Affordable health insurance.

[harrry]

Another poster said that there was a new scheme for health at public hospitals for foreigners.

Today we contacted Chiaqngrai hospital and were informed that they have been instructed that the scheme introduced for mainly Burmese people has been extended to cover foreigners so we are eligible.

It costs a medical examination. 600 baht which aparently includes an gastro xray and blood tests for such things as syphallis and I presume though do not know HIV.

After that you pay 2200 baht a year and are eligible for a card which covers you in the same way as the GOld Care scheme for 30 baht a visit.

To apply we need

copy of passport

copy of tabian bahn

in my case copy of wife's ID

it aparently takes a couple of days.

Please do not polute this thread with comments about the quality of thai health care or that farangs that cannot afford proper health care should go home.

I will post more as I progress through the system but I suggest you contact the main public hospital in your district...if they seem confused ask to see the person who handles thhe heath care for burmese..these will know and aparently have just received an instruction regarding this.

[Torrens54]

I know it says "No Replies."

But just want to say THANKS to Harry for the info. Don't have any of the nasty" complaints listed above, just simply "over the age of 65."

[caz]

Thank You Harry.

[kannot]

Yes good news for many you would think? thanks.

[tcris52]

Thanks Harry.

Can you see if there is an upper age limit? I could not get health insurance when I worked at KKU because I was over 60. I'm wondering if the same limitation is on this plan.

[harrry]

Thanks Harry.

Can you see if there is an upper age limit? I could not get health insurance when I worked at KKU because I was over 60. I'm wondering if the same limitation is on this plan.

I am 70....

My wife also asked if COPD was a problem and she was told no. Aparently it is the 5 diseases that are on the immigration form they worry about so if you have leprosy you may have a problem.

She was also asked if I was working and said no I was retired. I think though this mainly applied to the documents needed.

[tcris52]

OK. Thanks again for the info.

I have a 50,000 THB payment coming up in December on a policy I've never made a claim against. I'll check this out.

[Sheryl]

This is the very first I have heard of it (though it certainly would make sense). Please anyone else with any info or experience in getting this, post the details here.

[harrry]

OK. Thanks again for the info.

I have a 50,000 THB payment coming up in December on a policy I've never made a claim against. I'll check this out.

Remember this is basic care no private room or extras..

[spambot]

Great info

- I've been looking for solution like this for a quite a while.

Quick question(s)

1. You provided - copy of tabian bahn - I am assuming rental agreement is going to be OK and this is not limited to house owners?

2. You provided a copy of wife's ID - Can you confirm (best of you knowledge) that this is not limited to only fallang's married to Thai Nationals?

Thanks again for the post

[Sheryl]

It also is limited to government hospital where you are registered (which in turn is based on where you live -- you can't choose). No choice of doctors. If you live outside the ampur you may be required to register at a district hospital where facilities are very limited and will have to get referral from them to get care at the provincial hospital. Those who live within an ampur will usually be registered at a provincial hospital (which in some lucky cases may also be a regional hospital), which offer more comprehensive services, but will still have to go through them to get referral to a tertiary facility . In other words, all the same drawbacks as government health systems usually have.

For those who are able to get local insurance it is still well worth it IMO, so as to be able to choose your doctor and hospital and get direct access to specialists.

However there are many here who due to age and/or pre-existing conditions can't get insurance., in which case the scheme described by OP would certainly be better than being uninsured.

[lorbhaim]

Thanks.

What are the terms for a falang to be entiteled to this and what it covers?

What is:

COPD

5 diseases

Age limits.

[harrry]

Great info

- I've been looking for solution like this for a quite a while.

Quick question(s)

1. You provided - copy of tabian bahn - I am assuming rental agreement is going to be OK and this is not limited to house owners?

2. You provided a copy of wife's ID - Can you confirm (best of you knowledge) that this is not limited to only fallang's married to Thai Nationals?

Thanks again for the post

I am almost certain that the ID was in relation to the Tabian bahn.

I do not know about the rental agreement. my guess is you would need a copy of the owners tabian bahn and a copy of his ID as is required for many things.

The best thing is to check your situation with the hospital in your district and post here preferably with which district.

[Tywais]

This is the very first I have heard of it (though it certainly would make sense). Please anyone else with any info or experience in getting this, post the details here.

There was an article in the Bangkok Post Feb. 28, 2013 that stated a health plan to cover foreigners was under review. This is due to the ASEAN 2015 change. Can't find anything current yet about it actually being implemented so will be interesting to see the outcome of Harrry's efforts.

There is an article at PRD that does talk about it for migrant/border individuals dated June 15, 2013 - http://thailand.prd.go.th/view_news.php?id=6812&a=2

[BuriramRes]

Three years ago I had to go to the local Satuek Hospital with a serious injury caused by a power tool.

My sister-in-law was a senior nurse at the hospital and had me registered there. I subsequently received a health card.

Each time I have needed to visit the hospital I show the card and get service at the rate of a Thai national.

As everywhere, it is not what you know it is who you know! My number is 019-66-47.

[DonaldBattles]

This is good news but I already have a card at the hospital in Chiang Rai due to my Residence Permit. I am not sure if I have to pay the 2200 and take an exam as I have been examined there before. When someone completes their application and pays the 2200 Baht and gets a gold card please inform us.

[chas39]

For the record; COPD is Chronic Pulmonary Obstructive Disease.

Coughing, short of breath,

Usually caused by smoking. So you'll get it if you do smoke - and it will probably be the thing that kills you in the end.

Can be alleviated with inhalers and stopping smoking will help.But not cure.

[Jingthing]

Another thread about this said you needed to have proof of paying Thai tax to get into this scheme. So does this or does this not pretty much rule out those on retirement visas/extensions who are not allowed to work in Thailand?

[Sheryl]

Permanent residency does not entitle you to coverage, nor does being in a tabien baan etc. (However you would be eligible ofr a special pay-in scheme for foireigners if this is in fact up and running).

Over the years, here and there a few foreigners have mistakenly been issued UC cards by local hospitals. It gets caught out if and when they need to be referred to a higher level of care.

[NancyL]

This indeed is good news, but it needs to be confirmed by someone else having the same success as Harry. Also, some key points aren't clear:

1. upper age limit for enrollment

2. unmarried foreigners covered or just those married to Thai nationals?

3. renters covered?

4. list of the five diseases that disqualify an applicant

[TerryLH]

"Each time I have needed to visit the hospital I show the card and get service at the rate of a Thai national.

As everywhere, it is not what you know it is who you know! My number is 019-66-47."

You don't have to 'know' someone to register at a government hospital. Anyone who goes there for treatment will be registered. That's the number they use to find your file the next time you go there.

I think, from old posts I've seen, there is some confusion about this subject.

This sounds like a good deal for many. A little different from the articles I've seen about this, but still good.

[chris1101]

Anyone know which is the government hospital for Pattaya and its location. Many thanks.

[marioc]

Thank you Harrry....it is really worthy to give it a check.... has anyone already investigate or tied to do anything in Chiang Mai?

Any suggestions appreciated.

[Sheryl]

Anyone know which is the government hospital for Pattaya and its location. Many thanks.

Banglamung Hospital in Naklua.

Address: 669 Moo 5 Naklua Beach, Chonburi, Thailand

Tel: 038 429 244-5, 038 427 580

[DonaldBattles]

For whatever it is worth, I have had eye lens implants on both eyes due to cataracts in the government hospital. I did not have a private room but was in with 2 other men. I was asked to show my documents including the tabien baan, Residence Permit and Passport. I was not charged for anything. I feel very fortunate. I was told that as an inpatient I would not be charged unless I had a private room. I was also told that I was allowed free medication and treatment 2 times per year.

[Deerculler]

Thank you Harry

[Emdog]

It figures. I just paid my yearly fee to BUPA. Interesting to see how this plays out.

[Pinot]

First of all thanks to the OP. This could be a game changer.

Above, someone points out that if you have insurance now that this isn't the same, private rooms etc. I've been considering going the self insured route. Being in good health at 63 I think I could handle the worst if it was something like 500k baht in exchange for not paying the 50k insurance premium, I'm now paying. Wouldn't the way to go be to get on this program to cover yourself for catastropys? Pay out of pocket where it makes sense.

What is the public hospital for Phuket? Is there a list?

[MickGC]

Permanent residency does not entitle you to coverage, nor does being in a tabien baan etc. (However you would be eligible ofr a special pay-in scheme for foireigners if this is in fact up and running).

Over the years, here and there a few foreigners have mistakenly been issued UC cards by local hospitals. It gets caught out if and when they need to be referred to a higher level of care.

Very true Sheryl. Just this past week a good friend of mine up my way spent 8 days in the local hospital due to a bad skin infection. Thought he was covered by by a card they were handing out to foreigners on retirement visas over the last couple of years. Maximum bill supposedly Bt.30 just like the locals. He had used before for checkups and meds without a problem. This time was told the card no longer covers him and had to pay the walk-up price of approx. Bt.1200 per day. Still very cheap by western standards but stuck in a public ward with all the other punters. Not a pretty sight at times.

[Sheryl]

It is possible to get a private room (hong piset) at a government hospital and the charges are quite reasonable. AFAIK you can do this even if covered by SS or the UC scheme though you'd of course have to pay the room charge out of pocket.

The big disadvantage isn't the room. It's not being able to choose your doctor, not being able to directly access a specialist, needing to get letter of referral to access a higher level of care (not so easily obtained, sometimes) etc. It is for these reasons only that I'll keep shelling out ~USD 2,000 a year to BUPA for my coverage.