Mandatory health insurance for Non O-A visa effective from 31 October

[emptypockets]

22 minutes ago, lupin said:

and quite a bit more expensive if you are not 50 years old +1 day... entry price on 65 yr olds for example is ridiculous

 

The prices seem to cover ages 50 to 75 from the ( very ) quick look I had. The policies seem to be specifically for the OA visa requirements, nothing else. There could of course be the dreaded fine print that I didn't read.

[wisperone]

2 hours ago, rexall said:

I am 69 and just renewed with Aetna (formerly BOOOOOPA) for 72K.  It is 100% inpatient, and the coverage is <deleted> for anything serious, complicated and lengthy. 

Aren't you concerned tho that under those circumstances, that you really aren't "insured"?

Perhaps you would be better off with no insurance. Insurance is for things that you cannot cover for out of pocket, ie, serious, complicated, and lengthy. Now you are paying 72k for noncomplicated issues, which if those things were to occur, you could self pay with the 72k if you didn't bother with the insurance and just paid oop if and when they arrive. Either way, you aren't covered for the "serious" incidents should they happen.

 

All in all, your in a dangerous position of not being covered for major illness in Thailand and the older one gets, the more likely of the occurrence.

 

Edited October 9, 2019 by wisperone

[emptypockets]

2 minutes ago, Torrens54 said:

This follows reports last week, that the Government has now introduced DUAL PRICING in ALL PUBLIC Hospitals.

 

 The Government ORDER, reportedly instructed All Government Hospitals to basically charge DOUBLE for services to the Ferang/ALIENS.

Just wondering if THAIVISA has any further info ?

It was actually triple pricing as I recall.

[DUNROAMIN]

4 minutes ago, billsmart said:

I'm still confused...

 

I entered Thailand on a Non O-A Long-stay Visa 20 years ago and have been living here ever since. I get an Extension of Stay every year, and use the Retirement criteria, but could use the Marriage (Thai Wife) criteria.

 

If anyone can answer these questions about the necessity to have health insurance with any level of certainty, I would appreciate it:
 

1. Does this new law apply to someone (like me) already in Thailand and just applying for an Extension of Stay based on Retirement criteria?

2. Does this new law apply to someone (like me) already in Thailand and just applying for an Extension of Stay based on Marriage (Thai Wife) criteria?

3. I am 73 so cannot buy health insurance. Could I post a THB440K bond (THB400K for inpatient plus THB40K for outpatient) with the government or a health insurance company to satisfy the insurance requirements?

 

Thanks...

Will not affect you, only for new applications from their home country.

 

6 minutes ago, billsmart said:

I'm still confused...

 

I entered Thailand on a Non O-A Long-stay Visa 20 years ago and have been living here ever since. I get an Extension of Stay every year, and use the Retirement criteria, but could use the Marriage (Thai Wife) criteria.

 

If anyone can answer these questions about the necessity to have health insurance with any level of certainty, I would appreciate it:
 

1. Does this new law apply to someone (like me) already in Thailand and just applying for an Extension of Stay based on Retirement criteria?

2. Does this new law apply to someone (like me) already in Thailand and just applying for an Extension of Stay based on Marriage (Thai Wife) criteria?

3. I am 73 so cannot buy health insurance. Could I post a THB440K bond (THB400K for inpatient plus THB40K for outpatient) with the government or a health insurance company to satisfy the insurance requirements?

 

Thanks...

Will not affect you, only for new applications from their home country.

[AussieBob18]

7 minutes ago, billsmart said:

1. Does this new law apply to someone (like me) already in Thailand and just applying for an Extension of Stay based on Retirement criteria?

2. Does this new law apply to someone (like me) already in Thailand and just applying for an Extension of Stay based on Marriage (Thai Wife) criteria?

3. I am 73 so cannot buy health insurance. Could I post a THB440K bond (THB400K for inpatient plus THB40K for outpatient) with the government or a health insurance company to satisfy the insurance requirements?

 

1.  No. Not yet - but it probably will soon. Start planning now.

2.  No. Not yet - but it probably will soon. Start planning now.

3.  No.

Sorry.  

[Dogmatix]

I guess that compulsory insurance for extensions will follow within a couple of years.  If they believe this is really necessary, there is not much point requiring it for the first year and then allowing unlimited extensions without insurance, as the visa holder gets older and older. 

 

I agree with many that tourists on motorcycles are more of a risk of leaving unpaid bills at government hospitals but uninsured retirees must be some sort of a risk too.  Last time I visited the M-i-L in her village the talk amongst the old ladies about a farang of unspecified nationality who died in the government hospital leaving no money and an unpaid hospital bill of B150,000 for his Thai wife.

 

My hope is that the government will come up with some affordable scheme that will cover treatment at government hospitals before they inevitably require insurance for extensions. They already have something similar for workers from neighbouring countries, although I think it is just like a national insurance fee, which probably just goes into government coffers, rather than a specific insurance scheme.

[Call]

That´s it, they win!

Me and my father 66 + 90 have to leave (as retired).  Myself have been here for 13 years, retired and investing heavily in Thai economy. Thanks for that!

Facing the facts, visiting Thailand as tourist will be the future opportunity.

The 2 x 800.000 Bath plus some insurance of over 200.000 Bath a year, gives a lot of dream travels possible. Maybe a settle down somewhere else, where they appreciate retired people, with money and efforts to take care themselves and some people around. ???? 

[LukKrueng]

2 hours ago, Carlosm said:

No, just get my passport stamped.

So it doesn't apply to you

[Call]

9 minutes ago, emptypockets said:

The prices seem to cover ages 50 to 75 from the ( very ) quick look I had. The policies seem to be specifically for the OA visa requirements, nothing else. There could of course be the dreaded fine print that I didn't read.

Yes, correct. And what about 75+? Just get rid of them, old ugly farangs ;-(

[Caldera]

"Applicants are required to have 40,000 baht outpatient coverage and 400,000 baht inpatient coverage."

 

As dumb - or as useless - as it comes. Congratulations, Thailand, once again you've put complete idiots in charge of writing the rules.

[LukKrueng]

4 minutes ago, Call said:

That´s it, they win!

Me and my father 66 + 90 have to leave (as retired).  Myself have been here for 13 years, retired and investing heavily in Thai economy. Thanks for that!

Facing the facts, visiting Thailand as tourist will be the future opportunity.

The 2 x 800.000 Bath plus some insurance of over 200.000 Bath a year, gives a lot of dream travels possible. Maybe a settle down somewhere else, where they appreciate retired people, with money and efforts to take care themselves and some people around. ???? 

If you use the 800K that suggest you are on extension and not on a visa type OA. This means the new regulation doesn't apply to you

[Call]

2 hours ago, niebla said:

A self insurance option? Another 400,000 in the bank?

NO NO, 400.000 to the IMO ????

 

[DJ54]

Probably got my wires twisted wasn’t this put on hold until 2020

due to tourism.... maybe I’m confusing it with the small fee they were going to have all tourist....as the world turns 

[wwest5829]

After having been given a scare of not getting my 8th year Extension of Stay (due to 1 out of 12 months falling below the 65K requirement), I am now wrestling with the TM30 tracking. As to the heath insurance ... I took out a policy when I first retired in Chiang Mai, of course it excluded everything having to do with my heart or circulation as pre-existing conditions. The 2nd year they raised the premium a good bit as I had "entered a higher age bracket". I cancelled the policy as not worth the cost for coverage. So, next up? If Thailand Immigration demands this additional cost under my circumstances I will be forced to leave. It will be heartbreaking for me, my significant other and her Daughter. But hey, up to Thailand.

[Pattaya46]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

According to the order, health insurance is not required for those applying for an extension of stay based on retirement and only applies to Non O-A visas.

I don't really understand that part in the first/original post 

 

If it doesn't apply for Retirement Extension, then why did they add this rules #6 (insurance) in the conditions for Retirement Extension ??? 

[AussieBob18]

1 minute ago, Pattaya46 said:

I don't really understand that part in the first/original post 

 

If it doesn't apply for Retirement Extension, then why did they add this rules #6 (insurance) in the conditions for Retirement Extension ??? 

There is a big difference in Thailand between the rules, and the interpretation and implementation of the rules.  

 

The current interpretation and implemenation is that it only applies to those entering Thailand with an O-A Visa after 31st October.

 

But IMO the rules allow for the interpretation that it applies to all 12 month extensions based on entering with an O-A Visa - and IMO that will probably come next year. 

 

And IMO the interpretation will also change to include all long-term non-immigration Visas (Marriage, Education, Teaching, Business, etc), and then it will change to include the 12 month extensions of stay based on those Visa. 

 

The above is only my opinion and I could be wrong, and the Govt could cancel this insurance stupidity and apologise, and they could also cancel the TM30 debarcle and apologise, and they could also cancel the 800K bank account extortion and apologise.  And all the pigs could soon be fed and ready to fly.  

[mickey rat]

In my opinion you should be able to opt out of you have a minimum 2 million baht in the bank. 400K is nothing for anything serious. It seems like a racket to make it compulsory as the insurance companies will eat you alive.

Edited October 9, 2019 by mickey rat

[niebla]

29 minutes ago, Call said:

That´s it, they win!

Me and my father 66 + 90 have to leave (as retired).  Myself have been here for 13 years, retired and investing heavily in Thai economy. Thanks for that!

Facing the facts, visiting Thailand as tourist will be the future opportunity.

The 2 x 800.000 Bath plus some insurance of over 200.000 Bath a year, gives a lot of dream travels possible. Maybe a settle down somewhere else, where they appreciate retired people, with money and efforts to take care themselves and some people around. ???? 

You and your father should be able to get extensions with a single 800,000 and your birth certificate blessed by your embassy.

[Howiehotspur]

As I doesn’t affect me yet , as I’m on yearly extensions I’m not going to worry the day it does , I’m off to Cambodia 

as a side note a have a good few friends out here around my age ( early 60’s ) some been here 6-7-8 years , and never been to immigration.. they give an agent their passport to do their 90days ,( 200bht )  TM30 never effects them , the new 3 month reporting to ensure they still have the 800k in the bank doesn’t affect them .

immigration  actually WANT expats to go to an agent because that the only way they make money .  Example an yearly extension is about 15,000 bht .. no need to hod 800k in the bank etc ..

next year I’m going down this route . 

[Hansum man]

I had very little experience of Thailand until my first visit one year ago.

 

Since then I have been following the news, this forum etc... to try and learn more about the country, it's societal structure... 

 

I always had the impression of Thailand as a care free land where anything within reason goes. After my first visit I thought to myself I will definitely end up living here asap. 

 

But it seems as if the citizens/tourists are increasingly being controlled by the government through new laws which seem to pop up daily.

 

I am 32, work in professional capacity and can work online. However, I am starting to think there must be better places with less government influence on day to day life than Thailand.  

 

My Question(s):

1. Has Thailand always been this way?

2. If not, then when and why (in your opinion) did it start getting more strict? 

3. Where else in the world/SE Asia would you recommend to someone like myself (i.e. are there any relatively untouched lands left?)

 

Thank you
 

[wisperone]

1 hour ago, AussieBob18 said:

Meanwhile, back in Aus the Medicare system is free and the medical system here is first class.

You are fortunate you have that available. That savings alone covers alot of any cheaper cost of living expenses in Thailand. And you have the peace of mind of 1st class free coverage. Easy choice.

[RBOP]

1 hour ago, emptypockets said:

I really wish people would follow the links in the articles posted. The cost of the insurance to meet the requirements is about 20,000 baht a year. Less than 400 baht a week. For someone contemplating spending 12 months in Thailand it is the proverbial drop in the ocean. That is with major insurers like AXA and Pacific Cross.

Yeah right. If your under 25 years old the premiums are under 20K baht. For what these Thai insurers offer a pitiful 400K baht coverage  I have 1.5 million dollars (50 million baht) coverage from overseas for inpatient and choose to self insure for outpatient. Its a another complete scam courtesy of Immigration department. 

[Catoni]

1 hour ago, kevinmartyn said:

Well i checked around and found cost excessive at 65! 7k to 22k USD/year.

 

To that end i cannot afford the cost! Anyway just have to plan and leave my Thai wife.

 

 I'm convinced the "Thai Government" will take good care of her like i have been doing for the past 11 years!

That’s the problem. Like yourself, there are many of us who don’t have loads of money to pay huge amounts of thousands and thousands...even tens of thousands of dollars to insurance companies. You’re not alone. Lots of us have that problem. So what do we all do? (I’ll ignore the one’s here on TV who have loads of money with big fat bank accounts who will try to tell the rest of us to go back to our birth countries.)

Edited October 9, 2019 by Catoni
Addition

[Scot123]

6 minutes ago, mickey rat said:

In my opinion you should be able to opt out of you have a minimum 2 million baht in the bank. 400K is nothing for anything serious. It seems like a racket to make it compulsory as the insurance companies will eat you alive.

Move the goal posts for you and then you can become an I'm alright Jack guy. Until the next crazy idea that comes along and 2 weeks later is law. Great way to live your life. 

[wisperone]

5 minutes ago, Hansum man said:

3. Where else in the world/SE Asia would you recommend to someone like myself (i.e. are there any relatively untouched lands left?)

Many threads on this issue. If you have been reading TV for a year, you should be aware of them.

 

No where is perfect, all have plusses and minuses. Many times the best place is ones home country and just spend winters away etc if one doesn't like the cold.

Edited October 9, 2019 by wisperone

[kritsana77]

43 minutes ago, Dogmatix said:

I guess that compulsory insurance for extensions will follow within a couple of years.  If they believe this is really necessary, there is not much point requiring it for the first year and then allowing unlimited extensions without insurance, as the visa holder gets older and older. 

 

I agree with many that tourists on motorcycles are more of a risk of leaving unpaid bills at government hospitals but uninsured retirees must be some sort of a risk too.  Last time I visited the M-i-L in her village the talk amongst the old ladies about a farang of unspecified nationality who died in the government hospital leaving no money and an unpaid hospital bill of B150,000 for his Thai wife.

 

My hope is that the government will come up with some affordable scheme that will cover treatment at government hospitals before they inevitably require insurance for extensions. They already have something similar for workers from neighbouring countries, although I think it is just like a national insurance fee, which probably just goes into government coffers, rather than a specific insurance scheme.

I am pretty sure that the farang left the house and paid for everything for years. Find someone else to buy into the BS. You are not going to get any truth from the local Thai ladies.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

2 hours ago, unamazedloso said:

Is this for people over 50 only? Im under 50 and on a non o marriage. 

 This new rule at present is only for O-A visa holders, not regular O visas.

[Colabamumbai]

So I figure guys over 70 who can get insured are exempt right. 

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

4 hours ago, Carlosm said:

I have just got a multi entry from Savannahket based on marriage. Will i need insurance when i leave the country for my 90 days ?

 The rule applies to O-A visa holders, not regular O visas.

 

[gk10002000]

The outpatient requirement is absurd.  If I needed outpatient care, I would fly back to the USA.  Since I am approaching 65, I will be buying USA Medicare.  I would have little need for health insurance in Thailand and would have no plans to buy lots of coverage there while also paying for coverage in the USA. 

 

  The Thais seem to be doing what Obamacare did in the USA which is to decide and to tell people what kind of health insurance they need.  I will seek my own counsel thank you.

 

Boy, this sure is nuts.  But the order says it is only needed for the OA visa and NOT the extension.  OK.  So get the visa and buy the insurance.  Then when going for the extension What would stop a person from just stopping the coverage?

 

 And from a mechanics point of view, when in one's home country and applying for the OA visa, how will they let you set up and buy the insurance?  You will not yet have any sort of Thai address to use.  How will insurance be paid?  Set up payments using your USA or Home country financial institution?