Social Security, Is It Any Good?

[cmone123]

Hi,

I work in Chiang Mai and I have this social security card. It is the blueish paper with my name and "SSO" in the background.

The company is fully registered, with Thai staff and all that, so should be no problem there..

The people at my office say that I am now fully covered if anything would happen. And that I do not need a private health insurance any more.

Is this true? How "fully covered" am I by the government social security? My payslip says I earn 50k a month. does this matter to the amount I am covered for.

I tried to ask them, but got about 4 different answers.

My other concern is that IF something happens, will I be treated in a "normal" hospital or in one of the minor hospitals way out of town with 3 doctors, 2 nurses and 120 people waiting in line to get treatment.

Any advice from people that have been working here longer and that have been so unlucky to "use" their insurance?

Thanks

[TerryLH]

Any amount you make over 15k a month doesn't matter for soc sec purposes. You'll pay 750 baht a month, as will your employer.

You should have been told what hospital you've been assigned to. If you don't know, ask. If you want to change hospitals, you can do that once a year. Jan'ish, I think. If you don't like the one they've given you now, you might complain, saying you weren't given a choice, and see if they'll help you. It's the social security office i'm talking about.

The soc sec office should be able to tell you what hospitals are available. Some private hospitals are in the system, but many choose not to be. Most government hospitals will be, but some may be over their patient limit and not currently available.

It's actually a good deal. Almost no extra cost for in or out patient care/procedures and for medications.

It's good for a shared room if you stay in the hospital, but most places will let you upgrade to a private room for difference in the price, assuming they have a room available.

If you are on regular meds, they'll give you 30 days worth at a time. I usually try to get there no less than about every 4 weeks.

If you lose your job (quit, fired, retirement), or start to work in a job not covered by sos sec, you can sign up and continue paying for it yourself. The cost for that is 432 baht per month.

Besides health coverage, there are many other benefits with soc sec, including a retirement plan. It's not much to write home about, but it does let you get your money back, if you qualify.

Your local soc sec office probably has brochures in English. At least they used to.

Hope this helps a bit.

Terry

[cmone123]

Hi Terry. Thanks for the information. I will inform with the office about the hospital. So basically what you're saying is that I am covered and I do not need an "extra" insurance, right? My insurance agent tells me I do need an extra private insurance, but he is of course trying to sell...

[TerryLH]

Hi Terry. Thanks for the information. I will inform with the office about the hospital. So basically what you're saying is that I am covered and I do not need an "extra" insurance, right? My insurance agent tells me I do need an extra private insurance, but he is of course trying to sell...

I'm not going to tell you you don't need extra coverage. That would depend on each individual and their particular situation.

In my case, I'm older, with some chronic things. I've also recently had a couple of knee/leg surgeries.

For me, Thai soc sec health coverage is all I've needed.

One reason to get extra coverage, I suppose, is if you plan on leaving here and want to get something you can hang on to over the long haul. Once you have 'issues', it's harder to get coverage.

I'm here for good, so feel like I'm ok.

[cmone123]

Hi again Terry,

Many thanks for your information

[beppi]

Other than health coverage, there are retirement and unemployment benefits.

Unfortunately foreigners are ineligible for both in most cases - and anyway the payments are too low to be of any real help (up to BHT250/day in case of unemployment - and only if you remain in Thailand, which a foreigner with cancelled WP will not).

You are required to pay for all, even if your will not be able to benefit from them. But the BHT750/month are a good deal (in my opinion), even if it's only for health coverage alone.

This information is from my company's HR.

[hereforgood]

I work for a Thai company also and never really gave any thought to the Medical card that was issued being all it Thai just never

bothered. Well my hip started giving me problems so I went into Bumrungrad in Bangkok and had them take a look at it and the hips I was told need to be replaced.

Was quoted 1 million baht for the operation. I looked into going to India and having it done and that would have been about 700K Baht.

A customer that I have been friends with along time reminds me I have the Medical insurance that comes with working and having a WP and SS card here in Pattaya.

So I talked with the girl in our office at work and was told that we were covered at Queens hospital in Si Rathcha. I went down there and found that indeed I was 100% covered for all medical. So I go in next monday and have the Op on Wed at no cost to me

[TerryLH]

"...there are retirement and unemployment benefits.

Unfortunately foreigners are ineligible for both in most cases..."

Got that from your HR? I don't think it's true.

If you qualify by amount of time worked and or age, you're eligible.

You don't usually hear a lot about Thai social security. At least not from foreigners.

I believe it's a good benefit that is overlooked or misunderstood, often by people who make comments like, 'It's Thai, so it can't be any good.'

Hereforgood, it's good you found out about soc sec in time to take advantage of it.

I'm puzzled though. You went from having problems to a total hip replacement in the wink of an eye?

I assume the ortho doc at the new hospital agrees with that. Good luck with your surgery.

If you want a private room, ask if they'll upgrade you for difference in cost.

[hereforgood]

"...there are retirement and unemployment benefits.

Unfortunately foreigners are ineligible for both in most cases..."

Got that from your HR? I don't think it's true.

If you qualify by amount of time worked and or age, you're eligible.

You don't usually hear a lot about Thai social security. At least not from foreigners.

I believe it's a good benefit that is overlooked or misunderstood, often by people who make comments like, 'It's Thai, so it can't be any good.'

Hereforgood, it's good you found out about soc sec in time to take advantage of it.

I'm puzzled though. You went from having problems to a total hip replacement in the wink of an eye?

I assume the ortho doc at the new hospital agrees with that. Good luck with your surgery.

If you want a private room, ask if they'll upgrade you for difference in cost.

Yes the doctors agreed and as for the room I am going to do just that

[aussiebebe]

Hi,

Can anyone give advice about how to find a local social security office? Is there a website with them all mapped out? can someone post a link? Thanks very much.