Is the Government health scheme for Farangs finished?

[Countryman]

I remember the Govt .introduced a health scheme that Farangs could subscribe to,

you paid the fees and they gave you a card,which allowed treatment and drugs at

some Govt. hospitals.then no sooner had it begun ,it was canceled for Farangs and

the money you paid,less any treatment costs for the few weeks it was running was

reimbursed,and only Burmese,Lao,and Cambodian migrant workers were covered.

On the Chiang Rai forum there are some folks saying their cards are still good and

the hospitals are covering treatment at 30THB costs,so was the scheme scrapped

or not ? anyone in Chiang Mai have a valid card and receiving treatment ?

Countryman

[Diplomatico]

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/683276-government-insurance-scheme-for-expats/

[NancyL]

Well, to clarify, the program wasn't just for farangs, but for ALL foreigners -- not just those of European origin. The Japanese and Korean expats are just as sad to see it go as us English-speaking foreigners.

But, sadly, it is cancelled. You're right, it seemed to hold on longer in Chiang Rai than just about anywhere else.

In some villages, where foreigners are very much in the minority, it's possible it's being honored, just because the hospital doesn't want to figure out the actual charge for the service rendered and it's just easier to charge the 30 baht fee. Or it's possible the hospital charges are so low that the foreigner thinks he's still receiving service under the program. But the program itself is definitely gone and there is no talk of it being renewed.

[hugocnx]

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/683276-government-insurance-scheme-for-expats/

If one has a work permit but is not as such on a payroll...can one have the SS benefits too?

[Iamemjay]

I used my card at Fang District Hospital last night. It was accepted without question and I was charged the usual 30B for treatment and medication. However, it MAY be a different matter when the card comes up for renewal later this month.

[TerryLH]

"Well, to clarify, the program wasn't just for farangs, but for ALL foreigners -- not just those of European origin. The Japanese and Korean expats are just as sad to see it go as us English-speaking foreigners."

That program was never intended for "ALL foreigners".

It was always intended for migrant workers from Burma, Cambodia and Laos.

Once the mistake of issuing cards to 'farangs' was discovered, many hospitals refunded the money that they collected, while other hospitals decided to keep the money and honor the cards until they expired.

"If one has a work permit but is not as such on a payroll...can one have the SS benefits too?"

No, a work permit alone does not mean you can enroll in the SS system. You have to be working in a job / position that is eligible for enrollment. Not all jobs are eligible.

Once in the system, you can continue in it by paying on your own if you lose eligibility through employment - as long as you had already been in the system for 12 months.

[amexpat]

Once the mistake of issuing cards to 'farangs' was discovered, many hospitals refunded the money that they collected, while other hospitals decided to keep the money and honor the cards until they expired."

While at least one, Nakhon Ping, did neither. I went back three times for my refund. But, no doubt it went to taking care of poor children.

[Sheryl]

Please see http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/739396-health-cards-for-foreigners-ceased/

[elgordo38]

I have rumors that a plan for ex-pats was being considered. Anyone else hear these rumors? It would be priced considerably more no doubt than the last offering of 2200 bahts. If one is being considered it will no doubt be offered long after I have passed on.

[Liquorice]

It should have been called the 'Health scheme for Foreign Workers of Myramar, Laos and Cambodia', (which is who it was intended for), then hospital administration may not have been confused.

Some hospitals have refunded the 2,200 baht.

Other hospitals are still honouring the cards they issued.

The 30 baht scheme is for Thai citizens only.

Register at your local Government hospital and charges are the same as for Thais.

Cheapest option now.

Some of the banks do cheap affordable cover for 'accident' costs.

[Beetlejuice]

"Well, to clarify, the program wasn't just for farangs, but for ALL foreigners -- not just those of European origin. The Japanese and Korean expats are just as sad to see it go as us English-speaking foreigners."

That program was never intended for "ALL foreigners".

It was always intended for migrant workers from Burma, Cambodia and Laos.

Once the mistake of issuing cards to 'farangs' was discovered, many hospitals refunded the money that they collected, while other hospitals decided to keep the money and honor the cards until they expired.

"If one has a work permit but is not as such on a payroll...can one have the SS benefits too?"

No, a work permit alone does not mean you can enroll in the SS system. You have to be working in a job / position that is eligible for enrollment. Not all jobs are eligible.

Once in the system, you can continue in it by paying on your own if you lose eligibility through employment - as long as you had already been in the system for 12 months.

Absolutely correct.

The scheme was first offered to all foreigners due to some confusion has to who was permitted to actually benefit from the government health scheme, but soon afterwards the government realised it`s error and cancelled the scheme to all those other than Thais and poor migrants and workers from a few neighboring countries.

So the answer is to the question; is the government health scheme for farangs finished? Is yes it is, which in fact means, that if we get sick and cannot afford medical treatment, than we can bugger off and die.

[Thai at Heart]

"Well, to clarify, the program wasn't just for farangs, but for ALL foreigners -- not just those of European origin. The Japanese and Korean expats are just as sad to see it go as us English-speaking foreigners."

That program was never intended for "ALL foreigners".

It was always intended for migrant workers from Burma, Cambodia and Laos.

Once the mistake of issuing cards to 'farangs' was discovered, many hospitals refunded the money that they collected, while other hospitals decided to keep the money and honor the cards until they expired.

"If one has a work permit but is not as such on a payroll...can one have the SS benefits too?"

No, a work permit alone does not mean you can enroll in the SS system. You have to be working in a job / position that is eligible for enrollment. Not all jobs are eligible.

Once in the system, you can continue in it by paying on your own if you lose eligibility through employment - as long as you had already been in the system for 12 months.

They still haven't worked out how to write an entitlement for foreigners without including true farangs.

Why should Laotians be entitled more than retired expats?

[Liquorice]

Thai at Heart, on 04 Oct 2014 - 03:19, said:

TerryLH, on 03 Oct 2014 - 09:21, said:

"Well, to clarify, the program wasn't just for farangs, but for ALL foreigners -- not just those of European origin. The Japanese and Korean expats are just as sad to see it go as us English-speaking foreigners."

That program was never intended for "ALL foreigners".

It was always intended for migrant workers from Burma, Cambodia and Laos.

Once the mistake of issuing cards to 'farangs' was discovered, many hospitals refunded the money that they collected, while other hospitals decided to keep the money and honor the cards until they expired.

"If one has a work permit but is not as such on a payroll...can one have the SS benefits too?"

No, a work permit alone does not mean you can enroll in the SS system. You have to be working in a job / position that is eligible for enrollment. Not all jobs are eligible.

Once in the system, you can continue in it by paying on your own if you lose eligibility through employment - as long as you had already been in the system for 12 months.

They still haven't worked out how to write an entitlement for foreigners without including true farangs.

Why should Laotians be entitled more than retired expats?

The scheme is only for Myanmar, Laos and Cambodian workers.

Probably some part of a reciprocal agreement between neighbouring Asian Countries.

Believe me you wouldn't want to do the work they do, for the salary they get.