Thai Expat Health Insurance

Health solutions for foreigners working in Thailand

agency

Where to get a Certificate of Health Insurance to enter Thailand

by

Three of the most common questions received from foreigners over the past few weeks are:
  • When can I fly back to Thailand (mainly from retirees)?
  • How can I get a certificate of health insurance to enter Thailand?
  • Can spouses of Thai citizens fly back into Thailand?
On 14th June 2020, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the next group to be allowed to enter Thailand are those married to Thai nationals and those who hold permanent residency (holding PR status).  Spouses will soon be able to fly back under the same conditions as work permit holders (with 100,000 USD valid medical insurance and 14-day quarantine). The expected date is some time in July next month. While it is still not known when foreigners holding retirement visas will be permitted back into the kingdom it is likely that the requirement to produce a certificate showing a valid health insurance policy will remain for some time.
Thai Consulates in overseas countries are considering requests on a case by case nature.  No-one can be sure how long these requirements will be in force but measures are being strictly enforced and unless you have an urgent need to return you are best advised to delay your travel plans until these restrictions are lifted.  Many expats (including retirees) want to know when flights to Thailand will return to normal and what to do about the Health Insurance requirement for entry. Again, “wait and see” is most likely the best approach here.

The above diagram is provided should you be married to a Thai national and/or have an urgent need to return. Your first point of call is to contact the Royal Thai Embassy / Consulate-General in your country to see if you qualify. Having met the criteria for entry you’ll be invited to apply for a “Certificate of Entry”. In order to obtain this certificate, you’ll be asked to obtain a valid health insurance policy covering all medical expenses including COVID-19 and worth at least 100,000 USD.  You’ll also be able to go ahead and confirm your flight and book a room for the 14-day quarantine at a government-designated facility.   The process is detailed quite well on the above diagram provided by the Thai Department of International Economic Affairs.  It is also important to obtain a “Fit to Fly Health Certificate” signed by a doctor in your home country not more than 72 hours before your departure (confirming you are free from the coronavirus).  Without a 100,000 USD health insurance policy which includes coverage for COVID-19 and the “Fit to Fly” Certificate you will be not be permitted to enter the kingdom.

The insurance requirement is slightly different for Thai’s but the requirement to quarantine for 14 days after arrival in Thailand at a government-operated facility (at the traveler’s expense) is the same for both Thai nationals and foreigners.  Travelers need to be aware that the cost of this 14-day quarantine can be anywhere from 30,000 THB to 60,000 THB (depending on the facility you opt for) so you will need to factor this into the overall cost of your return.

Please be aware that the process of applying for and obtaining full medical insurance can take anywhere from 7-10 days.  We are happy to advise all foreigners regardless of age but please note that persons under 65 years can generally obtain health insurance at a reasonable cost whereas the cost of health insurance for persons over 70 years can be prohibitively expensive.  It is also worth mentioning that having cover simply for COVID-19 is insufficient. The coverage needs to be a 100,000 USD health insurance policy which includes coverage for the Coronavirus.
Please contact Thai Expat Club / Health if you have any questions or require a certificate of insurance to meet the Thai government’s entry requirement (covering all medical expenses including COVID-19 and worth at least 100,000 USD).

Telephone or WhatsApp  +6689-897-9435
Website: https://thaiexpathealth.com/
Additional Links:

2 million reasons to have health insurance in Thailand: A shocking true story and how you can avoid a similar fate..

by

Bernard was on his annual trip to see his mother in Italy.  He left Australia and planned to spend 2 – 3 weeks catching up with old friends in Bangkok. But something was different this time around.  He was experiencing chest pains and difficultly breathing.  He was not aware of any underlying health issues and thought this was something minor.  At least he hoped so.

At 2 am, Bernard woke the owner of the guest house he was staying at and asked her to drive him to Samitivej hospital. The shortness of breath, feeling of fatigue and nausea wouldn’t go away.  He arrived at the emergency desk at Samitivej Hospital and explained his condition to the staff.  He was immediately admitted to the hospital where an echocardiogram revealed Bernard’s heart was only operating at only 30%.  How was this possible? His doctor in Australia had given him the all-clear only months before his departure.  The following day, Bernard was feeling marginally better and decided to check himself out.    However, it seemed the nausea and difficulty in breathing were getting worse. Within 24 hours Bernard was forced to check himself back into the hospital. This time the hospital ran a more detailed angiogram and found Bernard had blockages in 4 arteries providing blood to his heart.  Bernard was immediately admitted to the ICU unit.   The doctors informed him there was no way, at 68 years of age, that he could possibly get on a plane to Italy or return to Australia for free treatment without risking a heart attack.

After a week in ICU, Bernard’s condition stabilized to the point where he was strong enough to undergo surgery.   A quadruple bypass was performed by one of Thailand’s leading heart surgeons. Although doctors informed him there was a significant risk, the operation was successful.  Even so, Bernard needed to spend several additional days in ICU and another 5 days under observation following the operation.    With no travel or health Insurance Bernard found himself telephoning his son in Australia and sister in Italy to help him in paying the 2 million baht hospital bill. This was a real shock for Bernard as someone who had always been healthy, had relied solely on the public hospital system all his life and was unprepared for such a life-changing event. From this point forward unless Bernard can find the means to pay future medical bills himself, he will be restricted to treatment in the public health system of his home country  Bernard has also essentially become uninsurable.  Most companies, including travel insurance companies, will not insure someone planning travel to another country who has suffered such a serious medical event.  Future overseas trips will never be the same for Bernard.

So how can somebody avoid a disaster of this kind?   The 1st thing is a change in mindset.  People need to recognize that accidents can and do happen. Even in people who otherwise appear perfectly healthy. Serious accidents and illnesses happen to people just like you and me more often than we care to think about.  The 2nd thing is to focus on Prevention.  Start eating healthier and exercising more regularly. Quit smoking and lose weight to enjoy a healthier, less stressful lifestyle.  Join fitness and health programs like the Fit Father Project designed exclusively for people over 40 in the second half of their life (I have personally enrolled in this program myself and the results have been nothing short of amazing).  Undergo annual health check-ups at your preferred hospital.  For example Samitivej hospital provides annual check-ups for the heart as well as general health tests. Prices start at 10,000 THB for the basic Heart Disease Detection and Risk Assessment Program – Exercise Stress Test.  Finally if you plan on traveling or moving to a foreign country take out health insurance with a reputable provider (not necessarily the cheapest) before you travel.  Many people happily buy insurance for their car, house, jewelry and even pets but often avoid insuring themselves.  Insurance is not a luxury.  It is an absolute necessity if you are planning to live or visit another country.  As a foreigner you will be responsible for finding the money to fund your medical treatment should you land up in the hospital due to accident or illness.

Heart Disease Detection Program.png
At Thai Expat Health our focus is on providing expert advice to expat retirees and families in Thailand.  We offer insurance from a range of reputable, well-established Insurance companies such as AETNA, APRIL, CIGNA, LMG, and LUMA. who provide excellent customer service and claims support.  There is no pushy sales talk and recommendations are based on your needs (not ours). We help you avoid the confusion which comes from not being able to speak the language or communicate satisfactorily with staff in Thai Insurance Companies.   Our service is FREE and we often save people money by offering a plan which more closely matches their lifestyle and budget.

Contact Thai Expat Club today and let us help you with your health insurance requirements.


Telephone or WhatsApp  +6689-897-9435
Website: http://thaiexpathealth.com/
Additional Links:
https://www.fitfatherproject.com/
https://www.samitivejhospitals.com/en/promotions/heart-strength-assessments/

Get Insurance for the Corona Virus (COVID-19) quickly and easily through Thai Expat Club

by

Two of the most frequent questions received over the past few weeks include;

  • Does my existing policy cover me for Corona Virus (COVID-19)?
  • Where can I buy additional coverage for the Corona Virus (COVID-19) in Thailand?

Firstly all of the personal medical insurance (PMI) policies we offer are through reputable, well-established Insurance companies such as AETNA, APRIL, CIGNA, LMG, LUMA. PMI Insurance offered through all of these companies includes coverage for the Corona Virus as well as other viral infections. On the other hand, most standard Travel Insurance companies do not extend cover to viral outbreaks or pandemics. For example World Nomads announced the Corona Virus as an exclusion to their policy when the virus reached epidemic (now pandemic) proportions on the 23rd January 2020.

Although many insurance providers have their front offices closed most continue to offer excellent online phone and email services for sales and claims processing. APRIL for example offers a certificate to show their policies are valued at 100,000 USD and include cover for the Corona Virus. This certificate is now required by the Thai government for persons traveling into Thailand. AETNA also provides an online Doctors Service and advice for policyholders seeking support over this period. In addition to offering excellent coverage some of our insurers such as LUMA and Cigna are also posting tips and advice on avoiding the virus and what to do in case you may be showing symptoms.

So where can I buy additional coverage for the Corona Virus? Initially several Thai Banks such as SCB and Life Insurance companies in Thailand were offering minimal rebate based coverage. However they have quickly ceased doing this. The only company I am aware of at the time of writing is Frank.co.th. For 450 THB or 850 THB expats in Thailand on a Work Permit can buy 50,000 THB or 100,000 THB worth of coverage. There is a 14 day waiting period and the claim is paid post-treatment. Also while this insurance is not open to retirees or persons staying here on a long term visa it is still useful in providing some relief to expats who work in Thailand and hold a work permit. (Please see link below if you wish to purchase this insurance).

Special-offer-for-COVID-19 Campaign Frank

DISCLAIMER:

  • The insured person MUST RESIDE IN THAILAND during the time of policy issuance (In case of a foreigner, He/She must reside in Thailand longer than 6 months and Passport and WORK PERMIT documents will be required )
  • If your policy number has already been issued, NO REFUNDS are allowed.
  • 14 days waiting period
  • Enter: CRPARTNER5 at the payment page to receive your 5% discount

Thai Expat Club recommends purchasing full personal medical insurance to provide the greatest level of security and financial protection. For non-Thai citizens who need to go to a private hospital you will be asked to produce your insurance card or evidence that you have the means to pay. In some cases the hospital may even withhold your passport making it more important than ever before to have quality medical insurance as an Expat in Thailand.

Thai Expat Club offers insurance from reputable companies that offer superior levels of customer service and claims support. In most cases your insurance application can be approved in less than 7 days and coverage can begin as soon as payment is received.

Contact us today if you need additional information or have any further questions

Phone: +66 (0) 89-897-9435

 

Useful Links:

https://www.frank.co.th/en/corona-virus-insurance
https://www.worldnomads.com/countrydomain/row/help/insurance/recent-events/travel-alert-coronavirus-january-2020#Alert

Thailand local health insurance versus offshore health insurance

by

We’ve seen a lot of advertising in Thailand recently through social media and other sources by companies advertising global insurance cover at substantially higher prices.  These companies justify higher premiums by saying they have plans with higher overall limits, that their products are somehow better suited to expats or that they have the largest or the fastest growing insurance business in Asia. It is amazing how many people I come across accept these claims and pay higher premiums without questioning the validity of these statements.

The truth is that for 95% of expats living in Thailand, health coverage through a local Thai Insurance provider such as Bupa is a much better option than a policy through an offshore company.  Policies through local insurance companies are better tailored to expats living here, offer global products with higher levels or coverage and in most cases work out substantially cheaper.   The conduct of Thai Insurance companies and the products they offer also come under the scrutiny of the Office of Insurance Commission (OIC).  This means that should a grievance arise due to a rejection or a claim against an insurance company then there is an advocate available on hand to deal with it.  This may not be the situation in the case of a claim against an offshore insurance company which is based in another country and is not bound to operate under the governance of the OIC.

For the very small minority of expats who move countries regularly, an offshore plan might be a feasible solution.  It does save some time in having to identify an insurance provider in each new country of residence and complete a new application each time.  However, for the vast majority of foreigners in Thailand, taking insurance through a local insurance company saves you money, and means you can easily deal directly by phone or in person with your agent or your insurance company when and if you need to.   This is much more preferable than being restricted to email, letter or 3rd party help lines to settle grievances through an offshore company selling insurance products from an address in another country

Thai Expat Club offers access to affordable health and medical insurance for foreigners living, visiting or working in Thailand. We deal almost exclusively with Bupa and NZI for a higher range of benefits at affordable prices. We help clients avoid the confusion which comes from not being able to speak the language or communicate satisfactory with staff in Thai Insurance Companies. Our service is FREE and we often save people money by offering a plan which is more closely matched to their lifestyle and budget.

Contact Thai Expat Club today and let us help you with your health insurance requirements.

 

Tel. 089-897-9437 or visit our website:

Home

 

References