Health insurance mandatory for long-stay foreigners in Thailand

[webfact 44,851]

Insurance mandatory for long-stay foreigners

By The Nation

 

File photo

 

HEALTH insurance has been made mandatory for foreigners aged 50 years and above seeking long-term stay in Thailand.

 

The insurance policy must offer up to Bt40,000 coverage for outpatient treatment and up to Bt400,000 for inpatient treatment. 

 

This is one of the measures the government has introduced to ease the financial burden placed on state hospitals by foreigners, many of whom have not paid for treatment. 

 

“The Cabinet has already approved the new rule,” Health Service Support Department director-general Nattawuth Prasert-siripong revealed yesterday. 

 

RELATED: Thaivisa Health Protect: Medical insurance for expats in Thailand 

 

According to Nattawuth, the new rule applies to both new applicants for the non-immigrant visa (O-A), which offers a stay of up to one year, and those wishing to renew their visa. Each renewal is valid for one year.

 

Overseas policies okay too

 

“Such health insurance is good for foreigners too,” Nattawuth said. 

 

Foreigners can buy valid health insurance from longstay.tgia.org or if they wish to use health insurance that they bought overseas, they must ensure that the coverage amount is no less than what is required by the rule. “We are going to discuss with relevant authorities on to how to check the validity of health insurance bought from overseas,” Nattawuth said. 

 

Asked about foreigners who cannot buy health insurance because their health risks are considered too high, Nattawuth said relevant authorities might consider requiring them to have higher deposits in bank accounts so as to make sure that they have enough to live in Thailand.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30369323

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2019-05-14

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RELATED: Insurance for long stay foreigners in Thailand

[Thaiwrath 22,662]

6 minutes ago, webfact said:

“We are going to discuss with relevant authorities on to how to check the validity of health insurance bought from overseas,”

I am sure, with the proficiency of English within the Thai immigration, this should not pose any problems !   

[gk10002000 5,466]

Indeed.  So more paperwork because some people abused the system.  So one will have to show something in advance when first getting the visa and later when applying for the extension.  So many issues will arise.  If somebody was moving there and planned to get a policy while in Thailand, but doesn't have one yet.  Addresses to put on forms will not exist yet.   Oh what a mess.  And the approval or validation of existing and proper insurance?  Goodness.  The Thais and some embassies can't even agree on the income methods, types of income, verification, etc.

[gunderhill 5,043]

So how many are going to be leaving now, what exactly s a NON O -A I have a visa which just states NON O married to a  Thai (no other letters  after it) been on it for 6  years.

Perhaps someone can clarify if  it  will  apply to me?

Edited May 13 by gunderhill

[gunderhill 5,043]

14 minutes ago, webfact said:

such health insurance is good for foreigners too,” Nattawuth said. 

so kind of  him to  tell us

Edited May 13 by gunderhill

[gunderhill 5,043]

19 minutes ago, webfact said:

Asked about foreigners who cannot buy health insurance because their health risks are considered too high, Nattawuth said relevant authorities might consider requiring them to have higher deposits in bank accounts

More vagueness.

Edited May 13 by gunderhill

[gunderhill 5,043]

20 minutes ago, webfact said:

According to Nattawuth, the new rule applies to both new applicants for the non-immigrant visa (O-A),

I  wonder how many Immigration  officers  will interpret this as ALL NON O  type  visas "if"  it  doesn't  already apply to them.

[gunderhill 5,043]

Next people  will  buy coverage for the  amount specified and to reduce premiums to as  small as  possible get a massive excess smacked on it.

Be prepared for the longest ever tv  thread!

Edited May 13 by gunderhill

[gunderhill 5,043]

https://www.thaihealth.co.th/2012/product_wealthy_eng.php

[Orac 3,720]

Seem to be several plans up on their website already though not all companies have them. Pacific Cross have cheapest but still just over 30k a year for my 51-55 age bracket and nothing for over 75s.  Click  on each insurer for their plan and premium.

 

https://longstay.tgia.org/

[quandow 6,510]

I did two inquiries at the website provided. Typical Thai inefficiency. Can't get a straight answer or quote, not even a ballpark price.

[LongTang 972]

44 minutes ago, Thaiwrath said:

I am sure, with the proficiency of English within the Thai immigration, this should not pose any problems !   

 

Don't worry, A translation of the insurance policy to Thai signed by a notary will probably be added to the endless list of things one has to prepare..

 

 

 

Edited May 13 by LongTang

[gunderhill 5,043]

1 minute ago, LongTang said:

 

Don't worry, A translation of the insurance policy to Thai  signed by a notary will probability be added to the endless list of things one has to prepare..

dont  forget  the 10  copies  required  all  signed and  within 1  minute  of  applying.

[surangw 1,485]

25 minutes ago, gunderhill said:

I  wonder how many Immigration  officers  will interpret this as ALL NON O  type  visas "if"  it  doesn't  already apply to them.

probably each  office will have their own interpretation 

[gunderhill 5,043]

49 minutes ago, webfact said:

might consider requiring them to have higher deposits in bank accounts

Well  surely  this would mean at least another 400k and  another 40k for outpatients in the bank which would suit me  just fine.