Social Fund Card

[blackcab]

Can anyone tell me what this card is for please? I have a work permit, and after I was registered with the Social Fund I was given this card. I get a new card (with a different colour) each year.

I am assuming it is something to do with health, but I'm not certain.

[Crossy]

It entitles you to cheap / free treatment (and a nice queue) at the hospital detailed on the bottom line

I've never used mine as I get medical insurance anyway, but it's worth keeping up when you leave employment (you keep paying the nominal fee) as a low cost option to full blown medical.

[Sheryl]

Yes, it is health care coverage. It applies only at the hospital you are registered at, which should be indicated on the card and which you can change if desired (though only at certain times of the year, and from a defined list of hospitals). It is well worth doing some research to be sure you are registered at a hospital which offers a full range of specialized care. If the hospital you are registered at cannot provide care needed they are supposed to refer you and if referred, it will still be covered -- but this can be problematic/time-consuming.

Not only is this the lowest cost type of health insurance available, it has a number if advantages over private insurance policies:

1. Premiums are very low, even at old age.

2. Lifelong coverage as long as you don't miss a payment (some private policies offer this but some do not, and those which do raise the premiums so much after age 65 that it can be prohibitive). The payments are deducted automatically from your paycheck but if you stop working you need to arrange to pay directly on your own. Do so if planning to stay in Thailand.

3. Covers both inpatient and outpatient, including medications. Private insurance policies that include outpatient care are very expensive.

4. Very important - there is no lifetime or per incident cap on the coverage, whereas there always are with private insurance. So in the event of a major accident/illness, you will not run out of coverage even if months of treatment, ling ICU stays, repeat surgeries etc are involved. I can't tell you how many cases I've dealt with in Thailand where the insurance ran out early on and the patient/family were left with staggering bills. (Partly this is due to having way too low a level of coverage -- very common in local policies -- but it can occur even with a high level of cover if you are unlucky enough).

It's main disadvantage compared to private insurance is that you are limited in choice of hospitals. And many people fail to give adequate attention/thought to selection of hospital. Generally speaking the private hospitals which accept it are not very good, you are better off with a tertiary level government hospital.

[blackcab]

Thank you for taking the time to give me such a comprehensive reply.

My nominated hospital is Camillian in Bangkok.

Is this card/scheme available to any foreigner, or do you have to have a non immigrant visa or a work permit and pay Social Fund contributions?

Edited May 19, 2015 by blackcab

[Liquorice]

What's the eligibility requirements to get this card and costs.

Is it merely known as the 'social fund' card?

[Sheryl]

Thank you for taking the time to give me such a comprehensive reply.

My nominated hospital is Camillian in Bangkok.

Is this card/scheme available to any foreigner, or do you have to have a non immigrant visa or a work permit and pay Social Fund contributions?

It is only available to legally employed foreigners with work permits who make payroll contributions.

Camellian is a nice enough small hospital but limited in size and range of specialists. Might be worth seeing what alternatives you have.

[blackcab]

Where could I get a list of tertiary level hospitals in Bangkok please?

If it's a matter of contacting the local Social Security office for a list I can have that done tomorrow.

Once again, thank you for your help. I don't intend visiting hospital any time soon, but then again accidents happen.

[Sheryl]

You need to get a list first from SS of what hospitals are open to you. Post that here and I'll advise further.

[blackcab]

I have been given a list, and from that selected six potential candidates based on whether my staff know anything about them and also proximity.

The closest two are Chulalongkorn Memorial and Police General. The other four are Taksin, Ramathibodi, Siriraj and Rajavithi.

I have, however, been warned that my first choice may not have any available spaces.

I was also told that as I have changed both employer and residence I should be OK getting a change of hospital this time.

[Sheryl]

Chulalongkorn and Siriraj are the best hospitals in Thailand so I would try for whichever of these is ore convenient to you (Siriraj is over in Thonburi wheras Chula is on Rama IV near Silom area). The Police Hospital, Ramatibodi and Ratchwithi are also good tertiary facilities and located near Victory Monument. Skip Taksin.

[SiamRose]

Hi Sheryl, I believe the Police General Hospital is at Ratchprasong, on the corner of Ratchdamri and Rama 1, opposite the four face Buddha and Central World, unless there's another Police Hospital at Victory Monument.

Anyway, I would be interested in your views on the Police hospital at Ratchprasong?

I believe Chula does have a long waiting list, so probably difficult to get registered there.

Edited May 22, 2015 by SiamRose

[Sheryl]

I said near Victory Monument, not at it. It's on Radjadamri. And it is fine. Not on par with Chula and Siriraj, but quite good with high level of specialists and care.

[TerryLH]

"I believe Chula does have a long waiting list, so probably difficult to get registered there."

The SS office can tell you if they are or are not currently accepting new SS patients.

[blackcab]

To follow up: My assistant was told that Chula stopped accepting applications from people with these cards 10 years ago. She asked for Police General instead and I was added straight away and issued a new blue card.

[Neeranam]

There are many other benefits with one of these cards. I got 2000 baht dental treatment reimbursed since last Nov.

I also got about 10,000 baht for my two kids being under 6, when they were.

And of course when I am 60 I can get a lum sum or monthly pension.