Thailand to demand proof of health insurance for 'risky' long-term visitors

[Merida]

Hi,  I am emigrating to Mexico, I decided on this some time ago, there are two types of visa, Temporary and Permanent, holders of both are given excellent medical treatment, for free, also, if you subscribe to a cheap upgrade you can choose which hospital, doctor etc..

Mexico’s social security system is called the Instituto Mexicano de Seguro Social, often abbreviated as just IMSS.    www.imss.gob.mx

 

https://www.mexperience.com/lifestyle/living-in-mexico/visas-and-immigration/ 

https://www.mexperience.com/lifestyle/healthcare/ 

 

My late wife and I decided to move to Mexico back in January/February this year, since then, the Thailand government has embarked upon a narrow minded course of action that will devastate the economy once the full effects have filtered through to the local restaurant, the supermarket, the street vendors etc., at a point where the world economy is slipping into a recession, and for what? a miserable few people who have taken advantage of the good nature of the Thai people. Acting on a knee jerk action, the Thai government has not taken full consideration of how minuscule the out of pocket amount is in relation to the global revenues received by Thailand from long-term staying Farangs.

I would like to bet you that 80-90% of the defaulters were in that thick wedge of "living on the smell of an apron" section that has already been forced to sling their collective nets elsewhere anyway.

Now I know why I am moving to Mexico. lol, and the Mexican government is doing all it can to encourage migration, even though I am 82, it's is a no brainer.

 

[KhunFred]

If hospitals had a monthly payment plan like Western hospitals, there would be no problem. They all want money up front or when you leave. Most expats do not have a money tree. We are here because the cost of living in our own countries is too high.

[chuang]

It's only for O-A long term visa applied overseas...but not for O-A extension, strange.

So one can apply with health insurance then after one year, for extension, one can just cancel the insurance policy...right .....

[david555]

1 minute ago, KhunFred said:

If hospitals had a monthly payment plan like Western hospitals, there would be no problem. They all want money up front or when you leave. Most expats do not have a money tree. We are here because the cost of living in our own countries is too high.

"We are here because the cost of living in our own countries is too high. "

 

That line Sir...,how understandable ever , that 's just making them scary as feeling their supposed /mentioned  risk even more ...

[Burma Bill]

There will be serious ramifications for foreigners who are Type 2 Diabetics, especially those on medication like insulin. No medical insurance company will entertain you, as I have experienced here in Thailand. To apply for medical insurance you must undergo a blood test for glucose (sugar) content. If the figure is high and the doctor states you are diabetic then medical insurance is a "no,no". However, no problem for a comprehensive accident policy. So, a happily married foreigner with Thai wife and possibly children, will be refused a Non O A extension if he is diagnosed Type 2 diabetic as no medical insurance certificate can be presented to immigration. What happens then - family splits up, Dad has to live in a neighboring country? There may well be foreigners who do not know they are diabetic until they give a blood sample when applying for medical insurance - then big problems! Again, there has been no proper research conducted by the authorities before introducing such new legislation - there only thought money, money, money!! I wonder if there will be signs at Thai ports of entry stating "Foreign Diabetics not allowed"

[Elzear]

I might be wrong, and hope I am, but am I getting this feeling that this government really wants to kick all aged Farangs (the white ones) out the country..? It seems to invent more and more ways to put pressure for us Oldies (50+) to leave ! 
Admitting that their figures are right (after all, they should know), their amounts pales in front of what we give financially to our Thai spouses and families. We are the ones who donate to their grass (I mean rice) root economy. Our monies flow directly to the local micro economy. We, the above 50ies  retired farangs, cost nothing to this country. Its smile is becoming more like a grin. For my love of my woman, her family

should I kowtow and pay ..  

[uncleeagle]

Note that although the initial news announcment stated the new insurance requirement would not apply to those exending an existing visa for retirement, I think this may be wrong. 

 

The actual wording on the police order says that the insurance requirement applies to extensions, period. There is no mention of whether the extension is to a new or existing visa.

 

So it looks like all retirees will now have to fork out between 30 and 90k per year depending on age and insurance company to be able to extend their visa...or leave. If you buy an insurance plan and still have your application rejected....i guess thats just going to be tough.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[fforest1]

1 minute ago, Elzear said:

I might be wrong, and hope I am, but am I getting this feeling that this government really wants to kick all aged Farangs (the white ones) out the country..? It seems to invent more and more ways to put pressure for us Oldies (50+) to leave ! 
Admitting that their figures are right (after all, they should know), their amounts pales in front of what we give financially to our Thai spouses and families. We are the ones who donate to their grass (I mean rice) root economy. Our monies flow directly to the local micro economy. We, the above 50ies  retired farangs, cost nothing to this country. Its smile is becoming more like a grin. For my love of my woman, her family

should I kowtow and pay ..  

Farang Go Home.....

[FritsSikkink]

7 hours ago, tjo o tjim said:

The obsession with peanuts is slightly amusing. It is equivalent to 6,000B per non-imm visa applicant, and likely fewer than 750 meaningful hospital bills. But hey...

So? What should they even pay a satang for those people. 

[maddox41]

I believe this is for a AO  visa applied for outside Thailand!?? 

The ones to worry about taking the <deleted> with the medical bills is the back packers.

Suzy from Sweden crashed her hire scooter she is 20 and doesn't have travel insurance the hostipal bill is already 600 000 b  the family and friends are going to have a GO FUND PAGE. 

YOU SEE IT ALL THE TIME. 

 

[MaxLee]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

Thailand to demand proof of health insurance for 'risky' long-term visitors

All right, I'd choose the gun and just pull the trigger against my head, problem solved

[TSF]

53 minutes ago, kingofthemountain said:

What a huge slap in the face!

 

All these farangs thinking they had now a thai country, a thai wife, some thais children, a thai family, thai friends and have invested here in houses, condos, cars, motorbikes, local economy for millions bts and so on...

 

they were wrong, all wrong, totaly wrong

they are just 'risky' long-term visitors''

 

and now on a monthly basis the thai authorities are showing them the exit door

sad, really sad, and nobody is going to win something in the deal.

I first got to BKK in 1978, I well remember advice that several old hands gave me way back then:

 

1) If you want to survive in Thailand don't learn to speak Thai.

2) Don't buy anything in Thailand that you can't fit into a suitcase (or you're not prepared to just walk away from and leave behind.)

[bronzedude]

I think the government should put out a list of those foreigners and their home countries who didn't pay their bills. Let's get some real truth in the equation. I would suspect that the overwhelming majority of people on that list are migrant workers who go to Thai hospitals and don't mind waiting around forever for treatment. I have had 2 major operations, one at Bangkok Hospital in Bangkok (rotator cuff), the one at Bangkok Hospital Pattaya (knee replacement). Both were well over 500000 baht and my Blue Cross/Blue Shield insurance paid 90 and 70 percent, respectively for the care. They both required payment guarantees from my insurance company before admission. They always escorted me to the cashier to make sure I paid all outpatient appointments charges. To me, the "risky" long term and short term visitors are the migrant workers and a few of those 20 somethings that get drunk and ride a motorbike. I get the feeling the government knows who the actual people are that don't pay bills and are just trying to have the 50+ and long term retirees pay for their inability to govern and problem solve the actual people who don't pay.  

[zaZa9]

6 hours ago, dave s said:

500,000,000/80,000=6,250. By the figures in the article, on average, every single expat in Thailand stiffs a hospital for over 6,000 baht every single year. Every single expat, not one of whom they can collect from, despite TM28, TM30, TM6, multiple TM47 reports, ad nauseum. And no reporter at this press shindig waved their hand and said, "Yoooo-ooo, Minister Pitutecha, isn't this absolute proof that all the mindless immigration paperwork is useless and should be abolished?"

The article says -

"Immigration police data shows Thailand has received more than 80,000 applications for non-immigrant visas so far this year."

 

The key word is "applications'... 

[DrPhibes]

3 hours ago, WhatupThailand said:

I think when he said "Risky", he meant to say "Frisky" which makes more sense.

 

Sure it is up to a Country to make their Rules and Laws, but normally it is done with some form of Common Sense. Not like a herd of Buffalo's in a China Shop.

 

But like they say S*** Rolls down hill, and the Stink is driving many away.

So now we have the Land Of Stink to deal with.

Sorry,

 

Did not realize you beat me to it!

[kiwikeith]

7 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said:

I do not have a problem requiring visitors to have health insurance; it is simply a good idea.

 

However, the quote above leaves me speechless. Are there any valid figures to show a lack of repayment? Especially by long-stayers? Generally all I hear about are tourists, not long-term stayers, who don't have insurance and end up with a 'Go fund me' page.

 

Add a few Baht tax to all plane tickets/landings, use the money to aid foreigners hurt in the Kingdom, and problem solved.

 

It doesn't need to occur like this, and thus makes me wonder what else is at play...

 

Exactly, put a 500 BHT tax on the entry tax all bases covered, end of story.

What gets me is they said this was put on hold a few weeks ago now it is back.

My friend went to get a NO oa visa in NZ yesterday and had to have a copy of his wife's passport, even though he has the The marriage certificate, owns a house in which they live.

She has never traveled as she is a school teacher , she has never had a  passport.

The consulate said it only going to get worse for expats and the think it is ridiculous.

[Sumarianson]

This only apply's to O-A visas and not retirement extension 'O' nor family visas/extensions for the moment. The available insurances are too expensive and inaduquate at the lower end and anthing aduquate comes out at 80000 per year. 8 months wages for the average joe. The outpatient requirement is not necessary for most xpats. Now, having to trabsfer more than the 800000 because of the rule saying gou have to have thd money without youching it gor 5 months and only half after thag means transferring some 1.2MB in my case to account for the months without touching the money. This a over £33000 which is a huge amount to have to transfer especially with a strong Baht and a weak pound and totally unnecessary. It looks as though the want shot of us. I cannot afford thst and it means my family here will do without if I have to leave. There is no tbought put into these schemes and regulations at all.

[Sticky Wicket]

6 minutes ago, FritsSikkink said:

So? What should they even pay a satang for those people. 

Let's hope Kharma pays you a visit. 

Most of your comments are despicable and colder than a penguin's balls

[RBOP]

Yet the government hands out 10 billion baht (10,000,000,000 baht) to Thais so they can shop at Tesco, Makro and BigC and planning to hand out another 10 billion. Oh the sanity! coup coup coup. 

[Camillof]

7 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said:

I do not have a problem requiring visitors to have health insurance; it is simply a good idea.

You are missing the point as most people do. The problem doesn't lie in the principle but in the conditions they are imposing.

[Sheryl]

1 hour ago, Jaybott said:

Does this mandatory insurance need to be a Thai insurance company?  When I retire from the US, I will be able keep my current health insurance; Blue Cross Blue Shield with international coverage provided by Allianze.  Will I still need to purchase some shady Thai insurance?

 

As the order is worded it appears that you have to buy  a policy from a limited number of companies (Thai and Thai affiliates of international companies) listed on a specific website. Some sources suggest that for the first year only an international policy would be allowed provided you can get the company to fill out a designated form available on same website which may be problematic. 

 

I suggest you contact the Thai Embassy in the US to see what they advise as it is they who would issue the O-A visa. But be aware that even if they accept your international policy for issuance of the visa that will be acceptable only for year 1 stay, to re-enter and get a second year of stay under same visa you would need to buy one of the designated "policies".

 

It is less clear what would happen if instead of re-entering for a second year you went to local Imm office and requested a nin-country  extension of stay as the wording of the order in this regard is confusing. .  That should become apparent over the coming months.

 

There is another thread running which includes copies of the actual police order and more detailed discussion.

 

Unfortunately I can't in conscience advise anyone to drop an international insurance policy in favor of those on the Thai Imm list.   Though if your international policy included outpatient coverage you could drop that as long as outpatient cancer and dialysis and day surgeries are included in the inpatient only package (usually the case). The mandatory "Thai" insurance for some  inexplicable reason requires 40,000 baht worth of OPD cover (unnecessary and greatly ups the policy costs). You might be able to get back some of the premium costs by using that if you buy a one of those  policies on top of your international one.

 

 

[FritsSikkink]

6 minutes ago, Sticky Wicket said:

Let's hope Kharma pays you a visit. 

Most of your comments are despicable and colder than a penguin's balls

Yes, it is very bad to hear that you are responsible for your own healthcare.

[Sheryl]

31 minutes ago, mercman24 said:

i paid up front at Pattaya Gov hospital, 1500 baht, after seeing a doc, the tests as i have already said, i was called up to pay, thinking the 1500 was only a deposit and lo and behold i was given 300 baht back,

 

Do not let the highly affordable rates for outpatient care fool you.

 

If admitted to the ICU of that same hospital your bill could easily top 1 million baht. And if in a private hospital, 3-4 million.

 

Unfortunately the required insurance of 400k will not cover even half of that. And the required 40k of OPD cover is totally unneeded.

 

[david555]

22 minutes ago, david555 said:

"We are here because the cost of living in our own countries is too high. "

 

That line Sir...,how understandable ever , that 's just making them scary as feeling about their supposed & mentioned  risk even more ...

 

[fforest1]

4 minutes ago, Sticky Wicket said:

Let's hope Kharma pays you a visit. 

Most of your comments are despicable and colder than a penguin's balls

I can almost guarantee that there are soulless people out their who are more than happy to be paid money to leave nasty and hartless comments on here....They have been doing it for years...

[NanLaew]

32 minutes ago, Elzear said:

I might be wrong, and hope I am, but am I getting this feeling that this government really wants to kick all aged Farangs (the white ones) out the country..? It seems to invent more and more ways to put pressure for us Oldies (50+) to leave ! 
Admitting that their figures are right (after all, they should know), their amounts pales in front of what we give financially to our Thai spouses and families. We are the ones who donate to their grass (I mean rice) root economy. Our monies flow directly to the local micro economy. We, the above 50ies  retired farangs, cost nothing to this country. Its smile is becoming more like a grin. For my love of my woman, her family

should I kowtow and pay ..  

If you are married to a local and either on a non-O visa based on that or on an extension thereof, what's your concern?

 

This insurance thing is for the single, lurking, long-timing, old-timers, no?

[Caldera]

Personally I think it's fine to make having medical insurance coverage a requirement for a long-term visa or permit to stay.

 

BUT, and that's where they really dropped the ball big times, forcing people to buy nonsensical insurance packages offered by a few select insurance companies is insane. It's pointless to require outpatient coverage, that's just a nice little earner for those insurance companies. Requiring only 400,000 baht inpatient coverage is also insane.

[Sticky Wicket]

7 minutes ago, FritsSikkink said:

Yes, it is very bad to hear that you are responsible for your own healthcare.

It's nothing to do with that & you know it, you are just being a <deleted> ....... for a change

 

[rexall]

5 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

 

Do not let the highly affordable rates for outpatient care fool you.

 

If admitted to the ICU of that same hospital your bill could easily top 1 million baht. And if in a private hospital, 3-4 million.

 

Unfortunately the required insurance of 400k will not cover even half of that. And the required 40k of OPD cover is totally unneeded.

 

Your message is  really important to keep repeating.  It doesn't matter what the gov requires, it is just about meaningless until there is affordable major medical coverage available.  As I wrote earlier, if you are my age, to add outpatient care, BOOOPA will charge an ADDITIONAL B50K but only provide a maximum of B75K in coverage.  That is just absurd! No option for B40K.  U

[david555]

27 minutes ago, TSF said:

I first got to BKK in 1978, I well remember advice that several old hands gave me way back then:

 

1) If you want to survive in Thailand don't learn to speak Thai.

2) Don't buy anything in Thailand that you can't fit into a suitcase (or you're not prepared to just walk away from and leave behind.)

forgot third rule ..? if having it … don't show your wealth , dosh or whatever that shines yellow and don't rust