Government health insurance and Health insurance concerns in Thailand

[PacificCrossInsurance]

Government health insurance and Health insurance concerns in Thailand

Contributed article

With more and more foreigners living in Thailand, partly due to the steady rise in foreigners with Thai families, access to healthcare is becoming more and more of an issue for many. Basically, without an employer to indemnify you in such circumstances, you're on your own, and if they do provide insurance check whether it is government insurance or private, and if private what it covers you for.

Those with average means and with family in Thailand may be stuck between healthcare concerns and the impracticality of moving elsewhere. Should you ‘go home’ if you can’t afford private health insurance? The reality is that Thailand is home for many foreigners. Including me.

I’m not sure I have the financial resources to be self- insured. However, living without some kind of emergency insurance cover makes me very uncomfortable indeed. There are plenty of private plans, some of which are very costly indeed. Voluntary excess reduces premiums considerably, but people tell me policies are only really useful if you become very seriously ill.

I was told the Thai government provides a 'reduced cost' health alternative at government hospitals. So I looked into it to find out more.

The scheme has an affordable annual charge and a mandatory health check upon enrollment. All foreigners are eligible, with no age restrictions. Residence in Thailand has to be proven normally though marriage certificate or showing the yellow (Tabian Bann) book. It's a government scheme, so it's government hospitals. They're not four star hotels but state run hospitals in Thailand provide basic all round services, so if you can't afford private healthcare premiums, it's got to be better than nothing…hasn’t it?

I live in the northeast, near Nong Khai. Recently, I went to a large local hospital to make inquiries. It was very crowded. Being unable to understand me, or me them, they sat me down and asked me to wait. Shortly afterwards a polite young lady in hospital uniform who spoke reasonable English arrived and asked me how she could help. I explained I had been in Thailand for twenty years and would like to enroll in the government health scheme. I gave her a copy of my passport , house documents, my son’s Thai ID card, and a copy in Thai of the government decree on the subject that I thought would make everything straight forward. She went away for a while and returned asking me to come back in two weeks so that my son could be checked and given his card. I showed her the decree again and she said I wouldn’t need it. I asked about cover for myself, being a foreigner and she appeared not to know what I was talking about! That was it.

I have since heard that the scheme will not be continued and that those that did manage to get on the scheme will not be able to renew once their policy has expired.

I have come to the conclusion that to consider private health insurance premiums excessive and a waste of money is quite simply - false economy, and as a responsible foreigner I owe it to myself and my family here to take steps to avoid risk in a land where quite simply things can change with the flip of a coin; and if there is some catastrophe around the corner we may quite simply - die. A few other not so essential luxuries have to make way to guarantee our health and safety is affordable.

The internet beckoned and I saw a company that seems to have what it takes to provide very comprehensive health insurance, the “Lifestyle Series” they call it. It is available in nine different formats, depending upon your requirements and means. I would suggest calling them to gain some practical advise and direction.

Pacific Cross Health Insurance also has a huge hospital list nationwide and has published a very informative and useful series of health related advisory articles. See for yourself at [email protected] or call +66 2 401 9189

[gamini]

It seems that some farangs seem to think government hospitals are not for them. They think they should be treated better than the Thais and can't be bothered to wait..They do not seem to know that many of the best private hospital doctors also practice at government hospitals. Also many of the government hospitals are very well equipped. They are crowded but once you have registered you can make an appointment for your next visit

.I have found really marvellous doctors at government hospitals. But I go to different ones. Siriraj is as good as any private hospital and one fifth of the price. I go there for skin cancer treatment. I have an excellent Radiologist at another government hospital. And I had heart attack treatment at again another government hospital. I am very old and have many medical problems and had several operations in Thailand.You can get a private room at a government hospital and it costs very little. Private medical insurance when you are over 70 is ridiculous and in spite of all my medical treatment I have spent far less over the years than I would have spent on insurance. I would like to add that there are also plenty of good small clinics which are very cheap and good. I see a leading heart specialist in his private clinic and he charges me Bt150.

You need to do a bit of research to find the good doctors and if you have Thai friends they can help your inquieres.

So my advice to you is use the government hospitals and take a book with you to read..

[TerryLH]

OP, that is news from a long time ago.

Nothing was discontinued, it's more like it was never supposed to be in the first place.

The plan you post about is available for migrant workers from the region, as it was intended.

[CeeBee]

I have recently made enquiries with Bangkok Bank and KBank regardig low cost accident/health insurance policies for seniors from 75 years up to 99 years. Unfortunately they are only partially in English. I am trying to get reasonable translations.

Does anybody have comprehensive translations or actual experience with these policies?

[THAIPHUKET]

CeeBee take a photo with a smartphone and simply post it here. Someone will translate

[CeeBee]

Thanks. I have made progress with the translations.

What I am interested in now are actual experiences by members who have used one of the BangkokBank or KBank policies.

[THAIPHUKET]

I assume that any bank is acting only as agent but the actual dealings will be with a health insurer. The risk being, I think, the policy will be under Thai insurance law, a big unknown

[rawhod]

Thanks. I have made progress with the translations.

What I am interested in now are actual experiences by members who have used one of the BangkokBank or KBank policies.

I had Bangkok Bank Personal Seniors Accident insurance for a couple of years up to December last year. I had no claims, however, I was concerned that there was no cover for motor cycle accidents. So I looked at other providers. I decided on Bangkok Insurance Happy 45+ Personal Accident cover, which does cover motorcycle accidents and was only a few hundred Baht more expensive.

http://www.bangkokinsurance.com/home/brancher.asp?key=64&region_code=NH

[THAIPHUKET]

What is the age limit on happy insurance?

[rawhod]

What is the age limit on happy insurance?

Personal Accident Insurance (Happy 45⁺)

Being sure in every step of your life. Happy 45+ cover loss of life, dismemberment, loss of sight, disability, medical expense, including wheelchair expense and special for the insured aged between 45 and 80 years. No age limit to extend insurance contract.

[nong38]

The problem is that once you reach 60 you become a bad risky and rising. There are some policies that go up to 74 or 80 but they rise significantly. Some say they will always insure you but in reality the premiums turn you away. Self insure is the way to go and Govt hospitals are ok, had my cataracts done there, 20,000bts and yes they do have good doctors and the equipment they use is good too.

Last year I went to a Govt hospital, they said they could give me a Healthcard so went through the examination and paid the money, 2 weeks later, some of the money returned, they could not go ahead with it, perhaps next year, so far no joy.

Inusrers are not there for your benefit, nor mine, at our time of life, you have to look after yourself.

[onetime]

What is the age limit on happy insurance?

Personal Accident Insurance (Happy 45⁺)

Being sure in every step of your life. Happy 45+ cover loss of life, dismemberment, loss of sight, disability, medical expense, including wheelchair expense and special for the insured aged between 45 and 80 years. No age limit to extend insurance contract.

There is no product info on the site for this policy. Do you have a link you can post with specifics?

[CeeBee]

I have recently discussed the PA Happy45+ insurance policy with Bangkok Insurance Company and can send you product information in English. Simply provide me with your Email address. Please note that I am personally interested in an accident insurance and am NOT an insurance agent.

[rawhod]

What is the age limit on happy insurance?

Personal Accident Insurance (Happy 45⁺)

Being sure in every step of your life. Happy 45+ cover loss of life, dismemberment, loss of sight, disability, medical expense, including wheelchair expense and special for the insured aged between 45 and 80 years. No age limit to extend insurance contract.

There is no product info on the site for this policy. Do you have a link you can post with specifics?

Sorry, just got back to this topic...

attachment.pdf

[AlexRRR]

What is the age limit on happy insurance?

Personal Accident Insurance (Happy 45⁺)

Being sure in every step of your life. Happy 45+ cover loss of life, dismemberment, loss of sight, disability, medical expense, including wheelchair expense and special for the insured aged between 45 and 80 years. No age limit to extend insurance contract.

There is no product info on the site for this policy. Do you have a link you can post with specifics?

Sorry, just got back to this topic...

This is travel/accident insurance nothing to do with being insured against an illness and needing to be hospitalized.

[rawhod]

AlexRRR wrote...

"This is travel/accident insurance nothing to do with being insured against an illness and needing to be hospitalized."

Correct...

I was replying to CeeBee's question regarding Personal Accident Insurance.