Health plan for foreigners under review | Bangkok Post: news

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Health plans for foreigners under review

The Ministry of Public Health on Thursday revealed it was seeking appropriate forms of health insurance for foreigners in preparation for the formation of the Asean Economic Community (AEC) in 2015.

Public Health Minister Pradit Sinthawanarong said after a meeting with members of the International Public Health Policy Committee that the ministry was pushing ahead with a plan to stabilise the health insurance system and ensure it covers all groups of people including foreigners in Thailand.

A long-term spending plan for a health-related budget would be jointly drawn up and implemented by the ministry and the Ministry of Finance to avoid excessive or unreasonable expenditures. 

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  • rico

    French PolynesiaPost : 47

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    Discussion 12 : 01 Mar 2013 at 19.3112

    D 8 : everything for free in Europe ??? I live in Europe and I can assure you that NOTHING is free in Europe. Employers as well as employees have to fund the social security (universal healthcare, ...) and many people pay for additional health insurance. Again : nothing is free in Europe, even not the sunshine at the moment.

  • oldexp

    ThailandPost : 427

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    Discussion 11 : 01 Mar 2013 at 07.2011

    D9 .. onlyasking
    where I am from the insurance is not free, nor is it included in the taxes. One has to pay for it and it doesn't contribute to the ruin of the old world.
    The thing just is ... there is insurance available at the same terms for everybody living there.

  • aussiedoug

    Post : 215

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    Discussion 10 : 01 Mar 2013 at 06.4910

    I do not see any mention of white man farang, unless of course he is going to find out later that he is the one who pays for the total cost for everybody else. If Thailand was a real country as opposed to just an opportunistic group of people it would extend medical care to all who need it in an emergency without demanding payment up front. I believe it is known in polite circles and better run countries as the "hippocratic oath"

  • drsmith

    ThailandPost : 1,575

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    Discussion 9 : 01 Mar 2013 at 06.499

    Yes, we do not want to upset the cash cow known as tourism. I can never understand how Thailand caters so much to tourists who spend for only 2 weeks or a month, then leave and absolutely hate the expats that live in Thailand and contribute 10 times more than the tourists financially? Most foreigners already have health insurance. The idea should not be just limited to insurance. Foreigners that support Thai families, live in Thailand and contribute their entire incomes to the Thailand economy should have the same rights as Thai's; the same way other countries give Thai people rights.

  • onlyasking

    ThailandPost : 460

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    Discussion 8 : 01 Mar 2013 at 06.428

    D 3 Many be part of the reason why Europe is broke, give everything to everyone for free. I live in Thailand and have social security, but prefer to have my own private medical and travel insurrance. My good health is not the responsibility of any government it is mine.

  • ricefield

    ThailandPost : 2,378

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    Discussion 7 : 01 Mar 2013 at 05.167

    Disc 7 - I think your idea is good but why not expand on it. Charge for all visas and include basic health coverage so anyone in the country legally could in an emergency or illness go to any Government hospital. Have it cover the basics but rule out non life threatening (not emergency related like stitches of broken bones)and serious conditions the people already have.

  • nui

    ThailandPost : 532

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    Discussion 6 : 01 Mar 2013 at 04.266

    Every foreigner should show a travel or other health insurance when entering Thailand or applying for a visa. If he does not have, the government will provide insurance cover at the airport or consulate / embassy and immigration for a reasonable premium. The health card will be accepted by all government hospitals. The costs will be included in the premium. Just an idea.

  • tcr

    ThailandPost : 321

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    Discussion 5 : 01 Mar 2013 at 02.355

    From what I've seen with my Thai relatives, what they are getting here in terms of health care is not very good. Long waits for doctors (who sometimes never show up). Incorrect diagnosis. Low quality facilities. Etc. My wife's mother now goes to private clinics as the government ones were just not very good.

    Doesn't make me excited to be involved with this.

  • bonzo

    ThailandPost : 924

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    Discussion 4 : 01 Mar 2013 at 01.044

    Correct, D4. Farangs have already figured out their own scheme. It’s called ’self-insurance’. But no doubt we’ll still have to buy a card anyway.

  • oldexp

    ThailandPost : 427

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    Discussion 3 : 28 Feb 2013 at 22.023

    "Foreign workers and expats would be urged to buy health cards for their newborn babies which would allow them to receive all the same health benefits as Thais"
    Them .. sure means only the babies.
    I still wonder why Thais get the same health coverage as Farangs in Europe but the same is not possible here for Farangs.
    Don't bother, I know why.

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