Health insurance now mandatory for long-stay foreigners

[Big Boy]

As somebody else has pointed out, TIT and common sense does not always prevail. I agree, it make perfect sense to me, but they also stipulate (I think) that your account can't fall below 400K. If you use your money for medical expenses, you will have broken the conditions of your stay in Thailand, and be illegal.

[europtimiste]

So, if the requirement comes in during July, do you have an alternative, or will you leave the country? (serious question by the way)

They have no choice to find an alternative solution as asking for a deposit, let's say 500,000.00 being kept permanently in a bank account.

[PeteC]

I tend to agree with that. Self Insured should be an accepted alternative with applicable verification and guarantees.

[Big Boy]

As I pointed out, that is a one off solution for many. If they get ill, and spend the money, what will happen at the next visa renewal?

[PeteC]

As I pointed out, that is a one off solution for many. If they get ill, and spend the money, what will happen at the next visa renewal?

I wasn't thinking of the mandatory amount held to satisfy the extension requirements, but separate money just for medical risk purposes. It would be nice if they allowed the 400K or whatever to be used in case of medical emergency, then topped up prior to the renewal of the next extension. Perhaps too much to ask of their thinking. Of course if they did, no top up, no extension.

[HHTel]

As I pointed out, that is a one off solution for many. If they get ill, and spend the money, what will happen at the next visa renewal?

My guess is that in such a scenario, a renewal of extension will be refused due to your funds dropping below 400,000 in the qualifying year.
It would mean applying for a new Non-O and reapplying the extension based on the new visa.

[oakdale160]

So for those who are uninsurable and choose to self-insure. Is the 400k mentioned in addition to the 800k needed to allow residence. 1200K in all, 2400K for a couple

[Big Boy]

It would be, but I'm not sure that is an option - simply somebody trying to apply common sense to a difficult problem.

[lomuamart]

But there's been no official announcement yet that these regulations will apply to annual extensions - has there? I haven't really been following this too much today.
I would think that that's the intention and probable but...

[Big Boy]

I agree. I will progress my quote through because I've always wanted health insurance, and this offer seems too good to be true. However, as always with these announcements, people like to put their own take on things. They soon become experts in a subject nobody knows anything about yet - the experts are actually 2nd guessing.

[caller]

I haven't been following this at all, but just read elsewhere that it's meant for the new million baht visa, or whatever it's called. Please don't shout if wrong.

[oakdale160]

Its interesting, same thing in other retirement places. I have friends retired in Spain and they are having the same concerns. With Brexit about to happen (???) they fear their Health coverage in Spain will be lost and as they have several health problems are thinking of moving back to the UK after ten years in Spain.

[PJG]

In articles I have seen the reason for the proposed insurance regulation is because Government Hospital are owed around B300 million due to non payment by foreigners.

The new regulations stipulate cover of at least B400,000 for inpatient care and B40000+ for outpatient. Hua Hin Hospital does not bill insurance companies direct, the patient must pay and then claim the money back from the insurance. Not sure if all Govt. hospitals are the same but if they are then unpaid bills will still be a problem as it will depend on the patient having the funds to pay the bill before reclaiming the money.

Wonder if the bright spark who dream't this up has thought of that one.

[HHTel]

Good point. Certainly, until now, government hospitals do not deal direct with insurance companies. My visitors who have used the hospital has paid then claimed back when they get home.
Having said that, if you don't have the funds up front for a government hospital but have insurance, then you will be directed to a hospital that does.
Happened to my son some years ago. Started off in Hua Hin Hospital but because they couldn't deal direct with the insurance company was moved to Petcharat the following day then later to San Paulo for recovery.

[oakdale160]

Even the International hospitals like BKK Hospital and Bumrungrad do not have "Direct Billing" with all insurance companies, only with those that it has a contract with. So with some policies you may have to pay cash to them.