Proposal to make health insurance mandatory for long-stay visas

[laphanphon]

One reason why Immigration wants verification of income. If you can't make the financials, chances are you don't have insurance, so stay the F in your home country.

As I don't want to be forced to buy expensive insurance, I don't want, and will probably not use.

And why I love it when people get nailed and deported for scamming Immigration. Raise the financials and tighten the screws more for all I care.

Can't make 'em.....BYE BYE.

Claim centres to track down tourists who skip hospital bills

FOREIGN TOURISTS failed to pay a combined Bt300 million in medical bills after receiving treatment in state hospitals last year, prompting the government to set up “claim centres” to collect what’s due.

“These problems mostly hit tourist cities,” Health Service Support Department (HSSD) director-general Dr Nattawuth Prasertsiripong said last week. He said the HSSD had established claim centres in Chon Buri, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Phang Nga and Surat Thani to help state hospitals collect what’s owed them by foreigners they treated. “The centres will work with relevant parties and follow up on payments,” Nattawuth said. Dr Nattawuth A public-health official speaking on condition of anonymity said foreigners often run out of cash during long stays in Thailand. “And when they need medical services, they simply don’t pay.”

In some cases, the official said, foreigners have been hospitalised for months without paying a single baht. Debt collection a problem “We’ve tried asking their consulates and embassies for help, but not all cases can be solved this way,” he said. Natthawuth said he had heard about hospitals requiring foreign tourists to sign agreements to pay later, but it was difficult to collect after they had left hospital. “This is partly because state hospitals don’t have expertise in debt collection. So we hope the claim centres will be the solution.” The HSSD aims to establish “many” more claim centres this year, he said. It has also discussed with various organisations about offering foreign visitors cheap travel insurance.

Natthawuth said he hoped travel insurance would become mandatory for all foreign visitors to save state hospitals from having to shoulder the extra burden. “For now, at least we believe all tour operators bringing people into Thailand should require that their customers have travel insurance,” he said. In the longer term, he would like to see long-stay tourists be required to buy life insurance, accident insurance and health insurance. “We’re also thinking about making insurance mandatory for elderly foreigners who retire to Thailand. Otherwise the state hospitals will again be carrying the burden.” Because health naturally declines as people age and seniors require more medical help. “So we need to address the fact there are many foreign retirees in Chiang Mai. We have to prepare proper measures to ensure they do not become a burden on the public healthcare system,” Nattawuth said.

Thailand’s medical-hub committee last year approved in principle a plan to require newly arrived long-stay immigrants to purchase health insurance for their first year here. They and other foreigners planning to stay in Thailand for one year would be able to buy up to Bt40,000 worth of outpatient coverage and Bt400,000 of inpatient coverage. A source in Chiang Mai suggested the authorities also consider the medical costs of stateless people and migrants from neighbouring nations. They often can’t pay for treatment received at state hospitals. “We hope the relevant organisations will provide funds to take care of these people,” the source said.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/ ... l/30365540

[handdrummer]

We're back to the same old argument; once you reach a certain age and/or have a pre-existing health issue, if you don't have insurance, you can't get insurance. Thailand always comes up with one size fits all solutions and it's never a solution, it only creates more problems, then they rescind the order and it's limbo land again until the next time a solution is needed, etc., etc.

If someone has lived here for, say,5 yrs., has money in the bank, access to more money, owes no money and has always paid their bills on time why create more difficulties? Yes, I know, Thailand only wants rich foreigners to visit, leave their money here and leave.

[StevePIraq]

Look at it from the Thai govt hospitals point of view. Ex-pats, who they consider to all be wealthy, show up at their hospitals, who have limited budgets, get care and then refuse to pay. You can see how they would encourage such a measure.

Or do what the likes of Bangkok Hospital do, pay before treatment.

Since when have you had to pay before treatment in Bangkok hospital? I have used their services numerous times including a major operation for my ex, and whilst I was given a quotation before admittance I did not have to pay until leaving.

[handdrummer]

Since when have you had to pay before treatment in Bangkok hospital? I have used their services numerous times including a major operation for my ex, and whilst I was given a quotation before admittance I did not have to pay until leaving.

I've also used their services and had a major operation and had to pay before receiving treatment. I now go only to the govt. hospital.

[laphanphon]

We're back to the same old argument; once you reach a certain age and/or have a pre-existing health issue, if you don't have insurance, you can't get insurance.

Yes, agree with that sentiment, and does set up a Catch 22, IF, they want foreigners here.

If they had their way, hopefully never do, they'd put an expiration date on our stay, 70 yrs old, and have to leave..... Most policies won't cover over 60 yrs old, if not already having, along with dropping your arsse, when you hit 70.

Seriously, if you don't have about a half mill baht, liquid, that you can't access instantly, then you really shouldn't be here. Stay in home country, where you have the safety net of your useless universal insurance....

We got retirees having a hard time proving 40k a month. Screams they shouldn't be here, as probably don't have insurance or an oops fund. Sh*t does happen, and we ain't getting any younger.

All these skint tourist and expats just make it harder on the rest of us, who actually planned for a comfortable retirement.

[Big Boy]

I've had 2 operations at Bangkok Hospital - had to pay before they'd admit me for the op both times.

My (Thai) wife was here on holiday, and needed a scan. They would not do the scan until I'd paid in advance from the UK, which was about 4am.

[StevePIraq]

You must look like a runner that's why they charge you first, Lol. I have never paid before service.

[Big Boy]

Or maybe they thought there was a chance I wouldn't make it. Both times, when I asked why, the answer was, "In case something goes wrong "

[Nereus]

You must look like a runner that's why they charge you first, Lol. I have never paid before service.

Definitely something not right. I believe he has the same problem trying to get his car fixed!

[Big Boy]

Seriously guys, are you saying this doesn't happen at Bangkok Hospital now?

I've had many bad experiences there - quite comical when I think back on it. The first came when my son spent a week in Bangkok Hospital soon after we moved here. The hospital cocked up his insurance, and he was basically held under house arrest for a couple of hours until resolved.

Now, whilst I didn't like the financial policies, if they don't do it any longer, they are leaving themselves wide open to not being paid.

[silverbird]

Had surgeries at Bangkok Hospital in Bangkok three times the last two years. Had to pay in advance of surgery each time. Last time December 2018. It is getting very expensive compared to when I first used them 1994.

[handdrummer]

Had surgeries at Bangkok Hospital in Bangkok three times the last two years. Had to pay in advance of surgery each time. Last time December 2018. It is getting very expensive compared to when I first used them 1994.

24 yrs. and everything, everywhere, goes up, except, in many cases, wages. Sometimes I think it's part of a grand plan to povertise (new word) as many people as possible, enroll them in a welfare program and have nearly total control over their lives. Never mind 1984,Welcome to the Brave New World. Then the dream ends and I'm still here trying to figure out what immigration really wants.