Thai Expat Health Insurance

Health solutions for foreigners working in Thailand

retirees

What are the new insurance requirements for foreigners applying for the O-A retirement visa to live in Thailand?

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Last week Thai authorities announced a number of changes to the insurance requirements for foreigners applying for the Non-immigrant O-A (Long Stay) retirement visa. It seems some of the details are still being worked through, but most Thai Embassies have already begun implementing these changes (effective 1st October 2021) and many insurance companies in Thailand have already started updating their existing policies and developing new products in order to meet these requirements.

These rules differ depending on whether you are applying from your home country or whether you are already in Thailand renewing your visa. However, all foreigners applying for their first O-A retirement visa from overseas are now required to meet these new requirements. The new rules require applicants to maintain a health insurance policy that covers all kinds of medical treatment (both in-house patient and out-patient) including COVID-19 related treatment, with a minimum coverage of 3,000,000 THB, during the entire period of stay in Thailand. It seems the previous requirement to have Outpatient coverage of not less than 40,000 THB has either been upgraded or removed (This is a developing story – To be advised).

Foreigners currently residing in Thailand on an O-A retirement visa will be permitted to extend their visa under the old guidelines until the 31st of August 2022 (an insurance policy of 400,000 THB Inpatient coverage (including outpatient coverage of 40,000 THB). However, commencing 1st September 2022 onwards, ALL Long Stay Visa holders will be required to move to the new criteria – an insurance policy that provides 3 million THB Inpatient coverage which includes all kinds of medical treatment (both in-house patient and out-patient) including COVID-19.

At this stage, the easiest and most affordable solution for retirees applying from overseas is the LUMA Travel Pass. This plan already meets these minimum requirements and can be purchased online in 5 mins by any person aged 1-75 years of age. Although this insurance cannot be extended beyond 12 months this product is very affordable and offers a very convenient and accessible method to meet these requirements. Please see the following link…

Thai Travel Insurance – COVID insurance for expats traveling to Thailand

For persons already in Thailand and for persons 75 years and over, we offer a wide range of immigration compliant insurance products payable on an annual or monthly basis. These products come from a wide range of recognised companies including AETNA, AXA, April, Cigna, LMG, LUMA, Pacific Cross and Regency for Expats. Regardless of your age or health status, we offer a wide array of insurance options for families and retirees visiting or moving to Thailand.

Please contact Thai Expat Club / Health if you have any questions or require any further information regarding retirement or travel insurance for Thailand.

Telephone or WhatsApp +6689-897-9435

Website: https://thaiexpatclub.com/

Additional Links:

DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this report has been obtained from sources believed to be accurate and reliable. However, Thai Expat Club makes no representation as to the accuracy and completeness of such information. Information and opinions expressed herein are subject to change without notice. In particular, Thai Expat Club does not guarantee the accuracy of information related to immigration processes and requirements in this report nor do we accept any liability for any loss or damage of any kind arising out of the use of such information or opinions in this report. Readers are advised to do their own research before making decisions relating to visa transfers and migration to Thailand. All rights are reserved.
This report may not be reproduced, distributed or published by any person in any manner for any purpose without the permission of Thai Expat Club

Is now a good time to retire to Thailand (or should I wait for COVID-19 to be over)?

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Is now a good time to retire to Thailand (or should I wait for COVID-19 to be over)?

One common question we receive from clients planning to retire to Thailand is whether or not “now” is a good time to travel and retire in Thailand, or should I wait until the pandemic is over. The answer is never a simple yes or no as each person comes from a different part of the world. Some clients are coming from the US, others are coming from the UK (including Eastern Europe), and a smaller number from countries such as Australia.

To help, we thought it might be useful to put together a list of pros and cons received as feedback from overseas visitors arriving here in quarantine from those countries. Hopefully, the feedback we received will help guide your decision making and address any concerns you might have about traveling or not traveling to Thailand at this time.

Pros

  1. Thailand is recognized as #1 in Asia (and #2 behind Australia globally) as one of the best countries in the world for their response to the COVID-19 epidemic. The Thai government has reportedly managed to contain the virus much better than other countries and with very low death rates (Thailand Business News). Something to consider if concerned about Thailand’s management of the crisis.
  2. Visas are still available for tourists to travel or retire to Thailand. Many other neighboring countries such as Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia have either closed their borders to tourists or have very restricted entry. Latin American countries, such as Brazil, Ecuador, and Columbia, do not allow US tourists full stop. Unless you are a national from one of these countries, Thailand may be one of the few countries currently open to you as a foreigner seeking to retire.
  3. You currently do not need to have been vaccinated against COVID-19 to gain entry. This is likely to change soon given the likelihood that vaccination may well become a mandatory requirement to board an aircraft.  Whether or not it becomes a compulsory requirement in applying for a visa is yet to be seen. However, in terms of vaccination, it seems likely there will be more conditions placed on air travel in the future, rather than fewer restrictions.  Another reason why now might be a better time to travel than later.

Cons

  1. The paperwork.  Yes, there is a mound of paperwork and processes to go through including applying for a Certificate of Entry, Applying for Insurance, evidence of savings, evidence of income, booking a flight, negative COVID-19 test, and a doctor’s certificate 72 hrs before your flight. Communicating by email with the Thai embassy and all the different agencies involved is undoubtedly a challenge. This is unlikely to change in the short term and the introduction of the vaccine is only likely to add more paperwork in the future to what is already a time-consuming process. 
  2. You’ll miss the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine.  Yes, this may be so but recognize that the first people to be vaccinated in your country will be front-line health care workers, hotel quarantine staff, followed by people in aged care, the elderly, and others at risk. It may be another 12 months before the vaccine is offered to the general population. If you are delaying plans to travel to Thailand simply to ensure you are in the queue for the vaccine, then you may be in for a long wait. Also, it is entirely probable that once the vaccine is rolled out that you will be able to purchase the vaccine in Thailand (Thailand will start rolling out the first 50,000 doses of AstraZeneca for emergency use this month). It’s quite probable you may end up with better access to the vaccine in Thailand on a paid-for basis than what might be possible in your own country.
  3. Risk management (I could pick up COVID-19 on the journey). You may think that traveling is dangerous and it’s safer to remain in your home country for the time being. For now, staying indoors, wearing a mask, frequent handwashing, and distancing yourself from other people seems like the safest option. That may be true to some extent but it’s well known that transmission happens more easily in crowded indoor spaces with poor ventilation versus outdoors where the fresh air disperses the virus particles and people are more easily able to distance themselves from each other. If you’re in the US or the UK, you may be at a greater risk of exposure to the virus in your own country than being outdoors in Thailand.  It’s also important to realize that “you may leave your country behind but that doesn’t mean you also get to leave your fears behind.” To mitigate these risks you may choose to purchase a first-class ticket (for more personal space and less contact with other flyers and flight attendants who are attending to other passengers), stay at a more expensive hotel which provides a VIP taxi for one person from the airport, and find accommodation which allows 1 hour of outdoor activity each day by yourself, so as not to expose yourself to other travelers who could potentially be carrying the virus. It is agreed that now is not the time to travel to Thailand on the cheap but as pointed out earlier, Thailand is #1 in Asia for managing the COVID-19 epidemic and #2 in the world behind Australia so a high level of monitoring is provided once you enter the country, go through the airport and continue to quarantine. At least the risks can be mitigated and the price you are prepared to pay can reduce your exposure.  Whether or not you are prepared to pay more to mitigate the risks will differ greatly depending on your financial situation. This level of peace of mind may end up costing you more in the short term but this is unlikely to change soon. Not at least until a large percentage of the world has been vaccinated and worldwide travel returns to some kind of normality.

We recognize that whether you choose to retire to Thailand at this time or delay your plans until the world recovers from COVID-19 is very much a personal decision, but hopefully, the pros and cons laid out above have provided several key factors to consider. From someone on the ground, it seems quite clear that the likelihood of things returning to normal within the next 12 months is very small. Experts agree that it will be years before travel returns to anything near the normality it was in February 2020 when the virus first started to take its grip. 

Whatever you decide to do, you can count on Thai Expat Club/Health for help and support when it comes to getting the right health insurance plan to match your personal needs. 

If you have questions or require any further information, you can contact Thai Expat Club/Health by telephone or WhatsApp at +66 89-897-9435. 

Wishing you good health and safe travels.

Links:

https://www.thailand-business-news.com/health/79522-thailand-ranks-2nd-world-best-country-for-recovering-from-covid-19-epidemic.html

https://www.thailand-business-news.com/health/82409-thailand-approves-covid-19-astrazeneca-vaccine-for-emergency-use.html

 

DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this report has been obtained from sources believed to be accurate and reliable. However, Thai Expat Club makes no representation as to the accuracy and completeness of such information nor do we accept any liability for any loss or damage of any kind arising out of the use of the information or opinions in this report. Information and opinions expressed herein are subject to change without notice. Readers are advised to do their own research before making decisions relating to travel to Thailand. All rights are reserved.

Applying for a Retirement Visa for Thailand during COVID-19

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If you’re reading this article, you’re most likely interested in traveling to Thailand over the COVID-19 period and wondering what visa option is best for you. Particularly if you’re considering applying for a retirement visa from your home country, then this is for you.

After visiting the Thai Embassy website, you will discover that there are a number of visa options available, including the standard ‘O’ category retirement visa for persons over 50 years of age. The requirements are pretty much the same as previously published except for one additional insurance requirement – applicants now need to have health insurance to cover a minimum of 100,000 USD which includes coverage for COVID-19. This is in addition to the previous requirement to have health insurance which includes a minimum 400,000 THB for Inpatient and 40,000 THB coverage for Outpatient visits.

Procedures for Non-Thai nationals who wish to obtain long stay visa (Non-Immigrant Category O-A)

One of the main issues is that if you apply for the retirement visa from your home country you will need to pay for 12 months of health insurance upfront to obtain an insurance policy that meets the above requirements. The process of obtaining insurance usually takes 10-14 days. You must then present your insurance coverage certificate to the Thai embassy in your home country in order to obtain the Certificate of Entry (COE). As well, you will need to have confirmed booking at an Alternative State Quarantine (ASQ) Facility, and a booking on a repatriation flight which might not be available from your country for another month or so. Even then flights may be cancelled, and a new booking required after you have applied for your visa. All of this affects the amount of time your insurance policy remains valid after you have paid the premium and submitted the insurance certificate to the embassy to obtain your COE. The longer it takes for you to acquire the visa and COE in your home country, the less time you will have remaining on your insurance policy.

So, getting back to the question of whether it’s better to apply for an O-A retirement visa in your home country or after you arrive in Thailand. Provided you are 50-74 years of age, one option is to apply for a Tourist Visa from your home country first (60 days + 30 days extendable) or Special Tourist Visa (If available) then apply for the retirement visa after you arrive in Thailand.

For a Tourist Visa, you only need to have a 90-day travel insurance policy which you can easily purchase by going to our website https://thaitravelinsurance.com/travel-plans/. This policy (Luma Thailand Pass), for persons 1-74 years of age, includes cover for COVID-19 to $100,000 USD and meets the Thai government requirements for both the Tourist and Retirement visa. It can be issued in 5 minutes which is a huge advantage over other forms of insurance coverage. It is also well known to Thai Embassies and so is readily accepted.

Once in Thailand, you can apply for a 3-month non-O visa, then the 1-year retirement visa extension through any number of visa agents here. Also, once you have decided on the most appropriate visa for your extended stay, you are welcome to contact us again and purchase a full comprehensive in-country insurance policy (The Luma Thailand Pass cannot be extended) to cover the length of your new visa as required by the Thai government. It seems the government has relaxed on an earlier requirement to start the process of applying for a 90-day non-immigrant visa from a Thai embassy or consulate. I would encourage you to do your own research but the visa agents we discussed this option with, inform us that it is indeed possible.

Thai Expat Health makes it EASY for foreigners to obtain the certificate of insurance required to meet the Thai government’s entry requirement (insurance covering all medical expenses including COVID-19 and worth at least 100,000 USD). We have assisted many clients to receive their certificate of insurance in the FASTEST possible time with a MINIMUM of fuss. Our service is provided FREE of charge and you benefit from our personalized help and experience.
Note that there are a large number of applications in the system at the moment, so please submit your application early to avoid delays.

Contact Thai Expat Club/Health if you have any questions or require any further information

Telephone or WhatsApp +6689-897-9435

DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this report has been obtained from sources believed to be accurate and reliable. However, Thai Expat Club makes no representation as to the accuracy and completeness of such information. Information and opinions expressed herein are subject to change without notice. In particular, Thai Expat Club does not guarantee the accuracy of information related to immigration processes and requirements in this report nor do we accept any liability for any loss or damage of any kind arising out of the use of such information or opinions in this report. Readers are advised to do their own research before making decisions relating to visa transfers and migration to Thailand. All rights are reserved.

This report may not be reproduced, distributed or published by any person in any manner for any purpose without the permission of Thai Expat Club

How long does it take to get COVID insurance to enter Thailand?

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A question commonly received from people planning to travel to Thailand is “How long does it take to get insurance for COVID-19 in Thailand?”. Most people asking this question are weighing up the pros and cons of traveling to Thailand at this time or are in the early phases of applying to the Thai Embassy in their home country for a Certificate of Entry. While the insurance policy is usually the least expensive part of the process compared to the cost of the flight and the 14-day hotel quarantine, without understanding the process it can still be a somewhat time-consuming and frustrating experience. Hopefully, this explanation will provide some clarity over why it takes time to issue insurance for COVID-19 and some things you can do to help speed things along.

For most people, the average time is around 10 – 14 days from the time the client emails an application to us, responds to additional questions from the insurance company (underwriting department), signs an offer letter, pays for the policy, and is finally issued a certificate of insurance. Persons aged 65 years and over may face additional delays due to the need for a Physician’s Examination Report. Visting your doctor and obtaining this report can easily extend the process beyond 10 days or more. Although payment from overseas can take up to 5 days to arrive, in most cases the insurance company will issue the policy based on a copy of the bank transfer as evidence of payment before it physically arrives in the bank account. The lengthiest part of this process is usually the period where the insurance company’s underwriting department is assessing the application. Applications with a signed copy of the applicant’s passport and more complete responses on the application form will almost certainly receive a faster turnaround.

The application process can often be made faster depending on how accurately you complete the insurance application, whether you remember to attach a signed copy of the picture page of your passport (required by the insurance company to match your identity with the policy) and how quickly you respond to requests for further information from the insurance company.

Once the policy is paid for, most insurance companies will email you the Certificate of Insurance (with the policy number) which shows that the “Health insurance policy includes treatment and medical expenses in relation to COVID-19 with a minimum coverage of 100,000 USD”. This insurance statement is sufficient to present to the Thai Embassy in your country of departure in order to obtain the Certificate of Entry and the go-ahead to book your seat on the next available flight. The original insurance policy and card are generally sent via post a week to 10 days later but are generally not required by the embassy for the Certificate of Entry.

Hopefully, this overview has provided a better understanding of the requirements at each stage while you are applying for your COVID insurance policy. Also, the following diagram from the Civil Aviation of Thailand (CAAT) presents a broader snapshot of the documents required in the stages from Pre-departure through to Arrival and is aimed at helping make the process clearer and less daunting for foreigners contemplating an application to enter Thailand.

Thai Expat Health makes it EASY for foreigners to obtain the certificate of insurance required to meet the Thai government’s entry requirement (insurance covering all medical expenses including COVID-19 and worth at least 100,000 USD). We have assisted many clients to receive their certificate of insurance in the FASTEST possible time with a MINIMUM of fuss. Our service is provided FREE of charge and you benefit from our personalized help and experience. Note that there is a large number of applications in the system at the moment, so please submit your application early to avoid delays.

Please contact Thai Expat Club / Health if you have any questions or require any further information

Telephone or WhatsApp +6689-897-9435

Website: https://thaiexpathealth.com/

Additional Links:

The Notification on Conditions for Aircraft Permission to Enter Thailand (No.2)

COVID-19 Insurance options for Thailand – Thai Expat Health

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The coronavirus outbreak has had an unprecedented effect on travelers, country borders, and international flights.  Whether it’s fear, business, or separation from family and loved ones, each and every one of us has been impacted by the virus in one way or another.

Today many people are looking for affordable insurance not just to cross borders or reunite with loved ones but also for peace of mind in the event we are unfortunate enough to be struck by the illness. Here at Thai Expat Health, we offer you and your family a range of insurance solutions for COVID-19.

The insurance products offered are from approved providers and meet the minimum 100,000 USD (including protection for COVID-19) for entry to Thailand as prescribed by the Thai government.   From full comprehensive health insurance for long term workers, retirees, and spouses of Thai citizens to short term insurance for medical tourists and short term visitors alike, we offer an insurance product to match most every individual’s needs.

Luma Thailand Pass

LUMA-Thailand-Pass-Brochure.jpg

Choose from a range of different travel plans to meet the health insurance requirements for visitors wanting to enter Thailand during the COVID-19 pandemic.

All plans offer:

– Cover up to 3.5 million THB (equivalent to at least 100,000 USD)
– COVID-19 cover

The application process is easy and the certificate required for entry can be obtained in 4-5 business days.  Premiums start at 2,800 THB for a 3-month travel policy.

Simply apply online via the following link:

https://thaitravelinsurance.com/

Full Health Insurance Plans

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If you are a foreigner returning to Thailand for work, as a retiree or as the spouse of a Thai citizen then full medical coverage through an approved provider is likely to be a better option for you. Full medical coverage offers many additional benefits such as: –

– Comprehensive coverage for top international hospitals
– Cashless hospital visits in a preferred hospital network
– No need to pay and claim for Inpatient treatment
– Cover for motorcycle accidents and ongoing treatment
– Lifetime renewal (dependant on age at entry)
– Cover for COVID-19

Thai Expat Health offers insurance from a range of reputable, well-established Insurance companies such as AETNA, APRIL, CIGNA, LMG, LUMA, and PACIFIC CROSS. 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 you money by offering a plan which more closely matches your lifestyle and budget.

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

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Where to get a Certificate of Health Insurance to enter Thailand

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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: