Government Insurance Scheme for Expats

[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 original government directive (in Thai) is attached, as is an informational booklet put out by the MoPH (also in Thai). Lastly, attached is an English translation prepared by LannaCareNet of a document issued by the Chiang Mai Provincial office of Public Health detailing procedures for obtaining this insurance.

This system was originally developed for migrant workers and is priced accordingly at a total of 2,800 baht (inclusive of administrative fees, insurance premium and cost of a physical exam). At some point between the development of the scheme and issuance of the MoPH directive a change was made from migrant workers to foreigners in general. It is unclear how/why this change occurred and it appears to have taken the National Health Security Office somewhat by surprise.

Nationwide, some hospitals continue to understand the scheme as for migrant workers only, while others are enrolling all resident foreigners and still others have either not heard of it or not commenced implementation. In Chiang Mai, cards have to date been issued by the following hospitals:

Nakorn Ping (for residents of the Ampur Muang and Mae Rim)

Sansai

Hang Dong

Fang

Saraphi

Sankampaeng

Doi Saket

It is not possible to register at Suan Doc, as this is a tertiary facility, but card holders can receive services there if referred by the hospital at which they registered initially.

It is necessary to apply to the hospital that covers the ampur you reside in. While not all hospitals In the province have yet been heard from, the fact that the provincial health authorities have issued a directive and that the Ampur Muang hospital (Nakorn Ping) issues the card suggests that it should be obtainable province-wide.

Lanna Care Net has done an English translation of the CM directive for procedural details which can be accessed at

http://www.lannacare...moph-directive/ The directive is specific to Nakorn Ping. There may be minor variations at other locations; for first hand accounts see http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/674734-the-new-government-health-insurance-info-for-tv-members-in-chiang-mai/ and do a search within the thread by hospital name.

Important: There is no guarantee that the system will not be discontinued or substantially revised in the near future. Indeed, the pricing, which was developed based on the expected health care utilization patterns of migrant workers, is too low to cover the costs hospitals will incur from caring for otherwise uninsured resident expats, which is bound to lead hospitals to sooner or later raise premiums or possibly even discontinue the scheme. Raised premiums would still, however, likely be less expensive than private insurance and more importantly the system does not exclude on the basis of age or pre-existing conditions, making it a viable option for expats who are unable to get private insurance.

Due to the uncertainties mentioned above as well as limitations to the insurance (restricted to government hospitals, can’t choose your doctor etc), I strongly recommend that you still keep private health insurance if you have it and/or obtain it if you can. However, for those expats who are unable to get private insurance, this system is definitely better than remaining uninsured, and I would urge you to enroll in it. Do not wait until you need health care as that could result in being liable for the costs of an initial hospitalization, which can be considerable.

People who self-insure would also do well to enroll in this scheme as a fallback and means of minimizing expenditure of savings especially for major hospitalizations. Some people with private insurance have opted to also enroll in order to supplement low insurance pay-out caps and/or policies that do not include cover outpatient care and meds.

While the government insurance can only be used at government hospitals, and all care must either be obtained at the hospital you register with or a higher level facility they refer you to, there is nothing to prevent those who wish and can afford to from continuing to use private medical care (including Sri Pat) for comparatively inexpensive things like outpatient visits. Likewise, those whose financial means are more limited can use this system for all health care needs; the cost of most medicines is included.

This system should not be confused with the Social Security system, which has always been open to foreigners with work permits. The Social Security system has advantages lacking in the “30 baht”/government health insurance for expat system, particularly the ability to choose your hospital (including some private options) and inpatient accommodation in a semi-private room as opposed to a ward. If you have a work permit and have been employed for 13 months, you should be under SS and do not need to enroll in the new scheme described here. If you are employed and do not have SS, ask your employer why.

If you have any additional information or corrections to add to what is posted here, please PM me or another moderator as this thread will be locked as a reference. There is an open thread on this same topic the CM forum, which contains a number of first person accounts and would be the appropriate place to post comments and questions: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/683275-government-health-insurance-for-expats-continued/

In addition, this earlier thread has a lot of useful first hand reports: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/674734-the-new-government-health-insurance-info-for-tv-members-in-chiang-mai/

For further information or help in dealing with hospital personnel, the contact number at the MoPH in Bangkok is 02 590 1580 (Thai speaking). Elderly/retired members can also contact LannaCareNet for assistance http://www.lannacarenet.org/

Health Card For Foreigner - Thai Brochure.pdf

MoPH Decree.pdf

[Sheryl]

UPDATE:

As feared/anticipated, the central level has clarified that the intent of the directive was only for migrants and issuance of cards to resident expats has been put on hold. Cards already issued will be honored, at least through their expiration.

Discussions with the MoPH are ongoing to seek a solution as the CM Provincial health authorities are supportive of providing insurance to foreigners. It may, however, take some time.

[Sheryl]

UPDATE:

The cards are no longer being honored in CM, and many card holders have been contacted by the hospitals and offered their money back.

[TheFishman1]

Go figure

[Tywais]

Unpinned and closed as updated information is available elsewhere.