New government health insurance for foreigners - info for TV members in the Central region

[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 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.

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.

So far we have very little information regarding issuance of these cards in the Central region, other than Phichit Hospital in Phichit (yes). Please let me know by PM if you have any experience (successful or not) in getting a card from wother hospitals in the area as I am keeping track.

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
correcyed amount: 2,200 not 2,000 baht

[swissie]

Sheryl, if you can reduce the above to 10 relevant sentences in English and simultaneously into 55 sentences in Thai (so that even Hospital-Administators) can derive some clue out of it, then we may be on our way.

Until then, regardless what brainstorm originates from Bangkok (and make it as complicated as possible), the local Hospital Staff in the sticks will let you die of a nosebleed, because they can simply not interpret those complicated "new-rulings" from far away Bangkok

Until such rulings are understandable to Thai Medical-Staff, unless the Farang pays upfront The diagnosis will be: May Loo, Mai Day,

Cheers.

[Sheryl]

There is a Thai language directive from the MoH, you will find a link to it in the Health forum thread. Some TV members found it useful to print out and bring with them, others found no need at all as the hospitals already aware (and these were upcountry hospitals).

Many hospitals "in the sticks" have issued this card.

I would suggest you first try asking and then, if they seem unaware, bring along a copy of the directive and see how that goes.

[stoneyboy]

A German expat friend is already in possession of said card and has used it on numerous occasions with recent health issues,he is situated in Phetchabun not far from Lom Sak.

So it does appear to be happening,mistakenly or not.

There is much confusion from the local hospital as fellow expats have tried to obtain this card on the knowledge that this guy already has one without luck as yet.

That said he did live and previously work in Thailand for some years prior to retiring,paying taxes and being in the system so to speak wether this had any advantage who knows.

[Sheryl]

A German expat friend is already in possession of said card and has used it on numerous occasions with recent health issues,he is situated in Phetchabun not far from Lom Sak.

So it does appear to be happening,mistakenly or not.

There is much confusion from the local hospital as fellow expats have tried to obtain this card on the knowledge that this guy already has one without luck as yet.

That said he did live and previously work in Thailand for some years prior to retiring,paying taxes and being in the system so to speak wether this had any advantage who knows.

Which hospital in Petchabun did your friend get the card at? And are you sure it is this new insurance scheme and not SS? He would have had SS while employed and it can be maintained upon retirement as long as one keeps up the premiums.

And which local hospital is it that people have had trouble getting cards? (I'm keeping a list).

Thanks

[stoneyboy]

A German expat friend is already in possession of said card and has used it on numerous occasions with recent health issues,he is situated in Phetchabun not far from Lom Sak.

So it does appear to be happening,mistakenly or not.

There is much confusion from the local hospital as fellow expats have tried to obtain this card on the knowledge that this guy already has one without luck as yet.

That said he did live and previously work in Thailand for some years prior to retiring,paying taxes and being in the system so to speak wether this had any advantage who knows.

Which hospital in Petchabun did your friend get the card at? And are you sure it is this new insurance scheme and not SS? He would have had SS while employed and it can be maintained upon retirement as long as one keeps up the premiums.

And which local hospital is it that people have had trouble getting cards? (I'm keeping a list).

Thanks

I will let you know the details once I return home from offshore in a day or two and speak to him,

Cheers

Stoneyboy.

[swissie]

There is a Thai language directive from the MoH, you will find a link to it in the Health forum thread. Some TV members found it useful to print out and bring with them, others found no need at all as the hospitals already aware (and these were upcountry hospitals).

Many hospitals "in the sticks" have issued this card.

I would suggest you first try asking and then, if they seem unaware, bring along a copy of the directive and see how that goes.

Would like to get this MoH link. But concerning this topic, there are already 270 posts in the health forum and I don't really want to read through all of them to find it. Can you give the link here ? Please.

Thanks & Cheers.

[Ticketmaster]

My wife is ratchakan (government officer), so it is all free to me!

[Sheryl]

There is a Thai language directive from the MoH, you will find a link to it in the Health forum thread. Some TV members found it useful to print out and bring with them, others found no need at all as the hospitals already aware (and these were upcountry hospitals).

Many hospitals "in the sticks" have issued this card.

I would suggest you first try asking and then, if they seem unaware, bring along a copy of the directive and see how that goes.

Would like to get this MoH link. But concerning this topic, there are already 270 posts in the health forum and I don't really want to read through all of them to find it. Can you give the link here ? Please.

Thanks & Cheers.

It is in post #86. I'd put it here if I could but as you will see it is not shown in a manner that can be copied and pasted.

[Dogbreath]

My wife is ratchakan (government officer), so it is all free to me!

Hooray for you. Some of are not so fortunate and are trying not to bleed out financially because of health problems that come with old age. This could be a real boon to those of us who do not qualify under their own country's system for care in LOS and cannot buy commercial insurance here.

[stoneyboy]

A German expat friend is already in possession of said card and has used it on numerous occasions with recent health issues,he is situated in Phetchabun not far from Lom Sak.

So it does appear to be happening,mistakenly or not.

There is much confusion from the local hospital as fellow expats have tried to obtain this card on the knowledge that this guy already has one without luck as yet.

That said he did live and previously work in Thailand for some years prior to retiring,paying taxes and being in the system so to speak wether this had any advantage who knows.

 

Which hospital in Petchabun did your friend get the card at? And are you sure it is this new insurance scheme and not SS? He would have had SS while employed and it can be maintained upon retirement as long as one keeps up the premiums.

 

And which local hospital is it that people have had trouble getting cards? (I'm keeping a list).

 

Thanks

I've spoken to my friend and he obtained his card sometime ago from Lom Sak hospital,but he tells me any time he uses it he has to get an accompanying letter from the same hospital.

For example he has a hospital appointment at Phetchabun hospital next month but must obtain said letter from Lom Sak first,he has had treatment in Phitsanulok govt hospital also and has never had to pay.

The other guys I spoke to said they got knocked back at Lom Sak hospital,they are all on a yellow tabien bahn and stay on retirement visas.

The guy with the card as I said before paid the maximum SS monthly payments all the time he was working here.

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[wimpey1946]

I try to get the card yesterday in Phichit, but I did not succeed, they sayd it was only for nabouring countrys (Laos,Cambodja and Myanmar)

while my girlfriend asked it in the same hospital 2 weeks ago and then they sayd I could get one.

[wimpey1946]

I try to get the card yesterday in Phichit, but I did not succeed, they sayd it was only for nabouring countrys (Laos,Cambodja and Myanmar)

while my girlfriend asked it in the same hospital 2 weeks ago and then they sayd I could get one

A German expat friend is already in possession of said card and has used it on numerous occasions with recent health issues,he is situated in Phetchabun not far from Lom Sak.

So it does appear to be happening,mistakenly or not.

There is much confusion from the local hospital as fellow expats have tried to obtain this card on the knowledge that this guy already has one without luck as yet.

That said he did live and previously work in Thailand for some years prior to retiring,paying taxes and being in the system so to speak wether this had any advantage who knows.

Which hospital in Petchabun did your friend get the card at? And are you sure it is this new insurance scheme and not SS? He would have had SS while employed and it can be maintained upon retirement as long as one keeps up the premiums.

And which local hospital is it that people have had trouble getting cards? (I'm keeping a list).

Thanks

I've spoken to my friend and he obtained his card sometime ago from Lom Sak hospital,but he tells me any time he uses it he has to get an accompanying letter from the same hospital.

For example he has a hospital appointment at Phetchabun hospital next month but must obtain said letter from Lom Sak first,he has had treatment in Phitsanulok govt hospital also and has never had to pay.

The other guys I spoke to said they got knocked back at Lom Sak hospital,they are all on a yellow tabien bahn and stay on retirement visas.

The guy with the card as I said before paid the maximum SS monthly payments all the time he was working here.


Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app