Phuket Retirees 'Must Have Health Insurance'

**Chairman Mao** · 19-12-2010, 06:09 PM

Originally Posted by Sdigit

Marry a Thai medical profecional that works for a government hospital and it free care for life, thai standard of course but that's fast becoming better than UK standards anyway so happy happy

Or one in the international standard hospitals - better and cheaper than the West. Hence why there's so much medical tourism from Western countries to take advantage of the superior Thai package.

**superman** · 19-12-2010, 06:13 PM

Sorry I cocked up.

**Norton** · 19-12-2010, 06:35 PM

Originally Posted by koman

I also think that if it became compulsory for a retirement visa it would be extended in due course to any other visa that allowed extended stays in the country. Ie Marriage visa, Business etc. Time will tell.

May well happen. Others correct me if I'm wrong but a Thai applying for a visa of any type in UK or US must show they have medical coverage.

**Marmite the Dog** · 19-12-2010, 06:58 PM

Sounds reasonable when they get round to charging the same for foreigners as they do Thais.

**Thetyim** · 19-12-2010, 07:21 PM

Originally Posted by Norton

Others correct me if I'm wrong but a Thai applying for a visa of any type in UK or US must show they have medical coverage.

Wasn't true when I lived in the UK.
Any thai with a settlement visa was entitled to free medical care

**dirtydog** · 19-12-2010, 07:47 PM

Quite a few scandi countries they got to have medical insurance.

FarangRed · 19-12-2010, 07:50 PM

if you had 800,000 in a bank account here in Thailand you have got enough to pay your medical bills, how much more fuking money do they want you to bring here.

Have you seen the cost of medical insurance for over 60? I think a lot would leave the country if that was the case, compulsory cover.

Normal tourist landing here should have insurance, on a tourist visa that was normal when you booked a holiday in England to include travel insurance

**dirtydog** · 19-12-2010, 07:59 PM

Originally Posted by FarangRed

if you had 800,000 in a bank account here in Thailand you have got enough to pay your medical bills,

Ahh, but the Thai guy reckons they are borrowing the 800,000baht for 3 months to get the visas, of course if someone is willing to lend someone 800,000baht just to get a visa I'm pretty sure they may help out in a medical emergency.

**Loy Toy** · 19-12-2010, 08:02 PM

In most western countries you cannot gain admission to any Private hospital unless you can proove you can pay for the service either by having cash up front or certified qualified health insurance cover.

In fact I believe you cannot gain admission to Bangkok Pattaya without firstly proving without doubt you can pay for the services provided.

FarangRed · 19-12-2010, 08:02 PM

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

Sounds reasonable when they get round to charging the same for foreigners as they do Thais.

Thats about right charge the same price and maybe the insurance cost would come down, I'd love to know I had to go Phuket International the other day it cost me 2050 baht but I'm sitting there looking at all the Thais how can they afford to come here or like you say they get it cheaper.

But also a know fact here in Phuket if you do use insurance is a higher price than if you pay cash.

**chitown** · 19-12-2010, 08:06 PM

Originally Posted by SEA Traveler

Originally Posted by Davis Knowlton

If I was a Thai, I wouldn't like it anymore than I like paying for illegal aliens who have bankrupted the medical system in the US, especially in states which border Mexico.

agreed! We all need to be paying our own way.

Maybe look at it as a return on our investment in this place?

FarangRed · 19-12-2010, 08:06 PM

Originally Posted by dirtydog

Originally Posted by FarangRed

if you had 800,000 in a bank account here in Thailand you have got enough to pay your medical bills,

Ahh, but the Thai guy reckons they are borrowing the 800,000baht for 3 months to get the visas, of course if someone is willing to lend someone 800,000baht just to get a visa I'm pretty sure they may help out in a medical emergency.

He never mentioned about all the doggy retirement visa people are on here, you dont need to borrow the 800,000 to get one, best we dont talk about that one

**superman** · 19-12-2010, 08:10 PM

Originally Posted by Loy Toy

In fact I believe you cannot gain admission to Bangkok Pattaya without firstly proving without doubt you can pay for the services provided

This is the case at the Bangkok Hospital in Korat. They phone the insurance company up before they admit you.

**corvettelover** · 19-12-2010, 08:25 PM

so how many falungs get treatment for free in thailand at any hospital be real front page of paper if you dont pay

**dirtydog** · 19-12-2010, 08:32 PM

Originally Posted by Mid

Khun Paiboon said there were about 40 cases in the past 12 months where expat retirees were admitted and treated at Phuket's public hospitals, although they did not have the money to pay for treatment.

Now we can guess he rounded that figure up, so because of 3 farangs a month he wants the countries laws changed, he will go far.

**Thetyim** · 19-12-2010, 08:33 PM

^ ^
I get free hospital treatment
I also get free phone calls

**Chairman Mao** · 19-12-2010, 08:35 PM

Originally Posted by corvettelover

so how many falungs get treatment for free in thailand at any hospital be real front page of paper if you dont pay

It sure would, given that Thais don't even get hospital treatment for free, without insurance.

**BobR** · 20-12-2010, 06:25 AM

Always some xenophobic twat wanting to make things more difficult for foreigners. Just get me stable and I would fly home for anything serious anyway. I do not trust the "for profit" hospitals here.

Besides, expats pay taxes here, and probably more than most Thais. So what, they have to treat a few of them.

**Thormaturge** · 20-12-2010, 07:43 AM

If someone enjoys good health, views insurance premia as a waste of money, and has resources to fund medical expenses, they should not be forced to pay if they have sufficient funds to meet any likely medical costs.

FarangRed · 20-12-2010, 07:57 AM

Always some one trying to make a name for themselves, like the one about not being able to display cigarettes in the shops not to encouage people to smoke.

It would be interesting to see some kind of results after a couple of years now in operation

**Thormaturge** · 20-12-2010, 08:11 AM

Khun Paiboon Upatising has probably bought shares in a few Thai health insurance companies recently.

**BobR** · 20-12-2010, 08:13 AM

Originally Posted by FarangRed

Always some one trying to make a name for themselves, like the one about not being able to display cigarettes in the shops not to encouage people to smoke.

It would be interesting to see some kind of results after a couple of years now in operation

Then there's the 1000's who have been saved from a lifetime of alcoholism now that booze can no longer be in holiday baskets. Still, when it comes to silly, worthless and harassing laws, Thailand has a long way to go to catch up with the West.

**farmerfloyd** · 20-12-2010, 08:29 AM

I thought that it was impossable to get insurance for a male over 70 yrs of age?
What would it cost for somebody who is healthy, them motorcycles are dangerous but sure enjoy them 110 cc Honda. 5 years no crash yet, fingers crossed. but do have money for care.

**Krumble** · 20-12-2010, 02:59 PM

The foreign retirement population has mushroomed since the one year retirement extensions came into being around 30 years ago. I sense that some people in authority may be starting to feel that these easy regulations may have outlived their usefulness and there is now a need to review them. Thais are forced to get medical insurance for European Schengen visas, so they might feel this would be a no brainer for retirees. Unskilled labourers from neighbouring countries are also required to pay into a deportation fund and this may also be considered. I am not sure how many retirees borrow the B800k. The three month seasoning rule makes this more difficult. However, many people keep that B800k sancrosanct for their renewals which means it is not available for anything else, if they intend to stay in Thailand indefinitely.

Malaysia requires medical insurance and the deposit of a bond from foreign retirees but in return gives them much greater rights in the form of a long term visa, the right to own a plot of land, the right to work part time with permission and the right to import a car duty free. The numbers there are much smaller and the financial hurdles much higher than in Thailand but both the retirees and the authorities seem happy with the arrangement.

I thought medical insurance was available for senior citizens at a price. My 86 year mother has insurance with AXA in the UK and she has claimed for several major operations over the years without being cut off. Are posters saying that medical insurance is not available for over 60s or over 70s because they live in Thailand?

**BobR** · 20-12-2010, 03:53 PM

Seems like a non-existent or exaggerated problem anyway. You already need 65000 baht a month income to qualify for a retirement visa, and anyone with that lind of money could afford to pay for their emergency care.

I have American health insurance and all the British all have their national plan, so all the Thais would have to do is patch me up enough to fly home.

I did have my hernioplasty last year in a Thai public hospital. I paid for it and my American insurance paid me back. The operation, 3 days in the hospital, anesthesia, everything including a private room was $700 usd, so you do not even need insurance to pay peanuts like that.

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