Hi all,

Unless you've already seen this in the Pattaya Mail today, have a read of this article .

Seems as though the universal H/care System is going to be once again available here for 'eligible expatriate residents'.

So I have a question (that d/dillegence internet searching has failed to answer) -

What is an 'eligible expatriate resident'?

I do not own property or land, and am not married to a Thai. I have been here for 4 years on a continuous series of annual retirement visas.

Am I eligible for this system?

Many thanks in advance folks.

I assume in regards to expats it refers to spouses of Thais who are government employees...just a guess on my part

I assume in regards to expats it refers to spouses of Thais who are government employees...just a guess on my part

and aren't expats who work here and pay into social welfare fund afforded recourse to this system as well ?

The "universal" H/C scheme and social security are 2 different things.

Anyone legally employed should be paying into Thai SS and is thus eligible for free health care under it (at a specific hospital where you are registered). Further, can keep it after you stop working, provided you were employed more than a year and continue to make the small monthly payments.

The "universal" (AKA "gold card", "30 baht" etc) scheme is only for Thai nationals and migrant workers (the latter have to pay for it).

As I read the Pattaya Mail story it is not saying there is any change to policy about eligibility for coverage under that system. Rather it says that anyone already covered by the system can now use it at Pattaya Hosp.

I think Sheryl has it right.

The hospital appears to be saying that they are making changes to what health schemes they are choosing to participate in, and have added Social Security and UHC patients, which they apparently weren't open to before.

You'll still have to ask SS to assign you to that hospital.

There is currently no option under SS to just go get treated where you want without being registered there or being referred there under special circumstances.

If you are covered under Thai Civil Service, Or , I believe, State Enterprise coverage, the ability to use private hospitals has always been available as long as you comply with the coverage systems rules and or procedures. That might mean you aren't always fully (100%) covered, or you might have to pay in advance and be reimbursed through your specific plan.

If you are covered by CS or a state enterprise, you probably already know what you can and cannot do.

Thanks all for the replies above, and it anyone else has other info, please keep 'em coming!

I yhink it's worth me tripping down to Pattaya Hospital just to find out a yes or no, as it would of course be a huge saving on a retail health insurance premium.

Ta, nw