Healthcare revolution or expat confusion? Thai Minister unveils game-changing scheme

[webfact]

 

In a move that promises to transform healthcare access for foreign nationals and the stateless, Thai Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew is set to launch a registration scheme on January 1 next year.

 

The scheme, which boasts a mere five-minute registration process, aims to streamline access to public hospital coverage, leaving behind the antiquated healthcare systems that took weeks or even months. However, confusion has swept through expat circles as reports suggest the healthcare initiative is not for everyone.

 

A ministry spokesman clarified that the new registration is targeted at remote regions, particularly border areas with Myanmar. It’s exclusively available to nationals from neighbouring countries and stateless individuals lacking any form of passport.

The impetus behind this innovation lies in the civil strife plaguing Myanmar, resulting in a surge of both legitimate workers and refugees in Thai border regions like Mae Sot. But, here’s the twist – the healthcare scheme has absolutely nothing to do with foreign expats or tourists. It’s a tailored solution for those grappling with the fallout from Myanmar’s tumultuous situation.

 

by Puntid Tantivangphaisa

Photo courtesy of Pattaya Mail

 

Full story: The Thaiger 2023-12-14

 

- Cigna 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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[freedomnow]

Thought I was going to get 50 million of cover there 1 year for 300 Baht click of a button....

[hotchilli]

58 minutes ago, freedomnow said:

Thought I was going to get 50 million of cover there 1 year for 300 Baht click of a button....

Computer says no

[ikke1959]

i went to a state hospital for a heart checkup. I told them I would pay for it, but the answer was it was impossible.. Only when you have a heartproblem and being sent to the hospital by a doctor I could do it.. No prevention.. therefore I have to go to a private hospital

[Henk Langeweg]

If resident Foreigners have to pay Income Tax next year then why not allow them to participate in the 30 baht scheme?

[koolkarl]

45 minutes ago, Henk Langeweg said:

If resident Foreigners have to pay Income Tax next year then why not allow them to participate in the 30 baht scheme?

And get immigrant status.  While you pay your taxes, you can  breathe the aqi at 122 now in Chiang Mai, without the 30 baht scheme. Thai gov. will give you and me nothing.

[mfd101]

1 hour ago, ikke1959 said:

Only when you have a heartproblem and being sent to the hospital by a doctor I could do it..

So why didn't you go to your doctor first and get his/her recommendation to get a full check at the local public hospital?

[PremiumLane]

52 minutes ago, Henk Langeweg said:

If resident Foreigners have to pay Income Tax next year then why not allow them to participate in the 30 baht scheme?

 

I think you can already if you are working here and your company pays into the social system. But would be good if this was allowed for all long term immigrants. 

[sirineou]

1 hour ago, ikke1959 said:

i went to a state hospital for a heart checkup. I told them I would pay for it, but the answer was it was impossible.. Only when you have a heartproblem and being sent to the hospital by a doctor I could do it.. No prevention.. therefore I have to go to a private hospital

That's strange but TIT

I have been to the Queen Sirikit Heart Center in Khon Kaen several times for a heart check. No heart doctor referral required.

I initially went to their emergency room, because I was experiencing severe dizziness.   They did a EKG and determined that I was suffering from Premature ventricular contractions  (PVC ) medication was prescribed that brought the condition under control, and a Follow-up appointment  was  was scheduled, at the follow-up I reported that I had no incidents, and we reduced the medication to half and was told if I had  any more incidents to go back to full strength but if I did not, the next time we meet we will try to further reduce the medication to every other day and see how that works. 

Overall I would rate the care I got there as excellent, and very  inexpensive, 

But as I said TIT  this could only be true where I am.

Perhapse you might want to go to a hospital that primarily specializes in heart issues.

 

Edited December 14, 2023 by sirineou

[ChrisY1]

1 hour ago, ikke1959 said:

i went to a state hospital for a heart checkup. I told them I would pay for it, but the answer was it was impossible.. Only when you have a heartproblem and being sent to the hospital by a doctor I could do it.. No prevention.. therefore I have to go to a private hospital

You should have requested a thorough physical check up. Not knowing where you went, but all public hospitals conduct these tests...of course, they're not free.

[it is what it is]

1 hour ago, ikke1959 said:

i went to a state hospital for a heart checkup. I told them I would pay for it, but the answer was it was impossible.. Only when you have a heartproblem and being sent to the hospital by a doctor I could do it.. No prevention.. therefore I have to go to a private hospital

 

that sounds fair enough. i'd have gone straight to the private hospital. commons sense...

[brianthainess]

2 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

i went to a state hospital for a heart checkup. I told them I would pay for it, but the answer was it was impossible.. Only when you have a heartproblem and being sent to the hospital by a doctor I could do it.. No prevention.. therefore I have to go to a private hospital

Could you just not see a doctor and say " I think I have a heart problem" ?

[ikke1959]

7 minutes ago, brianthainess said:

Could you just not see a doctor and say " I think I have a heart problem" ?

According to the hospital I must have a heart attack...so pain in my chest, sweating, dizzy and/or radiation in my arm... Never mind they want to do it...as you can't prevent it anyway to get a heart problem 

[ikke1959]

1 hour ago, sirineou said:

That's strange but TIT

I have been to the Queen Sirikit Heart Center in Khon Kaen several times for a heart check. No heart doctor referral required.

I initially went to their emergency room, because I was experiencing severe dizziness.   They did a EKG and determined that I was suffering from Premature ventricular contractions  (PVC ) medication was prescribed that brought the condition under control, and a Follow-up appointment  was  was scheduled, at the follow-up I reported that I had no incidents, and we reduced the medication to half and was told if I had  any more incidents to go back to full strength but if I did not, the next time we meet we will try to further reduce the medication to every other day and see how that works. 

Overall I would rate the care I got there as excellent, and very  inexpensive, 

But as I said TIT  this could only be true where I am.

Perhapse you might want to go to a hospital that primarily specializes in heart issues.

 

Ok, but you had a problem.. I don't have yet any, but in my family p, butlenty deadly heart attacks .. even after check up, as the doctor said you can't prevent it. I only wanted to know if my heart is still in a good condition by a stresstest or so... I don't want to go into the mill of many examinations etc and with a end result of nothing 

[Ralf001]

2 hours ago, Henk Langeweg said:

If resident Foreigners have to pay Income Tax next year then why not allow them to participate in the 30 baht scheme?

 

30B scheme was binned many many years ago.

[Guderian]

I wonder how they will increase the taxes on the Western expat community to pay for this? lol

[sirineou]

10 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

Ok, but you had a problem.. I don't have yet any, but in my family p, butlenty deadly heart attacks .. even after check up, as the doctor said you can't prevent it. I only wanted to know if my heart is still in a good condition by a stresses or so... I don't want to go into the mill of many examinations etc and with a end result of nothing 

I am not saying that what you posted is not true , We all know that here in Thailand what is true one place might not be in another. 

I would try a regional heart center if I was you, they are better equipped, have the stuff,  and the training to better assess your situation. 

Dood luck

 

[Bangkok Barry]

I've long been registered at my local village Homo Sapiens Maintenance and Repair Centre. I went there after an incident (dog bite, i think), they entered me in their records and so I'm registered. I have a small card with my number, and that is used when I go there to see my drug dealer who sells me pills to keep blood pressure etc in check.

 

So I don't really understand the post. Nothing new to see here, move on.

[garygooner]

5 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Computer says no

cough cough ...  🤧 

[soalbundy]

4 hours ago, PremiumLane said:

 

I think you can already if you are working here and your company pays into the social system. But would be good if this was allowed for all long term immigrants. 

Like this will be loved by all the private health insurers, one reason this wont happen

[Danderman123]

What happened to the promised 300 baht tax to be levied on all incoming tourists?

[Ralf001]

6 minutes ago, Danderman123 said:

What happened to the promised 300 baht tax to be levied on all incoming tourists?

 

Not all arrivals are incoming tourists.

Near impossible to implement.

[Ralf001]

2 hours ago, Guderian said:

I wonder how they will increase the taxes on the Western expat community to pay for this? lol

 

They wont.

The target demographic for this is migrant workers.

[SunsetT]

15 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

i went to a state hospital for a heart checkup. I told them I would pay for it, but the answer was it was impossible.. Only when you have a heartproblem and being sent to the hospital by a doctor I could do it.. No prevention.. therefore I have to go to a private hospital

Feign a problem.

[SunsetT]

14 hours ago, mfd101 said:

So why didn't you go to your doctor first and get his/her recommendation to get a full check at the local public hospital?

Who has 'a doctor' here? Not even Thais.

[Ralf001]

8 hours ago, SunsetT said:

Who has 'a doctor' here? Not even Thais.

 

I do, I see her once a month at hospital.

[mfd101]

9 hours ago, SunsetT said:

Who has 'a doctor' here? Not even Thais.

I do. I see him about once every 5 years. But he remembers me and had no difficulties 4 or 5 years ago recommending me (at around 1000) to attend the local (very large & good quality but overwhelmed with numbers) public hospital at 1400 the same day for a minor op on one leg, conducted by him. Total price was 2 or 3K baht.

 

Chinese Thai, of course.

Edited December 15, 2023 by mfd101