Thailand’s Medical Insurance Rules Confuse Tourists

[webfact]

Picture courtesy: Freepik

 

Recent events have highlighted a pressing issue that has left many tourists in Thailand perplexed: medical insurance coverage. Jonathon Cobb, a 28-year-old tourist from the UK, uncovered this muddle firsthand. While travelling in Pattaya, Cobb suffered a severe accident after falling from a motorcycle, resulting in a broken arm and facial injuries.

 

Under the impression that the Thai government offered free medical treatment to foreigners holding tourist visas, he sought assistance, only to find out otherwise. Though the Thai government does provide coverage under the Health Insurance for Non-Thais (HINT) scheme, specifics seem to elude many.

 

Cobb’s insurance was denied due to a clause excluding incidents involving "negligence, intent, illegal acts or risky behaviour," exacerbated by his lack of a crash helmet, reported Barry Kenyon for Pattaya Mail

 

The scheme covers amounts up to one million baht, roughly £28,000, but his case didn’t qualify. Ultimately, Cobb’s family faced a hospital bill of approximately £7,000, besides another £700 for motorcycle damages. The scenario has drawn attention to the broader misunderstanding many tourists face regarding Thailand's medical insurance provisions.

 

UK-based insurer Worldwide Travelling points out the current inconsistencies: coverage ideally includes major health outcomes like the loss of limbs or death, but the process remains fraught with complexities. An official Thai tourist ministry website offers a registration link that seems compromised, while actual claim data is managed by separate institutions, leaving many foreigners unaware of where to turn.

 

Adding to the complexity, Thailand’s numerous visa types come with varied medical insurance requirements. The newly introduced Destination Visa Thailand, Elite Visa, and Long-Term Residence visa all bear distinct conditions, further clouding the picture for long-stay foreigners. Notably, foreign retirees with an OA visa mandatorily need insurance, whereas others don’t.

 

As this issue garners attention, Thailand aims to streamline its processes. Immigration lawyer Jessataporn Bunnag notes that a governmental committee is reviewing existing visa conditions, but clarity remains awaited since its formation last July. For now, tourists and expats tread carefully amidst policy intricacies, hoping for a more straightforward system soon.

 

-- 2024-10-31

 

 

[Ralf001]

Gofundme already started ?

[watchcat]

  On 10/30/2024 at 9:30 PM, webfact said:

Under the impression that the Thai government offered free medical treatment to foreigners holding tourist visas, he sought assistance, only to find out otherwise. Though the Thai government does provide coverage under the Health Insurance for Non-Thais (HINT) scheme, specifics seem to elude many.

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Stay away from insurance companies!

[thesetat2013]

Isn't it obvious. No insurance company wants to pay out and all have hidden clauses that make it easy to disqualify you. Why should Thailand be different. 

  On 10/30/2024 at 9:30 PM, webfact said:

Cobb’s insurance was denied due to a clause excluding incidents involving "negligence, intent, illegal acts or risky behaviour," exacerbated by his lack of a crash helmet, reported Barry Kenyon for Pattaya Mail

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So because he was driving illegally without helmet and most likely no Thai license to drive, He was doing an illegal act. I am confused how any tourist insurance can cover anything other than being hit by a car while walking on the sidewalk. If he was in the road at all then he was not on a footpath and hence illegal. Seems these insurance companies Thailand is using are only collecting money for their company form the Thai government. It is easy to say one of the reasons they do not cover your injury can be used in almost any situation. Risky behavior leaves that option open as a last resort to deny your claim. 

[BritManToo]

  On 10/30/2024 at 9:30 PM, webfact said:

............ broken arm and facial injuries.

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300,000bht seems a little expensive for a broken arm and some cuts.

[quake]

Shock , Horror, Amazement.

Oh, hold on it's an insurance company.

Calm down, Clam down, situation normal, all round the world. 

 

[ChrisY1]

Well...no surprises here with this supposed insurance scam. 

They will never pay up...not to foreigners. Is this nothing more than a revenue scheme acting as a tourist benefit?

[lordgrinz]

He crashed a motorcycle without wearing a helmet. "Risky behavior" indeed in Thailand, pretty stupid actually. Also, I don't believe there is many (if any) nsurance companies that even cover tourists riding motorcycles.

[Aussie999]

  On 10/30/2024 at 11:43 PM, BritManToo said:

300,000bht seems a little expensive for a broken arm and some cuts.

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He probably mentioned the magic word "insurance."

[Aussie999]

  On 10/31/2024 at 12:48 AM, lordgrinz said:

He crashed a motorcycle without wearing a helmet. "Risky behavior" indeed in Thailand, pretty stupid actually. Also, I don't believe there is many (if any) nsurance companies that even cover tourists riding motorcycles.

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are Thais treated the same.

[edwinchester]

  On 10/30/2024 at 11:43 PM, BritManToo said:

300,000bht seems a little expensive for a broken arm and some cuts.

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Depends on the severity of the break. Thai friend of ours had a hospital bill for nearly 400k bht when they had to have a nasty break plated.

[nowhereman]

  On 10/30/2024 at 11:43 PM, BritManToo said:

300,000bht seems a little expensive for a broken arm and some cuts.

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I hope you're aware of this. Thailand's public hospitals use a three-tier medical charges system based on a patient's visa status:

• Tier 1: For Thai citizens and citizens of neighboring countries
• Tier 2: For expatriates who are working and paying taxes in Thailand
• Tier 3: For retirees and tourists (the most expensive)
• While private hospitals can charge up to 10 times more than government hospitals.

[BE88]

  On 10/31/2024 at 1:09 AM, nowhereman said:

I hope you're aware of this. Thailand's public hospitals use a three-tier medical charges system based on a patient's visa status:

• Tier 1: For Thai citizens and citizens of neighboring countries
• Tier 2: For expatriates who are working and paying taxes in Thailand
• Tier 3: For retirees and tourists (the most expensive)
• While private hospitals can charge up to 10 times more than government hospitals.
   

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Yes and next year we will always be in the "category Tiers 3" even paying taxes.

[JoePai]

  On 10/30/2024 at 10:34 PM, thesetat2013 said:

Isn't it obvious. No insurance company wants to pay out and all have hidden clauses that make it easy to disqualify you. Why should Thailand be different. 

So because he was driving illegally without helmet and most likely no Thai license to drive, He was doing an illegal act. I am confused how any tourist insurance can cover anything other than being hit by a car while walking on the sidewalk. If he was in the road at all then he was not on a footpath and hence illegal. Seems these insurance companies Thailand is using are only collecting money for their company form the Thai government. It is easy to say one of the reasons they do not cover your injury can be used in almost any situation. Risky behavior leaves that option open as a last resort to deny your claim. 

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Very simple - obey the Law

[BritManToo]

  On 10/31/2024 at 1:09 AM, nowhereman said:

I hope you're aware of this. Thailand's public hospitals use a three-tier medical charges system based on a patient's visa status:

• Tier 1: For Thai citizens and citizens of neighboring countries
• Tier 2: For expatriates who are working and paying taxes in Thailand
• Tier 3: For retirees and tourists (the most expensive)
• While private hospitals can charge up to 10 times more than government hospitals.
   

Expand  

Well my government minimum m/c insurance paid 13,500bht for 5 broken ribs, broken collarbone, collapsed lung, and a months physiotherapy for treatment at my local government hospital over a period of 4 months. And I would be tier 3 by your reckoning.

 

Broken arm I'd expect to be around 2,000-3,000bht as it's outpatient completed in an hour or two.

[lordgrinz]

  On 10/31/2024 at 1:09 AM, nowhereman said:

I hope you're aware of this. Thailand's public hospitals use a three-tier medical charges system based on a patient's visa status:

• Tier 1: For Thai citizens and citizens of neighboring countries
• Tier 2: For expatriates who are working and paying taxes in Thailand
• Tier 3: For retirees and tourists (the most expensive)
• While private hospitals can charge up to 10 times more than government hospitals.
   

Expand  

 

Thank God my wife works for a Hospital, I'm covered by the hospitals private employee insurance 😉 

[newbee2022]

  On 10/30/2024 at 9:30 PM, webfact said:

Picture courtesy: Freepik

 

Recent events have highlighted a pressing issue that has left many tourists in Thailand perplexed: medical insurance coverage. Jonathon Cobb, a 28-year-old tourist from the UK, uncovered this muddle firsthand. While travelling in Pattaya, Cobb suffered a severe accident after falling from a motorcycle, resulting in a broken arm and facial injuries.

 

Under the impression that the Thai government offered free medical treatment to foreigners holding tourist visas, he sought assistance, only to find out otherwise. Though the Thai government does provide coverage under the Health Insurance for Non-Thais (HINT) scheme, specifics seem to elude many.

 

Cobb’s insurance was denied due to a clause excluding incidents involving "negligence, intent, illegal acts or risky behaviour," exacerbated by his lack of a crash helmet, reported Barry Kenyon for Pattaya Mail

 

The scheme covers amounts up to one million baht, roughly £28,000, but his case didn’t qualify. Ultimately, Cobb’s family faced a hospital bill of approximately £7,000, besides another £700 for motorcycle damages. The scenario has drawn attention to the broader misunderstanding many tourists face regarding Thailand's medical insurance provisions.

 

UK-based insurer Worldwide Travelling points out the current inconsistencies: coverage ideally includes major health outcomes like the loss of limbs or death, but the process remains fraught with complexities. An official Thai tourist ministry website offers a registration link that seems compromised, while actual claim data is managed by separate institutions, leaving many foreigners unaware of where to turn.

 

Adding to the complexity, Thailand’s numerous visa types come with varied medical insurance requirements. The newly introduced Destination Visa Thailand, Elite Visa, and Long-Term Residence visa all bear distinct conditions, further clouding the picture for long-stay foreigners. Notably, foreign retirees with an OA visa mandatorily need insurance, whereas others don’t.

 

As this issue garners attention, Thailand aims to streamline its processes. Immigration lawyer Jessataporn Bunnag notes that a governmental committee is reviewing existing visa conditions, but clarity remains awaited since its formation last July. For now, tourists and expats tread carefully amidst policy intricacies, hoping for a more straightforward system soon.

 

-- 2024-10-31

 

 

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This case shows again a stupid farang.

It's law to wear a helmet. If you don't there will be no coverage.

The insurance is right.

And stupid farang (Brit) will pay the bill. Good so.

[lordgrinz]

  On 10/31/2024 at 3:17 AM, newbee2022 said:

And stupid farang (Brit) will pay the bill.

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You mean GoFundMe?

[newbee2022]

  On 10/31/2024 at 3:20 AM, lordgrinz said:

 

You mean GoFundMe?

Expand  

Hahaha, probably this will follow. And there are a lot other stupid farangs who will give a donation.

[thesetat2013]

  On 10/31/2024 at 1:33 AM, JoePai said:

Very simple - obey the Law

Expand  

Is easy to say... but for the Tourist who arrives and sees he can rent a motorcycle with only his passport. and sees so many thais driving without helmets and never getting stopped. How would they know they are doing something illegal unless someone tells them. i know personally, when i travel, i am not researching laws for the country i am visiting. And if a local thai is telling they can do it. If they see it daily on the streets in front of them. Then reasonable for themt o think it is ok they do it also. My point being, They made the insurance with suck vague wording that it can be applied to really anything they want so they would not need to pay if you got injured. 

[newbee2022]

  On 10/31/2024 at 4:09 AM, thesetat2013 said:

Is easy to say... but for the Tourist who arrives and sees he can rent a motorcycle with only his passport. and sees so many thais driving without helmets and never getting stopped. How would they know they are doing something illegal unless someone tells them. i know personally, when i travel, i am not researching laws for the country i am visiting. And if a local thai is telling they can do it. If they see it daily on the streets in front of them. Then reasonable for themt o think it is ok they do it also. My point being, They made the insurance with suck vague wording that it can be applied to really anything they want so they would not need to pay if you got injured. 

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The insurance is not made for law breakers. That's easy to understand, isn't it?

[itsari]

  On 10/31/2024 at 1:05 AM, edwinchester said:

Depends on the severity of the break. Thai friend of ours had a hospital bill for nearly 400k bht when they had to have a nasty break plated.

Expand  

Government?

Private?

Big difference in the price 

[RamblingOn]

  On 10/31/2024 at 1:33 AM, JoePai said:

Very simple - obey the Law

Expand  

Indeed, follow the law, seems that quite a few people  do not know what following the law means.

[RamblingOn]

  On 10/31/2024 at 3:17 AM, newbee2022 said:

This case shows again a stupid farang.

It's law to wear a helmet. If you don't there will be no coverage.

The insurance is right.

And stupid farang (Brit) will pay the bill. Good so.

Expand  

Goed zo!!!

[RJRS1301]

  On 10/30/2024 at 9:30 PM, webfact said:

Picture courtesy: Freepik

 

Recent events have highlighted a pressing issue that has left many tourists in Thailand perplexed: medical insurance coverage. Jonathon Cobb, a 28-year-old tourist from the UK, uncovered this muddle firsthand. While travelling in Pattaya, Cobb suffered a severe accident after falling from a motorcycle, resulting in a broken arm and facial injuries.

 

Under the impression that the Thai government offered free medical treatment to foreigners holding tourist visas, he sought assistance, only to find out otherwise. Though the Thai government does provide coverage under the Health Insurance for Non-Thais (HINT) scheme, specifics seem to elude many.

 

Cobb’s insurance was denied due to a clause excluding incidents involving "negligence, intent, illegal acts or risky behaviour," exacerbated by his lack of a crash helmet, reported Barry Kenyon for Pattaya Mail

 

The scheme covers amounts up to one million baht, roughly £28,000, but his case didn’t qualify. Ultimately, Cobb’s family faced a hospital bill of approximately £7,000, besides another £700 for motorcycle damages. The scenario has drawn attention to the broader misunderstanding many tourists face regarding Thailand's medical insurance provisions.

 

UK-based insurer Worldwide Travelling points out the current inconsistencies: coverage ideally includes major health outcomes like the loss of limbs or death, but the process remains fraught with complexities. An official Thai tourist ministry website offers a registration link that seems compromised, while actual claim data is managed by separate institutions, leaving many foreigners unaware of where to turn.

 

Adding to the complexity, Thailand’s numerous visa types come with varied medical insurance requirements. The newly introduced Destination Visa Thailand, Elite Visa, and Long-Term Residence visa all bear distinct conditions, further clouding the picture for long-stay foreigners. Notably, foreign retirees with an OA visa mandatorily need insurance, whereas others don’t.

 

As this issue garners attention, Thailand aims to streamline its processes. Immigration lawyer Jessataporn Bunnag notes that a governmental committee is reviewing existing visa conditions, but clarity remains awaited since its formation last July. For now, tourists and expats tread carefully amidst policy intricacies, hoping for a more straightforward system soon.

 

-- 2024-10-31

 

 

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My impression is negligence, intoxication, not holding a legal licence etc, dangerous sporting activities are not covered by insurance anywhere.

Why would they ?

[ChrisKC]

Why is there confusion in this case as we understand it from the report?

 

I think all Accident Insurance policies have an exclusion re motor cycles if not wearing a crash helmet. And I think this is justified!

 

The man had a broken arm and some others cuts that as it happens, wearing a helmet or not had no connection in minimising those injuries!

 

Coming from the UK he would know for sure that he wouldn't last five minutes there if not with a helmet before he was stopped!

 

But this situation occurs with many foreigners regarding helmets - when in Thailand do as the Thais do!!

[hotchilli]

  On 10/30/2024 at 10:09 PM, watchcat said:

 

Stay away from insurance companies!

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Or read the very fine print.

[Skeptic7]

  On 10/30/2024 at 11:43 PM, BritManToo said:

300,000bht seems a little expensive for a broken arm and some cuts.

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Absolutely too expensive❗I had a 5 hour gastrointestinal surgery this year...1 night in ICU + 10 nights in a big private room with a view on the 11th floor, fridge, microwave, desk and sofa. Lots of drugs, antibiotics, food and 24/7 care, including Physical Therapy at Bangkok Hospital Pattaya. It was less than B1,000,000 out the door. 

[ChrisKC]

  On 10/31/2024 at 4:11 AM, newbee2022 said:

The insurance is not made for law breakers. That's easy to understand, isn't it?

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The first reason for wearing a helmet is not because of the law.

 

it is the responsibility of the rider to protect against the possibility of a serious accident involving his head!!

 

[Cabradelmar]

  On 10/30/2024 at 9:30 PM, webfact said:

Under the impression that the Thai government offered free medical treatment to foreigners holding tourist visas

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How about just paying your own way and stop looking for a handout.