Expats With Yellow Book To Prove Residency

[dutcherscove]

i have been told that if you have a yellow book showing residency that i live in thailand with the proper ( in my case a retirement visa) that i can go to the thai regional (goverment hospitals) the same as a thai!!

for the 30bt charge!

is this true for all expats or just ones from certain countries?

or is it true at all????

i have checked at the hospitals and nobody can give an answer.

any help with the answer would be greatly apreciated

[F4UCorsair]

I suppose if the hospital staff can't/won't give an answer, you can't do so?? That's the practical result anyway. Sometimes people find it easier to give no answer than to give a negative, or unpalatable, answer, or maybe they don't understand what you asking?

[Mario2008]

Some people seem to heve been issued a card with which they can claim free healthcare, but it is unclear if this is according to government policy or a misunderstanding on part of the amphur. I would inquire at the ministry of public health.

[beano2274]

I am sure you have to register with the hospital in question, but I have never had a 30baht charge, it is always more and that at Government hospitals, and no it was not the farang price. I have the social insurance card, and am registered at 3 hospitals, the fee for the card might have been 20 baht or a little more.

Although I had an operation last year, was expecting a bill of 50,000+++++ but in the end under 6,000baht, very happy chap, this was at Chula (Government hospital in Government time).

Oh yes I do have a yellow book as well !!

Edited December 7, 2011 by beano2274

[Mario2008]

Keep in mind that there are several health schemes, there is a government workers health scheme under which the civil servant, the spouse, minor children and the parents of the civil servant falls. Than there is the social security scheme for employees and there is the general healthcare scheme, which it seems the OP is asking about.

[beano2274]

maybe as the OP is on retirement that might be the case with the 30baht fee. I know on the buses OAP's travel for cheaper than the rest of us.

[beano2274]

Keep in mind that there are several health schemes, there is a government workers health scheme under which the civil servant, the spouse, minor children and the parents of the civil servant falls. Than there is the social security scheme for employees and there is the general healthcare scheme, which it seems the OP is asking about.

There is also the fund where you pay 432 per month by yourself, this is what I pay, and I got the card and can use a Government hospital for treatment. But I also registered at two others as was going there for some specialist advice, easier to register with the hospital for appointments.

[Mario2008]

Keep in mind that there are several health schemes, there is a government workers health scheme under which the civil servant, the spouse, minor children and the parents of the civil servant falls. Than there is the social security scheme for employees and there is the general healthcare scheme, which it seems the OP is asking about.

There is also the fund where you pay 432 per month by yourself, this is what I pay, and I got the card and can use a Government hospital for treatment. But I also registered at two others as was going there for some specialist advice, easier to register with the hospital for appointments.

I believe that is the social security scheme, which you can continue if you become unemployed.

[beano2274]

Keep in mind that there are several health schemes, there is a government workers health scheme under which the civil servant, the spouse, minor children and the parents of the civil servant falls. Than there is the social security scheme for employees and there is the general healthcare scheme, which it seems the OP is asking about.

There is also the fund where you pay 432 per month by yourself, this is what I pay, and I got the card and can use a Government hospital for treatment. But I also registered at two others as was going there for some specialist advice, easier to register with the hospital for appointments.

I believe that is the social security scheme, which you can continue if you become unemployed.

That is the one, you also can use the Government hospital system.

[sbk]

moving to Health forum this doesn't really seem to be related to marriage

[Sheryl]

No, a yellow book does not in any way give you the same entitlements as a Thai. It is simply proof of residence, and most people who have it do not have permanent residency in Thailand (and certainly are not Thai nationals).

If you are employed in Thailand you may be covered under the Social Security scheme (described in post 7) and if you no longer work but once did and continued to pay into the system, ditto.

Otherwise you are welcome to use government hospitals, but you'll pay full rate there (which is still vastly less than priavte hospitals).

[sinbin]

No, a yellow book does not in any way give you the same entitlements as a Thai. It is simply proof of residence, and most people who have it do not have permanent residency in Thailand (and certainly are not Thai nationals).

If you are employed in Thailand you may be covered under the Social Security scheme (described in post 7) and if you no longer work but once did and continued to pay into the system, ditto.

Otherwise you are welcome to use government hospitals, but you'll pay full rate there (which is still vastly less than priavte hospitals).

Not so Sheryl. If you have the yellow book you are entitled to free treatment at your local government hospital, the same as a Thai. I got the yellow book and then applied for my medical card. I now pay nothing when obtaining treatment and medicines at the said hospital. Plenty of other farang also have the medical card, so I'm not just a one off.

[transam]

No, a yellow book does not in any way give you the same entitlements as a Thai. It is simply proof of residence, and most people who have it do not have permanent residency in Thailand (and certainly are not Thai nationals).

If you are employed in Thailand you may be covered under the Social Security scheme (described in post 7) and if you no longer work but once did and continued to pay into the system, ditto.

Otherwise you are welcome to use government hospitals, but you'll pay full rate there (which is still vastly less than priavte hospitals).

Not so Sheryl. If you have the yellow book you are entitled to free treatment at your local government hospital, the same as a Thai. I got the yellow book and then applied for my medical card. I now pay nothing when obtaining treatment and medicines at the said hospital. Plenty of other farang also have the medical card, so I'm not just a one off.

Interesting, I have a Yellow book but have been told NO free or Thai cost treatment.

[Sheryl]

As I said, simply being in a yellow book does not entilte a non-citizen, non-permamnet resident to a health card/free care.

It may be that some upcountry hospitals do not know this and since the "tabien baan" is what Thais show to register they treat farang likewise, but that is not government policy.

Just like some farangs have gotten themselves listed in a blue tabien ban because a particular amphur didn't know the rules. (For that matter I have a long standing bank ac count I'm pretty sure I shouldn't have been able to open )

[ludditeman]

No, a yellow book does not in any way give you the same entitlements as a Thai. It is simply proof of residence, and most people who have it do not have permanent residency in Thailand (and certainly are not Thai nationals).

If you are employed in Thailand you may be covered under the Social Security scheme (described in post 7) and if you no longer work but once did and continued to pay into the system, ditto.

Otherwise you are welcome to use government hospitals, but you'll pay full rate there (which is still vastly less than priavte hospitals).

Not so Sheryl. If you have the yellow book you are entitled to free treatment at your local government hospital, the same as a Thai. I got the yellow book and then applied for my medical card. I now pay nothing when obtaining treatment and medicines at the said hospital. Plenty of other farang also have the medical card, so I'm not just a one off.

I think you are wrong too Sheryl.

Free health in Thailand is dependent on house registration for everyone.

If you are a Thai with a house book registered in Korat but working and living in Bangkok, you can't get free health care in Bangkok, you pay or go back to Korat.

[Tomissan]

dutcherscove,

You didn't say what hospital couldn't answer you one way or the other.

I've been to Khon Kaen University - Srinakarin hospital - many times and was told "NO" free or 30 Baht treatment. I also have a yellow book, retirement visa/extension, etc.

I had better and cheaper treatment there long before the 30 Baht scheme.

It seems now the government hospitals are less effective since the 30 Baht scheme and they try and make it up by charging what they can to farang (my opinion as well as nurses I spoke with at the hospital). they are overworked and understaffed and most doctors have their own clinics.

One thing should be remembered. There is no malpractice in Thailand and the Doctors or whoever is cutting into you, are not responsible for any negative outcome resulting from any treatment or operations. Another thing, students can 'legally' operate or treat you "under supervision" (loosely termed) with no responsibility at all.

Edited December 11, 2011 by Tomissan

[Tomissan]

double reply deleted

Edited December 11, 2011 by Tomissan

[Sheryl]

I think you are wrong too Sheryl.

Free health in Thailand is dependent on house registration for everyone.

If you are a Thai with a house book registered in Korat but working and living in Bangkok, you can't get free health care in Bangkok, you pay or go back to Korat.

A tabien ban is required to get it, yes, just as a tabien ban is required for just about everything else.

But posession of a tabien ban if you are a foreigner does not confer the entitlements of a Thai citizen with regard to free health care or much else for that matter.

For Thai citizens receiving care under the free systm, there are indeed restricted in which hospital(s0 they can go to although there are exceptions in cases of emergency and I also think there are ways to be registered at a hospital in a location other than where your house registration is, has to be since many, many people live/work in provinces/cities other than were they are listed in their tabien ban. The details of how that is arranged, I forget, but in any case that's not the issue here. The issue here is whether a foreigner is automatically entitled to free health care if listed in a tabien ban, and while some hospitals may have extended it to some people, the policy is most definitely NO.

There is a plus side to not getting care for free in that you can still utilize government hospitals, their costs are still well below those of private hospitals, and as a full-pay client you are not limited in which government hospital you can use...they are all open to you. That includes the military hospitals which tend to have very good quality.

[sinbin]

No, a yellow book does not in any way give you the same entitlements as a Thai. It is simply proof of residence, and most people who have it do not have permanent residency in Thailand (and certainly are not Thai nationals).

If you are employed in Thailand you may be covered under the Social Security scheme (described in post 7) and if you no longer work but once did and continued to pay into the system, ditto.

Otherwise you are welcome to use government hospitals, but you'll pay full rate there (which is still vastly less than priavte hospitals).

Not so Sheryl. If you have the yellow book you are entitled to free treatment at your local government hospital, the same as a Thai. I got the yellow book and then applied for my medical card. I now pay nothing when obtaining treatment and medicines at the said hospital. Plenty of other farang also have the medical card, so I'm not just a one off.

I think you are wrong too Sheryl.

Free health in Thailand is dependent on house registration for everyone.

If you are a Thai with a house book registered in Korat but working and living in Bangkok, you can't get free health care in Bangkok, you pay or go back to Korat.

Ludditeman we see the same. And on the back of the Thai Gold card it states emergency treatment is available to bearer of the card at any government hospital. You only have to go on other forums to know that many farangs have the Thai medical card and it's being obtained nationwide, not 'some upcountry hospitals', as indicated by Sheryl.

Sorry I can't display a link Sheryl but forum rules and all that. Ah sod it. Here is one quote and the link.

Free health care treatment for foreigners who are resident is only available at your nearest local government hospital. If the treatment you require is not available there, they can refer you to the nearest Government hospital that does have that treatment, and it will still be free. They can only refer you to a hospital within the province in which you live, unless said treatment is so specialist that it can only be found outside your province, although that is highly unlikely.

Correct Dave,

As I type, A friend of mine here , had a fall 2 weeks ago, and the reason for the fall is a blood clot on the brain he was sent to Phetchabun hospital, who reffered him to a more specialised hospital in Phitsanaluk, who again referred him to a specialised hospital in Bangkok.

To date he has recieved 3 operations on his brain, and luckily he is on the mend, the only thing he will have to pay for is his private room.

http://thailand-uk.c...hp/t-12151.html Edited December 11, 2011 by sinbin

[TerryLH]

Sinbin, that sounds exactly like the Thai Social Security system.

[sinbin]

Sinbin, that sounds exactly like the Thai Social Security system.

It may 'sound exactly like the Thai Social Security system' to you TerryLH, but it isn't, as no contributions are made.

Thailand has a social security system which is funded by workers contributions as well as additional contributions from the employer. There are different sections to the social security system. The social insurance system is for old age, disability and survivors. All those who are working between the ages of 15 and 60 can make contributions to this system. A worker will contribute 3% of their gross monthly earnings towards pensions and family benefits. If you want to make voluntary contributions you can contribute 9% of earnings up to 4,800 THB each month. Those who earn less than 1,650 will not make contributions. The self-employed make an annual contribution of 3,360 THB. In addition to this, those who are employed will have their contributions topped up by the employer by 3% and the government will add a further 1%.

http://www.expatfocu...social-security Edited December 12, 2011 by sinbin

[billd766]

I have 2 friends in Nakhon Sawan province who have a gold card.

I live in Khampaeng Phet province which is next door and went with my wife, son, yellow tabien ban book to the local hospital who didn't really know the answer and they sent us to the main hospital in Khampaeng Phet where my wife was met with a flat and rather loud NO.

I don't know the answer either way but I would like to get one though.

[Sheryl]

If you will accept the word of the National Health Security Office (NHSO -- who manage the "gold card" scheme) as definitive , call 1330 and ask them (will probably need to have this done by a Thai Speaker).

Make sure you specify foreigner who is neither a Thai citizen nor a permanent resident, lives in Thailand through annual extensions of stay to a non-immigrant visa, and has yellow "tabien baan"

[transam]

I have 2 friends in Nakhon Sawan province who have a gold card.

I live in Khampaeng Phet province which is next door and went with my wife, son, yellow tabien ban book to the local hospital who didn't really know the answer and they sent us to the main hospital in Khampaeng Phet where my wife was met with a flat and rather loud NO.

I don't know the answer either way but I would like to get one though.

Yep, agree, but a guy l know who is an Aussy Vietnam Vet, and can prove it, got a gold card.

[sinbin]

I have 2 friends in Nakhon Sawan province who have a gold card.

I live in Khampaeng Phet province which is next door and went with my wife, son, yellow tabien ban book to the local hospital who didn't really know the answer and they sent us to the main hospital in Khampaeng Phet where my wife was met with a flat and rather loud NO.

I don't know the answer either way but I would like to get one though.

Billd, it all boils down to the fact 'they don't know'. Rather than make a mistake and issue it, they say 'no'. Same as when I first went, 5 years ago, to get my 'yellow book'. They had never issued one to a farang, and didn't know the procedure. Eventually a farang persisted and they issue one. The floodgates were open. The same applies to the medical card. Until that first one is issued then you're on a uphill battle. Find out where they are issuing the medical cards and ask your hospital if they can phone them to verify them being issued. If it is against the rules to issue a farang one then why does it take 3-4 weeks, from asking, for it to it being issued ? Edited December 12, 2011 by sinbin

[billd766]

I have 2 friends in Nakhon Sawan province who have a gold card.

I live in Khampaeng Phet province which is next door and went with my wife, son, yellow tabien ban book to the local hospital who didn't really know the answer and they sent us to the main hospital in Khampaeng Phet where my wife was met with a flat and rather loud NO.

I don't know the answer either way but I would like to get one though.

Billd, it all boils down to the fact 'they don't know'. Rather than make a mistake and issue it, they say 'no'. Same as when I first went, 5 years ago, to get my 'yellow book'. They had never issued one to a farang, and didn't know the procedure. Eventually a farang persisted and they issue one. The floodgates were open. The same applies to the medical card. Until that first one is issued then you're on a uphill battle. Find out where they are issuing the medical cards and ask your hospital if they can phone them to verify them being issued. If it is against the rules to issue a farang one then why does it take 3-4 weeks, from asking, for it to it being issued ?

I had the same problem with my yellow tabien ban and the guy in the Amphur had me running up and down to Bangkok asking for what he wanted only to change his mind when I got it and wants something else.

Eventually I wore him down and he gave in and everything was ready, my wife was with me, the book was on the table and he then wanted an original of a letter all about the information on my passport from the embassy at which point I stopped him and asked him for 10,000 baht for all the expense that I had inccurred.

When he recovered from the shock and started to bluster I pointed out to him that I kept my passport, he got a copy of that as he got a copy of everything else and that I wanted to talk to his boss.

At this point my wife was cringing in the corner as I told him that if I didn't talk to his boss he could stivk the yellow book where the sun doesn't shine. Whether he understood more English than he let on or not I have no idea but he got on the phone and then it was all smiles and no problems etc.

I signed for my book, waied and did all the polite things and then left. In the car on the way home my wife was giving me a serious ear bashing about not polite and all that. I pointed out to her that he had caused me so many problems by saying exactly what he wanted and that if he had got it right the first time I would probably given him a bottle of Chivas or something.

On the gold card thing my mate in Nakhon Sawan sent me a photocopy of his so I will try again in the New Year.

[sinbin]

Billd I believe they've stopped issuing the 'Gold Card' as it is. This occurred about 3 months, or more, ago. I didn't get the 'Gold Card', as such, but a card similar that gives me free medical treatment, plus medicines, at my local government hospital. As for getting a referral to an hospital that my local hospital can't treat me for, then I'll find out over the coming week or so. I'm currently in need of treatment which I can't get locally. So I'll post as to that when I know more.

Edited December 13, 2011 by sinbin

[sinbin]

I had the same problem with my yellow tabien ban and the guy in the Amphur had me running up and down to Bangkok asking for what he wanted only to change his mind when I got it and wants something else.

Obtaining the 'Yellow Book' is really straight forward, and all the necessary documentation/translations can be done by post. I got mine that way and never set foot in Bangkok. Total cost 4,900 Baht which paid for itself in free treatment at the government hospital.

[dutcherscove]

i called the 1330# today that sheryl suggested

to be eligable for free medical in thailand there are 2 conditions

1 you must be thai

2 you must have a a 13 didget id number issued by the gov.

so i would say to all the farangs that are getting free medical to keep your mouth shut and enjoy the mistake that sombody made that is enabling you to recieve a benifit that you that is ot allowed

ps i started this discussion so ride the wave as long as you can because the yellow book does not give you this entitlment

[BAYBOY]

My understanding about the 30 baht health system.

1) It is only available for Thai citizens.

2) To partake in the system one must have a certain level of income, what the cut of point is I do not know. The system is meant to be used by the not so well off. If you go to any Govt hospital you will see some Thai people paying for treatment and medicine and others don't,(as they are in the 30 baht card system.)

3) One must use the hospital/ s within your province. If the needed medical facilities are not available in your province your doctor will write a letter and you would be sent to the nearest hospital that does.

4) The letter from the doctor is only valid for a set time, 2 months I think. Then to continue treatment after 2 months you have to get a further letter from the local doctor again and restart in the system.

5) If you do go out of province for attention you have to join the new hospitals patient list, (and the paper war is tremendous), and do that on each visit.

6) You have no choice as to the doctor who may look after you. After being in several provincial hospitals over the last 18 months, the standard of care and attention varies a huge amount hospital to hospital. Little or no English spoken only by some doctors and usually none by the nurses.

7) Because of the sheer numbers of patients, all needing help and service may find it slow and in some hospitals urgency in critical situations does not seem to happen.

8) However the top Govt. hospitals are excellent and one should do their best if using Govt. hospitals to try and use them rather than your local provincial one. My wife has been using Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok for the last 18 months and frankly one can not fault any thing there .The care, testing, services, staff and doctors is wonderful to see. Siriraj has over 2,00,000 patients a year and the volume of people working there, visiting, or patients is overwhelming. It is worth walking through the place to see how it ticks.

As an aside why would the Thai Govt. offer so called free medical treatment to a non Thai who has at least 800,000 baht in his bank A/c. lives a better lifestyle than most Thais, and is not a resident or citizen of Thailand.

BAYBOY