Health Insurance Problems for Expats in Thailand ❤️Get a Vietnam Visa Filipina Dating Website: ❤️
I would say to not hold your breath on the validity of the statements made by the official quoted in this video.
There are too many factors in play to know with certainty what will happen. Remember, This Is Thailand.
This is based on an article from the www.ThaiExaminer.com
Under the new rules, which already have the weight of law, foreigners applying for a new Non Immigrant O-A (Long Stay) visas or extension of visa to stay in Thailand
must now submit evidence of health insurance. The new criteria also allows for a requirement that foreigners show
that appropriate health insurance "Has been in place for the duration of the period since the LAST renewal once the new regime comes fully into effect."
Stop and let that sink in for a moment... In the future, ANY lapse in the health insurance cover requirement
will be considered to be grounds for a termination of the visa.
This could also theoretically open up foreigners to prosecution under the immigration laws if cases were to be pursued.
Existing policies outside Thailand acceptable but may run into complications later...
The Secretary General of Health Services Support this week was anxious to highlight the positive nature of the new regulation. ‘Such health insurance is good for foreigners too,’ Dr Prasert-siripong said.
He confirmed that foreigners with existing health insurance would be allowed to keep their existing policy for the purposes of applying for a visa or renewal. but raised a number of serious concerns...
The first is that Thai authorities must be sure that the provisions meet the criteria set and that the health insurance is valid.
This could pose complications later not least in terms of translated documents and certification required for visa applications to officers at Thai immigration offices.
Thai insurance firms consulted on new health cover policies for elderly foreigners. The Health Service boss hinted at this when he suggested that the authorities would be consulting with foreign consular missions as part of their research into this issue.
He drew attention to the new range of health insurance policies already on offer from Seven Respected Thai Insurance Firms to meet the government’s requirements.
Thailand’s insurance industry has been involved in preparations for the new legal requirements since
a second meeting of the immigration health committee, at the end of last year, recommended in principle
that foreigners with long term Non Immigrant O-A visas should be required to hold health insurance.
There's a new website Website for foreigners seeking cover under
new visa health care regulation now online.
The Health Services chief this week directed those interested and concerned
with the issue of health insurance towards
a specially prepared website for foreigners seeking insurance cover in order to meet the new regulations.
It is located at LongStay.tgia.org And is coordinated by the Thai General Insurance Association.
Dr Prasert-siripong warned that ANY policy bought outside Thailand MUST be shown to have the right coverage
and that Thai authorities would be finalising methods of ensuring that such policies are both valid and suitable.
‘We are going to discuss with relevant authorities on to how to check the validity of health insurance bought from overseas,’ he said.
Serious Problems for Foreigners with Pre Existing Conditions.
The website is quoting premiums for foreigners show the minimum premium for one year for a 50 yr old will be 40,000 Baht approximately
and this rises to to Premiums of over 100,000 Baht for those aged over 70 years of age.
However...
The problem for many foreigners in Thailand will be Pre Existing Conditions.
The incidence of elderly foreigners with diabetes for instance is
far higher than the Thai average which is currently at over 10% of the population.
It is estimated [for example] that 15% of foreigners in Thailand have diabetes.
And this figure could be as high as 20% of those foreigners over 50 and up to 30% of those over 65.
This week the Health Services Secretary General when commenting on the new regulations,
suggested that...
HIGHER BANK DEPOSITS may be required for foreigners who cannot purchase health insurance! This is an urgent area where clarification is expected.
MY COMMENTS: "Higher Bank Deposits may be required... for foreigners who cannot purchase health insurance"
This actually makes sense to me...
I just wonder How Much More of a Deposit those who have no other option other than
to self insure will have to make?
Now... I know this will upset some of you. But I have consistently said that as an Expat in Thailand,
you need to have either: Comprehensive Health Insurance Or, a Minimum of $100,000 in funds to cover you in the case of a serious illness or accident.
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