Living in Thailand Medicare (Aus) status

More than 5 years you have to re-apply. Also you need to sign a stat dec that you are returning to live permanently. Where some long term ex pats are running into trouble is with the residency requirements for the pension.

I thought they told me when I left after 6 months living continuously overseas you were considered a non resident and therefore not eligible for Medicare

You are covered by Medicare if having lived overseas for up to five years then returning. Here’s the form confirming the info as well as the doco required if requested to re-establish residency for Medicare purposes.

http://www.humanservices.gov.au/spw/customer/forms/resources/3101-1306en.pdf