How to continue with Tha social security after employment?

[OneMoreFarang]

It was mentioned in below thread and at other times in this forum.

If people, including foreigners, work for Thai companies for some time and the employer pays for social security then, as far as I know, these people can continue to pay into social security after their employment. And with that they continue to have Thai health coverage.

 

How does this work? Where to apply when with which documents?

What are the limitations?

 

 

 

[Sheryl]

You have to do this within 6 months of leaving work. And have to have been employed 13 months or more. Beyond that the only limitation is that you pay into it monthly without fail. 

 

You arrange this in person at SS Office. Some Offices will incorrectly tell you it is not possible etc. Call the main office if this happens .

[lexilis]

What Sheryl said is true. I went to the Chiang Mai SS facility a month after I left my long time employer (this was about 5 years ago) and was initially told in one office that it was "not possible" and "the policy was changed" and that farang (and presumably all non-Thais) would not be able to get Thai SS after employment. That was very disappointing. I wandered around the building and found another office and asked there. No problem! There was some forms to fill out and they needed various information from me. Took about an hour but it all worked out. A few weeks later I got my blue plastic SS card in the mail. I pay 432 Bt. per month (can pay at any 7-11). In Chiang Mai my assigned SS hospital is Lanna Hospital. In five years I have only used it once for an outpatient procedure with a specialist (I have been very lucky healthwise). Did not cost a single Baht.

 

For routine tests, consultations, or diagnosis I pay for them myself and go to either Bangkok Hospital or CM Ram. This is because the initial entry process for Lanna is so crowded and annoying. I will use SS when I need in-patient treatment or an operation. 

[BigStar]

What they said. If the Thai company has a competent HR dept. used to dealing with retiring foreigners, as mine did, they may be of great help in setting things up for you. Deal with your bank on the automatic withdrawal. (You never want to let your coverage lapse.)

 

I didn't have to visit my SS office until many years later when I decided actually to take advantage of the insurance. That was because they'd already changed the system and rendered my old card and number invalid. I presented them my UTTERLY USELESS pink card and now they, and hospitals, use my foreign ID number.