New financial headache for some retirement visa holders

[reader]

From Pattaya Mail

By Barry Kenyon

A news report that some visas based on retirement could now require two insurances has stirred confusion on social media.  Deputy public health minister Sathit Pitutecha, in comments first relayed by ThaiPBSWorld, is quoted as saying that applications for one year 0/A visas would carry the extra requirement of “health” insurance of US$100,000, or over 3 million baht.  However, the minister did not provide any backup information.

O/A visas are one year (usually multiple entry) permissions of stay issued by Thai embassies abroad to wannabe retirees aged 50 and above.  In 2019, a pre-pandemic era, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs introduced a general medical insurance requirement of 400,000 baht (inpatient) and 40,000 (outpatient).  The Thai insurance companies and consortia offering such a specific deal imposed an age limit of 75.  However, some retirees had their own foreign-based policies which covered these requirements.

The 400,000 baht insurance was made mandatory in 2020 for renewals (actually extensions of stay) of the 0/A visa at Thai immigration offices.  This has caused great difficulty for elderly expats who found that the insurance was simply not available, or was subject to exclusions, which meant that claims were impossible as the self-payment conditions amounted to the totality of the policy.  However, some immigration offices allowed a flexible interpretation which permitted acceptance of insurance policies designed to cover accidental injuries or death payouts.

The deputy health minister appears now to be requiring a second policy, specifically for Covid-related illness, to be added to the required 0/A documentation.  This is the same US$100,000 cover presently required of all entrants to Thailand, no matter what visa or permission they apply for.  However and crucially, we still do not know what, if any, changes will be introduced from November 1 when the Thailand Pass replaces the Certificate of Entry.  So the minister seems to be referring to renewals/extensions of stay of 0/A visa holders already here.

Most expat retirees with one year extensions do not in fact have 0/A visas, but 0 visas based on retirement.  What concerns them is whether the latest 0/A regulations apply to them when they attend immigration for their annual extension of stay.  Currently the answer is no.  Many 0/A visa holders have sought to transfer to an 0 at their immigration office, only to discover that they cannot change without first leaving the country in a complicated procedure.

The Covid-specific US$100,000 insurance is available outside Thailand for entrants up to the age of 99, for example at http://covid19.tgia.org/ a Thai consortium which bases the cost only on duration of stay and country of departure.  However, that popular policy is not available for retirees applying from within Thailand, whilst some other companies have a cut off age date around 75.  So the whole insurance issue for foreigners based in Thailand is now extremely complex.  Some commentators believe that Thai authorities are attempting to move retirees as a group from one year extensions to the Elite visa which lasts for five years, or more, but requires a non-refundable registration of at least 600,000 baht.  Whether the squeeze is now taking root without escape tunnels remains to be seen.

https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/news/new-financial-headache-for-some-retirement-visa-holders-376327

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[PeterRS]

I hope another member can shed a bit more light on this.

I seem to recall reading some months ago that the government was setting up another committee to look in more detail at retirement in Thailand for foreigners. The implication was that all the existing rules have been somewhat arbitrarily imposed over the years and it is time that a more up to date and stable financial system for retirement and reporting to Immigration be hammered out. If I am correct, I hope the government might invite one or two resident retirees at least to provide their views to the Committee as I am not convinced a group of Thai civil servants really has much clue about the needs of the retirement community.

[reader]

From Bangkok Post

Health cover perks for foreigners

The Public Health Ministry is expanding the health insurance ceiling, covering Covid-19 treatment, to at least US$100,000 (3 million baht) for non-immigrant visa O-A applicants, to bolster their confidence to stay in the kingdom.

Deputy Public Health Minister Sathit Pitutecha said on Wednesday the health insurance criteria have been revised for foreigners who hold the non-immigration visa type O-A for a one-year stay. The change came into effect on Tuesday.

In addition, visa holders can also submit an application for this health insurance from their countries, Mr Sathit said.

The proposal was submitted by the ministry and other related agencies to the cabinet which approved it on June 15.

The health insurance ceiling for foreigners holding this type of visa would be expanded from 40,000 baht for outpatient care and 400,000 baht for inpatient care to at least 3 million baht which covers medical expenses and Covid-19 treatment.

Mr Sathit said the move was to follow the government's policy to promote health tourism and turn Thailand into a global medical hub.

The development will also focus on Thai herb products, traditional Thai massage and spa, and boost the potential of the hospitality sector to attract more foreign tourists.

Since last year, 3,768 elderly foreign nationals have applied for the non-immigration visa for a one-year stay, Mr Sathit said.

Tares Krassanairawiwong, director-general of the Department of Health Service Support, said this type of visa is granted to elderly people from overseas who cannot take out insurance in Thailand or where their insurance certification form is not valid for Thailand's systems.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2201423/health-cover-perks-for-foreigners