New Government Health Insurance for foreigners - info for TV members in Chiang Rai

[Sheryl]

The Thai government has initiated a new system which allows foreigners living in Thailand to enroll in the UC (AKA “30 baht”) scheme on a fee basis. The directive issued thus far, which involves a premium of only 2,200 baht a year plus another 600 for initial medical screening, was aimed at migrant workers, but the directive failed to specify this clearly, rather stating only “foreigner”. As a result many up-country hospitals are issuing the cards to resident resident expats. We have confirmed that this was not the original intent of the MoPH, and that they plan on introducing something for resident expats subsequently which would have a different premium, as yet to be established (it will be based on analyses of age, expected utilization etc). It will surely be more than 2,000 baht a year but also almost certainly still be much less than private insurance. Meanwhile, many resident expats are getting the cards at the 2,000 baht rate. So far there are no reports of any hospital in the Bangkok area doing this, but up-country it seems more common than not.

In the Chiang Rai area, to date we have had reports of cards being issued by Chiang Rai Hospital (to register go to Chiangrai 2 hospital (Sar glang gow)). No reports yet from district hospitals outside the ampur but usually these follow the provincial hospital’s lead so odds are good there as well.

Given the uncertainties of the situation just described (with some risk that cards issued might later be revoked, or people run into difficulties if they have to be referred up to a higher level of care, especially in Bangkok), we do not recommend discontinuing private insurance coverage if you have it. However, those who are unable to get private insurance have nothing to lose by enrolling in the system and will certainly be better off with it than remaining uninsured. Self-insured people would also benefit from it as a means of minimizing the need to dip into their savings. The system does not exclude pre-existing conditions nor have an age limit, and the required medical exam focuses on a few infectious diseases of Public Health importance only (TB, leprosy, syphilis etc – again, aimed at migrant worker issues). People with significant known chronic diseases have been issued cards.

The terms of use are identical to those for Thais covered under the UC (AKA “30 baht” scheme) – you cannot chose the hospital but must register at the government hospital responsible for the area where you live (if in doubt ask a Thai neighbor), and can only get free care at that hospital, or at a higher level facility that the hospital you are registered at refers you to. Care will be that Thais get in government hospitals, i.e. long waits, cannot chose your doctor, but usually consistent with accepted standards of care. In-patient care would be in a ward, though you might be able to pay extra out of pocket for a semi-private or private room, if available. Military hospitals are not included, though you can certainly continue to use them (or private hospitals) on a fee basis if and when you like. Similarly, private after hours arrangements at government hospitals (e.g. Suan Dok, Chula, Ramatibhodi) will not be covered, only use of the regular public channel, but again nothing to stop you from availing from it on a fee basis if desired. The coverage includes some provision for dental care as well as a pretty comprehensive range of medical services.

To register you will need to show your passport and most (but not all) hospitals are requesting some type of proof of residence, i.e. yellow tabieen baan or rental agreement. Some TV members have managed with just their wife’s tabien baan even though they are not listed in it, but with the wife going along to attest that he lives there. As is common with new government initiatives there is a lack of consistency in how requirements are interpreted in different locations. This thread in the Health Forum details experiences people have had at various hospitals http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/671391-affordable-health-insurance/

Edited October 15, 2013 by Sheryl
correctyed amount = 2,200 not 2,000 baht

[sceadugenga]

Thanks Sheryl, an interesting post that many here will welcome.

[sceadugenga]

I qualified for this today at Mae Lao Hospital.

The tests took about 2 hours after a 30 minute wait.

[DonaldBattles]

Has anyone in Chiang Rai renewed their government health insurance card. I keep getting unofficial reports that they are not going to renew.

[meatboy]

Has anyone in Chiang Rai renewed their government health insurance card. I keep getting unofficial reports that they are not going to renew.

mine is due next month so the wife is going to phone them after lunch break.[korat]

[meatboy]

Has anyone in Chiang Rai renewed their government health insurance card. I keep getting unofficial reports that they are not going to renew.

mine is due next month so the wife is going to phone them after lunch break.[korat]

wife phoned and as above they thepparat in korat are NOT renewing.

[BKKdreaming]

interesting , any reports from BKK ?

[AjarnP]

Word from the Thai Hospital is that they will neither issue new no renew old cards until the new scheme has been formalized.

Paying customers are still welcome at the hospital which dvfn paying the full amount is much cheaper than the private variety.

[citizen33]

Look in the health forum for threads on the present situation. This scheme still operates for Burmese, Cambodian and Laos migrant workers, but is unlikely to readmit western expats. If there is any provision for expats in the foreseeable future it will be via a new scheme, but the new balance of power in the MoPH seems to have pushed policy in a different direction.

Edited September 29, 2014 by citizen33

[elliss]

I recently checked it out , and they are not taking new applicants.

[worgeordie]

It ended before it had begun really,everyone has had their money refunded,

no way it was going to fly anyway,as premiums were too low,its a pity,another

not fully worked out policy.

regards Worgeordie

[Rotweiler]

Everyone has had their money refunded????

What drugs are you on...

Absolute nonsense.

It ended before it had begun really,everyone has had their money refunded,

no way it was going to fly anyway,as premiums were too low,its a pity,another

not fully worked out policy.

regards Worgeordie

[worgeordie]

By your angry response, it looks like YOU,did not get a refund,if not ,why not ?

regards worgeordie

[scorpio1945]

By your angry response, it looks like YOU,did not get a refund,if not ,why not ?

regards worgeordie

I am not aware of anyone that got a refund, with the possible exception of you. Mine is still in effect so why would I get a refund?

[worgeordie]

By your angry response, it looks like YOU,did not get a refund,if not ,why not ?

regards worgeordie

I am not aware of anyone that got a refund, with the possible exception of you. Mine is still in effect so why would I get a refund?

Hi Scorpio1945, Its interesting that you say yours is still in effect,when the scheme

was canceled, have you visited the hospital lately?, it just shows that one part of

the Govt. does not know what the other half is doing.just count yourself lucky they

did not cancel your card,but will they renew it.?

regards Worgeordie

[scorpio1945]

By your angry response, it looks like YOU,did not get a refund,if not ,why not ?

regards worgeordie

I am not aware of anyone that got a refund, with the possible exception of you. Mine is still in effect so why would I get a refund?

Hi Scorpio1945, Its interesting that you say yours is still in effect,when the scheme

was canceled, have you visited the hospital lately?, it just shows that one part of

the Govt. does not know what the other half is doing.just count yourself lucky they

did not cancel your card,but will they renew it.?

regards Worgeordie

To the best of my knowledge, they canceled it being RENEWED not the card itself. No I do not expect it to be renewed.

[DonaldBattles]

By your angry response, it looks like YOU,did not get a refund,if not ,why not ?

regards worgeordie

I am not aware of anyone that got a refund, with the possible exception of you. Mine is still in effect so why would I get a refund?

Hi Scorpio1945, Its interesting that you say yours is still in effect,when the scheme

was canceled, have you visited the hospital lately?, it just shows that one part of

the Govt. does not know what the other half is doing.just count yourself lucky they

did not cancel your card,but will they renew it.?

regards Worgeordie

To the best of my knowledge, they canceled it being RENEWED not the card itself. No I do not expect it to be renewed.

[DonaldBattles]

I used my card at the Chiang Rai Hospital last month. I think that it is safe to say that if you have an active card they will honor it.

For those wanting to renew, do not have your wife call someone in the hospital report in person. If denied get the name of the person, position and phone number of the person who told the clerk not renew and follow up.

[Rotweiler]

To actual members of the plan - the plan is still in effect unless you have been specifically told otherwise. There seem to have been many purveyors of rumours and downright falsehoods on this matter.

Regardless of what happened at some hospitals (especially in Chiang Mai where the plan appears to have been horribly abused), in Chiang Rai, the card is still valid. Mine sure is - and yesterday I was told it probably will be extended for next year.

[Rotweiler]

Was officially informed yesterday that the Hospital administrators for South Chiang Rai (Mae Suay, Mae Lao and Wiang Pa Pao) have been told not to renew any foreigner health plans. My local admin told me "we will of course be most pleased to accept payment for any service".

While the inclusion of non-Asean foreiners in the plan was on a 1-year test basis, I was told that the main reason for the plan's cancellation was the abuse thereof by individuals in "larger cities" - individuals who lied on their application forms and during the health checkup and then used the plan to obtain services for long-standing illnesses. Apparently one person in CM racked up over 2 million is costs - a substantial piece of the total fees collected from visa-holding foreigners.

FYI

[villagefarang]

In the first paragraph it states that it was never the original intent to include resident expats in this program. I am not the least bit surprised that they are not continuing it.

[oldrocker]

i went to renew yesterday and was told its canceled,and the staff had no idea if a new sceem would replace it,will have to wait and see what happens.