sick and "Need" Hospital treatment fine . . 

[Zack61]

1 hour ago, charmonman said:

As is typical, this article raises more questions than it answers. As previous posters have mentioned, covid-19 insurance is a condition of receiving a Thailand Pass. Without a Thailand Pass you can't even board a plane to go to Thailand. So how the heck are people arriving in Thailand without already having covid-19 insurance? It seems this is a question that should have been addressed in this article.

 

I am constantly amazed by the sheer amount of shoddy journalism out there.

My sentiments exactly. After reading the article I felt like I'd been robbed.

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Dr Tares Krassanairawiwong, director-general of the Department of Health Service Support, said the department, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports and the Office of the Insurance Commission invited 10 insurance firms to sell COVID-19 insurance policies to the visitors who lacked such insurance. coverage just when they arrived to prevent the problems of advance payment before claims for compensation.

It used to be a Wai and a smile at the airport.. now it's hard sell !!!!!

[jacko45k]

1 minute ago, Zack61 said:

My sentiments exactly. After reading the article I felt like I'd been robbed.

I suspect an accommodation for tourists from particular areas is in the making. 

[flbkk]

From the piece  yesterday, I thought this money was for some vague notion of promoting tourism, and some mention about health expenses, probably to reimburse hospitals that didn’t get paid by foreign  patients, not to actually indemnify people for their hospital bills

[garyk]

Just when i thought it could not get any crazier. 

[HuaHinHim]

3 hours ago, Gold Star said:

Perhaps since so many have been incarcerated for 10 days in an expensive hospital upon arrival without testing positive or having Covid, normal insurance won't pay the extremely high bill, as they could not present documentation of any infection. 

 

Such was the case of my friend from the UK on Dec 25, and he refused to pay for his wretched detainment.

 

This would allow them to reap even more profits from the scam.

So was you're friend deported or allowed to enter?

[HashBrownHarry]

3 hours ago, Gold Star said:

he refused to pay for his wretched detainment.

Good for him, i know someone that did this as well.

 

 

[Dialemco]

UK Insurance companies pay hospitals direct for medical treated they have been notified and covered by their policy. The so called Thai Covid Insurance only pays after hospital bills have been paid provided for actual medical treatment. The Thai compulsory Covid insurance should be cancelled as not fit for purpose  

[tandor]

...Wouldn't it make more sense to buy the necessary insurance when you buy your Visa in your country, or whichever country you get your Visa; or provide acceptable documentation of existing insurance.

If you are returning on an existing Visa then provide proof of insurance. Beats camping on the floor of the Arrivals until you have been accepted. (I can't imagine Insurance Agents/Reps being allowed to go 'Air-side').

[meechai]

4 hours ago, alyx said:

But I thought that the insurance was compulsory in order to be allowed to fly in.

Exactly Correct! You are not allowed to board in any country if your destination is Thailand & you do not have the required insurance

 

This Golden Fleece is just another in a long line of Thai Fleecings

Land at any Thai airport & be swamped by the BS taxi/limo companies before you can make your way to the "real & fair" normal taxi Que outside

Because the vultures pay brown envelopes they get first crack at the fresh meat

This is just another JetSki Thai BS business allowed because they paid "fees"

[NanaSomchai]

1 minute ago, meechai said:

This Golden Fleece is just another in a long line of Thai Fleecings

Land at any Thai airport & be swamped by the BS taxi/limo companies before you can make your way to the "real & fair" normal taxi Que outside

Because the vultures pay brown envelopes they get first crack at the fresh meat

This is just another JetSki Thai BS business allowed because they paid "fees"

Amen.