U.S. Medicare Coverage In Thailand, Not

[Thanyaburi Mac]

Given how much fraud there is with this in the U.S., imagine how thing's would be if coverage was provided in, for example, Mexico, the Philippines, Russia, and Thailand, just to name a few.

Mac

http://www.freep.com/article/20110902/NEWS06/109020437/Medicare-fugitives-being-tracked-beyond-U-S-borders

Medicare fugitives being tracked beyond U.S. borders

Sep 2, 2011

PATRICIA ANSTETT

DETROIT FREE PRESS MEDICAL WRITER

Federal Medicare investigators have more resources and stronger international relationships with 188 countries in the hunt for 170 Medicare fraud fugitives, one of the nation's top fraud cops says.

Gerald Roy, deputy inspector general for investigations with the federal Office of Inspector General, said a joint federal Medicare Strike Force operating in Detroit and eight other U.S. cities is making progress finding fugitives abroad. This summer, the force arrested Clara and Caridad Guilarte in Bogotá, Colombia. They pleaded guilty last month to submitting $9 million in fraudulent claims from their metro Detroit clinic. Last year, 552 people charged with Medicare fraud went to prison, and $3.2 billion in assets were seized and returned to the program.

In February, Roy's office helped create a Medicare fugitives hotline and a Web site with pictures and names of fugitives.

"It is my practice to follow the fraud and follow the money," he said. "What concerns me is that these people prey on ethnic communities."

[Sheryl]

For my sake and all those other Americans at or nearing medicare age, I hope they will in fact extend eventually coverage to Thailand!

It would require staff present in Thailand to verify and investigate claims but I suspect even with that, would be a net saving as opposed to all of us flying back to the US fior our hip and knee replacements etc...

[Jingthing]

The issue of medicare for expats isn't even on the political radar. It's not going to happen. Too bad, of course.

[Pacificperson]

Medicare is not a program for patients, it is a reimbursement program for US doctors who have no interest in expats or medical tourism.

There is one case where US citizens can have medicare pay for treatment in Asia. If you live in Guam or the CNMI and the local hospitals cannot treat you, then Medicare will pay for treatment in the Philippines as it is closer than Hawaii.

[BEENTHEREDONETHAT]

Medicare covers you for the first 60 days after you leave the US.

[Jingthing]

Medicare covers you for the first 60 days after you leave the US.

Interesting. Do you mean they pay for costs in foreign countries during that period? Not really very important for long term expats, but interesting.

[paulian]

Never heard of this, "coverage for first 60 days". On researching, 3 sights are saying the same thing: If you are an American on Medicare, you are probably aware that Medicare does not cover Americans traveling abroad.

However, Instead of getting separate international coverage you may want to purchase a Medicare supplement plan (C through J) from a local agent. This supplement will cover you for the first 60 days of a trip outside of the USA. There is a $250 deductible. Then the insurance will cover 80 percent of all billed charges up to a lifetime maximum of $50,000.

So, I guess it's true if you purchase a Medicare supplement plan before you depart.

Edited September 4, 2011 by paulian

[BEENTHEREDONETHAT]

Since we are spending 4 or 5 months in the US and the balance of the time in Thailand we are covered for our four or five months plus the first two after our return. We pay for medicare and supplemental the year around, since you can only sign up for it between Jan and March, then you have to wait until June for it to kick in.. It is certainly not cheap but if you are going to spend any time in the US you would really taking a chance not to be covered, unless you were an illegal alien then you can get care free.

[WarpSpeed]

For my sake and all those other Americans at or nearing medicare age, I hope they will in fact extend eventually coverage to Thailand!

It would require staff present in Thailand to verify and investigate claims but I suspect even with that, would be a net saving as opposed to all of us flying back to the US fior our hip and knee replacements etc...

Yep and medicare would save too.. I think they should even cover medical tourism..

Edited September 4, 2011 by WarpSpeed

[lopburi3]

Two posts removed - solicitation of members is not allowed on forum.