Report: All foreign tourists will soon need insurance in order to enter Thailand

[avvocato]

7 hours ago, IMA_FARANG said:

I will support a corresponding  rule that all  Thai  tourists entering the U.S. be required to show a one week minimum insurance requirement before entering the U.S.

Since U.S. health costs run a minimum of 400 to 500 dollars for a one night stay in an average U.S. hospital in case of an accident that means a Thai tourist arriving in the U.S. must show at lest 400 U.S. dollars per day of insurance coverage from a U.S. insurance provider on entrance to the U.S.

At roughly 35 Baht to one dollar, that means a Thai entering the U.S. must show evidence of 

140,000 Baht per family member to enter the U.S. for a one week entry to the U.S.

What is "good foe the Goose is good for the Gander", as the saying goes.

 

 

When my Thai relatives (Mother in law and two sisters) visited my wife and me in US several years ago. I had to "guarantee" as their sponsor that I would cover certain costs as part of the Visa support document (Form I-134). Then I bought a traveler's heath insurance policy for them, price varied according to their age.  This cost about  $82 per month for my Mother in law (age 80), and less for my sisters in law. These policies are available on the open (international) market.  Never had to use the policy so I do not know how good the coverage would have been but it covered doctors visits, medicine and hospitalization - as part of an HMO.  Some plans cover  medical repatrization, as well.

[theguyfromanotherforum]

How many tourists arrive to Thailand on visa exempt vs tourist visa? They would have to completely do without visa exempt for this to work.

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[kurtmartens]

7 hours ago, IMA_FARANG said:

I will support a corresponding  rule that all  Thai  tourists entering the U.S. be required to show a one week minimum insurance requirement before entering the U.S.

Since U.S. health costs run a minimum of 400 to 500 dollars for a one night stay in an average U.S. hospital in case of an accident that means a Thai tourist arriving in the U.S. must show at lest 400 U.S. dollars per day of insurance coverage from a U.S. insurance provider on entrance to the U.S.

At roughly 35 Baht to one dollar, that means a Thai entering the U.S. must show evidence of 

140,000 Baht per family member to enter the U.S. for a one week entry to the U.S.

What is "good foe the Goose is good for the Gander", as the saying goes.

 

You want "good for the goose is good for the gander"... I guess that means Thais should be able to enter the US on a visa exempt scheme or should the Thai Govt require us to apply months in advance for a visa?  

[mommysboy]

10 hours ago, habanero said:

I think the key word here is tourists.  Not sure what the requirement for those living here will be. 

 

Yes, I absolutely agree.

 

The logical thing would be to co-opt long term stayers in to the social security scheme, as with some teachers working in the public sector.

 

That would be the simplest and cheapest way of doing it.

 

 

[mommysboy]

4 hours ago, Oleg57 said:

For 8 years in Thailand I never used state hospitals. If there was any problem, a private clinic and paid medical care is available and not expensive. I just paid but very rare I need it. Once in two years to pay for a dentist. Like this. That was all my needs for medical care. Why should I have a medical insurance in Thailand? If new regulations are going to be enforced, it should not be for those expats who are residing already in Thailand. Only for newcomers and tourists.

As for the fake medical insurance, I recall times when it was possible to buy a fake insurance 10USD per month to travel Germany, as  an example. Issue of a fake insurances is a gold mine for fraudsters. Anyway, if it will be enforced, Thailand is going to be no-go zone for many expats and tourists. My sister with her family three years ago visited me in Thailand and because of complications with entrance permit already in Thailand she told me - never more i will come to Thailand. Spain is far cheaper and better in all means.

 

So far.  Perhaps you'll be lucky enough to drop dead, but for the majority it's a long, slow, and costly decline.

[CantSpell]

On 6/5/2017 at 1:02 PM, CLW said:

For visa application, yes it can be done. Germany does the same to Thai people applying for a visa.

On the other hand, in case of Thailand with the majority arriving without visa, hopeless. Just imagine the difficulties at immigration

Totally stupid move and will probably make no difference, even though i agree all should be insured but....

 

Majority of accidents in Thailand are motorcycle accidents related and majority of insurances do not cover accidents of this kind in Thailand...

[anon4546543]

On 2017-6-5 at 0:58 PM, terminatorchiangmai said:

Thai hospitals who are being forced to treat an increasing number of insured foreigners.

 

Now you lost me !

The original post says "uninsured". Learn to read before making silly, negative, uninformed anti Thai posts

[MyFriend You]

On 6/5/2017 at 0:40 PM, forrwhat said:

How long before scams pop up selling fake insurance at these machines?

 

Immediately if not sooner  -  that was my first thought reading the headlines  -  back in the eighties, 80% the Insurance vending machines in the US Airports were selling bogus policies, with no way to claim.  Same thing will happen here.

 

Now on the other hand, Extensions of Stay Vuisa's??  I wholeheartedly agree they force some sort of Insurance policy be required.

[wakeupplease]

5 hours ago, captspectre said:

ARE you ready for this? hold your breath! here it comes--- I AGREE with this! to many freeloaders coming to thailand and  acting like fools and bleeding the hospital system

.

Too many freeloader coming here, that will be the day

 

Freeloaders here all live here

 

[jpinx]

For older  UK people, and possibly a few others, Cigna covers over 70-s. 

Cigna - £650,000 cover, with deductible and excess of £6,650 and £3,325  -- costing £120/ month.  take annual policy on monthly payments and then cancel at end of trip

The availability of insurance is a very old topic and has been debated in here many times.  People who can't find cover are not really looking too hard.  It get's more pricey as you get older, but not unreasonably so.

 

Staysure is another UK company that will cover over 70's for up to 4 months.

 

As has been said by many, including me, there's no point in getting all flustered about this regurgitated proposal until we know who is being targetted.  There are lots of african, chinese, etc, etc tourists who have plenty of medical incidents in Thailand, so this needs to be a very broad brush to cover all eventualities.  Why the TaT don't just apply a flat daily fee at the point of entry according to the length of stay is beyond understanding.  The issue is probably that it is too transparent and sticky fingers can not get into the cashflow.  Also - the hospitals would have to justify their costs of treatments to their own government paymasters.  The alternative is a lengthy and complicated system to approve certain insurance companies and make their policies easy for immigration to check at the borders.

[bamukloy]

first, this minister need to be educated on the MO foriegn insurance companies.

Some wont even pay a Thai hospital if they think scamming going on.

No bikes, no accidents, no alcohol. Actually just about every scenario can be use by them so they dont pay.

 

Second, id say is not the tourist who default on the hospitals.

 

As a percentage, id say the longstayers are the culprits, them who refuse to leave when they have little or no income and wanna live like a begger in Thailand.

 

You tell me who more likely to get sick and have no money to pay? 

 

-a tourist-stay here a week or so

Or

-longstayer here 24/7

 

Edit: i realise my fault. Many longstayers are probably on tourist visa which is why it look like tourist scamming hospitals.lol

 

[55Jay]

Can be done. Similar to airport taxes/departure fees incorporated into the air ticket price.  No exceptions.  Just a simple, contingency policy with a NTE value.  All the money goes into a centralized fund.  The pool of untapped funds will be large in a short period of time from the millions of tourists who come and go without ever needing hospital care, or weren't aware they had bought into the scheme by default when they bought their air tickets, and paid for minor treatment themselves.

 

Of course, predictable problems will arise.  Fights about preexisting conditions.  Corruption in the selection of insurance providers.  Corruption by hospitals claiming the max NTE amount regardless of actual expenditure.   Politicians/Junta unable to resist dipping into the untapped pile of surplus money.  Raping the fund to the point it can't serve its purpose, lie about it, then increase the policy cost to cover the shortfall caused by corruption and mismanagement.

 

I would be cynical about such a program in my own country, let alone here in Thailand.

[smileydude]

Many countries (e.g. EU) that visitors need to apply for visa's require pre-purchased travel insurance.  It's pretty much a no brainer that everyone traveling should be required to purchase travel insurance since as a visitor you are not covered by the local national insurance schemes e.g. NHS in the UK, UC in Thailand.

I would prefer to buy it from a worldwide company like AIG, ALLIANZ, etc not thru a vending machine so just don't be lazy and purchase it prior to getting on the plane.  It costs peanuts compared to the cost of the trip yet people skimp and some unfortunately do get injured or sick and end up unable to pay the bills and have to beg for help.  Why be a burden to relatives and others.  You have to be responsible for yourself.. period.

[speckio]

On 6/5/2017 at 0:40 PM, forrwhat said:

How long before scams pop up selling fake insurance at these machines?

 

wouldnt someone have to inspect or verify the insurance first before entering the country? as long as the inspector says its valid then a hospital should honor it. also it would be pretty stupid  to set up a machine at an airport that has fake insurance... chances are the machine would be detected pretty quickly and the person who set up would get busted as soon as they come back to take money from the machine.

[louse1953]

Remember chaps,when you write on here you are doing free work for Immi.All the little lurks will be noted and worked into the new plan.

[louse1953]

On 05/06/2017 at 1:37 PM, Chivas said:

No issue with it personally as i carry annual insurance renewed each year but what about people who are uninsurable  ?? What about people who are able to purchase insurance but at ridiculous cost because of pre existing conditions. This would finish of pattaya for good lol with the few people that are left and mainly in the pension age bracket

Unworkable as always

Maybe thats what they want and then locals could move in at fire sale prices and make a killing and then on sell to the folk from the north.

[Bob12345]

The original post says "uninsured". Learn to read before making silly, negative, uninformed anti Thai posts

Newsflash: it did not say that in the beginning and has been quickly changed after publishing.

So maybe you should be less silly, negative, and uninformed.

[Catkiwi]

3 hours ago, wakeupplease said:

Too many freeloader coming here, that will be the day

 

Freeloaders here all live here

 

Except for the dead ones...then they don't freeload anymore.

[Rimmer]

A flame and reply have been removed

[1SteveC]

9 hours ago, david555 said:

i understand your point ...., but even when on 1 year extension we are not residents ...as only our non o visa is extended , permanent residents are a different status !

 

Your "non o" is not extended at all - your permission to stay is.

[1SteveC]

7 hours ago, fatdrunkandstupid said:

That isn't the real issue.  The real issue is that the hospital budgets are collapsing under the weight of Thailand's aging population, falling birth rate, and unworkable permanent residency program.  There just isn't enough tax revenue, and this problem will worsen moving forward.  Solution: make the rich foreigners pay for the shortfall.

 

"unworkable permanent residency program" - Please explain.

[1SteveC]

5 hours ago, mommysboy said:

 

Yes, I absolutely agree.

 

The logical thing would be to co-opt long term stayers in to the social security scheme, as with some teachers working in the public sector.

 

That would be the simplest and cheapest way of doing it.

 

 

 

"as with some teachers working in the public sector." - do you mean everybody who is here working legally?

[fatdrunkandstupid]

1 hour ago, 1SteveC said:

 

"unworkable permanent residency program" - Please explain.

How many people do you know personally that have obtained residency here.

[mommysboy]

3 hours ago, 1SteveC said:

 

"as with some teachers working in the public sector." - do you mean everybody who is here working legally?

No.  If someone is working for a private institution then they will be in a BUPA scheme or such like.  I am talking about a teacher working in a university for instance, whose health insurance is covered by the Government social security package.

 

Been there done both.

 

 

[YetAnother]

hahaha funniest thing i have heard in a while

[1SteveC]

8 hours ago, mommysboy said:

No.  If someone is working for a private institution then they will be in a BUPA scheme or such like.  I am talking about a teacher working in a university for instance, whose health insurance is covered by the Government social security package.

 

Been there done both.

 

 

 

I think you will find all but the very smallest employers have to include their employees in the Social, just because big employees offer things like BUPA as well, does not negate their legal obligation.

 

Remember, the 750 Baht a month is not just for medical, it also covers a number of other benefits.

[MalandLee]

My 2c Worth

 

INSURANCE
 

Thailand adopt the minimum COMPULSORY Schengen “style” visa HEALTH insurance scheme AND FUND THEMSELVES – NO INSURANCE COMPANIES.. If it is "actuarially" sound in Europe, given their hospital costs it hould be VERY profitable here.

 

Calculations (From Euro to Baht)

 

TOURISTS

30 million tourists (2015 figures 29.8 million) each with a compulsory health policy @ approx 700 Baht each (19 Euro) SAME AS SCHENGEN POLICY

 

Approx income:- Twenty-one BILLION Baht. You would not want those that cannot afford 19 Euro anyhow?

 

READ THE SCHENGEN POLICY http://bit.ly/2g13Ip3 Europe can do it, so can Thailand.

 

EXPATS

Long Term visa holders must pay REGARDLESS OF AGE. About 1,100 Baht each and every month – For FULL access to Thai PUBLIC Hospital System. Pr-existing conditions, same as schengen policy.

 

This does NOT stop the filthy rich having their own policy, BUT, it does not mean they need not pay – see the word COMPULSORY on the first line.

[bbi1]

On 2017-6-5 at 4:55 PM, kannot said:

I Keep a  few  million in the bank for "what ifs" but dont insure, why dont they just make you sign a document stating "I understand I have no insurance and may die in Thailand" waiver.

But then there are costs involved with disposing of the dead body or if someone decided to jump of the balcony like the recent 67yr old, the costs to remove the splatter and the potential counselling to kids who saw him.

[terminatorchiangmai]

17 hours ago, spiderorchid said:

The original post says "uninsured". Learn to read before making silly, negative, uninformed anti Thai posts

Wow , wonder who is uninformed here.

Original post was like i copy pasted it.

It was edited later by Thaivisa.

Nothing anti Thai about it , but some people see ghosts everywhere.

Time to take your medicine now.

[hawker9000]

On 6/5/2017 at 0:37 PM, theguyfromanotherforum said:

Impossible to enforce. Will never pass.

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Impossible to enforce.  Will surely pass.

 

Fire.  Aim.   Ready.

 

You just have to wonder.   So an arriving tourist, having barely a clue about the whole thing, buys the "insurance".

Case 1:   Days later, the tourist has a serious accident, presents the purchased insurance document, and discovers the "insurance" is virtually worthless.  Reports start popping up on social media ...   Another Thai scam...

Case 2:  The govt requires hospitals to accept the insurance, and the world's deadbeats discover that for the nominal cost of it, they can have everything from hemorrhoids to heart conditions treated.  The program falls on its face.

Case 3:  Like all insurance policies, this new one has limits & deductibles, which are set too low to cover catastrophic injury in an accident.  GOTO CASE 1.

 

And THEN there's the whole question of IO "discretion ". in deciding what's acceptable evidence of foreign insurance and what's not.  Oh this'll be good.  And EVERYONE will get to relish the experience of it taking 8x as long to get thru Immigration on arrival.

 

The solution is SO simple, and this isn't it, and is instead in all likelihood just a scheme to get clueless foreigners  to pay for submarines & tanks.   DEPORT and BLACKLIST the deadbeats!   Have an Immigration Officer waiting on hospital release to escort them directly to the IDC.  If they can buy the ticket home, complete the deport/blacklist stuff and they go (never to return).  If not, they remain in IDC and are handled like other deportees with insufficient funds.  The flow of deadbeats will slow to a trickle once the word gets out, and expats who haven't been will have to square themselves away or take a VERY big risk!