Health Care In Thailand

[Billion]

Hospital care in Thailand might be scary if you don't have any insurance to cover.

I don't have health insurance and have to pay 100k for a small back surgery.

Thai pays the half amount at government hospitals!

[Jingthing]

It's true but it's all relative. As an American I reckon the retail cost for that would be much higher.

[smokie36]

It's true but it's all relative. As an American I reckon the retail cost for that would be much higher.

Not a concern for you JT as an established expat with fully comp health insurance.

Worrying for a lot of people though...and their friends and family.

In my view not having some form of insurance is incredibly stupid in the first place and also negligent. No excuse for it if you are living in Thailand unless you have a large pot of cash.

[Jingthing]

It's true but it's all relative. As an American I reckon the retail cost for that would be much higher.

Not a concern for you JT as an established expat with fully comp health insurance.

Worrying for a lot of people though...and their friends and family.

In my view not having some form of insurance is incredibly stupid in the first place and also negligent. No excuse for it if you are living in Thailand unless you have a large pot of cash.

What are you talking about? Why would you make assumptions about anyone's ability to purchase health insurance? Do you have any concept of preexisting conditions? Amazing. It is not incredibly stupid to not have insurance anywhere if they won't sell it to you! You must come from one of those socialist countries to not understand that.

In case you don't get this, in countries like Thailand and pre-full-Obamacare USA, if you go to an insurance company with common conditions like treated high blood pressure and treated high cholesterol and treated asthma, they MAY sell you something, but they will exclude anything remotely related to those conditions, such as heart attacks and strokes. In other words, the insurance would be almost worthless (and cost a lot) that is IF they would sell you ANY policy.

Edited March 11, 2013 by Jingthing

[smokie36]

It's true but it's all relative. As an American I reckon the retail cost for that would be much higher.

Not a concern for you JT as an established expat with fully comp health insurance.

Worrying for a lot of people though...and their friends and family.

In my view not having some form of insurance is incredibly stupid in the first place and also negligent. No excuse for it if you are living in Thailand unless you have a large pot of cash.

What are you talking about? Why would you make assumptions about anyone's ability to purchase health insurance? Do you have any concept of preexisting conditions? Amazing. It is not incredibly stupid to not have insurance anywhere if they won't sell it to you! You must come from one of those socialist countries to not understand that.

Au contraire JT....there are many different levels of insurance. I would have expected you to know that.

To have NONE is negligent in my view. More the better but obviously cutting your cloth etc....

[Jingthing]

It's true but it's all relative. As an American I reckon the retail cost for that would be much higher.

Not a concern for you JT as an established expat with fully comp health insurance.

Worrying for a lot of people though...and their friends and family.

In my view not having some form of insurance is incredibly stupid in the first place and also negligent. No excuse for it if you are living in Thailand unless you have a large pot of cash.

What are you talking about? Why would you make assumptions about anyone's ability to purchase health insurance? Do you have any concept of preexisting conditions? Amazing. It is not incredibly stupid to not have insurance anywhere if they won't sell it to you! You must come from one of those socialist countries to not understand that.

Au contraire JT....there are many different levels of insurance. I would have expected you to know that.

To have NONE is negligent in my view. More the better but obviously cutting your cloth etc....

You don't get it. If your policy excludes the things you are mostly to need it for, it is almost worthless.

Edited March 11, 2013 by Jingthing

[smokie36]

You don't get it. If your policy excludes the things you are mostly to need it for, it is almost worthless.

What do you suggest then JT?

Are you saying all expats should have a cash back up before moving to Thailand?

Or perhaps they can run back to their socialist haven with their tail between their legs?

What happens in the case of a bike accident or other serious injury?

I know you can't be suggesting no insurance or back up at all......as my Scottish dining companion, who also happens to blether a bit on here just mentioned to me....

"Anyone living in Thailand without medical insurance is a complete nutter."

[Jingthing]

I think a huge percentage of expats here have no health insurance. Particularly the visa runners, the ED visa crowd (who may tend to be younger and thinking they won't need it even though they could get good cover cheaply), and retired expats who move here with preexisting conditions. POLLS here have indicated as much. It's hard to know exactly but definitely a LARGE percentage. Legit working expats I think are mostly covered. You and your buddy boy can play your name calling games all you want, calling people nuts when you don't know the choices and options they face, but I'm more interested in reality.

Also not everyone comes from a socialist haven in the first place.

Edited March 11, 2013 by Jingthing

[smokie36]

I think a huge percentage of expats here have no health insurance. Particularly the visa runners, the ED visa crowd (who may tend to be younger and thinking they won't need it even though they could get good cover cheaply), and retired expats who move here with preexisting conditions. POLLS here have indicated as much. It's hard to know exactly but definitely a LARGE percentage. Legit working expats I think are mostly covered. You and your buddy boy can play your name calling games all you want, calling people nuts when you don't know the choices and options they face, but I'm more interested in reality.

Also not everyone comes from a socialist haven in the first place.

You would think those that do not would be better budgeted for the realities they face would you not?

The point I am making is that it should be right up there as a big concern for anyone halfway sensible....particularly if you have propensity to family related disease or bad social habits or of an age where there are likely to be issues.

More than that though is what happens if you have no money and are involved in a vehicle accident? Costs can spiral quickly....and that is the reality I am talking about.

[Jingthing]

I agree health insurance is a desirable thing to have. You continue to fail to get the preexisting condition exclusion thing which is getting kind of annoying.

Edited March 11, 2013 by Jingthing

[smokie36]

I agree health insurance is a desirable thing to have. You continue to fail to get the preexisting condition exclusion thing which is getting kind of annoying.

You are missing my main point. In my opinion its essential to have insurance to cover accidents or such....medical emergencies unrelated to pre-existing conditions.

What happens to someone with 200k Baht in the bank if they get knocked down by a car?

Scary reality for too many people....

[Jingthing]

You're talking about accident insurance not health insurance. Why didn't you say that's what you're talking about instead of jerking around like that? Still without full HEALTH insurance, you're still screwed if you have cover for accidents but not overall health.

Edited March 11, 2013 by Jingthing

[smokie36]

Your talking about accident insurance not health insurance. Why didn't you say that's what you're talking about?

No its health insurance....the kind which pays the first x amount of treatment. Its not rocket science JT....most people can afford it yet many simply show a cavalier attitude.

Sad.

[Jingthing]

Your talking about accident insurance not health insurance. Why didn't you say that's what you're talking about?

No its health insurance....the kind which pays the first x amount of treatment. Its not rocket science JT....most people can afford it yet many simply show a cavalier attitude.

Sad.

I think you're very judgmental about people you know nothing about. Sadder.

Edited March 11, 2013 by Jingthing

[crazygreg44]

You are talking a "small" back surgery in the hospital for 100,000. An insurance which covers this would cost me around 3500 US Dollars per year, so your surgery was just a one-year's insurance fee. In Germany I am insured but if I can't fly back with a back problem, I would have to take the bite and pay up 100,000 as well. This in mind, I have no reason to back myself up with another insurance. Need 800,000 in the bank anyways for retirement extension purpose, and I look upon this amount as a form of health emergency stash.

I don't really understand your post- are you suggesting it's better to pay 100,000 per year for a health insurance (which in fact will not ocver anything resulting from pre existing conditions - and this is a lot listed in the smallprint!) than having to pay it for regular checkups and a smallish surgery every 5 years ? I don't see what's so profitable and senseful in paying a lump sum for an almost worthless insurance. If your post is a warning, thanks, but I doubt anyone will regard 100,000 Baht for surgery costs a reason to storm the insurance barns.

[smokie36]

Your talking about accident insurance not health insurance. Why didn't you say that's what you're talking about?

No its health insurance....the kind which pays the first x amount of treatment. Its not rocket science JT....most people can afford it yet many simply show a cavalier attitude.

Sad.

I think you're very judgmental about people you know nothing about. Sadder.

I'd rather they stayed at home than end up in a foreign country dying with no medical care.....yes I am heartless.

[Jingthing]

Your talking about accident insurance not health insurance. Why didn't you say that's what you're talking about?

No its health insurance....the kind which pays the first x amount of treatment. Its not rocket science JT....most people can afford it yet many simply show a cavalier attitude.

Sad.

I think you're very judgmental about people you know nothing about. Sadder.

I'd rather they stayed at home than end up in a foreign country dying with no medical care.....yes I am heartless.

Dead is dead whatever the country. I think you come from a nanny state country. I should be so lucky.

Edited March 11, 2013 by Jingthing

[smokie36]

Dead is dead whatever the country. I think you come from a nanny state country. I should be so lucky.

Health care is a bit of a lottery worldwide nowadays JT....unless you pay for it.

I am talking about straightforward emergency care....which you will not receive in a lot of places without insurance or hard cash if you are a foreigner.

Surely that is a concern to many expats?

[Jingthing]

Dead is dead whatever the country. I think you come from a nanny state country. I should be so lucky.

Health care is a bit of a lottery worldwide nowadays JT....unless you pay for it.

I am talking about straightforward emergency care....which you will not receive in a lot of places without insurance or hard cash if you are a foreigner.

Surely that is a concern to many expats?

Of course it is. Thailand is a dangerous place. I'm just talking about reality, lots of expats don't have health insurance. It would be great if they all did, but they don't, and the reasons are very varied and not all nuts.

BTW, I would be totally cool IF Thailand required all long term expats to have health insurance but ONLY if they offered a BUY IN to a government run health insurance program.

Edited March 11, 2013 by Jingthing

[David48]

I think you're very judgmental about people you know nothing about. Sadder.

<snip>

<snip> I think you come from a nanny state country. I should be so lucky.

I'm new to the debate, but Jingthing ... aren't you guilty of the same thing you accuse the other poster of?

[Jingthing]

I think you're very judgmental about people you know nothing about. Sadder.

<snip>

<snip> I think you come from a nanny state country. I should be so lucky.

I'm new to the debate, but Jingthing ... aren't you guilty of the same thing you accuse the other poster of?

No. I am very tolerant of people's choices because you can't know their situation unless they walk in their shoes. You seem overly interested in me; the feeling isn't mutual.

Edited March 11, 2013 by Jingthing

[smokie36]

Dead is dead whatever the country. I think you come from a nanny state country. I should be so lucky.

Health care is a bit of a lottery worldwide nowadays JT....unless you pay for it.

I am talking about straightforward emergency care....which you will not receive in a lot of places without insurance or hard cash if you are a foreigner.

Surely that is a concern to many expats?

Of course it is. Thailand is a dangerous place. I'm just talking about reality, lots of expats don't have health insurance. It would be great if they all did, but they don't, and the reasons are very varied and not all nuts.

BTW, I would be totally cool IF Thailand required all long term expats to have health insurance but ONLY if they offered a BUY IN to a government run health insurance program.

The reason in all cases is that they either cannot afford it, in which case they should not be living there, or simple ambivalence, which is even worse if they can afford it.

I would expect the second more in "nanny state" expats to be honest. Those from North America I would expect to have factored in some costing before making the move.

[Jingthing]

Again with the over the top judgments. You DO NOT know the choices people have in life. Each person is a case by case.

[smokie36]

Again with the over the top judgments. You DO NOT know the choices people have in life. Each person is a case by case.

Ultimately JT....when someone needs health care and cannot pay....then who will?

Someone has to do they not?

Family....friends....or charity from a Thai government hospital?

Long term planning is great in hindsight I know and its a difficult subject yet a valid one to discuss.

[Jingthing]

No. In Thailand, for expats NOBODY has to pay.

People who can't pay just aren't treated and then they have a tendency to enter a state of being called DEATH.

I find this kind of pie in the sky and trite.

Of course everyone should have perfect full health insurance and a cash reserve of 100 million dollars.

Back in the real world, the majority of the world lives on under two dollars a day.

Edited March 11, 2013 by Jingthing

[smokie36]

No. In Thailand, for expats NOBODY has to pay.

I find this kind of pie in the sky and trite.

Of course everyone should have perfect full health insurance and a cash reserve of 100 million dollars.

Back in the real world, the majority of the world lives on under two dollars a day.

Regardless of the rest of the world's woes the hospital bills need to be paid.

So who will pay them?

Its not pie in the sky....its reality JT....something as simple as kidney stones could set an expat back a bundle of cash....many other examples.

What happens if they have no insurance and can't afford treatment? Its a painful condition.

[Jingthing]

I don't think you're talking about Thailand for expats. Some other country perhaps.

[smokie36]

I don't think you're talking about Thailand for expats. Some other country perhaps.

What makes you say that?

[Jingthing]

Edited March 11, 2013 by Jingthing

[Jingthing]

I don't think you're talking about Thailand for expats. Some other country perhaps.

What makes you say that?

Not sure how many times I have to say the same thing. We're not communicating here. Sorry about that. Nobody has to pay and nobody has to treat. You can just die. In horrible pain. It happens everyday here and it also happens everyday where I come from. I feel like I'm talking to a very naive person from a very bourgeois sheltered background who feels the need to project his class determined values and assumptions on all of humanity.

Edited March 11, 2013 by Jingthing