Retirees

Applying for a Retirement Visa for Thailand during COVID-19

25 December 2020 by Alan Sutherland

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.

https://thaiembdc.org/2020/11/17/oalongstay/

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?

11 September 2020 by Brett Heath

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:

https://www.caat.or.th/en/archives/51895

COVID-19 Insurance options for Thailand – Thai Expat Health

2 August 2020 by Brett Heath

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

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

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.

Get a quote here

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

18 April 2020 by Brett Heath

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.

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: https://thaiexpathealth.com/

Additional Links:

https://www.fitfatherproject.com/
https://www.samitivejhospitals.com/en/promotions/heart-strength-assessments/

Insurance and the Coronavirus: How much does treatment cost?

4 April 2020 by Brett Heath

While the coronavirus continues to spread and infect more and more people, many want to know how much it might cost to treat the virus. Questions include:

How much does the COVID-19 test cost?
How much does treatment for the Coronavirus cost?
How much does it cost to buy insurance for the Coronavirus?

Treatment in Thailand is currently FREE for Thai citizens but the same does NOT apply to expat retirees or foreigners working in Thailand. Foreigners will need to pay for testing and treatment either in a government hospital or a private hospital. Given the way the COVID-19 virus is spreading expats in Thailand very soon may not have a choice between going to a government hospital or seeking treatment at a private hospital which is generally more expensive.

Eighteen (18) government hospitals in Thailand have been assigned to provide treatment for the COVID-19 virus. Initially, only government hospitals treated cases of COVID 19 but now any hospital in Thailand can treat COVID-19. The cost of hospitalization in a government hospital is anywhere between 4,000 to 10,000 THB per night depending on the level of care required. Foreigners can expect to pay around 100,000 THB / week in a government hospital. However, spaces are limited and resources are beginning to stretch as the number of cases continues to grow. This means that very soon a government hospital may well not be an option for foreigners seeking treatment.

Several private hospitals have more recently established special Acute Respiratory Infection Clinics (ARI Clinics) which have priority with test results within 6 -12 hours versus Non-ARI clinics which take around 12 to 48 hours to receive results. The cost for the COVID-19 test at the time of writing is 6,500 THB but hopefully, the cost will become cheaper over time. If a doctor recommends the test then the test will generally be covered by insurance. If the patient simply attends the hospital without symptoms and asks for a test the patient will be asked to bear the cost of the test himself or herself. If you would like to book yourself in for a test contact Bangkok Hospital on 1719

So how much would treatment of the Coronavirus be in a private hospital? Estimates vary depending on whether the patient needs to go into an Intensive Care Unit or not but information from one hospital spokesman suggests the cost could be anything from 80,000 THB to 400,000THB per day. That is a crippling amount of money for someone in retirement to pay which is worsened if the patient is suffering from other complications such as high blood pressure, cancer or diabetes. Over 2-4 weeks the cost of treatment could easily exceed 2M or even 3M THB.

The last thing anyone needs in the middle stages of their life is to see their life savings drained to cover medical expenses. You may think you are in good health at this point in time but the reality is as we approach our mid to late 60s we become more and more susceptible to heart disease (the silent killer), cancer and other debilitating “black swan events” such as the other Coronavirus.

To avoid a financial setback of this nature we recommend you take out Personal Medical Insurance if you intend to stay in Thailand for any length of time. The cost for a mid-level INPATIENT ONLY plan with 3.25 M THB (USD 100,000) of medical coverage for a person aged 61-65 years of age is around 65,000 THB / year. This level of coverage would save most retirees from financial ruin and provides great peace of mind. The cost is less than the equivalent of one night’s stay in a private hospital and makes great financial sense. If you were to take the plan with a 32,750 THB deductible the price would be around 53,000 THB/ year. (Having a deductible means you get a discount on the premium for agreeing to pay the first 32,750 THB of any claim over the year, Once you pay this you don’t need to pay this again for any ongoing treatment or treatment for any other illness over the year covered under the policy).

Although avoiding COVID-19 is all anyone can think about right now, it’s important to continue taking care of your health as well as your financial security. Taking PERSONAL MEDICAL INSURANCE provides the greatest level of security and financial protection against emergencies and black swan events.

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

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

4 April 2020 by Alan Sutherland

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.

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