Affordable health insurance.

[Soutpeel]

I have now had some further information from a senior contact in the MoPH, although this is again not very conclusive. My contact is a former Permanent Secretary, who is one of the 'senior experts' involved in policy making, especially in the areas of UHC and workforce issues. He characterised the present situation as a 'dynamic' one, and said that it is the case that hospitals have been registering resident foreigners as well as migrant workers and that it is unclear how the scheme will develop. According to him the intention of the MoPH is to cover three groups of foreigners:

1 Migrant workers

2 Temporary travelers

3 Foreigners who stay for a long time in Thailand but are not workers.

He says the Ministerial statement we have posted on the forum was supposed to be for the first group only.

'The ministry is negotiating for a separate HI fund for 2 (we have around 20 millions tourists and temporary visitors and expect to be more and more). We don't have a concrete mechanism and systems for 3 yet. It may be possible to include 3 in the 1 fund. However, the different ageing structure may require different price of premium.'

His personal view is that the voluntary scheme may not survive, and that it would be better if the NHSO oversaw all the HI schemes.

So it seems that the situation is dynamic and that there isn't yet a consensus within the MoPH about how this scheme will develop.

So based on this one assumes the goverment will do an about turn on the current cards/insurance issued to people who are not migrant workers are in fact if "resident farangs", so I wouldnt be giving up any private inurance people may have at this point in time

[citizen33]

I have now had some further information from a senior contact in the MoPH, although this is again not very conclusive.

So based on this one assumes the goverment will do an about turn on the current cards/insurance issued to people who are not migrant workers are in fact if "resident farangs", so I wouldnt be giving up any private inurance people may have at this point in time

I think it is too early to say. My contact said the situation was 'dynamic'. I'm trying to get another senior official to find out more.

Edited October 12, 2013 by citizen33

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

What I took from Citizen's very helpful posts above were two essential points as things stand now:

1. That it IS the MOPH's intention to offer government health insurance coverage to resident (non-employed, non-SSO) farangs in some form at some time, and

2. That the cards being issued now, apparently under the ASEAN migrants program, may or may not be the ultimate insurance vehicle for dealing with resident farangs.

Either way, I found it encounaging to hear, at least from Citizen's government source, that they do intend to do something for resident farang health insurance. That would be a big step in the right direction and very helpful for a lot of folks who either can't get or can't afford traditional private insurance.

[Jingthing]

Most likely if the official f-rang insurance is offered it will then become a requirement for all long term extensions.

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[wimpey1946]

I will try this in Phichit hospital soon, anybody did it there sofar ??

[samran]

Most likely if the official f-rang insurance is offered it will then become a requirement for all long term extensions.

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Not a bad idea.

[Jingthing]

Most likely if the official f-rang insurance is offered it will then become a requirement for all long term extensions.

Sent from my GT-S5360B using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Not a bad idea.

To clarify, I meant SOME kind of health insurance. Obviously those who can afford and are accepted by private insurance companies will tend to go that route. Yes, I see this happening as a strong possibility based on news items this year, etc.

The main objection to any requirement now is of course that so many people are not accepted by insurance companies so it would be cruel to have an impossible requirement. With this government scheme, that objection goes away.

Edited October 12, 2013 by Jingthing

[Sheryl]

What I took from Citizen's very helpful posts above were two essential points as things stand now:

1. That it IS the MOPH's intention to offer government health insurance coverage to resident (non-employed, non-SSO) farangs in some form at some time, and

2. That the cards being issued now, apparently under the ASEAN migrants program, may or may not be the ultimate insurance vehicle for dealing with resident farangs.

Either way, I found it encounaging to hear, at least from Citizen's government source, that they do intend to do something for resident farang health insurance. That would be a big step in the right direction and very helpful for a lot of folks who either can't get or can't afford traditional private insurance.

My guess is that it will be the same system but a different premium. Not because of racial bias or anything like that but because migrant workers tend to be young and fairly fit and resident expats tend to be considerably older and thus likely to have higher utilization rates.

Hopefully the cards already issued will be honored without interruption and just get asked to pay a higher premium at time of renewal if a "resident farang" rate has by then been established.

[Sheryl]

I will try this in Phichit hospital soon, anybody did it there sofar ??

Npt that I have heard, so report back to us after you go, thanks

[meatboy]

I will try this in Phichit hospital soon, anybody did it there sofar ??

Npt that I have heard, so report back to us after you go, thanks

i will go to theparat hospital [korat] on tuesday and report back after.

when the wf.spoke to them they seemed well informed about the scheme.

[wimpey1946]

here is an example I get send by mail from a friend

Ok the Thai Government Hospitals are now giving out a Health Card for

Foreigner go to your local government hospital and ask about it. If you

dont speak Thai I advise you to take someone who does. I went on

Tuesday with xxxx and took a copy of my passport xxxx ID card and her

house registration book. I had a chest x-ray, a urine sample taken and

some blood tests taken. I was then told to come back in two hours. When

I returned I saw a doctor who reviewed my test results, asked me if I

had anything wrong, I told her I had hypertension, she asked me if I was

taking medicine, I said yes. She said I was healthy and sent me to pay

2,200 baht for one year insurance and 600 baht for the medical. I then

went to an administration office where they entered everything in to

their computer, they then said they would call me when my card was

ready. They called me today (Thursday) and told me to go in with my

passport. I went in they copied my passport and gave me the card. The

whole thing was painless and efficient. I have attached a copy of the

card. I dont know what exactly the criteria to get the card is, but I

expect you have to be on a Non Immigrant Visa with a year extension. It

will be interesting to see what it covers, but for 2,800 baht total for

one year, I think it is probably a good deal. Good luck,

[ding]

I've have found this about government efforts from March:

... On health care measures for foreigners in preparation for the AEC, the ministry will target three groups of foreign nationals: people from countries sharing borders with Thailand who seek medical treatment here; foreign (migrant) workers and expatriates and their families who are not under the social security system; and foreigners who require a visa to enter Thailand. ...

Link

See if I parsed this out too wishfully please-

"... the ministry will target three groups of foreign nationals:

1. people from countries sharing borders with Thailand who seek medical treatment here;
2. foreign (migrant) workers and expatriates and their families who are not under the social security system;
3. and foreigners who require a visa to enter Thailand..."

Edited October 14, 2013 by ding

[harrry]

HI harrry, many thanks for the info so far, do you have any updates,tomorow I will try sankanphang , Hospital, and will post my results

All I know is I got my card wnt to my prearanged appointment at the after hours of my lung specialist. Paid my 200 baht fee for seeing her. It would have been 30 baht if I saw her in the daytime rush. took my card to the prescriptions etc counter. They entered it in the computer and told me that the medicine would be free. It is usually 8000 baht for the 4 months. They commented it was good I got the card as I have had to get the medicine regularly and it would be better for me now.

Everyone ar CR hospital knew of the scheme and that I was entitled but had to check the details of what I was entitled to from the computer as I was the first they had had with the card.

[derekwyoung]

HI harrry, many thanks for the info so far, do you have any updates,tomorow I will try sankanphang , Hospital, and will post my results

[citizen33]

See if I parsed this out too wishfully please-

"... the ministry will target three groups of foreign nationals:

1. people from countries sharing borders with Thailand who seek medical treatment here;
2. foreign (migrant) workers and expatriates and their families who are not under the social security system;
3. and foreigners who require a visa to enter Thailand..."

It is beginning to look as though this is not so far from the position. An NHSO informant who initially told me that this scheme was only for migrants, has now checked with HIG and says that it indeed applies to other foreigner residents not covered by the Social Security Scheme.

What I find very surprising about all this is that very senior people in NHSO don't seem to know much about the scheme, and even MoPH policy makers are unsure how it will develop. Reading between the lines the Health Insurance Group.at the MoPH has expanded the target group beyond what was originally planned, but it is unclear whether this was already reflected in the official guidance (see link on thread) or involves policy creep as the scheme is implemented..

My informant says that the main problem HIG face is that they cannot make insurance cover compulsory for migrant workers and find themselves with a low rate of uptake of the scheme. I wonder if this is a factor which makes the wider population of foreign residents attractive.

In any event this seems like good news for many on the forum, even though the future is still uncertain. I'm still trying to find our more but am getting my information only a bit at a time.

Edited October 14, 2013 by citizen33

[BB1955]

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.

I tried at Hang Dong hospital a few momths ago had yellow book Thai spouse but was told I could not get on it Im just wondering if I should try again . My wife has it and used it many times

[BB1955]

HI harrry, many thanks for the info so far, do you have any updates,tomorow I will try sankanphang , Hospital, and will post my results

Yes let us know how you make out ..... If you are sucessful I will try Hang Dong hospital again . I struck out a while back

[harrry]

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.

I tried at Hang Dong hospital a few momths ago had yellow book Thai spouse but was told I could not get on it Im just wondering if I should try again . My wife has it and used it many times

Someone said they had to go to the government hospital. That is not SuanDork. Try the closest to you as that is probably the one you have to go to. If not try the bigest one in chiangmai.

[harrry]

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.

I tried at Hang Dong hospital a few momths ago had yellow book Thai spouse but was told I could not get on it Im just wondering if I should try again . My wife has it and used it many times

If you went a few months ago there would have been no scheme. This is a new Scheme not the Universal Cover scheme.

[Sheryl]

here is an example I get send by mail from a friend

Ok the Thai Government Hospitals are now giving out a Health Card for

Foreigner go to your local government hospital and ask about it. If you

dont speak Thai I advise you to take someone who does. I went on

Tuesday with xxxx and took a copy of my passport xxxx ID card and her

house registration book. I had a chest x-ray, a urine sample taken and

some blood tests taken. I was then told to come back in two hours. When

I returned I saw a doctor who reviewed my test results, asked me if I

had anything wrong, I told her I had hypertension, she asked me if I was

taking medicine, I said yes. She said I was healthy and sent me to pay

2,200 baht for one year insurance and 600 baht for the medical. I then

went to an administration office where they entered everything in to

their computer, they then said they would call me when my card was

ready. They called me today (Thursday) and told me to go in with my

passport. I went in they copied my passport and gave me the card....

Wimpey, which hospital was this?

[meatboy]

I will try this in Phichit hospital soon, anybody did it there sofar ??

Npt that I have heard, so report back to us after you go, thanks

i will go to theparat hospital [korat] on tuesday and report back after.

when the wf.spoke to them they seemed well informed about the scheme.

got there for 8am went to counter 1 to register,wf filled in the form,then directed to be weighed,then blood pressure taken,then blood sample and urine test,everyone was helpfull and directed us as where to go.

had some food then saw the doctor who when through my medical history and checked all my medication including my inr and the doseage,he did explain if i needed heart treatment emergancy i would have to be transfered all in all if immigration and supermarket staff were as efficient as the clerical staff at the hospice life would be a dam sight easyer in los.

only the ability of not being able to speak english is the only fault.there is quite a lot that you are entitled to one is free dental treatment.so 2,200bht,plus 600 for the medical every yr.is money well spent.until someone has emergency treatment we will not know how good the scheme is.

[Firefan]

Meatboy; any idea what kind of dental cover included? I.e. I wonder whether routine checkups are included? Cheers!

[Issangeorge]

Khao Wong Hospital in Kalasin Province can be added to the list. A friend of mine (non TV member) just got accepted there. He will get his card next week

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[Sheryl]

Khao Wong Hospital in Kalasin Province can be added to the list. A friend of mine (non TV member) just got accepted there. He will get his card next week

Sent from my i-mobile IQ 6 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Thanks!

[meatboy]

Meatboy; any idea what kind of dental cover included? I.e. I wonder whether routine checkups are included? Cheers!

cleaning,fillings and tooth extraction so i would think includes checkups.

[scorecard]

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.

Hi Donald,

Thanks for your post.

I also have permanent residence (18 years already). I'm now residing in Chiang Mai, I tried about two years back to get the card, then living in Bangkok , but was told that there is no such coverage for foreigners, including holders of permanent residence (PR).

I suspect there may well be many other PR holders who are quite interested in this subject.

So Donald, would you please be kind enough to share a few more details of the card your already holding:

- Where did you apply?

- Does it have a specific name (English or Thai language)?

- What, in macro terms does it cover (inpatient / outpatients etc.)?

Also, from your knowledge is the cover provided by the card you already hold the same as what's just now being discussed and available much more widely?

Comments from any TV members who can share details of course much appreciated and I'm sure there are other members who would also appreciate it.

[DonaldBattles]

I live in Chiang Rai but my Tabien Baan is in Phuket. I simply presented them with 2 copies of the Tabien Baan and they concluded that my gold card was in Phuket. I have never had a gold card. I continue to get treat free. Today I had one eye laser cut to remove the opacity the bill was 2000 and I did not pay. All of this seems strange to me.

[Sheryl]

In the past there have been cases where some hospitals erroneously gave UC cards to resident expats, both PRs and sometimes just retirees/people on spousal visas who had a yellow tabien baan. Most hospitals have not fdone this but there are more than few which have, and some of these folk have had and used the cards for quite a while. Where problems tend to occur is if/when they are referred to a higher level of care.

Foreigners - including PRs -- are not eligible for free care under the UC. This point has been clarified with the NHSO and MoPH several timers so I am quite certain of it. Only Thai citizens are eligible. Hospitals that have given free cards to resident expats, be they PRs on on a non-imm visa, did so in error.

This new scheme, which is not free but rather a low cost insurance, is another matter. While high level consultations with government indicate it was not meant to do so, the language of the directive does state all foreigners so hospitals are within the rules in issuing them insurance cards.

It is however going to cause problems for the hospitals down the line because it will be a money loser at that premium rate given the average age and health of uninsured nonemployed resident farang.

This entire insurance scheme is intended to avoid financial losses, it is not being done out of generosity nor ideology, but rather trying to fix a very simple problem: the already cash strapped government hospitals are losing money caring for migrant workers and, to a lesser but rising extent, resident expats who cannot pay their bills. The 2,200 baht premium was set after considerable research by health financing experts around the expected type and frequency of utilization by migrant workers.

It is possible to work out something for resident farangs that will avoid financial loss for the hospitals and still cost less than private insurance (which in any case many older farangs can't get) but it will have to involve a higher premium yet to be established.

The big question is how will all this play out as it becomes evident both to the hospitals and to higher ups that the system is covering a significant number of resident expats at a loss. Best case scenario, they get busy determining an appropriate premium and just transition people to that rate at their next renewal or next contact with the hospital. Worst case scenario, they invalidate the cards. Hopefully won't happen but no guarantee.

[Firefan]

Sheryl; great write up! Covers pretty much all the "yeah, but why then do I get free cover...." posts on TV. Really appreciate your assistance here on the board in general - and you keeping track of the hospitals in this thread.

Also; you would be the first I would ask in Thailand if needed a reference to the best (specialist) doctor for any specific case. You seem to be very knowledgeable in that area! (hope not all of them from personal experience! ).

Cheers!

[ridge runner]

Looks like bua yai in nakornratchasima is going to issue card. Grandson had doc apt today had son to ask. He said they knew about it and I should be ok. Bring docs already mentioned. Wifeand I will be going to town next week will go by hospital then to do paperwork. Will post more when we are finished.

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