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Insurance mandatory for long-stay foreigners

Posted: Tue May 14, 2019 10:50 am
by phuketrichard
1st ; they changed the rules and no longer do we get a letter from our embassy showing what we earn/month
OR
deposit 800,000 in the bank for ONLY 3 months
OR
combination
Now we need put 800,000 in for 5 months and keep 400,000 the other 7
OR show a Pension transferred into Thailand from abroad for 65,000 baht/month

NOW they are making expats over 50 obtain medical insurance. They keep changing the rules.
I have never had medical insurance and have always self insured.
Judging by the number of new posters on here saying their moving over from Thailand, expect even more to move in the future,
For my age thats over 69,000-82,000 baht /year thru http://www.bangkokinsurance.com/long-stay-visa/
HEALTH insurance has been made mandatory for foreigners aged 50 years and above seeking long-term stay in Thailand.
The insurance policy must offer up to Bt40,000 coverage for outpatient treatment and up to Bt400,000 for inpatient treatment.
This is one of the measures the government has introduced to ease the financial burden placed on state hospitals by foreigners, many of whom have not paid for treatment.

“The Cabinet has already approved the new rule,” Health Service Support Department director-general Nattawuth Prasert-siripong revealed yesterday.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/ ... l/30369323

Re: Insurance mandatory for long-stay foreigners

Posted: Tue May 14, 2019 10:53 am
by davegorman
So what’s that, $2200 per year?
That’s a lot of coin to find.

I guess Kep will be seeing you soon.

Re: Insurance mandatory for long-stay foreigners

Posted: Tue May 14, 2019 11:01 am
by Arget
Seems a bit high to pay $2000 insurance and can only claim $12000 per year. (according to http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/ ... l/30369323)

Re: Insurance mandatory for long-stay foreigners

Posted: Tue May 14, 2019 11:09 am
by Anthony's Weiner
davegorman wrote: Tue May 14, 2019 10:53 am So what’s that, $2200 per year?
That’s a lot of coin to find.

I guess Kep will be seeing you soon.
Perhaps if one doesn't t have the $200 a month to purchase mandatory insurance, one should return home. Except of course if one is American where $200 a month is a pittance to pay for insurance. I believe self-insuring for health is about as reliable as self-insuring your automobile unless you are a government although I understand Missouri will allow you to self-insure your automobile if you deposit $1,000,000 with its state treasury. I doubt that many expats have the funds to cover a major medical emergency, say a heart attack or car accident and if one had the funds to be able to cover such emergencies $200 a month is only an insignificant figure. I don 't blame the Thai government for wanting to separate the wheat from the chafe, most western countries would not allow one to stay long term if one could likely end up receiving government-funded care while they wait for their gofundme page to cover their unplanned needs.

Re: Insurance mandatory for long-stay foreigners

Posted: Tue May 14, 2019 11:30 am
by Ricky Dunn
Good thing I got out when I did, Thais don't want foreigners in their country. I hated all their childish rules and speech crimes.

Re: Insurance mandatory for long-stay foreigners

Posted: Tue May 14, 2019 11:32 am
by davegorman
Expats retirees (from wherever) come to SE Asia because it’s cheap. We all know we can go home but what life will we have?

My grandad worked his nuts off to provide for himself when he got old but the job killed (literally) him before he got to 60. He was a shining beacon to us but after he died we all had doubts.

Thais have hated westerners since at least the mid 90s probably before. Land of smiles my arse.

Re: Insurance mandatory for long-stay foreigners

Posted: Tue May 14, 2019 11:42 am
by Kammekor
Let's face the truth, for most foreigners in Asia 'self insured' doesn't mean having 10-50k USD in savings to spend if shit hits the fan but it merely means hoping shit won't hit the fan.

Re: Insurance mandatory for long-stay foreigners

Posted: Tue May 14, 2019 11:59 am
by phuketrichard
Kammekor wrote: Tue May 14, 2019 11:42 am Let's face the truth, for most foreigners in Asia 'self insured' doesn't mean having 10-50k USD in savings to spend if shit hits the fan but it merely means hoping shit won't hit the fan.
Insurance just never made sense

You pay $xxx/year and the insurance company is betting you dont need to use it while you??
what hope you do need to use so your getting something for your money or otherwise its $xxx thrown away... and as you age it costs more...

Yes, i know shit happens but..... we all hope that we dont get sick, if you have insurance or not...

Re: Insurance mandatory for long-stay foreigners

Posted: Tue May 14, 2019 12:11 pm
by The Whisperer
phuketrichard wrote: Tue May 14, 2019 10:50 am 1st ; they changed the rules and no longer do we get a letter from our embassy showing what we earn/month
OR
deposit 800,000 in the bank for ONLY 3 months
OR
combination
Now we need put 800,000 in for 5 months and keep 400,000 the other 7
OR show a Pension transferred into Thailand from abroad for 65,000 baht/month

In Cambodia the cut off age for personal insurance appears to be age 65.
However, there are a lot of plus points here, eg, you don't need to keep money locked up in a non interest bearing bank account (every 7 years that money will lose about 40% to 50% of its value re RPI.)
At age 50+ no evidence of income etc is required for retirees re obtaining an ER (retirement visa). Its absolutely hassle free.

I feel sure there must be many concerned expats in Thailand, especially those with commitments. For those that are 'free,' maybe its time to move on.

[Admin edit: please learn how to quote :wave: ]

Re: Insurance mandatory for long-stay foreigners

Posted: Tue May 14, 2019 1:09 pm
by oopsfermi
Elite Visa is starting to look like a thing. B1M for 20 years is now the cheapest long-stay option.