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  1. #51
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    Davis Knowlton's Avatar
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    ^Exactly what I do here. I pay for it, then submit the bills to my American insurance company, which pays me back. 80% of everything, unless I stay overnight (or longer) in a hospital, and then they pay 100% of the bill. Same for wife and kids.

  2. #52
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    Quote Originally Posted by Norton View Post
    Quote 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.
    I'm working the US visa process for my wife right now and no one has asked about medical insurance yet.

  3. #53
    Days Work Done! Norton's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Javabear
    I'm working the US visa process for my wife right now and no one has asked about medical insurance yet.
    I was corrected. Turns out it's European Schengen visas that require insurance. You will have to claim financial responsibility for the wife so her medical expenses, if needed, will be your responsibility.

    Good luck getting your visa.

  4. #54
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    My formerly Filipina wife has been a US citizen for ten years. She had tourist visas for about ten years before we finally got married, and she got her citizenship. I think during the process I filled out enough forms to denude a rain forest, but I don't recall ever being asked about medical insurance anytime during the process.

  5. #55
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    Quote Originally Posted by BobR View Post
    Besides, expats pay taxes here, and probably more than most Thais. So what, they have to treat a few of them.
    Not if they're on a retirement visa.

    Besides of course the average sales tax when they buy their viagra, denture cream, adult nappies etc.

  6. #56
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    Quote Originally Posted by Javabear View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Norton View Post
    Quote 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.
    I'm working the US visa process for my wife right now and no one has asked about medical insurance yet.
    I only know of a medical insurance requirement for European visas. My wife has never been asked for it for the UK, US or Oz. I started getting it for her anyway for those countries as it doesn't cost much for a short trip.

    I can't see medical insurance coming in for people on transit or tourist visas, given the competitive concerns mentioned. But for retirement and marriage visas it makes sense as the holders of those are usually not working in Thailand and many are at the age where they start needing more medical attention. The authorities seem to have been in denial about the foreign retirement community. It has been a convenient source of income, since the days when they had very few tourists, and they have been happy to pretend that they are only temporary residents because they have only short term visas and are considered as tourists. Now they may have to start accepting that there is a substantial community that needs to be recognized in terms both of aspirations for more rights as well as potential costs.

  7. #57
    Thailand Expat superman's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Krumble
    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.
    That I believe that is against the rules in that movement has to be seen within the account. Might be just the office I use ?

  8. #58
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    Quote Originally Posted by Norton View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by koman
    Many of the farangs I know don't have it because they can't get it.
    Can't get it in Thailand but most all have medical coverage in their home country. If one is retired, either they have the money to pay for hospital service in Thailand or they have to go home for treatment. Why should Thailand foot the bill?
    I am one of those expats to old to get insurance & yes I have used both pvt & Government hospitals & they got paid & in both cases if it was to happen in the states I could have sued & won since both were no fault of my own. I welcome the idea of forced insurance for expats in all honesty I am fed up with the B/S of immigration rules this way it will make it easier for me to obtain a visa for my wife I suspect & return home this is not the thailand I came to 6 years a go things have changed & not for the better of Thailand

  9. #59
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    Quote Originally Posted by Krumble
    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?
    You can buy medical insurance in Thailand from about 15 or 16 different companies up to age 65. The problem is cost once you reach 60+ Many of the plans are renewable for life provided you keep paying the increasing premiums. I know because I have done it myself. I get a discount for each year I remain claim free and the policy has a guaranteed renewal for life clause. I currently pay 42,000Thb a year for a 5 million per claim limit with a 25 million aggregate limit. The policy has a 40,000Thb deductible.

    I only carry it for the big stuff. I know a guy who ended up with close to 2 million Thb in medical expenses a few years back, and he thought he was bullet proof until he ended up int the cardiac unit. Don't underestimate the potential costs of life saving medical care in Thailand. It can get bloody expensive depending on what happens and the level of medical expertise you need to keep you alive. Not everybody gets away with a few days in a government hospital. Try 2 months in a Bankok private hospital with major surgery and post operative care. You will be seriously unimpressed with the bill. A top flight cardiologist or neuro surgeon will charge 2-3K every time they enter your room. Another guy I know had 3 "stints" inserted in Bkk... cost 700K without any hospital stay. For those without insurance or lots of cash.....well you can die fairly cheaply here and I think cremation is free.

  10. #60
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    Quote Originally Posted by BobR
    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.
    But the UK's NHS won't reimburse a Thai hospital for any treatment.

  11. #61
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    ^ MtD: But will they reimburse you for treatment which you had in a Thai hospital, and for which you paid cash, and then submitted the bill to them for reimbursement to YOU? That's what BobR and I are talking about.

  12. #62
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    jai yen

    reading the replies to this story I'm reminded how hard-hearted most farangs are to both their own kind and thais as well. mean-hearted bastards to the most part. to be avoided and seen avoiding.

  13. #63

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    Quote Originally Posted by Davis Knowlton
    ^ MtD: But will they reimburse you for treatment which you had in a Thai hospital, and for which you paid cash,
    Nope, NHS doesn't play that game.

  14. #64
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    Quote Originally Posted by koman View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Krumble
    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?
    You can buy medical insurance in Thailand from about 15 or 16 different companies up to age 65. The problem is cost once you reach 60+ Many of the plans are renewable for life provided you keep paying the increasing premiums. I know because I have done it myself. I get a discount for each year I remain claim free and the policy has a guaranteed renewal for life clause. I currently pay 42,000Thb a year for a 5 million per claim limit with a 25 million aggregate limit. The policy has a 40,000Thb deductible.

    I only carry it for the big stuff. I know a guy who ended up with close to 2 million Thb in medical expenses a few years back, and he thought he was bullet proof until he ended up int the cardiac unit. Don't underestimate the potential costs of life saving medical care in Thailand. It can get bloody expensive depending on what happens and the level of medical expertise you need to keep you alive. Not everybody gets away with a few days in a government hospital. Try 2 months in a Bankok private hospital with major surgery and post operative care. You will be seriously unimpressed with the bill. A top flight cardiologist or neuro surgeon will charge 2-3K every time they enter your room. Another guy I know had 3 "stints" inserted in Bkk... cost 700K without any hospital stay. For those without insurance or lots of cash.....well you can die fairly cheaply here and I think cremation is free.
    Mind if I ask what company you are insured with?
    thanks in advance...

  15. #65
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    Quote Originally Posted by superman View Post
    If you have the Yellow Tambien Baan Book then a farang is entitled to free treatment in a Thai government hospital.
    Interesting point. Can anyone reference the regulations for this? I know there is some legislation providing unskilled alien workers and stateless people with alien ID cards access to government health care and I think registered unskilled alien workers are now part of the Social Security Fund. However, I can't find any legislation that says any foreigner on a tabien baan is entitled to universal health care. The 2002 National Health Security Act doesn't specify who is eligible but in the preamble it refers to Thai people (only). Regulations do require registration on a tabien baan to receive a Gold Card but they also require presentation of a national ID card along with the Gold Card when claiming free health care.

    I wonder if some people have confused the fact that anyone can register with a government hospital and receive cheap health care with actually getting a Gold Card. I am on a blue tabien baan and was once sent an application form to apply for a Gold Card which I assumed was a mistake. Should I pursue this as a fallback, even though I would prefer not to have use it?

  16. #66
    Thailand Expat superman's Avatar
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    The German guy who lives near me got his Yellow book by paying tea money. He then received a piece of paper that covered him for one month Thai medical insurance. After that month was up he received the card and has actually used it at the local government hospital.
    I have now got the local Ampur to agree to issue a yellow book. My wife tried to pay team money to save on the pissing about, but they've refused, and will only do it according to their book.
    Death is natures way of telling you to slow down.

  17. #67
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mid
    ''Some retirees are allowed to stay, but they do not have health insurance,'' he told Phuketwan. ''When they fall sick, they take beds in public hospitals, but they cannot pay.''
    they cannot pay ..... and this is the only reason we want the here in the first place

  18. #68
    Have you got any cheese Thetyim's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Krumble
    I wonder if some people have confused the fact that anyone can register with a government hospital and receive cheap health care with actually getting a Gold Card.
    I was issued with a Yellow Tapien Baan house book and later on I received a Gold Card without even asking for it.
    I have used the gold card to get free medical care and free prescriptions without a national ID card.

    If I go private then I will get the same doctor treating me.

  19. #69
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    Quote Originally Posted by Lorenzo View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Mid
    ''Some retirees are allowed to stay, but they do not have health insurance,'' he told Phuketwan. ''When they fall sick, they take beds in public hospitals, but they cannot pay.''
    they cannot pay ..... and this is the only reason we want the here in the first place
    Why would any country want foreign retirees (not paying tax on earnings) to reside in their country?

    Especially without medical insurance and the ability to pay for any medical expenses the incur.

  20. #70
    Thailand Expat superman's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by The Master Cool
    Why would any country want foreign retirees (not paying tax on earnings) to reside in their country? Especially without medical insurance and the ability to pay for any medical expenses the incur.
    From what I've been reading of late, I'd say thev UK.

  21. #71
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    Quote Originally Posted by Thetyim View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Krumble
    I wonder if some people have confused the fact that anyone can register with a government hospital and receive cheap health care with actually getting a Gold Card.
    I was issued with a Yellow Tapien Baan house book and later on I received a Gold Card without even asking for it.
    I have used the gold card to get free medical care and free prescriptions without a national ID card.

    If I go private then I will get the same doctor treating me.
    How long ago did this happen? I believe the "gold card" was for access to the Thaksin 30 baht medical care deal for Thai nationals I've also been told that this program has been pretty much gutted under the present government. (probably because Thaksin was behind it..)

    It's a bit of a mystery because just yesterday I happen to meet a Thai who works in the admin department of a pretty big government hospital and she said "falangs can not get 30 baht health care"

    Also, private medical insurance in a booming business in Thailand...amongst the Thai's that is. Why would so many Thai's be buying "expensive" insurance if the government program was any good?? Be nice to get to the bottom of it......

  22. #72
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    Quote Originally Posted by superman View Post
    The German guy who lives near me got his Yellow book by paying tea money. He then received a piece of paper that covered him for one month Thai medical insurance. After that month was up he received the card and has actually used it at the local government hospital.
    I have now got the local Ampur to agree to issue a yellow book. My wife tried to pay team money to save on the pissing about, but they've refused, and will only do it according to their book.
    Interesting. I think I will try to apply for a Gold Card and see what happens. My missus has also never bothered to apply for one. So we can go together. Do you apply at the district office or do you have to go to the Miinistry of Public Health?

    Many district offices try to create a mystique about issuing tabien baans for foreigners, either because they don't know the law or just don't like it. The fact is that district offices are obliged under the 2008 Registration of Persons Act to register everyone who lives in their district on a tabien baan. The law specifies that this includes foreigners who are not permanent residents and that they should receive a yellow book (TR13). In fact the district officers are guilty of dereliction of duty by not registering every one who applies (except those on tourist or transit visas). Retirees and those on marriage extensions certainly qualify for yellow books, the only difficulty being persuading landlords for those in rental accommodation.

    Maybe this is the solution to the problem, even if not necessarily the one that K Paiboon was hoping for! LOL

  23. #73
    Have you got any cheese Thetyim's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by koman
    I believe the "gold card" was for access to the Thaksin 30 baht medical care deal for Thai nationals I've also been told that this program has been pretty much gutted under the present government.
    Abhisit removed the 30 baht fee and made it free

  24. #74
    Days Work Done! Norton's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Krumble
    Many district offices try to create a mystique about issuing tabien baans for foreigners, either because they don't know the law or just don't like it.
    I was the first to ever get one in my district so the "clerks" had no idea how to do it. Was told cannot get one. Called a friend in the provincial government office. Had one in an hour.

  25. #75
    Thailand Expat superman's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Thetyim
    Abhisit removed the 30 baht fee and made it free
    Correct. The one thing I miss from Mr Thaksin's days is that in government offices, IE immigration for one, cover must be maintained during lunch time. They've all reverted back to their old ways, and now stop en bloc again.

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