Government Health Insurance for expats - continued

[Sheryl]

This is a continuation of http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/674734-the-new-government-health-insurance-info-for-tv-members-in-chiang-mai/page-10#entry7064970 which was closed due to length.

Please post new comments/reports/questions here.

You may also find it helpful to do a search of the original thread referenced above for specific questions and information on specific hospitals.

[NancyL]

OK, I'll start. If you're resident in Muang or Mae Rim districts, you don't need to worry about filling out an application form to apply for the gov't health insurance at Nakorn Ping hospital. Just come between 12:00 noon - 1:00 pm with your passport, a copy of the photo page of your passport and proof of address. That proof can be a copy of your lease, a letter from your landlord or guest house mgr, a utility bill in your name, your Thai driver's license (your address in on the back, in Thai) and of course, your yellow book, really just about anything with your name and address. Plus 2800 baht, of course.

Other hospitals have different requirements. Some ask for passport-size photos. Nakorn Ping doesn't.

[BillyBobThai]

I returned to Hang Dong hospital today as they called the wife and said that my chest x-ray showed something abnormal and wanted me to return and have a retake. It seems I have an enlarged heart. While there I talked to the Dr. and got all of my monthly meds and the Dr. visit for 30 baht. I have been paying 1300 baht a month for several years at outside pham. I was willing to pay full price but was told there was no use in doing that.

[muchogra]

I just want to thank both NancyL and Sheryl for their reponsivesness in answering and clearing up questions.

Edited November 21, 2013 by muchogra

[cassde]

Any member used hospitals to register in the Bangna area of Bangkok?

[gamini]

I have replied to this topic before. The facilities offered by this card are very limited. All the medicine that I have to take monthly for Heart, cancer and COPD comes to about Bt9000 a month but most of this medicine is not available under the scheme. I got only about Bt600 worth.

I need to see specialists for my health conditions and the hospital at which i am registered (Chanpeuk) has to refer me to a major hospital for which they have to make appointments with waiting lists up to four months. But if i go straight to the hospital as a paying patient ( about Bt300-Bt400) I can see a specialist without an appointment by just waiting in a queue. I have had very long waits to see the Doctors at Chanpeuk and sometimes was told to come back the next day.

I think the government insurance scheme is hardy worth it unless you have very limited funds and can not afford to pay the very cheap rates at government hospitals.

[Sheryl]

Any member used hospitals to register in the Bangna area of Bangkok?

To date there have been no reports of the card being issued by any hospital in Bangkok and environs.

[NancyL]

Any member used hospitals to register in the Bangna area of Bangkok?

This is the Chiang Mai forum, but if you consult the Wikipedia listing of gov't hospitals in Thailand you'll find that none are operated by the Min of Public Health.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_hospitals_in_Thailand

I suggest you post this question on the general Health forum of Thai visa or maybe the Bangkok forum.

[Sheryl]

I have replied to this topic before. The facilities offered by this card are very limited. All the medicine that I have to take monthly for Heart, cancer and COPD comes to about Bt9000 a month but most of this medicine is not available under the scheme. I got only about Bt600 worth.

I need to see specialists for my health conditions and the hospital at which i am registered (Chanpeuk) has to refer me to a major hospital for which they have to make appointments with waiting lists up to four months. But if i go straight to the hospital as a paying patient ( about Bt300-Bt400) I can see a specialist without an appointment by just waiting in a queue. I have had very long waits to see the Doctors at Chanpeuk and sometimes was told to come back the next day.

I think the government insurance scheme is hardy worth it unless you have very limited funds and can not afford to pay the very cheap rates at government hospitals.

It may still be worth it as back-up in case you need hospitalization.

If you were to have a heart attack, you'd get into the major hospital at once, no waiting list, and pay only 30 baht for what would otherwise be a very expensive hospitalization indeed.

I fully agree that for anyone with the financial means it makes sense not to bother with this for simple outpatient care. But inpatient care, especially if requiring surgery or ICU stay, is a whole other matter.

re your meds - are you sure that a generic equivalent is not available at the govt hospital? And/or that a similar drug of the same type that would work just as well is not? 9000b/month is a big expense for meds. I ask because private hospitals here tend to prescribe the very newest/most expensive form of everything when older drugs in the same family/with essentially the same action would work just as well. If you'd like to PM me a list of your meds I'd be happy to look them over and advise.

[NancyL]

I have replied to this topic before. The facilities offered by this card are very limited. All the medicine that I have to take monthly for Heart, cancer and COPD comes to about Bt9000 a month but most of this medicine is not available under the scheme. I got only about Bt600 worth.

I need to see specialists for my health conditions and the hospital at which i am registered (Chanpeuk) has to refer me to a major hospital for which they have to make appointments with waiting lists up to four months. But if i go straight to the hospital as a paying patient ( about Bt300-Bt400) I can see a specialist without an appointment by just waiting in a queue. I have had very long waits to see the Doctors at Chanpeuk and sometimes was told to come back the next day.

I think the government insurance scheme is hardy worth it unless you have very limited funds and can not afford to pay the very cheap rates at government hospitals.

Is Chanpeuk a hospital in Chiang Mai province? I don't believe it is. I suggest you post on the forum relevant to your region.

The name Changpeuk is too close to "Chang Puek which is the name of a private hospital in Chiang Mai province which is participating in this program (gads I hate the word "scheme", it makes this program sound like a shell game) But, Chang Puek hospital is a small local hospital does not enroll patients into this program -- they only accept them on an emergency basis under contract to the MOPH.

[muchogra]

My post here is in reference to Post #6 by gamini. I think my story may provide a little more information for other people to consider.

My wife had a thyroid problem. She had been seeing a doctor in a private hospital for 4 years. The doctor just kept giving her medicines and never mentioned it could be cured. Well, you could figure out the total cost of doctor and medicine fees in that span of 4 years. While the cost wasn't a burden to us, but it's a never ending thing, and too much medicines were not good for my wife's health! I enquired around and some Thai friends said she should drink naam laee (interpreted as distilled water in my poor Thai). I asked the doctor at the private hospital. It was then he said his hospital didn't have the machine to make it (the naam laee), only Chula Hospital has it. Well, naam laee is some kind of ionic water or something like that.

I took my wife to Chula. Yes, the queue was long. Anyway, after a few treatments, my wife's thyroid problem was completely cured and it's been about 15 years now. We didn't use any cards and the cost was very cheap. Some prescribed medicines were really cheap when compared to outside. The doctor who saw her was a professor at Chula who received his education from the States. While at the hospital, we got to talk to some other patients who had diabetes getting treatment there. They were able to get medicines far cheaper than buying from outside.

I think in earlier posts by a poster, also, by NancyL and Sheryl, for some people who require long term medications, these public hospitals may furnish you medicines at a much reduced cost. Give it a thought for your individual cases!

Edited November 21, 2013 by muchogra

[muchogra]

In the case of mimi, shouldn't her husband gone to the emergency section at Nakornping? Shouldn't it have been treated as such? It's just a bit strange to me!

[Sheryl]

Wherever you go, you have to be a medical advocate for yourself. This is true everywhere in the world but even more so in Thailand.

If a doctor's verdict doesn't seem right to you, if you are told something is unimportant or can wait and your gut instinct is that this is wrong...go with your gut, and get another opinion. Always.

Over the years I have seen countless cases where a person's life and/or function was saved only because they had the sense not to listen to the doctor's initial advice. Even the best of doctors can make mistakes. And not all doctors are the best.

Need to be especially wary in small district hospitals, where the doctors are young and inexperienced and also in small upcountry private hospitals which often have mediocre staff. But in fact mistakes in diagnosis/misjudgements can happen anywhere, even in the best hospitals. And sometimes by even the best clinicians.

Doctors have many patients, you have just one - yourself. And nobody has as much at stake as you do. So be prepared to be firm and proactive (in a polite manner, of course.)

[Torrens54]

I just want to thank both NancyL and Sheryl for their reponsivesness in answering and clearing up questions.

Thank You seems not enough to say to NancyL and Sheryl for all they have done to provide this information.

Greatly appreciated!!!!!!

[BarnicaleBob]

My wife uses her 30 insurance at Theppanya Hospital which is on the Super Highway and the Rout 1001. Does anyone know if they are accepting us into this program there and if so what they require?

Edited November 22, 2013 by BarnicaleBob

[BarnicaleBob]

My wife uses her 30 insurance at Theppanya government Hospital which is on the Super Highway and the Rout 1001. Does anyone know if they are accepting us into this program there and if so what they require?

OK, my mistake, my wife told me her insurance is Thai Social Security and not the government scheme of this topic. So disregard my question about Theppaya Hospital.

[BarnicaleBob]

I looked at the list of government hospitals that seem to be accepting us in this plan and a question comes to mind. I know we are to register with the hospital in the Amphr we live in but once we are enrolled if we require medical attention can we go to any of the other listed hospitals for treatment? The reason I ask this is that I do not think much of the government hospital in my Amphr and would rather be treated at one of the other government hospitals listed.

[mimithewoof]

Muchogra - Nakornping emergency room is where he went, the day after he went to Doi Saket hospital to check it out and was told 'no infection'. Doi Saket's been good in the past for minor ailments, especially the woman doctor.

The following day, when it was more than obvious that an infection existed and that it was serious, the Nakornping doctor stressed he should be operated on immediately to remove the finger as the infection had spread to the bone - same story the next day - he's still there in the orthopedic ward - no operation yet, but 8 hours so far on an antibiotic drip and they've drained the site of the infection.

The ward staff are great, apparently.

With reference to Sheryl's post - spot on - not blowing my own trumpet, but the reason I nagged him to get a medical opinion at DS in the first place was that the heat coming off the bright red site of the infection would have boiled a kettle!

[Genericnic]

OK, I'll start. If you're resident in Muang or Mae Rim districts, you don't need to worry about filling out an application form to apply for the gov't health insurance at Nakorn Ping hospital. Just come between 12:00 noon - 1:00 pm with your passport, a copy of the photo page of your passport and proof of address. That proof can be a copy of your lease, a letter from your landlord or guest house mgr, a utility bill in your name, your Thai driver's license (your address in on the back, in Thai) and of course, your yellow book, really just about anything with your name and address. Plus 2800 baht, of course.

Other hospitals have different requirements. Some ask for passport-size photos. Nakorn Ping doesn't.

@Nancy

I live on Chang Klan road just a little south of Pantip Plaza which is in A.Muang. Is Nakorn Ping hospital the closest place I can go to apply for the gov't health insurance? I don't mind the trip up there but would be nice if there was some place closer.

Thanks

David

[ThaiPauly]

So do you just choose the hospital nearest to you or do you have to be resident say for example in Hang Dong to get cover?

I don't recognize the names of any of the other hospitals mentioned but Hang Dong is probably the closest to Mae Hia, I would be grateful if someone could tell me if I could I register there?

[NancyL]

I looked at the list of government hospitals that seem to be accepting us in this plan and a question comes to mind. I know we are to register with the hospital in the Amphr we live in but once we are enrolled if we require medical attention can we go to any of the other listed hospitals for treatment? The reason I ask this is that I do not think much of the government hospital in my Amphr and would rather be treated at one of the other government hospitals listed.

Unfortunately, with this program you go to the hospital where you register (i.e. your amphur hospital) to obtain non-emergency care for 30 baht. Of course, you always have the option of going to another hospital and paying for care yourself or moving into the district served by a hospital you like and registering for the program there. I don't mean to be flip, but it is one of the limitations of the program. That's why we're suggesting that some people may find it more convenient to register and use the program for an emergency back-up, but continue to do what they're doing now for their routine medical care.

[NancyL]

To determine where you should register, you need to know where you live -- which Amphur. Find something with your mailing address. Often the address might be written as "T. Suthep A. Muang Chiang Mai" That person lives in tambon Suthep amphur Muang

Here's another technique to figure out where you live:

Google is your friend. That's how I figured out where Mae Hia is located. I typed the words "Mae Hia Chiang Mai" into google and it came back with "Mae Hia is a tambon in amphur muang chiang mai province Thailand" Google also tells me that Chang Klan is in Amphur Muang.

[gamini]

I have replied to this topic before. The facilities offered by this card are very limited. All the medicine that I have to take monthly for Heart, cancer and COPD comes to about Bt9000 a month but most of this medicine is not available under the scheme. I got only about Bt600 worth.

I need to see specialists for my health conditions and the hospital at which i am registered (Chanpeuk) has to refer me to a major hospital for which they have to make appointments with waiting lists up to four months. But if i go straight to the hospital as a paying patient ( about Bt300-Bt400) I can see a specialist without an appointment by just waiting in a queue. I have had very long waits to see the Doctors at Chanpeuk and sometimes was told to come back the next day.

I think the government insurance scheme is hardy worth it unless you have very limited funds and can not afford to pay the very cheap rates at government hospitals.

It may still be worth it as back-up in case you need hospitalization.

If you were to have a heart attack, you'd get into the major hospital at once, no waiting list, and pay only 30 baht for what would otherwise be a very expensive hospitalization indeed.

I fully agree that for anyone with the financial means it makes sense not to bother with this for simple outpatient care. But inpatient care, especially if requiring surgery or ICU stay, is a while other matter.

re your meds - are you sure that a generic equivalent is not available at the govt hospital? And/or that a similar drug of the same type that would work just as well is not? 9000b/month is a big expense for meds. I ask because private hospitals here tend to prescribe the very newest/most expensive form of everything when older drugs in the same family/with essentially the same action would work just as well. If you'd like to PM me a list of your meds I'd be happy to look them over and advise.

The Bt9000 a month medicine I buy from a Chinese wholesale pharmacy in Bangkok which gives me generic where available. Otherwise I would be paying double. There is no generic equivalent available at government hospitals or elsewhere for the latest and most effective statins and diabetes drugs. They will give you only ones they make (GPO) or very cheap ones like METFORMIN which is available in Chinese pharmacies for 0.5 Bt per tablet.

I had a heart attack and got stabilized by a local hospital but I needed further treatment which had to be done in a major government hospital, but the waiting list was 4 months! I did not want to wait so I had it done privately.

You are probably right in that you can get emergency treatment free in a government hospital. But having taken some of my staff for such and seen how they handle "free" patients I very much doubt that I would want to use this service myself. There seems to be a big difference as to how paying (including foreign) patients are treated and how "free" ones are.

If expats are going to avail themselves of expensive emergancy operations etc. using this insurance scheme I think it will be withdrawn or they will be charged a more realistic premium.

[gamini]

I have replied to this topic before. The facilities offered by this card are very limited. All the medicine that I have to take monthly for Heart, cancer and COPD comes to about Bt9000 a month but most of this medicine is not available under the scheme. I got only about Bt600 worth.

I need to see specialists for my health conditions and the hospital at which i am registered (Chanpeuk) has to refer me to a major hospital for which they have to make appointments with waiting lists up to four months. But if i go straight to the hospital as a paying patient ( about Bt300-Bt400) I can see a specialist without an appointment by just waiting in a queue. I have had very long waits to see the Doctors at Chanpeuk and sometimes was told to come back the next day.

I think the government insurance scheme is hardy worth it unless you have very limited funds and can not afford to pay the very cheap rates at government hospitals.

Is Chanpeuk a hospital in Chiang Mai province? I don't believe it is. I suggest you post on the forum relevant to your region.

The name Changpeuk is too close to "Chang Puek which is the name of a private hospital in Chiang Mai province which is participating in this program (gads I hate the word "scheme", it makes this program sound like a shell game) But, Chang Puek hospital is a small local hospital does not enroll patients into this program -- they only accept them on an emergency basis under contract to the MOPH.

The Hospital is Chan Puek. I was registered there under the free 30 Bt Scheme so I am giving my experience of this hospital. which I last visited 2 months ago. Now I have moved south and I am in the process of registering at my local Hospital that has less facilities than Chan Peuk. But after much experience of free health in Thailand, I think I would rather pay the very cheap rates at a good Government Hospital of my choice

[gamini]

My post here is in reference to Post #6 by gamini. I think my story may provide a little more information for other people to consider.

My wife had a thyroid problem. She had been seeing a doctor in a private hospital for 4 years. The doctor just kept giving her medicines and never mentioned it could be cured. Well, you could figure out the total cost of doctor and medicine fees in that span of 4 years. While the cost wasn't a burden to us, but it's a never ending thing, and too much medicines were not good for my wife's health! I enquired around and some Thai friends said she should drink naam laee (interpreted as distilled water in my poor Thai). I asked the doctor at the private hospital. It was then he said his hospital didn't have the machine to make it (the naam laee), only Chula Hospital has it. Well, naam laee is some kind of ionic water or something like that.

I took my wife to Chula. Yes, the queue was long. Anyway, after a few treatments, my wife's thyroid problem was completely cured and it's been about 15 years now. We didn't use any cards and the cost was very cheap. Some prescribed medicines were really cheap when compared to outside. The doctor who saw her was a professor at Chula who received his education from the States. While at the hospital, we got to talk to some other patients who had diabetes getting treatment there. They were able to get medicines far cheaper than buying from outside.

I think in earlier posts by a poster, also, by NancyL and Sheryl, for some people who require long term medications, these public hospitals may furnish you medicines at a much reduced cost. Give it a thought for your individual cases!

I went to Chula. Apart from the wait I saw the same specialist who worked evenings in Bumrungrad> excellent treatment and medicine for only about Bt700 which would have cost 10 times more at a private hospital

[taff33]

Sheryl /NancyL

Can you help me I live in amphur Meatha Lampang,will / does the local hospital issue the card.I have used the hospital and have been given an ID number,(I was biten by a dog so needed anti rabies injections).I know that Lampang isn't Chiang Mai but it is the nearest forum to me.I was going to say that I will buy you a drink at the next party at the Old Belle but it will have to be a different place now.

[NancyL]

English-language Wikipedia has a list of the hospitals in Thailand that lists the operator/affiliation of each:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_hospitals_in_Thailand

This seems to be the best reference I've found for hospitals operated by the Min of Public Health. There are several MOPH hospitals listed for Lampang province. Sheryl, who has been keeping a list of hospitals/provinces throughout Thailand that have been reported to be enrolling foreigners will weigh in soon, but taff33, perhaps you could be an intrepid explorer, print out the Thai-language MOPH directive in Sheryl's pinned post and approach the large Lampang Hospital (which wiki lists as a regional hospital) to ask if either they or any of the MOPH hospitals in the province are enrolling foreigners or maybe you could return to the Maetha hospital where you were treated before and ask if they'd enroll you in the program.

Edited November 22, 2013 by NancyL

[lexilis]

Thanks Nancy and Sheryl for great info. On the pinned thread Sheryl note that this new scheme "should not be confused with the Social Security system, which has always been open to foreigners with work permits" (after they work for 13 months). The SS system apparently allows for semi-private rooms and choice of hospitals. That's my question. I have just this week been issued a SS Health card by my employer (after about 13 moths of employment). Does anybody know if there is a list of hospitals that allow the SS coverage? I had been to McCormick previously for minor needs but I understand that after next month they will not cover SS.

[scorecard]

OK, I'll start. If you're resident in Muang or Mae Rim districts, you don't need to worry about filling out an application form to apply for the gov't health insurance at Nakorn Ping hospital. Just come between 12:00 noon - 1:00 pm with your passport, a copy of the photo page of your passport and proof of address. That proof can be a copy of your lease, a letter from your landlord or guest house mgr, a utility bill in your name, your Thai driver's license (your address in on the back, in Thai) and of course, your yellow book, really just about anything with your name and address. Plus 2800 baht, of course.

Other hospitals have different requirements. Some ask for passport-size photos. Nakorn Ping doesn't.

@Nancy

I live on Chang Klan road just a little south of Pantip Plaza which is in A.Muang. Is Nakorn Ping hospital the closest place I can go to apply for the gov't health insurance? I don't mind the trip up there but would be nice if there was some place closer.

Thanks

David

Can I encourage you to read the previous posts by Sheryl and NancyL, and here's my experience:

I live in the Don Chan area and my family did some research about surrounding hospitals: It seems that Hang Dong hospital is quite small and has quite limited equipment, other surrounding hospitals some similar comments and at one local small hospital there is no 24 hr doctor on duty.

Bottom line, lots of advice to go to Nakorn Ping, which I did and had a very friendly, fast, and professional experience to get my new card.

Then we discovered that Nakorn Ping has a small satellite hospital immediately opposite the big Suriwongse book shop just down from Pantip Plaza.

My Thai daughter in law went with me into the satellite annex and she asked if I can go there. Very friendly and polite response indicating that yes I can use my new card there but they are not set up with major equipment, only a few beds etc. But small illnesses yes very welcome to come in.

The nurse also said: " if the farang or any patient comes here and it's beyond our capabilities / equipment etc., we will call the main Nakorn Ping and tell them to be expecting a patient within the next 20 minutes or so and if it's something that needs very urgent attention or is life threatening then there is a modern ambulance on stand by at the annexe site." But the annex cannot do the initial issue of the card.

Edited November 23, 2013 by scorecard

[Genericnic]

@scortecard, thanks for the information. It was exactly what I wanted to know.

I did go and look through Sheryl's and NancyL's posts but did not find what I was looking for through I did find a lot of other very helpful information.

David