Handle with care: Hospital care for foreigners without travel insurance

[stevenl]

It's his opinion, not a 'call' having any authority.

It's my belief that if you don't hold Thai citizenship, and have no means of paying, i.e., no health insurance or cash, the extent of free treatment should be to keep you alive and contact your embassy to arrange repatriation.

Please accept responsibility for your own health. There is NOTHING more important.

Wrong -- the extent of free care given should be the same as everyone else can get....

BTW - -the thread is about expats and foreigners generally -- let's not confuse it by bringing the locals into the equation

Nothing wrong with his statement. You may not agree, but we're all entitled to our opinions

[Si Thea01]

It's his opinion, not a 'call' having any authority.

It's my belief that if you don't hold Thai citizenship, and have no means of paying, i.e., no health insurance or cash, the extent of free treatment should be to keep you alive and contact your embassy to arrange repatriation.

Please accept responsibility for your own health. There is NOTHING more important.

Wrong -- the extent of free care given should be the same as everyone else can get....

BTW - -the thread is about expats and foreigners generally -- let's not confuse it by bringing the locals into the equation

Nothing wrong with his statement. You may not agree, but we're all entitled to our opinions

You're right, everyone is entitled to an opinion, just as it is the right of everyone to offer criticism, which, after all is their opinion, right?

[stevenl]

It's his opinion, not a 'call' having any authority.

It's my belief that if you don't hold Thai citizenship, and have no means of paying, i.e., no health insurance or cash, the extent of free treatment should be to keep you alive and contact your embassy to arrange repatriation.

Please accept responsibility for your own health. There is NOTHING more important.

Wrong -- the extent of free care given should be the same as everyone else can get....

BTW - -the thread is about expats and foreigners generally -- let's not confuse it by bringing the locals into the equation

Nothing wrong with his statement. You may not agree, but we're all entitled to our opinions

You're right, everyone is entitled to an opinion, just as it is the right of everyone to offer criticism, which, after all is their opinion, right?

As I said, everybody can voice an opinion. But using words like 'right' and 'wrong' are not always justified when discussing opinions.

[jpinx]

Wrong -- the extent of free care given should be the same as everyone else can get....

BTW - -the thread is about expats and foreigners generally -- let's not confuse it by bringing the locals into the equation

Nothing wrong with his statement. You may not agree, but we're all entitled to our opinions

You're right, everyone is entitled to an opinion, just as it is the right of everyone to offer criticism, which, after all is their opinion, right?

As I said, everybody can voice an opinion. But using words like 'right' and 'wrong' are not always justified when discussing opinions.

You're right, I was wrong to say he is wrong when actually he might have been right, if I had not been looking at it from the wrong angle. Opinions are always right for the opinioner, but mostly wrong for the opinionee, unless the wrong opinion is expressed as part of a "Devil's Advocate" style of debate, in which case the right opinion was wrong when it was stated, but might be right for some people anyway - if they have wrong thinking.

I need to lie down now,,,,,,,,,,,,

[F4UCorsair]

Can we have a card to put in our passports saying that in the event of accident we want government ambulance and government hospital -- before one of the privateers gets hold of us... ?)

Why not man up and get some insurance ?

Let's not start that very old thread again. Insurance is not available for many older folks staying long-term.

Not available after 65 if memory serves.

After 65 memory doesn't serve ;-) From a 70-yr old! All the comments on here about getting full medical insurance cover are total crap after one gets 'old'. It costs and arm and a leg !!!

So you expect the government of Thailand to keep you?

Astounding attitude.

What's next? You find you have insufficient income, so expect Thailand to stump up? That won't happen, of course, so what's Plan B??

I frequently read here of posters complaining that their home countries not continuing with benefits when living out of their countries. It seems they also want the Thai government to kick the can in their retirement.

The terms 'entitlement' and 'greed' come to mind.

If a person can't, or isn't prepared to, fund his stay in another country, it's time to go home, wherever that is.

[F4UCorsair]

Can we have a card to put in our passports saying that in the event of accident we want government ambulance and government hospital -- before one of the privateers gets hold of us... ?)

Why not man up and get some insurance ?

Let's not start that very old thread again. Insurance is not available for many older folks staying long-term.

In which case they should hold sufficient funds to cover a worst case scenario, perhaps $100k? The alternative is to not live in Thailand.

100K a little low...maybe 2 million baht to start

My figure of 100K was dollars! We're on the same page though.

[jpinx]

After 65 memory doesn't serve ;-) From a 70-yr old! All the comments on here about getting full medical insurance cover are total crap after one gets 'old'. It costs and arm and a leg !!!

So you expect the government of Thailand to keep you?

Astounding attitude.

What's next? You find you have insufficient income, so expect Thailand to stump up? That won't happen, of course, so what's Plan B??

Who are you talking to? Your reply had very messed up quotes

If it was me -- I don't expect anything more or less than is available under the Thai system, and I'm happy to pay for it -- at a government hospital.

[F4UCorsair]

After 65 memory doesn't serve ;-) From a 70-yr old! All the comments on here about getting full medical insurance cover are total crap after one gets 'old'. It costs and arm and a leg !!!

So you expect the government of Thailand to keep you?

Astounding attitude.

What's next? You find you have insufficient income, so expect Thailand to stump up? That won't happen, of course, so what's Plan B??

Who are you talking to? Your reply had very messed up quotes

If it was me -- I don't expect anything more or less than is available under the Thai system, and I'm happy to pay for it -- at a government hospital.

I was addressing anybody to whom the situation applied, and your post implied that because of the cost of private health insurance, you didn't have it.

If you're prepared, and can afford, to pay for all your medical care, I applaud you.

Incidentally I made not a single quote.

[Si Thea01]

Stevenl

Quote>" As I said, everybody can voice an opinion. But using words like 'right' and 'wrong' are not always justified when discussing opinions." <End Quote.

Of course one can use the word "right" when it is used in the correct context, and in that instance it was used to justify a person's right to their opinion or their crticism. Never referred to the word "wrong", you did that. Maybe I should have used agree and disagree, would that be morte suitable, or should I say is that right or wrong?

[stevenl]

Stevenl

Quote>" As I said, everybody can voice an opinion. But using words like 'right' and 'wrong' are not always justified when discussing opinions." <End Quote.

Of course one can use the word "right" when it is used in the correct context, and in that instance it was used to justify a person's right to their opinion or their crticism. Never referred to the word "wrong", you did that. Maybe I should have used agree and disagree, would that be morte suitable, or should I say is that right or wrong?

That's why I said 'not always'. Seems we agree.

[LeungKen]

Can we Please get this thread back on track & stop arguing about opinions.

[thaibeachlovers]

Can we have a card to put in our passports saying that in the event of accident we want government ambulance and government hospital -- before one of the privateers gets hold of us... ?)

Why not man up and get some insurance ?

Let's not start that very old thread again. Insurance is not available for many older folks staying long-term.

Not available after 65 if memory serves.

Incorrect, but have to start before 66 and pay every year. It's STARTING at over 65 that is the problem. I used mine last year so not a con.

[Old Croc]

Let's not start that very old thread again. Insurance is not available for many older folks staying long-term.

Not available after 65 if memory serves.

Incorrect, but have to start before 66 and pay every year. It's STARTING at over 65 that is the problem. I used mine last year so not a con.

I self insure, and, having several chronic illnesses, visit a private hospital here at least once a month.

I did check out all health insurance available to me at my age (now 67) and the cost was prohibitive. But the deal breakers were the clauses excluding pre-existing conditions. Not many people in their 60s are in peak medical condition.

I keep complete records of my medical costs, and, in nearly six years here, have spent approx. 600,000 baht. This includes a couple of stints in hospital in private rooms, many potentially expensive procedures and care by several top level specialists.

I consider this to be very cheap by western standards, although, admittedly, my private medical insurance in Australia would have covered a lot of these costs.

Even if I could have secured Insurance in Thailand covering all eventualities, the cost would have been more than I've spent, so I consider I am ahead of the game.

[LivinginKata]

<snip>

Even if I could have secured Insurance in Thailand covering all eventualities, the cost would have been more than I've spent, so I consider I am ahead of the game.

I tend to agree. I've had private insurance since I arrived in Phuket 20 years ago. In that time I had a m/bike accident and emergency room treatment about 8,000 baht and that's it. My premium costs over those years are staggering. I suppose I stay insured in case of a 'catastrophic' event. I too worry about the 'exclusions' as I am an old dude like you.

But this topic is about tourist travel insurance,rather than us expats.

[Kwasaki]

Tourist, expat, or living here whatever, insurance is something I am glad to have acquired, 6 years premiums will cost me 192,000 and having paid 75,000 + last year for hospital treatment before getting insured I'm glad to have been able to get it at my tender age.

[NamKangMan]

<snip>

Even if I could have secured Insurance in Thailand covering all eventualities, the cost would have been more than I've spent, so I consider I am ahead of the game.

I tend to agree. I've had private insurance since I arrived in Phuket 20 years ago. In that time I had a m/bike accident and emergency room treatment about 8,000 baht and that's it. My premium costs over those years are staggering. I suppose I stay insured in case of a 'catastrophic' event. I too worry about the 'exclusions' as I am an old dude like you.

But this topic is about tourist travel insurance,rather than us expats.

It's the "catastrophic event" that could blow anyone's budget, that's the main reason to have insurance.

Such an event can be a sudden illness, not just a sudden injury. Eg. motorbike accident.

Most have worked hard throughout their lives to be able to enjoy their retirement here. It could end tomorrow, if a serious illness or injury were to occur, and there were no insurance.

No one likes paying it, year in and year out, especially with no claims, but if such an event were to occur, it could save your financial future.

It's an individual decision, but I have piece of mind knowing I am insured.

[jpinx]

<snip>

Even if I could have secured Insurance in Thailand covering all eventualities, the cost would have been more than I've spent, so I consider I am ahead of the game.

I tend to agree. I've had private insurance since I arrived in Phuket 20 years ago. In that time I had a m/bike accident and emergency room treatment about 8,000 baht and that's it. My premium costs over those years are staggering. I suppose I stay insured in case of a 'catastrophic' event. I too worry about the 'exclusions' as I am an old dude like you.

But this topic is about tourist travel insurance,rather than us expats.

It's the "catastrophic event" that could blow anyone's budget, that's the main reason to have insurance.

Such an event can be a sudden illness, not just a sudden injury. Eg. motorbike accident.

Most have worked hard throughout their lives to be able to enjoy their retirement here. It could end tomorrow, if a serious illness or injury were to occur, and there were no insurance.

No one likes paying it, year in and year out, especially with no claims, but if such an event were to occur, it could save your financial future.

It's an individual decision, but I have piece of mind knowing I am insured.

If I could find "Disaster Insurance" -- huge excess, reasonable premium, no exclusions -- I'd be happy to take it on, but nothing like that seems to exist, even for younger people.

[thaibeachlovers]

Tourist, expat, or living here whatever, insurance is something I am glad to have acquired, 6 years premiums will cost me 192,000 and having paid 75,000 + last year for hospital treatment before getting insured I'm glad to have been able to get it at my tender age.

Quite right too. I paid 60,000 for insurance last year, and a 3 day hospital stay for bronchitis on IVs would have cost me 52,000 had I not been insured. Have any of the people on here saying use a public hospital ever been in one? My wife had to sleep under her mother's bed so she could look after her as the nurses won't.

[thaibeachlovers]

Of course we have a lot of millionaires on TV that would consider a hospital bill pin money, but for the people that ain't rich, what's the alternative to insurance? A razor blade in the wallet?

[Si Thea01]

Tourist, expat, or living here whatever, insurance is something I am glad to have acquired, 6 years premiums will cost me 192,000 and having paid 75,000 + last year for hospital treatment before getting insured I'm glad to have been able to get it at my tender age.

Quite right too. I paid 60,000 for insurance last year, and a 3 day hospital stay for bronchitis on IVs would have cost me 52,000 had I not been insured. Have any of the people on here saying use a public hospital ever been in one? My wife had to sleep under her mother's bed so she could look after her as the nurses won't.

I have one of those add-on policies, the life insurance and medical. Cost me B100,000 PA and lasts until I'm 80, if I see that far. I have stayed in one large private hospital, who charged liked a wounded bull, however, despite speaking with them, no reduction, so I will never go back. I have had the occasion to stay in a large regional government hospital, got a VIP room, fantastic treatment

I later had three operations at Khon Kaen University Hospital, again VIP rooms, the best of treatment and food. No overcharging, the bills were a third of the private hospital rates. Even though the cost to me is in excess of your costs, I think, so far, I have well and truly got my money's worth. Another bonus was that the staff from the regional office of the insurer came to visit and on each occasion brought with them a large hamper of goodies. I for one, have no complaints.

[copa8]

Not as good as the UK here we also house them, feed them, give them limos to there new homes and buy them Christmas presents. So Thailand has a looooong way to go in this mad mad world.

Of course not. The UK is an advanced economy, while Thailand is still a developing one.

[seedy]

one Nonsense post Removed -

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[gk10002000]

The problem is that most if not all "travel insurance" does NOT directly reimburse the hospital. The patient has to pay, and then later can file a claim with their insurance to get money back. I used to buy travel insurance and I tried and tried to find a company or policy that would actually pay the hospital but I could not find any. I am a US citizen and I have blue cross blue shield and while I am "covered" I would have to settle up with the Thais on my own and later submit a claim to Blue Cross.

If somebody knows of a travel insurance plan that actually pays the hospital and that the Thais would know, understand and accept, please post it here.

Thanks

[music065]

On 1/6/2016 at 0:44 AM, BrainLife said:

A friend of mine died the other day on the airplane going back home for further treatment.

The hospital basically kicked him out, because he ran out of money due to the insurance he had did not cover all treatments and tests the hospital did.

 

Jesus. This just seems wrong. He had insurance, but still in the end it failed him and he died anyway. I guess this is another peculiar price we pay for living here. 

[YetAnother]

given a choice , that means you have money or insurance, i would NEVER go to a public hospital here; i have been in half a dozen and also as in-patient totalling some 30 nights; they have doctors who misread xrays, xray staff who routinely produce sub-quality xrays as they do not say 'take a deep breath..."; one time my meal was brought in, i ate it and 30 minutes later the nurse brought in the 'before meal' pills; another time when treating a punctured lung with a suction machine, there was an obvious hole in the top of the tubing (means no suction), staff noticed it a number of times but did and said nothing, more examples....find the private ones and go there; better equipment , better staff, more private rooms,less crowded, handle insurance well (they DO tend to overprescribe)