4 hours ago, TroubleandGrumpy said:

I got insurance for house and car in Thailand - reasonable coverage and reasonable costs.

 

The LTR 'approved' health insurance quotes I have (many) are unreasonable in both coverage and costs.  And as I have said many many times (this last) I self insure and have 1 million baht available here - and more in 2-3 days. And I refuse to put $100K USD into a Thai savings account - and cannot in Oz (tax and pension issues).  The insurance coverage they DEMAND is $50K USD - but they demand $100K USD in a bank - scam.  

 

 

I wouldn't call it a scam; I would call it another "option" allowed when a person can't use/don't want to use the insurance policy method.   And the option can be money in a Thai "or" foreign bank

 

I'm sure it's HQ Immigration that pushed the policy for a 100K USD if a self insure option is going to be allowed for the primary LTR visa holder because Bt3M (which is approx $100K) is what Immigration requires for the Non OA and OX visas.  Immigration likes that Bt3M/$100K number for some reason.  Immigration makes using a self insure option for a Non OA or OX visa/extension close to impossible to get the required extra paperwork/wavier by the Ministry of Health for an OA Retirement "Extension of Stay" insurance waiver...and for the initial Non OA/OX visa it requires extra paperwork that many foreign insurance companies will not provide.   

 

I'm just surprised HQ Immigration allowed a Dependent LTR visa holder to self insure at only 25K USD (not $100) if not using a 50K USD policy.  I expect BOI pushed to allow that lower amount for Dependents.   That is a nice option allowed for the Dependents LTR visa....an option not allowed on Non OA/OX type visas.

 

 

 

4 hours ago, TroubleandGrumpy said:

The LTR 'approved' health insurance quotes I have (many) are unreasonable in both coverage and costs. 

 

I don't know what you call "unreasonable" but there are plenty of full coverage health insurances, either Thai or international, that will fulfill the $US50K insurance condition for less than 5% of the $US80K annual income (so about US$4K/year) that you certainly more than meet to comply with the LTR financial requirement.

 

Granted that insurance premiums will increase over the years, but even more so will your income (if it's properly managed, which I have no doubt).

 

Spending a (very) low % of your yearly income for a comprehensive healthcare and peace of mind should be a no-brainer for any (especially aging) man of means. Naturally, you do you.

12 minutes ago, Yumthai said:

 

I don't know what you call "unreasonable" but there are plenty of full coverage health insurances, either Thai or international, that will fulfill the $US50K insurance condition for less than 5% of the $US80K annual income (so about US$4K/year) that you certainly more than meet to comply with the LTR financial requirement.

 

Granted that insurance premiums will increase over the years, but even more so will your income (if it's properly managed, which I have no doubt).

 

Spending a (very) low % of your yearly income for a comprehensive healthcare and peace of mind should be a no-brainer for any (especially aging) man of means. Naturally, you do you.

I was able to get a LTR-approved policy from AXA Insurance for 22,875 Baht per annum for my LTR-WP visa. I think that's pretty reasonable and affordable. I checked the cost at age 70 and it was the same. I also have a company retiree insurance policy, but they wouldn't issue a letter to meet LTR's guidelines. I will switch to $100k in the bank method (a high-yield savings), when my current policy expires. This was the best decision for me, and the costs were well worth it. Best wishes.

3 hours ago, Pib said:

I wouldn't call it a scam; I would call it another "option" allowed when a person can't use/don't want to use the insurance policy method.   And the option can be money in a Thai "or" foreign bank

 

I'm sure it's HQ Immigration that pushed the policy for a 100K USD if a self insure option is going to be allowed for the primary LTR visa holder because Bt3M (which is approx $100K) is what Immigration requires for the Non OA and OX visas.  Immigration likes that Bt3M/$100K number for some reason.  Immigration makes using a self insure option for a Non OA or OX visa/extension close to impossible to get the required extra paperwork/wavier by the Ministry of Health for an OA Retirement "Extension of Stay" insurance waiver...and for the initial Non OA/OX visa it requires extra paperwork that many foreign insurance companies will not provide.   

 

I'm just surprised HQ Immigration allowed a Dependent LTR visa holder to self insure at only 25K USD (not $100) if not using a 50K USD policy.  I expect BOI pushed to allow that lower amount for Dependents.   That is a nice option allowed for the Dependents LTR visa....an option not allowed on Non OA/OX type visas.

 

 

I am referring to the scam of health insurance in Thailand - not just the 100K USD cash in a bank.   Health insurance here is massively overpriced - house and car insurance is reasonable - health is unreasonable - except for the Yanks who pay so much back home. 

 

Yes you are right - they took to OA and O-X and made it into the LTR - and kept the $100K amount.  There are so many 'iconsistent' things here as we all know - that they want insurance for $50K but cash must be $100K, is just another one. 

2 hours ago, Yumthai said:

 

I don't know what you call "unreasonable" but there are plenty of full coverage health insurances, either Thai or international, that will fulfill the $US50K insurance condition for less than 5% of the $US80K annual income (so about US$4K/year) that you certainly more than meet to comply with the LTR financial requirement.

 

Granted that insurance premiums will increase over the years, but even more so will your income (if it's properly managed, which I have no doubt).

 

Spending a (very) low % of your yearly income for a comprehensive healthcare and peace of mind should be a no-brainer for any (especially aging) man of means. Naturally, you do you.

How is this for unreasonable. 

 

Cost in Australia for full coverage top of the range all private hospitals - all items - no limit - ambulance - $1600 AUD a year (35,200 THB) - Excess $750 (16,500 THB).  

 

And that is not the cheapest in Australia - minimum hospital coverage (still more than the LTR offers in Thailand) and ambulance - $645 a year (13,200 THB)

 

PLUS - The public hospital system in Australia is free for all accidents and emergencies, and after a waiting period all 'elective surgery' is free - and that system is better than the Thai private system, with very few exceptions. 

1 hour ago, JohnnyBD said:

I was able to get a LTR-approved policy from AXA Insurance for 22,875 Baht per annum for my LTR-WP visa. I think that's pretty reasonable and affordable. I checked the cost at age 70 and it was the same. I also have a company retiree insurance policy, but they wouldn't issue a letter to meet LTR's guidelines. I will switch to $100k in the bank method (a high-yield savings), when my current policy expires. This was the best decision for me, and the costs were well worth it. Best wishes.

AXA Insurance in Thailand?  Or AXA Insurance global from Europe or USA? (meaning an address in Europe or USA). 

10 hours ago, TroubleandGrumpy said:

I got insurance for house and car in Thailand - reasonable coverage and reasonable costs.

 

The LTR 'approved' health insurance quotes I have (many) are unreasonable in both coverage and costs.  And as I have said many many times (this last) I self insure and have 1 million baht available here - and more in 2-3 days. And I refuse to put $100K USD into a Thai savings account - and cannot in Oz (tax and pension issues).  The insurance coverage they DEMAND is $50K USD - but they demand $100K USD in a bank - scam.  

 

 

I am doing the same thing. 

 

I am happy with the one hour trip to the immigration office in Phuket once a year to get my old bloke visa extension with the 800k baht in a bank.

 

I do not have insurance as the cost to payout ratio is not worth it.

 

I save the insurance money and I have £50k in instant cash available plus £150k in instant credit available to get me back to the UK in an emergency.

 

If that became the case then the 800k  baht in the Thai bank would also be to hand as I could go back to the UK and if I then become well again I would get a 90 day visa in the UK and then use it to get a non-0 visa extension again in Thailand after three months. 

 

That way I know my emergency costs would be met without having to get the insurance company to pay up.

 

Plus after nearly three years I do not feel I am permanent here, just a long term visitor as we are not allowed to have any permanent status, I know a few thousand a year are allowed to do so but the chances of that happening are slim, plus we are still treated like farangs so we will never be part of the country.

 

I am in no way complaining about this, I wish the UK would have strict rules as they do here, I am just stating I know what I am in Thailand and I am happy with it as the airport is only forty minutes away.

2 hours ago, TroubleandGrumpy said:

How is this for unreasonable. 

 

Cost in Australia for full coverage top of the range all private hospitals - all items - no limit - ambulance - $1600 AUD a year (35,200 THB) - Excess $750 (16,500 THB).  

 

And that is not the cheapest in Australia - minimum hospital coverage (still more than the LTR offers in Thailand) and ambulance - $645 a year (13,200 THB)

 

PLUS - The public hospital system in Australia is free for all accidents and emergencies, and after a waiting period all 'elective surgery' is free - and that system is better than the Thai private system, with very few exceptions. 

 

I had a lower back problem in Phuket a few years ago. I went for an Xray and a scan at a top private hospital in Phuket, the doctor was a specialist in that area of medicine.

 

He said I had spondylosis and it will get worse, I asked if I might end up in a wheelchair and I was told that will happen.

 

I went back to the UK had similar tests, saw a similar doctor, no spondylosis present and no tissue damage including the disks in the spine, so he sent me to see another doctor.

 

That doctor told me it was a muscular problem and so I followed a set of exercise  routines, I was afraid to exercise from the point I was told of the false report from the Thai doctor as I though it may cause more damage to my spine.

 

So in effect the Thai doctor's advice was making things worse. 

 

A few months after following the UK doctors instructions I had improved the strength of my core muscles and the back pain disappeared over time. 

2 hours ago, TroubleandGrumpy said:

AXA Insurance in Thailand?  Or AXA Insurance global from Europe or USA? (meaning an address in Europe or USA). 

 

I think I remember I had to show I had had at least £10k or £20k in a UK bank account for a period of a year while applying for the 90 day visa online in the UK, so maybe that is whey I do not have to have insurance here in Thailand on my non - O visa as the amount in the UK bank is seen as available should a health problem arise here in Thailand, this comment is just a guess on my part.

7 hours ago, TroubleandGrumpy said:

How is this for unreasonable. 

 

Cost in Australia for full coverage top of the range all private hospitals - all items - no limit - ambulance - $1600 AUD a year (35,200 THB) - Excess $750 (16,500 THB).  

 

And that is not the cheapest in Australia - minimum hospital coverage (still more than the LTR offers in Thailand) and ambulance - $645 a year (13,200 THB)

 

PLUS - The public hospital system in Australia is free for all accidents and emergencies, and after a waiting period all 'elective surgery' is free - and that system is better than the Thai private system, with very few exceptions. 

 

That's a common misconception. Like in many social democracies, free public healthcare is an illusion (except for poor paperless immigrants).

 

Medicare Australia is largely (over)funded by Australian taxpayers. You have and I assume still contribute to it.

It's really sad this thread has turned into a debate about health insurance instead of a discussion about the benefits of the LTR-WP visas. If some think that paying for health insurance is a ripoff, that's ok. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. The good thing is there are many other options available for those who don't want it or can't qualify for the LTR visa.

 

As for the cost benefits, the LTR-WP visa was actually cheaper for me than doing annual renewals. I was paying 7,000 Baht (1,900 extension + 3,800 MRE permit + 300 bank letter & statement + 200 for photos + 800 for taxi to/from CW (plus my time), whereas my LTR-WP visa only cost me 5,000 Baht (50k for 10 yrs). I easily qualified using just my two pensions, so I didn't have to restructure my finances or disclose any other financial information which seems to be a big issue for some. As for the insurance, I bought the Thai health insurance for the first year, but I didn't have to keep my renewal money in a Thai bank anymore where it earned very little. Now, that money is in the US earning 4% interest which covers the insurance cost. Next year, I can use the $100k in bank method, so I won't have that insurance cost anymore. I'm sure many do not have the luxury of being able to keep $100k in a bank, but for me, it's not a problem. I always keep a certain percentage of my investments in cash instruments such as; high-yield savings, money market funds and CDs. That cash can be used to self-insure for the LTR visa, and also to make sure my wife has enough cash to live on in case something happens to me. To each his own!

 

Other benefits, no annual renewals, no 90-day reports, 1- year reporting if one doesn't leave the country, fast track lanes in airports, and the income tax exemption. In my case, I won't have to see IM again for another 5 years because I leave the country every year.

17 minutes ago, JohnnyBD said:

It's really sad this thread has turned into a debate about health insurance instead of a discussion about the benefits of the LTR-WP visas. If some think that paying for health insurance is a ripoff, that's ok. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. The good thing is there are many other options available for those who don't want it or can't qualify for the LTR visa.

Just that thinking self-insurance is ok is a wrong financial risk assessment.

"Wealthy" people, for whom a comprehensive global healthcare is peanuts, gambling with their health/life is puzzling me.

As you said, to each their own.

27 minutes ago, JohnnyBD said:

It's really sad this thread has turned into a debate about health insurance instead of a discussion about the benefits of the LTR-WP visas. If some think that paying for health insurance is a ripoff, that's ok. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. The good thing is there are many other options available for those who don't want it or can't qualify for the LTR visa.

 

As for the cost benefits, the LTR-WP visa was actually cheaper for me than doing annual renewals. I was paying 7,000 Baht (1,900 extension + 3,800 MRE permit + 300 bank letter & statement + 200 for photos + 800 for taxi to/from CW (plus my time), whereas my LTR-WP visa only cost me 5,000 Baht (50k for 10 yrs). I easily qualified using just my two pensions, so I didn't have to restructure my finances or disclose any other financial information which seems to be a big issue for some. As for the insurance, I bought the Thai health insurance for the first year, but I didn't have to keep my renewal money in a Thai bank anymore where it earned very little. Now, that money is in the US earning 4% interest which covers the insurance cost. Next year, I can use the $100k in bank method, so I won't have that insurance cost anymore. I'm sure many do not have the luxury of being able to keep $100k in a bank, but for me, it's not a problem. I always keep a certain percentage of my investments in cash instruments such as; high-yield savings, money market funds and CDs. That cash can be used to self-insure for the LTR visa, and also to make sure my wife has enough cash to live on in case something happens to me. To each his own!

 

Other benefits, no annual renewals, no 90-day reports, 1- year reporting if one doesn't leave the country, fast track lanes in airports, and the income tax exemption. In my case, I won't have to see IM again for another 5 years because I leave the country every year.

Not having to be in Thailand every year around the same dates to do the yearly renewal has been a HUGE relief to me. I can now be in Thailand or away from Thailand whenever I want to !

7 minutes ago, JackGats said:

Not having to be in Thailand every year around the same dates to do the yearly renewal has been a HUGE relief to me. I can now be in Thailand or away from Thailand whenever I want to !

Yes, that's another really good benefit that I didn't think about.

 

The income tax exemption was a big benefit for me because I brought a lot of money in this year.

5 hours ago, JohnnyBD said:

As for the insurance, I bought the Thai health insurance for the first year, but I didn't have to keep my renewal money in a Thai bank anymore where it earned very little. Now, that money is in the US earning 4% interest which covers the insurance cost. Next year, I can use the $100k in bank method, so I won't have that insurance cost anymore. I'm sure many do not have the luxury of being able to keep $100k in a bank, but for me, it's not a problem. I always keep a certain percentage of my investments in cash instruments such as; high-yield savings, money market funds and CDs. That cash can be used to self-insure for the LTR visa, and also to make sure my wife has enough cash to live on in case something happens to me. To each his own!

 

While my approach is different, I agree with all your points.  

 

As you note, "many do not have the luxury of being able to keep $100k in a bank, but for me, it's not a problem" ...

 

I agree, for some of us, like you, it is not a problem.  Having a certain % of investments in cash instruments is part of the successful trading strategy of some of us (who have larger portfolios).

 

In my case I already had (and have) heavily subsidized super health insurance, which was not accepted when I was on a Type-OA visa (nor was my in the bank, "self health insurance" accepted for me when I was on a Type-OA visa) and further I could NOT immediately switch to an extension based on marriage when I went for my one-year extension on the Type-OA (as it was my first Type-OA extension).  So I ended up (when on Type-OA), for one year, buying practically worthless massive deductible insurance from the Thai branch of a Health Insurance company (in essence double or triple insuring me) in order to meet immigration requirements.

 

Triple insured ! 

 

ie I was 'triple insured' in essence, as  when on the Type-OA  ... my superb subsidized European global insurance meant I had double insurance (ie double as in addition to worthless Thai branch insurance) , and I was in essence triple insured given I had amounts in cash (as part of my portfolio) that could be considered 'self insurance' by some  (and I know some expats who use such money as 'self insurance' on Type-O visas - and all the power to them if it works out).   

 

Later on I deliberately left Thailand with no re-entry permit, so i could invalidate my Type-OA and came back and obtaining a Type-O (retirement).   I wanted 'retirement' as it has (in Phuket) less paperwork involved. 

 

When I obtained the LTR-WP (using self insurance of the $100k US$ equiv anywhere in the world), I did not know then what wording to put in a letter for BoI (ie letter from Cigna, my health insurance company) to have such a custom letter accepted by BoI for the LTR-WP visa, as proof of Health Insurance (I note that the standard Cigna letter of Health Insurance proof was not accepted - as it lacked the details BoI wanted to see). 

 

Now that I am on LTR-WP, an AseanNow forum member (who also uses Cigna) was subsequently kind enough to share the exact wording of his letter proving Health Insurance (for BoI satisfaction), and I plan to switch to use my Health Insurance (which I have had for over a decade) for my LTR-WP at the 5 year re-proof of finances point.  That will free up my cash to deal with any stock market dips and also have available for any newly discovered investment opportunities.

 

Thanks for sharing your experience.

2 hours ago, oldcpu said:

Now that I am on LTR-WP, an AseanNow forum member (who also uses Cigna) was subsequently kind enough to share the exact wording of his letter proving Health Insurance (for BoI satisfaction), and I plan to switch to use my Health Insurance (which I have had for over a decade) for my LTR-WP at the 5 year re-proof of finances point.  That will free up my cash to deal with any stock market dips and also have available for any newly discovered investment opportunities.

That's good to hear. You did what you needed to in order to get your LTR visa by using money in the bank method, and you still have good health coverage too. That's a good thing.

 

I have 3 insurance policies right now, so I am eager to drop the LTR policy as soon as I can by using the $100k in bank method. My US Medicare insurance doesn't cover me overseas, but I use it when I go back. My company requires me to keep it as my primary in order to keep my company retiree insurance. My company will cover me overseas, but I'm doubtful they will give me a letter for BOI, so I didn't bother asking. I will just use the money in the bank method when my LTR policy expires next year.

 

Good luck to you, and enjoy the benefits of the LTR-WP visa, as I am.

9 hours ago, Yumthai said:

 

That's a common misconception. Like in many social democracies, free public healthcare is an illusion (except for poor paperless immigrants).

 

Medicare Australia is largely (over)funded by Australian taxpayers. You have and I assume still contribute to it.

 

The meaning is it free at the point of use. Even if people do not pay any tax they still get it free at the point of use, no medical bill is issued. 

15 hours ago, JamesPhuket10 said:

 

I am doing the same thing. 

 

I am happy with the one hour trip to the immigration office in Phuket once a year to get my old bloke visa extension with the 800k baht in a bank.

 

I do not have insurance as the cost to payout ratio is not worth it.

 

I save the insurance money and I have £50k in instant cash available plus £150k in instant credit available to get me back to the UK in an emergency.

 

If that became the case then the 800k  baht in the Thai bank would also be to hand as I could go back to the UK and if I then become well again I would get a 90 day visa in the UK and then use it to get a non-0 visa extension again in Thailand after three months. 

 

That way I know my emergency costs would be met without having to get the insurance company to pay up.

 

Plus after nearly three years I do not feel I am permanent here, just a long term visitor as we are not allowed to have any permanent status, I know a few thousand a year are allowed to do so but the chances of that happening are slim, plus we are still treated like farangs so we will never be part of the country.

 

I am in no way complaining about this, I wish the UK would have strict rules as they do here, I am just stating I know what I am in Thailand and I am happy with it as the airport is only forty minutes away.

Good decisions - agree with all of them.

 

The 800K minimum in a bank account is just that - medical insurance for anything a bit serious - and you have more available if it is a serious medical issue and maybe even repatriation back home.  I was thinking of getting a bike here - miss riding - but with a big safer SUV there is no need really - so I decided not worth the risk because at my age a fall would probably be an expensive hospital bill. 

 

Way too many Expats do not think of the 'end game' - and ignore the fact that they are just a long term tourist - and dont want to hear about Thai health insurance not paying up.  There are a few stories now and then, but anyone who states publicly any very negative story about the very powerful insurance industry here runs the risk of being sued for defamation, and the media knows better than to publish such stories.  But they are there - you gotta look deep. 

15 hours ago, JamesPhuket10 said:

I had a lower back problem in Phuket a few years ago. I went for an Xray and a scan at a top private hospital in Phuket, the doctor was a specialist in that area of medicine.

He said I had spondylosis and it will get worse, I asked if I might end up in a wheelchair and I was told that will happen.

I went back to the UK had similar tests, saw a similar doctor, no spondylosis present and no tissue damage including the disks in the spine, so he sent me to see another doctor.

That doctor told me it was a muscular problem and so I followed a set of exercise  routines, I was afraid to exercise from the point I was told of the false report from the Thai doctor as I though it may cause more damage to my spine.

So in effect the Thai doctor's advice was making things worse. 

A few months after folowing the UK doctors instructions I had improved the strength of my core muscles and the back pain disappeared over time. 

If you have read my posts I had a similar experience - went to Oz and it was not surgery. 

Not all - but there is a lot of medical scams here - perhaps that is why insurance costs way too much.

Certainly way too much over 10 years for a Visa, when a yearly visit to Immigration for a normal Extension will cost 20K all up. 

Is that worth the few minutes it takes (usually) for an online 90 day report? Not IMO. 

9 hours ago, Yumthai said:

That's a common misconception. Like in many social democracies, free public healthcare is an illusion (except for poor paperless immigrants).

Medicare Australia is largely (over)funded by Australian taxpayers. You have and I assume still contribute to it.

I think you have missed the point completely - yes it is 'paid for' through taxation - but I dont pay taxes anymore since retiring.

Upon return to Australia I am eligible for the full range of free medical services of all Government hospitals.

 

12 minutes ago, JamesPhuket10 said:

 

The meaning is it free at the point of use. Even if people do not pay any tax they still get it free at the point of use, no medical bill is issued. 

Thanks.  The issue is Amercians usually think everywhere else is like there - hospitals cost a fortune.  And the privatre ones here are known to charge way too high. I once visited a private hospital here in Rayong seeking medication that is only available from a hospital - I had run out and overlooked getting more (had only just moved there). They charged me a small fortune and wanted me to go back every month for more - that would have costs me over 350K per year !!  I went to a public hospital and they gave me the medication no problem, and said I had to come back after 6 months (usual period) - total annual costs were under 30K.  When we arrived here in Khon Kaen we went to local Govt hospital and got the same deal for about the same costs. Private Hospitals are often a rip-off in Thailand and insurance costs are the same. 

13 hours ago, JohnnyBD said:

for the insurance, I bought the Thai health insurance for the first year, but I didn't have to keep my renewal money in a Thai bank anymore where it earned very little. Now, that money is in the US earning 4% interest which covers the insurance cost. Next year, I can use the $100k in bank method, so I won't have that insurance cost anymore. I'm sure many do not have the luxury of being able to keep $100k in a bank, but for me, it's not a problem.

 

@JohnnyBD I forgot to ask.  Next year is 2026 and hence not your 5 year reproof of finances point.   

 

Are you planning to contact BoI to ensure they have no issues with you switching how you are meeting the Health Insurance requirement ? 

 

I had (possibly mistakenly) assumed the switch needed to be done at the 5-year point (when finances are re-proven), ... but possibly by contacting BoI it can be done earlier.  BoI on their web site do note criteria needs to be continuously maintained (if I understand that correctly).

 

If anyone else on this forum has switched methods (for health insurance or proof of income)  in between the times in which one has to prove the finances/insurance, I would be most curious to learn,  if you contacted BoI to ensure they had no administrative issues with such a switch.

13 minutes ago, oldcpu said:

Are you planning to contact BoI to ensure they have no issues with you switching how you are meeting the Health Insurance requirement ?

Yes, I plan to email them in Jan 2026 and attach my year-end statement showing the money is in a bank savings account. I will try to remember to message you afterwards.

12 hours ago, oldcpu said:

Are you planning to contact BoI to ensure they have no issues with you switching how you are meeting the Health Insurance requirement ? 

 

I had (possibly mistakenly) assumed the switch needed to be done at the 5-year point (when finances are re-proven), ... but possibly by contacting BoI it can be done earlier.  BoI on their web site do note criteria needs to be continuously maintained (if I understand that correctly).

I emailed BOI, and they replied that it can be done anytime. Check your messages.

17 hours ago, TroubleandGrumpy said:

Thanks.  The issue is Amercians usually think everywhere else is like there - hospitals cost a fortune.  And the privatre ones here are known to charge way too high. I once visited a private hospital here in Rayong seeking medication that is only available from a hospital - I had run out and overlooked getting more (had only just moved there). They charged me a small fortune and wanted me to go back every month for more - that would have costs me over 350K per year !!  I went to a public hospital and they gave me the medication no problem, and said I had to come back after 6 months (usual period) - total annual costs were under 30K.  When we arrived here in Khon Kaen we went to local Govt hospital and got the same deal for about the same costs. Private Hospitals are often a rip-off in Thailand and insurance costs are the same. 

 

I take blood pressure tablets initially prescribed to me by a doctor in the UK, I buy them from a shop called Super Cheap in Phuket, I think they cost 500 baht for 90 tablets, one taken a day, they are indeed super cheap.

 

They sell all sorts of medicines, maybe there in one where you live. 

 

18 hours ago, TroubleandGrumpy said:

Good decisions - agree with all of them.

 

The 800K minimum in a bank account is just that - medical insurance for anything a bit serious - and you have more available if it is a serious medical issue and maybe even repatriation back home.  I was thinking of getting a bike here - miss riding - but with a big safer SUV there is no need really - so I decided not worth the risk because at my age a fall would probably be an expensive hospital bill. 

 

Way too many Expats do not think of the 'end game' - and ignore the fact that they are just a long term tourist - and dont want to hear about Thai health insurance not paying up.  There are a few stories now and then, but anyone who states publicly any very negative story about the very powerful insurance industry here runs the risk of being sued for defamation, and the media knows better than to publish such stories.  But they are there - you gotta look deep. 

 

We live life in a series of sections.

 

When we were young we could go out to bars, pull women and know they are with us  because we are good looking and good fun.

 

Now If I get any attention from a much younger woman it means she is after my wallet so I don't fall for that one.

 

We have to be careful as we get older, I am converting my bike to an electric bike, I only ride it on a paved road which goes around a reservoir in Phuket used by walkers/joggers and other bike users, no cars, I will wear a bike hat and elbow and knew protection.

 

I go around Phuket in my car generally, I would never go near a motorbike.

 

As I said earlier I was misdiagnosed by a doctor in a top private hospital in Phuket and his recommendations made my condition worse, it was not until I got back to the UK where a complete different cause was found and then I recovered. 

 

 

5 hours ago, JamesPhuket10 said:

We have to be careful as we get older, I am converting my bike to an electric bike, I only ride it on a paved road which goes around a reservoir in Phuket used by walkers/joggers and other bike users, no cars, I will wear a bike hat and elbow and knew protection.

 

I've been tempted to buy an electric bike, but the issue for me is storage. The luxury condo complex where I live is NOT luxury in one aspect, it has no elevator. Albeit from beach front to parking lot is only 6 flights of steps, and my condo is only 2 flights of steps from parking lot, but being in my 70s,  I am not keen on hauling an electric bike up/down the steps. ... My Thai wife advised (and for once i am listening to her) that the bike is likely to be stolen within 1/2 a year time,  if left in the parking lot.  So I gave up on the electric bike idea.

 

 

5 hours ago, JamesPhuket10 said:

As I said earlier I was misdiagnosed by a doctor in a top private hospital in Phuket and his recommendations made my condition worse, it was not until I got back to the UK where a complete different cause was found and then I recovered. 

 

The Thailand private hospitals are IMHO notorious for over prescribing, and over diagnosing treatment. For anything major suggested by a Thai private hospital, I recommend getting a second opinion.  A second medical option IMHO,  preferably obtained not from another Thai hospital, but from a western hospital, is a good idea. 

 

While i lived in Germany, typically every year on vacation in Thailand,  my Thai wife and I went to a Thai private hospital for my annual medical (paid for by my European Health Insurance). Since Health Insurance paid, we went to different hospitals each year, just out of our curiousity about the Thai hospitals.    In the private Thai hospitals,  had over 2x as many items checked about my health in the medical compared to what I would have checked in Germany (for the same price)..  ie The Thai hospitals were a bargain there.   However at the end, the Thai doctor (in the private hospital) would recommend all sorts of things, to which i would reply, i would think about it. When I returned to  Germany, I would go see my German doctor, show him the medical results from the Thai hospital medical, and he would dismiss the Thai private hospital recommendations.

 

The truth (IMHO) of this is that the Thai private hospitals are out to make money.  ... 

 

Now that i am retired in Thailand (since 2019) and no longer go see my German doctor, I am very lucky both my nephew and niece (on Thai side of the family) are doctors. So both my wife and I pass our annual medical results to them, and they give us a truthful assessment (as being family, they, for us, are not out to make money for a Thai private hospital where they do not work).

 

My nephew (the doctor) has changed private hospitals (where he worked) once, as he disliked the pressure he was under to over prescribe treatment (so to make $ for the hospital). Having typed that, the private hospitals do pay their doctors more money, so this was not easy for him to change hospitals. 

 

Food for thought - however my view is these hospital aspects in Thailand are relevant to all visas, and not just the LTR visa.

 

Best wishes to all, in how you manage your medical aspects, as you get older when living in Thailand.

 

Doctor in the US prescribed me the max dosage of medication for high cholesterol. Developed issues and I had to stop after a couple of weeks. Went to a top private hospital in Bangkok, doctor was very much surprised why the dosage was so high. He prescribed me the minimum dosage and my cholesterol has been fine since. 
 

I had internal organ issues last year and went to this same top hospital and was recommended a battery of tests. Options were explained to me well and the decisions were mine to take. At no point did I feel that the doctors saw me as a cash cow.  
 

The medical care at this hospital is pricey but luckily my US health insurance (accepted by BOI) covered most of it. 

11 hours ago, JamesPhuket10 said:

 

I take blood pressure tablets initially prescribed to me by a doctor in the UK, I buy them from a shop called Super Cheap in Phuket, I think they cost 500 baht for 90 tablets, one taken a day, they are indeed super cheap.

 

They sell all sorts of medicines, maybe there in one where you live. 

 

Thanks - I have looked - no such luck here.  But for the medication in question, it can only be supplied through a Hospital. In Thailand not many drugs are 'controlled' but those that are and the ones I take are only through Hospitals - local pharmacists are often very 'easy' in handing out drugs.  

11 hours ago, JamesPhuket10 said:

We live life in a series of sections.

When we were young we could go out to bars, pull women and know they are with us  because we are good looking and good fun.

Now If I get any attention from a much younger woman it means she is after my wallet so I don't fall for that one.

We have to be careful as we get older, I am converting my bike to an electric bike, I only ride it on a paved road which goes around a reservoir in Phuket used by walkers/joggers and other bike users, no cars, I will wear a bike hat and elbow and knew protection.

I go around Phuket in my car generally, I would never go near a motorbike.

As I said earlier I was misdiagnosed by a doctor in a top private hospital in Phuket and his recommendations made my condition worse, it was not until I got back to the UK where a complete different cause was found and then I recovered. 

Yes we do - I am now in late 60s and have progressed to the 'section' where I am married to a Thai lady who I know will look after me until I pass away - been 10 years now and very happy knowing she will stick by me and I her. 

 

That is a good idea about a bike for a local pathway - I might just get one for riding around the gated village - with those knee and elbow guards as well as my helmet and shoes and light gloves bought in Australia. The Thais will laugh for sure - but any fall/slip will be serious at my age. Actually I was thinking of those discontinued 3 wheel Yamaha TrRicity scooters - know or heard of anyone who has ridden one here?