Health Care In Thailand

[MaiChai]

10 years ago i would not have bothered with health insurance in Thailand because health care was really cheap. Not the case now. You need it!

[andrew]

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.

You seem overly interested in me; the feeling isn't mutual.

The above comment is interesting.

It would appear that there exists on this forum "a clique of creeps" who obsess about the lives of people that live 6000 miles away.

Why? Well, I don't know for sure. But it's fairly easy to guess.

Let's just say that some people ought to broaden their social circle. Let's add that some people ought to forge new, better, and more fulfilling lives. Let's also say that some people ought simply to move on.

Most of all, some people ought to understand (and remember) that expats here in Thailand can take care of themselves.

I would further suggest that expats here in Thailand do NOT -- in general -- require assistance (sic) from sex tourists.

[Jingthing]

10 years ago i would not have bothered with health insurance in Thailand because health care was really cheap. Not the case now. You need it!

Assuming your policy isn't filled with preexisting exclusions, happy for you.

[David48]

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.

You seem overly interested in me; the feeling isn't mutual.

The above comment is interesting.

It would appear that there exists on this forum "a clique of creeps" who obsess about the lives of people that live 6000 miles away.

Andrew, are you saying that you are interested in Jingthing?

Seems a strange thing to confess on a Public Forum ...

All I can say is that today is going to be a blessed day because, if the weather holds up ... I'm off to take the Monks sightseeing in my country ...

.

[smokie36]

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. 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.

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.

Interesting....I made a comment on a non life threatening condition yet one which could prove costly and very painful.

Perhaps the cost of paracetamol, codeine or other types of medication is preferable?

Certainly cheaper....although Xanax is soon to disappear from the shelves.....

[cooked]

I can't agree that anyone living in Thailand without health insurance is a nutter. I was lucky in so far as I came here at the age of 64 and a half and was able to conclude an insurance. I also have a precondition that will probably kill me eventually and won't be paid for. After 65 it is very difficult and after 70 I should say impossible to find affordable insurance.

A person like me, in reasonably good health and given the choice of living in poverty on their pension in a place like damp and chilly England or starting a new life in Thailand without insurance - 'going for it' -wouldn't think twice. I also have a wife who will look after me and the option of going back home for treatment.

What I mean to say is, that if someone is here who hasn't carefully considered his options and risks, hasn't got some kind of a backup plan however tenuous, that guy is a nutter. But many expats here are nutters anyway, so why worry about other peoples' 'choices'? Sometimes there is no choice.

[Ijustwannateach]

Yes, the prices at Thai government hospitals are better- however, are you willing to endure the conditions? HUGE waiting lists both for appts and when you arrive, even on a day you have an appointment- enormous queues for lab tests and machinery, if available.

A doctor I want to see has a line that is MONTHS long at his public hospital, but only DAYS long at the private hospital where he does a day or two a week.

According to a friend, the line for the MRI at Chula is nearly a YEAR long (excluding immediate emergencies).

If you have the time and the patience, you can save money, too.

[Robby nz]

Don't know how many of you posting on this topic have actually experienced Thai health care, by the look of the posts few if any.

I have, up to the serious operation stage and still have ongoing tests.

I can tell you that it all depends where you are and which hospital you chose, presuming you have a choice.

If you chose one of the big private hospitals the first thing they examine is your bank balance. This of course applies in the big cities like BKK.

These private hospitals will cost a small fortune for most things and in the case of some specialties will bring in specialists from public hospitals if they don't have their own.

The advantage is that you will get priority treatment while in public hospitals you waits your turn like anyone else.

And sure as a farang you will pay but private will be at least twice, and probably more, than public.

I had a choice and I chose the public but that choice was a public army hospital.

The main reason was the cost but also that the same surgeon would have done the job if I had gone private.

In spite of the waiting time which can sometimes be frustrating I am very happy with that choice and believe I received top care.

Yes I had and still have insurance, they payed out promptly but it did not cover everything, now I have opted for inpatient insurance only at a fairly low cost.

And if you are in need of emergency care you will be given it without thought about money and at the end if you cant really pay you will not be hounded by a public hospital.

[hansje1980]

Omg what a bunch of BS here. I'd almost hope to see anyone ignorant/stupid/dumb/naive in this thread get a big accident, multiple surgeries, over a month hospital stay etc etc so I can say; som nam naa!!!!

Lets add 1 month coma care as well :-)

I'm still young, from 1980, so 100% accepted on all things from the list (insured at www.bupa.co.th) and pay about 1500/month for platinum 1 for the best hospitals in thailand and other countries except USA and no free doctor visits). If it would be 4000 because of age reasons I'd still do it because if accidents, other non-pre-existing things.

Cheers and have a save day :-)

[hansje1980]

PS. Platinum at BUPA covers Bangkok hospital, samitivej, bungrumrad, etc 100%.

[NeverSure]

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.

I will button my lip and not result to personal attacks. That doesn't mean it didn't cross my mind.

Why is it any of your business how other people choose to live and maybe die? I am 67. Please show me where I can get a real, full coverage health insurance plan in Thailand for any price? Forget affordable, and forget that it won't cover pre-existing conditions, just show me one that's real insurance?

Sure, I could stay in the US and coast on my Medicare Advantage, and if I can make it back to US soil I'll be covered.

But what business is it of yours if I choose to take the risk of being in Thailand where my Medicare is no good and I have no insurance?

What business is it of yours if I want to take a jump off a 10th floor balcony? What business is it of yours if I want to die my way?

I suggest you do something that doesn't seem to come naturally to you. Mind your own business.

[Sheryl]

OP:

1. Thais do not have to pay "half this much" for treatment at a govt hospital, they get it free. Expats have to pay at govt hospitals but charges are considerably lower than at private.

Therefore

2. Why on earth not have your surgery at a government hospital?

There are a lot of initial hassles, delays, red tape etc but for high cost services the savings is often worth it.

Actually 100 K is nothing compared to the costs that one would face with a catastrophic accident or illness requiring major surgery/ICU care etc. Even at a govt hospital one can easily rack up costs of several million baht.

No one should be here without either self-insuring or some type of health insurance. For people here less than full time with access to free care back home, travel insurance that covers medical evacuation is often an option.

[asiasurfer]

Get a Platinum Cover from Bupa and you won't have a problem. Unless you have already gone beyond the age of 70....

[Stradavarius37]

If you are a farang in LOS with no insurance than you should go home. Government has enough poor wretches to take care of without worrying about other counties poor wretches....

[Robby nz]

I am 67. Please show me where I can get a real, full coverage health insurance plan in Thailand for any price?

Try BUPA I am 69 and they still cover me even though I have had previous claims.

And there is a health forum, shouldn't this be there?

[exeter]

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.

Smokie once you pass 60 you become a health risk that most insurers dont want, they either say know or price you out of the package. Most kick you out at 74, so at this point you have to decide if you feel lucky you can stay , hope for the best and put some insurance money in the bank.

The alternative is pack up and go home which I dont think many will want to do.

[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.

I will button my lip and not result to personal attacks. That doesn't mean it didn't cross my mind.

Why is it any of your business how other people choose to live and maybe die? I am 67. Please show me where I can get a real, full coverage health insurance plan in Thailand for any price? Forget affordable, and forget that it won't cover pre-existing conditions, just show me one that's real insurance?

Sure, I could stay in the US and coast on my Medicare Advantage, and if I can make it back to US soil I'll be covered.

But what business is it of yours if I choose to take the risk of being in Thailand where my Medicare is no good and I have no insurance?

What business is it of yours if I want to take a jump off a 10th floor balcony? What business is it of yours if I want to die my way?

I suggest you do something that doesn't seem to come naturally to you. Mind your own business.

Welcome to the public forum that is Thai Visa. Its not for you to tell me to mind my own business when I haven't directed a comment squarely at you.

I'm simply spelling out some of the facts....I have no wish for anyone to become ill or not receive medical care.

Burying the head in the sand won't make the truth go away.

I agree that its a choice some people must make....and a tough one....but ignoring that truth completely and making no provision is just crazy.

[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.

Smokie once you pass 60 you become a health risk that most insurers dont want, they either say know or price you out of the package. Most kick you out at 74, so at this point you have to decide if you feel lucky you can stay , hope for the best and put some insurance money in the bank.

The alternative is pack up and go home which I dont think many will want to do.

I am aware of it of course. Also I can understand why many choose not to return to their own countries.

Quality of life versus longevity in some cases.

Point I was making is not confined to expats in that situation....I am talking about expats who are younger and have made no provision as well.

[phuturatica]

I can't even find someone to insure me with my renal failure problems! I get turned away from most companies.

The last time I was in hospital it cost me just over 17,000 baht for 2 nights.

[Swiss1960]

At least a few "normal" comments besides the bickering of two nagging women...

If Smokie36 and Jingthing would read each other's comments, they would find out that they both have their points. Most important is the point of Sheryl: "No one should be here without either self-insuring or some type of health insurance"

Anybody who does not think about health care - where ever he lives - is plain stupid and putting his head in the sand (point of smokie36)

Insurance in Thailand is excluding any pre-existing conditions (unlike i.e. mandatory health insurance in Switzerland), difficult to get when older and getting very expensive the older you get, thus might not cover your problems (point of Jingthing)

Their are people living in Thailand (and Iknow some of those) who do neither have any emergency funds nor can afford health insurance, as they live on minimum income and can hardly fulfill the financial Visa requirements. For those people, their is not much more to do than decide to either die in Thailand because of lack of treatment or try to go back home and relay on the medical social systems back home (if any is available)...

But these people - in my opinion - did their first mistake when they obviously did not do their math before coming to live in Thailand or they did do their math and accept all the risks coming with living on minimum income... and then we could go back to NeverSure and his thoughts about the balcony...

[smokie36]

At least a few "normal" comments besides the bickering of two nagging women...

If Smokie36 and Jingthing would read each other's comments, they would find out that they both have their points. Most important is the point of Sheryl: "No one should be here without either self-insuring or some type of health insurance"

Anybody who does not think about health care - where ever he lives - is plain stupid and putting his head in the sand (point of smokie36)

Insurance in Thailand is excluding any pre-existing conditions (unlike i.e. mandatory health insurance in Switzerland), difficult to get when older and getting very expensive the older you get, thus might not cover your problems (point of Jingthing)

Their are people living in Thailand (and Iknow some of those) who do neither have any emergency funds nor can afford health insurance, as they live on minimum income and can hardly fulfill the financial Visa requirements. For those people, their is not much more to do than decide to either die in Thailand because of lack of treatment or try to go back home and relay on the medical social systems back home (if any is available)...

But these people - in my opinion - did their first mistake when they obviously did not do their math before coming to live in Thailand or they did do their math and accept all the risks coming with living on minimum income... and then we could go back to NeverSure and his thoughts about the balcony...

A good and sensible post. Cheers!

Edit: Was just a bit of debate....nothing unhealthy in that from time to time.

Edited March 12, 2013 by smokie36

[carmine]

Unfortunately the reality is that there are all too many expats that choose to spend their income on beer for example rather than health cover and then expect their friends to bail them out when they get ill.

If someone has enough savings to pay for their hospital bill and doesn't need insurance then fair play to them.

its unfortunate that the elder expats cannot get health insurance but is it to harsh to suggest that this is something that should have been considered at an earlier juncture?

[Jingthing]

Unfortunately the reality is that there are all too many expats that choose to spend their income on beer for example rather than health cover and then expect their friends to bail them out when they get ill.

If someone has enough savings to pay for their hospital bill and doesn't need insurance then fair play to them.

its unfortunate that the elder expats cannot get health insurance but is it to harsh to suggest that this is something that should have been considered at an earlier juncture?

You're forgetting that the reasons you can't get meaningful cover are both AGE and preexisting conditions. You could have such preexisting conditions in your 20's. A younger retiree even at 50 is much more likely to have some though, so your judgment would not apply to all people without insurance, only those who EVER had a chance to purchase meaningful cover in Thailand.

[carmine]

Unfortunately the reality is that there are all too many expats that choose to spend their income on beer for example rather than health cover and then expect their friends to bail them out when they get ill.

If someone has enough savings to pay for their hospital bill and doesn't need insurance then fair play to them.

its unfortunate that the elder expats cannot get health insurance but is it to harsh to suggest that this is something that should have been considered at an earlier juncture?

You're forgetting that the reasons you can't get meaningful cover are both AGE and preexisting conditions. You could have such preexisting conditions in your 20's. A younger retiree even at 50 is much more likely to have some though, so your judgment would not apply to all people without insurance, only those who EVER had a chance to purchase meaningful cover in Thailand.

That is a very fair point and one i accept. These are the people i genuinely feel sorry for.

I think the problem here is that there are far too many that can afford insurance, could get insurance but choose not to. i don't want to labour this because we both know there are many of these types here and i'm only actually replying in agreement to your post anyway.

[Swiss1960]

Unfortunately the reality is that there are all too many expats that choose to spend their income on beer for example rather than health cover and then expect their friends to bail them out when they get ill.

If someone has enough savings to pay for their hospital bill and doesn't need insurance then fair play to them.

its unfortunate that the elder expats cannot get health insurance but is it to harsh to suggest that this is something that should have been considered at an earlier juncture?

You're forgetting that the reasons you can't get meaningful cover are both AGE and preexisting conditions. You could have such preexisting conditions in your 20's. A younger retiree even at 50 is much more likely to have some though, so your judgment would not apply to all people without insurance, only those who EVER had a chance to purchase meaningful cover in Thailand.

Jinthing, I don't agree with your exclusion of people without a change to purchase cover. Those people - if they would have really prepared their move to Thailand - would have realized that they will not be able to get insurance BEFORE they come here... and then I would either expect them to have sufficient emergency funds to be "self-insured" (I know, pretty stupid expression as you never know what will happen) - or then again accept the risk that they might die without getting help and then not complain about it, because they would know that this is the way it works in Thailand.

[Jingthing]

Unfortunately the reality is that there are all too many expats that choose to spend their income on beer for example rather than health cover and then expect their friends to bail them out when they get ill.

If someone has enough savings to pay for their hospital bill and doesn't need insurance then fair play to them.

its unfortunate that the elder expats cannot get health insurance but is it to harsh to suggest that this is something that should have been considered at an earlier juncture?

You're forgetting that the reasons you can't get meaningful cover are both AGE and preexisting conditions. You could have such preexisting conditions in your 20's. A younger retiree even at 50 is much more likely to have some though, so your judgment would not apply to all people without insurance, only those who EVER had a chance to purchase meaningful cover in Thailand.

Jinthing, I don't agree with your exclusion of people without a change to purchase cover. Those people - if they would have really prepared their move to Thailand - would have realized that they will not be able to get insurance BEFORE they come here... and then I would either expect them to have sufficient emergency funds to be "self-insured" (I know, pretty stupid expression as you never know what will happen) - or then again accept the risk that they might die without getting help and then not complain about it, because they would know that this is the way it works in Thailand.

Agreed. Are you surprised. I was only talking about actual insurance not the bigger picture you suggest. Yes get insurance here IF you can / have a pot of cash which you never really know will be enough unless you are very wealthy but you can say the same thing about insurance / or accept that in a crisis you will either die or try to repatriate but if things are really bad it will be very difficult or impossible to repatriate and the costs of emergency air ambulances are of course massive.

Again, what long term expat doesn't realize that that without insurance of pots of cash, you don't get treated here? For those considering moving here, yes, be aware, and yes, purchase meaningful insurance here when arriving IF YOU CAN.

Edited March 12, 2013 by Jingthing

[diddums]

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.

Have you seen his photo ?

[nong38]

When I first came here, I was 62 I think and had travel Insurance from the UK. As time has gone on I have found that 2 things have happened, the first was that after 65 costs went up if you get insurance and the second was the UK Insurance companies require you to have been a resident of the UK, in the UK for the previous 6 months before applying.

Not helpful for someone who spends 9-10 months here.

You can take out Insurance and hope they dont spot you were not in the UK when you took out the policy, but they will look at that first, so you have just given them money for nothing!

I have put money in the bank and hope I dont have to use it, time will tell, but it would be iresponsible to do anything else, although I accept a lot do, they come and try and turn night into day and gussle like no tomorrow, its their choice not mine, each must make their own decision.

[nong38]

I also think its worth remembering that when we were younger we were fitter and healthcare was not top of the agenda esp if you came from the UK where the NHS was free and took care of everything. As time goes by we find that things dont work as well as when we younger, more aches and pains, bumps take a lot longer to go back to normal, this tends to focus your mind on "what if" more. Some people are lucky and stay young forever in their mind but their body? It may be a case of I deal with it and take action tomorrow, always tomorrow.

[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.

I will button my lip and not result to personal attacks. That doesn't mean it didn't cross my mind.

Why is it any of your business how other people choose to live and maybe die? I am 67. Please show me where I can get a real, full coverage health insurance plan in Thailand for any price? Forget affordable, and forget that it won't cover pre-existing conditions, just show me one that's real insurance?

Sure, I could stay in the US and coast on my Medicare Advantage, and if I can make it back to US soil I'll be covered.

But what business is it of yours if I choose to take the risk of being in Thailand where my Medicare is no good and I have no insurance?

What business is it of yours if I want to take a jump off a 10th floor balcony? What business is it of yours if I want to die my way?

I suggest you do something that doesn't seem to come naturally to you. Mind your own business.

Welcome to the public forum that is Thai Visa. Its not for you to tell me to mind my own business when I haven't directed a comment squarely at you.

I'm simply spelling out some of the facts....I have no wish for anyone to become ill or not receive medical care.

Burying the head in the sand won't make the truth go away.

I agree that its a choice some people must make....and a tough one....but ignoring that truth completely and making no provision is just crazy.

Here's a tune to cheer you up....