Originally Posted by
2lz2p
What I read a few days ago said a Public Health Ministry committee was preparing to recommend Cabinet approval for requiring health insurance for those that obtain the O-A Visa (long stay visa often referred to a retirement visa since you must meet the requirements for staying in Thailand on the basis of retirement - also only available from some Thai Embassy/Consulates and must be in your country of residence). Currently, as mentioned, health insurance is required only if applying for the O-X Visa (so called 10 year visa).
This is not the first time I have read about the PH Ministry proposing health insurance for foreigners - a while back it was for tourists - but the Cabinet did not approve the proposal.
For many, getting health insurance in Thailand is not feasible because of Thai companies age restrictions and exclusion of pre-existing conditions. In my case, I have US health insurance that covers me in Thailand and the major International Hospitals will direct bill my insurance. BUT, they often want a guaranty from my insurance before they do more than bare necessities - which can take time. Thus, I make sure I have sufficient credit limit on two or three credit cards that should cover the deposit and allow treatment to proceed while waiting on the guarantee. A few years ago, I had am ischemic stroke. The clot busting medicine highly recommended to reduce the effects usually must be given within 3 hours of the stroke. For me, it was two doses and the cost was about 50,000 baht per dose - so a deposit of over 100,000 was required (Bangkok Hospital Pattaya actually blocks the amount on your card but does not run the charge through - when they get the guaranty, they gave me back the charge slips and removed the blocked amount). As I recall, the total cost paid by my insurance was around US$8,000 paid direct to BHP - for inpatient, I get 100% coverage (my policy was from my employer and carried over into my retirement).