Thai Health Ministry Considering Plan To Force Foreign Tourists To Buy Insurance

[nzvic]

An Australian tourist told me of his surprise about being admitted in NZ without any check re how he was going to support himself, health cover etc. Thus we have e.g. a Sth African costing $500,000in treatment which won't ever be repaid.

Also NZ is only country to give 24/7 cover to everyone, whether tourist or local, and I know of two cases where those who fell out of bed hurting spine, and another who did damage to his knee, being given continuing funds to live here for nothing. Crazy.

Hope the Thais carry through with this as many non-contributing foreigners seem to be blocking up their health system because they have virtually no money.

[paz]

An Australi.

Also NZ is only country to give 24/7 cover to everyone, whether tourist or local, and I know of two cases where those who fell out of bed hurting spine, and another who did damage to his knee, being given continuing funds to live here for nothing. Crazy.

.

No it is not. In Italy, and I think in most other EU countries, no matter who you are and what is your immigration status, if you suffer an accident or other emergency, you will be treated by the public system the fullest possible extent, identically to any Italian citizen, including long term hospitalization. You may be given a bill, but if you pay it or not won't make a difference.

And Panama, one or two years ago had introduced free medical insurance for all tourists visiting the country up to one month.

While is not common for developing countries to require medical insurance for tourists, Cuba does.

[noitom]

If you exclude the motorcycle "accidents" which are not covered by travelers insurance, the STD's, the food poisonings, the murders, muggings, knife and gang attacks/robberies, floods, and other Thai "accidents," what tourists would that include in this preposterous scheme designed to rip tourists off and line the pockets of corrupt Thais?

[pmarlin]

What about the Scandinavians who are covered under their government coverage?

I think this guy needs to do a bit more research.

I agree. Also the American retired military who has TRICARE and or Veterans Administration care. They are covered but have to pay first and then file a claim for reimbursement.

[MobileContent]

As has been said by many previous Members, this has not been thought through, or is it another case of poor investigative reporting? An additional issue is that many Insurance Companies have an upper age limit, beyond which they will not insure people - then what?

We're talking about short-term travel insurance. Anyone can buy such a policy online for a few dollars in a matter of minutes.

Much panty-twisting over nothing.

Good point : Those insurance can be bought online and even older visitors to Thailand can secure them easily online for a few dollars.

[jocko]

An Australi.

Also NZ is only country to give 24/7 cover to everyone, whether tourist or local, and I know of two cases where those who fell out of bed hurting spine, and another who did damage to his knee, being given continuing funds to live here for nothing. Crazy.

.

No it is not. In Italy, and I think in most other EU countries, no matter who you are and what is your immigration status, if you suffer an accident or other emergency, you will be treated by the public system the fullest possible extent, identically to any Italian citizen, including long term hospitalization. You may be given a bill, but if you pay it or not won't make a difference.

And Panama, one or two years ago had introduced free medical insurance for all tourists visiting the country up to one month.

While is not common for developing countries to require medical insurance for tourists, Cuba does.

In the UK there was a lot of articles in the newspaper about this subject and the bottom line was because of human rights all people entering the UK including political refugees can get health care at all levels no question.

[nzvic]

An Australian tourist told me of his surprise about being admitted in NZ without any check re how he was going to support himself, health cover etc. Thus we have e.g. a Sth African costing $500,000in treatment which won't ever be repaid.

Also NZ is only country to give 24/7 cover to everyone, whether tourist or local, and I know of two cases where those who fell out of bed hurting spine, and another who did damage to his knee, being given continuing funds to live here for nothing. Crazy.

Hope the Thais carry through with this as many non-contributing foreigners seem to be blocking up their health system because they have virtually no money.

Senilely missed out important words "24/7 Accident Compensation cover", so lump sum for injury can be claimed...I had understood that only NZ covered every man, woman and child for accidents as that was what was said at event celebrating its 40th yr...sorry if wrong. However, rape and other sorts of claims are awarded under ACC too.

[Noistar]

As has been said by many previous Members, this has not been thought through, or is it another case of poor investigative reporting? An additional issue is that many Insurance Companies have an upper age limit, beyond which they will not insure people - then what?

We're talking about short-term travel insurance. Anyone can buy such a policy online for a few dollars in a matter of minutes.

Much panty-twisting over nothing.

Good point : Those insurance can be bought online and even older visitors to Thailand can secure them easily online for a few dollars.

Another delay at immigration

[prvtdetdave]

Simple fix, world wide socialized medicine.

[Markaew]

Last week they said they want to "offer" health insurance to tourist. This week they said we are going to shove this up your arse health insurance.

What is next week?

[Time Traveller]

Why not charge them foreigners triple the price Thais pay for health insurance as well, and make them have to buy from the "approved" government health insurer only. .

[AlanL1275]

Wait!!!................Obama could fix this.

[Jingthing]

Wait!!!................Obama could fix this.

Indeed he could without an obstructionist legislature.

[charmonman]

My country of citizenship has government health insurance (I am obviously not American, what a joke) that covers any medical bills I incur up to the cost of a similar medical treatment or service I would incur in my home country. I have done comparisons and in virtually all cases the cost in Thailand is lower. Also, I am retired and spend as much as 5 months a year in Thailand (1-2 months at a time), either on 30 day entries or sometimes tourist visas.

I certainly hope I would not be forced by the Thai government into buying expensive medical/travel insurance that I do not need! I am beginning to think I should take my business elsewhere, maybe Vietnam or Cambodia - after 26 years I am really getting sick and tired of this increasingly over-regulated, over-exposed, overrun country!

Umm...bye?

yeah .. and good luck to you. Have a good, safe time in your favorite shopping mall, OK? They're going to need to build a lot more of them to accommodate the tens of millions more tourists they seem to want. Personally, I prefer a bit of adventure with my travel. It's unfortunate that Thailand no longer fits the bill after all the goddam time I spent here, but it was fun while it lasted I suppose.

[harryfrompattaya]

Simple fix, world wide socialized medicine.

This is a great idea everyone gets free medicine. Next everyone gets a free vocation How about after everyone gets free drink and etc in go go bars. This will put alot fo peope in the work force. You have great ideas

Maybe you can be the leader of the the Whole World

[Markaew]

Simple fix, world wide socialized medicine.

This is a great idea everyone gets free medicine. Next everyone gets a free vocation How about after everyone gets free drink and etc in go go bars. This will put alot fo peope in the work force. You have great ideas

Maybe you can be the leader of the the Whole World

I like your free drink idea.

[somchai69]

As one poster says, Thai visitors to the EU have to show insurance
as part of the visa application process.

Malaysia requires health insurance for their MM2H programme.
The catch being that local firms will not insure people over 60
so you have to get a waiver............

[me313]

I think that is fair and reasonable. If tourists claim they don't have funds to cover emergency hospital expenses, who is to prove otherwise? People come to Thailand often to party and relax, which often means drinking and driving.
With the obvious lack of police presence on the road to enforce a no-driving while intoxicated law, tourists also then feel free to drive drunk. Inevitably accidents will occur. Then, the tourist can claim they don't have money to pay for hospital costs, and then go back to their resort or bungalow and spend that money on more partying and then leave Thailand saying what a great time they had.

[lockman]

Well My 2 bits are that this is and should be a individual responsibility for the tourist or expat to have some insurance. The age of the individual is irrelevant. Either stop any free visa on arrival and charge anyone who enters a flat 3-5000B visa fee. That would surely hurt the visa runners heavily. So either own up and get a proper long term visa if living her or buy insurance. For expats living here require either a 1 million baht bond held in a bank here as a guarantee, or proof of insurance. I do personally know numerous foreigners and expats who don't have insurance nor the means to pay if they do have a problem. Should the Thai people pay for their medical care? Now yes this would require a phase in period for expats who have been here awhile, and some requirements on insurance companies too.

Now as far as the double pricing, I do use private hospitals, and have found care to be very reasonably priced. First checkout (if long term) where you plan to go for care, and see what programs they have for expat payments, discounts, etc, because if you don't, you will pay more. To me a VIP or preferred member card that gives a 10-20% discount for meds and well as many services that costs 2-500B is a good deal. I only recently found out about one at a place I have went for 3-4 years that isn't advertised because I asked.

Meanwhile in the provinces, health care is not that great at times, contrary to many beliefs. As I have no desire to wait days to see a specialist who would know and understand something at a government hospital, I go to the private ones where I can see one in an hour or so. But yes that does cost more, or often less to cut out all the wasted lower class DR's who may never have heard of psoriatic arthritis and the costs to see them first. I'd far rather pay a higher fee (like 4-500 Baht) to go to the private hospital first, bee seen in 30 minutes, do a few tests they want as they have never seen you before, and done and out the door with great treatment for 3500B instead of 3-4 days at a government hospital trying to see that same specialist for days, and lower DR's wanting numerous worthless tests that you pay for and associated hotel charges, as in most provinces there is no specialist of certain medical specialties and guess where the Thai person ends up. In that same long line for days or even weeks.

Edited March 15, 2013 by lockman

[NewlyMintedThai]

Stop talking sense around here!

[473geo]

Last week they said they want to "offer" health insurance to tourist. This week they said we are going to shove this up your arse health insurance.

What is next week?

5000 baht hospital fee to remove it?

[isawasnake]

If this is so important, why not just tax every tourist upon arrival, or departure, a health fee, and have it go to the hospitals. I think charging all the people who stay here a week is a great idea.

[Payboy]

Or the could use some of the funds from the double-pricing at national parks, emerald buddha, etc to cover that health insurance.

[GoodWesternGuy]

Very few people realize that even if you have insurance, the hospitals can ask you to pay up-front first. I found this out to my dismay when I lived in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China.

I rock up at the hospital in agony - FULLY Insured at 1am.

The Matron looks at my insurance and asks for RMB 35,000 [They thought I needed my appendix out]

Now... no one carries that much cash at 1am and you cannot get that out of an ATM in one go anyway.

I explained I was insured [Australian travel insurance cover] and they just said "That will pay later now you need money first or go home"

[chiang mai]

If this is so important, why not just tax every tourist upon arrival, or departure, a health fee, and have it go to the hospitals. I think charging all the people who stay here a week is a great idea.

You want another departure tax, we allready have one to pay for the airport, now you want one to pay for the medical system as well, why not a whole series of departure taxes based on your age and the facilities that you use whilst in country - ah yes sir, single male, travelling alone, been here two weeks, that'll be a liability towards the Nana Plaza staff retirement fund tax plus a charge to the Pattaya beer bar owners social fund and welfare tax!

[CobraSnakeNecktie]

Very few people realize that even if you have insurance, the hospitals can ask you to pay up-front first. I found this out to my dismay when I lived in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China.

I rock up at the hospital in agony - FULLY Insured at 1am.

The Matron looks at my insurance and asks for RMB 35,000 [They thought I needed my appendix out]

Now... no one carries that much cash at 1am and you cannot get that out of an ATM in one go anyway.

I explained I was insured [Australian travel insurance cover] and they just said "That will pay later now you need money first or go home"

so what happened?

[Markaew]

Very few people realize that even if you have insurance, the hospitals can ask you to pay up-front first. I found this out to my dismay when I lived in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China.

I rock up at the hospital in agony - FULLY Insured at 1am.

The Matron looks at my insurance and asks for RMB 35,000 [They thought I needed my appendix out]

Now... no one carries that much cash at 1am and you cannot get that out of an ATM in one go anyway.

I explained I was insured [Australian travel insurance cover] and they just said "That will pay later now you need money first or go home"

I think this nicely sums up the situation here.

Since everyone likes to compare Thailand to the US, here it is. Anyone can go to any hospital in the US that receives federal funding (which is nearly all of them) to get emergency care with insurance or not. They have to because their federal funding depends on it. Federal funding such medicare/medicaid is major funding for most hospitals. Federal funding accounts for more than a third of their income. I worked in a US hospital before as part of the accounting dept. so I know for certain.

So don't start this crap about the US would do the same.

[tropo]

Very few people realize that even if you have insurance, the hospitals can ask you to pay up-front first. I found this out to my dismay when I lived in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China.

I rock up at the hospital in agony - FULLY Insured at 1am.

The Matron looks at my insurance and asks for RMB 35,000 [They thought I needed my appendix out]

Now... no one carries that much cash at 1am and you cannot get that out of an ATM in one go anyway.

I explained I was insured [Australian travel insurance cover] and they just said "That will pay later now you need money first or go home"

so what happened?

Sure, this happened in China. It's also normal practice in the Philippines, but what about Thailand? Do they ever ask for money up front?

I know at the hospitals I've attended in Pattaya they never have.

[Pimay1]

Very few people realize that even if you have insurance, the hospitals can ask you to pay up-front first. I found this out to my dismay when I lived in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China.

I rock up at the hospital in agony - FULLY Insured at 1am.

The Matron looks at my insurance and asks for RMB 35,000 [They thought I needed my appendix out]

Now... no one carries that much cash at 1am and you cannot get that out of an ATM in one go anyway.

I explained I was insured [Australian travel insurance cover] and they just said "That will pay later now you need money first or go home"

so what happened?

Sure, this happened in China. It's also normal practice in the Philippines, but what about Thailand? Do they ever ask for money up front?

I know at the hospitals I've attended in Pattaya they never have.

Aek Udon International Hospital in Udon never asks me for money up front.

[ginjag]

Very few people realize that even if you have insurance, the hospitals can ask you to pay up-front first. I found this out to my dismay when I lived in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China.

I rock up at the hospital in agony - FULLY Insured at 1am.

The Matron looks at my insurance and asks for RMB 35,000 [They thought I needed my appendix out]

Now... no one carries that much cash at 1am and you cannot get that out of an ATM in one go anyway.

I explained I was insured [Australian travel insurance cover] and they just said "That will pay later now you need money first or go home"

so what happened?

Sure, this happened in China. It's also normal practice in the Philippines, but what about Thailand? Do they ever ask for money up front?

I know at the hospitals I've attended in Pattaya they never have.

Aek Udon International Hospital in Udon never asks me for money up front.

Udon public hospital gives me a bill to pay prior to my monthly treatment in advance. No problem but they do it this way and it's good.

I also attended AEK Udon, really good treatment before paying, so I assume that the payment upfront applies at some and not at others.