Health insurance now mandatory for long-stay foreigners

[handdrummer]

Thanks, T.O.M.
That clears it up.

For those that read the post, don't read the comments after it, you'll only add to your angst and confusion. Some folks just don't get it.

[buksida]

Mandatory health insurance details for some visas announced this week
Details on the proposed mandatory health insurance requirements for Non-Immigrant O-A visas will be made next week, according to ThaiVisa.

A senior executive from one of the insurance companies involved in the scheme told ThaiVisa that the Office of Insurance Commission, Ministry of Public Health, Foreign Ministry and Immigration Bureau will announce the insurance requirements for Non-Immigrant O-A visas on August 22.

Last May it was proposed that foreigners applying for Non-Immigrant O-A visas would be required to have health insurance that offers 40,000 baht outpatient coverage and 400,000 baht inpatient coverage. The details, along with other information, is expected to be confirmed this week.

Officials say the mandatory health insurance requirement was proposed to help Thailand cope with the large number of unpaid medical bills from foreigners who use Thai hospitals.

The mandatory health insurance requirement has only been proposed for Non-Immigrant O-A visas and not for other visas or extensions of stay.

https://thethaiger.com/hot-news/expats/ ... -this-week

[HAPPYGOLFER]

Foreigners applying for a Non O-A visa will be required to purchase health insurance from October 31, according to Thaivisa.
Non–Immigrant Visa “O-A” (Long Stay)
This type of visa may be issued to applicants aged 50 years and over who wish to stay in Thailand for a period of not exceeding 1 year without the intention of working. Holder of this type of visa is allowed to stay in Thailand for 1 year.
“The requirements, first mooted back in May, are now confirmed in a police order posted on the Immigration website. Applicants are required to have 40,000 baht outpatient coverage and 400,000 baht inpatient coverage.”

According to the order, health insurance is not required for those applying for an extension of stay based on retirement and only applies to Non O-A visas. Non O-A visas are obtained from an embassy or consulate outside of Thailand. Full details of the new requirements can be found HERE.
As of yet, there is no information on the new iWednesday (9 October).

[HAPPYGOLFER]

As of yet, there is no information on the new insurance requirements on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website and at the time of posting O-A visas are still being issued without insurance.
Thaivisa understands an official announcement is due to be made at a press conference in Bangkok later on Wednesday (9 October).

[nil]

So they have ignored all the feedback over the last 5 months and nothing has changed, they are still bringing in this backward requirement with a useless health insurance policy. You could be insured with 10 million baht cover but would not meet the requirements if your policy does not have 40k outpatient, which any sensible person would exclude from the policy as it considerably puts the price up for little gain.

[nil]

And more stupidity (or deliberately making it impossible), if you choose to use a foreign insurance company they will only accept the policy if if the insurance company signs this form. It’s not going to happen.

http://longstay.tgia.org/document/overs ... ficate.pdf

[stretch]

I wonder why tourism is falling

[centermid7]

IMO this is just Step A in the beginning of requiring all O-A to have this insurance and next will be those on extension of stay as well. It's coming . . . . !!!

[dundrillin]

I wonder why tourism is falling

What's it got to do with tourism?

[stretch]

Are all the new rules helping.

[buksida]

Here's an official news report confirming ...

HEALTH INSURANCE WILL BE MANDATORY FOR RETIREE VISA HOLDERS
Foreigners entering Thailand with a retiree stay visa will soon have to buy mandatory health insurance, a health official said Wednesday.

Starting Oct. 31, foreigners over 50 entering the country with an O-A visa must show that they have valid health insurance covering their period of stay, deputy public health minister Sathit Pitutecha said. He said the measure will prevent foreigners from doing a runner for hospital fees.

“By requiring foreign retirees to have a health insurance, they can be ensured that they will be taken care of when they get ill and accident, Sathit said. “This measure will solve over 100 million baht fees left unpaid by foreign patients.”

O-A visa is more commonly known as the one-year retiree visa. Sathit said about 80,000 people held the visa as of 2018.

The new rule specifies that the insured amount must not be less than 40,000 baht for outpatient and 400,000 baht for inpatient medical fees. Policies can either be purchased from domestic or foreign insurers, but the sum of foreign policies must not be less than the amount stipulated for Thai policies.

“The new rules will be applied to those who enter the country for the first time and those who wish to extend their visas,” Sathit said.

According to an internal immigration memo dated Sept. 27 seen by the media, only foreign retirees holding non-immigration O-A visa will be affected. They will be required to present their insurance policies with remaining coverage period for their stay or being denied entry.

Division 1 immigration superintendent Thatchapong Sarawanangkul declined to comment on the new policy as of press time, saying he needed more time to study the memo in details.

O-A visas can be applied at Thai embassies or consulates overseas. Applicants for one-year retirement visas must be 50 and up. They must either show evidence of monthly income of at least 65,000 baht or balances of at least 800,000 baht in their Thai bank accounts for their applications to be granted.

http://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/2019 ... a-holders/

[dundrillin]

If they would remove they need for out-patient cover it's pretty hard to argue against. Some mechanism needs to be in place for those that can't get cover due to pre existing conditions, perhaps 800k in the bank might suffice.

[Scout]

Here's an official news report confirming ...

HEALTH INSURANCE WILL BE MANDATORY FOR RETIREE VISA HOLDERS
Foreigners entering Thailand with a retiree stay visa will soon have to buy mandatory health insurance, a health official said Wednesday.

Starting Oct. 31, foreigners over 50 entering the country with an O-A visa must show that they have valid health insurance covering their period of stay, deputy public health minister Sathit Pitutecha said. He said the measure will prevent foreigners from doing a runner for hospital fees.

“By requiring foreign retirees to have a health insurance, they can be ensured that they will be taken care of when they get ill and accident, Sathit said. “This measure will solve over 100 million baht fees left unpaid by foreign patients.”

O-A visa is more commonly known as the one-year retiree visa. Sathit said about 80,000 people held the visa as of 2018.

The new rule specifies that the insured amount must not be less than 40,000 baht for outpatient and 400,000 baht for inpatient medical fees. Policies can either be purchased from domestic or foreign insurers, but the sum of foreign policies must not be less than the amount stipulated for Thai policies.

“The new rules will be applied to those who enter the country for the first time and those who wish to extend their visas,” Sathit said.

According to an internal immigration memo dated Sept. 27 seen by the media, only foreign retirees holding non-immigration O-A visa will be affected. They will be required to present their insurance policies with remaining coverage period for their stay or being denied entry.

Division 1 immigration superintendent Thatchapong Sarawanangkul declined to comment on the new policy as of press time, saying he needed more time to study the memo in details.

O-A visas can be applied at Thai embassies or consulates overseas. Applicants for one-year retirement visas must be 50 and up. They must either show evidence of monthly income of at least 65,000 baht or balances of at least 800,000 baht in their Thai bank accounts for their applications to be granted.

http://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/2019 ... a-holders/

I have confirmed with Hua Hin Immigration that this new health insurance requirement only applies to new “non-immigrant O-A” visas, issued after October 31st, 2019. Importantly, the new health insurance requirement does NOT apply to “non-immigrant O” visas. “Non-immigrant O-A” visas are ONLY issued at the embassy or consulate in your home country, AND when you enter the country for the first time with a “non-immigrant O-A” visa you are approved to stay for 12 months, after which you can apply for a 12 month extension. “Non-immigrant O” visas are issued at Immigration offices inside Thailand AND “at many consulates outside of Thailand”. This last quote about getting “non-immigrant O” visas “at many consulates outside Thailand” came from another forum, not from Thai immigration, I would appreciate it if anyone here can validate this information one way or the other. When you enter Thailand on a “non-immigrant O” visa for the first time, you are approved to stay for 90 days, after which you can apply for a 12 month extension. When you apply for a “non-immigrant O” visa at a local immigration office, you must return 2 weeks after applying to collect the visa.

I have family members that recently arrived on a 30 day tourist visa and will now apply for what is commonly referred to as a “retirement visa”. When they submit their application (TM 7, passport copies, house papers / lease agreement, financial letters from bank) they will actually be applying for a “non-immigrant O” visa. After applying they will need to return to the immigration office after 2 weeks to obtain the “non-immigrant O” visa, then will have to return to the immigration office just prior to it expiring (roughly 90 days) to apply for a 12 month extension. Cost will be 1900 baht to apply for the “non-immigrant O” visa and an additional 1900 baht to apply for a 12 month extension. I’m pretty sure we now understand the requirements and process, but please correct anything I’ve gotten wrong or omitted above.

[Nereus]

I have family members that recently arrived on a 30 day tourist visa ……………………..

Ah, there is no such thing as a 30 day visa. If they arrived and were granted 30 days, as many countries are, it is NOT a visa.
To apply in Thailand for a Non-0 visa you have to have at least 30 days remaining on a 60 day tourist visa.

TIT, all things are possible!

[HHTel]

That's pretty much how I understand it.
Further on the O-A visa. Initially for 12 months but I believe that if you do a 'border run' close to the end, you will be stamped in for a further 12 months giving 2 years.

“By requiring foreign retirees to have a health insurance, they can be ensured that they will be taken care of when they get ill and accident, Sathit said. “This measure will solve over 100 million baht fees left unpaid by foreign patients.”

I'm not sure that this has been thought out. The majority of unpaid bills, afik is caused by tourists, not long stay retirees.