Healthcare in Thailand

hi yuyu...I'm going to retire in Bangkok but medical insurance is necessary ?

Can over the counter pharmacy help ?

hi simonkoh65,

Just to remind you that member yuyukankan has been inactive for quite a long time and that this topic is from 2015.

Feel free to participate in the recently created topics or create a new one if you have any particular query.

Regards,

Sarvesh
expat.com team

Hello Ray ,

Bob here an  American  , So three years have passed since this post has anything changed with Gold Card Scheme Healthcare aka 30 Baht Scheme ?
I’m married to a Thai Citizen Retired now in Thailand.

Best Regards
Bob

Hello,

how does the healthcare system work in Thailand ? Is it efficient ?

Yes ,it 's efficient. I'm a nurse been worked in Thailand and UK. Both good as differrent way. In the UK , you first see the GP and refer to specialist , sometime too late, but in Thailand you see the specialist doctor at the same day. Both have high health care technology.


What are the main differences between public and private sectors?
Public hospital  crowded , Pay less money, have fixed rate of cost.
Private hospital not crowded , Pay much money , may be over the price.


I'm a Thai nurse , retired from government hospital. So my pension include health insurance for me , my husband and 3 kids also my dad and mum include dentists.

Hello,

I’m an American retired in Thailand with my Thai Wife , Can you please provide any information or answers to my question please ?

If I’m married to a Thai Citizen does that qualify me for 30 Baht Gold Card Scheme if she is already part of the 30 Baht Scheme ?

Best Regards
Thank You

Bob Tyrrell American Citizen/ Resident of
Nakhon Ratchasima

Hi,
If you married with government officer of Thailand , you will have health insurance include dentists all your life. But 30 Baht Gold Card Scheme doesn't cover to Farang  husband.

Hi everyone! The best option to choose in order to save your money and get a proper help is, of course, getting a health insurance. Call me and i will give you a free consultation on plans available from world leading insurance companies

Hello ,
 
Who are you ? What are you Credentials ? Can you please name some of the Insurance Plans ? Etc.....

Best Regards

Waste of money.  If you are Healthy, it’s cheaper just to pay as you go. We both just had blood work & physicals for 150.00 dollars. We are both seniors, but we just found out though a realitive that we could get insurance for 3,000 a year & they would insure you till you are 90, we are giving it some thought. Don’t buy it unless you need it.  Nomad insurance is also very good. It’s travel insurance. Good Luck.

Hello ,

Can you please share the name of the company and any info you have for 3000 per year ?
Also Is that 3000 Baht ? 3000 Dollars ?  Ect.... ??
I agree that most everything you can afford and pay as you go in Thailand , Though considering In-Patient Coverage might be best especially if you were to need surgery or get hospitalized could get a little pricy.

Hope Hear Back From You
Best Regards
Cheers
Bob T. American Citizen / Retired Resident
Nakhon Ratchasima / ChoHo Thailand

***

Bob, I will get this information to you in a couple of days. How long have you been in Thailand?  Are you old enough for Medicare?  Patrick

Bob, that’s 3,000 dollars.     Patrick

Hello Patrick ,

Thank you I’ll await the info , I’ve been retired just over a year with my Thai Wife prior to that I was back and fourth from States to Thailand for 4 years learning all the ins and outs in Thailand and preparing our New Home Construction in Thailand , Which we just finished and moved into this past March.
I’m old enough for Medicare but it’s not honored in Thailand , I have Accidental Medical Insurance through Kasikorn Thai Bank , Great Coverage But accident only.
I’m looking for In-Parient Insurane Coverage I’ve been shopping and I’m interested in the info you provide.
I’ve been paying out of pocket for routine stuff fairly healthy so no major issues.

Thanks Again Look Forward To Hearing Back From You.
Best Regards
Bob T. American Citizen/ Retired Resident in
Nakhon Ratchasima / ChoHo Thailand

Bob, the reason why I asked about Medicare was that if you plan to go back & forth to the US. You could use the medical system over there. My Thai wife gave up on the US system even though she is a US citizen she doesn’t use it. But I have been using it for a colonoscopy, dental, physicals. I just got a yearly blood test, to which am taking back the results to my Doctor in California. I haven’t been able to find a Doctor that I like in Thailand yet. We have been here 5 years, we bought our condo when we were still working in the US, almost 10 years ago. The condo was new then. It’s a 2bd, 2 bath 64 metre, then we bought the condo next door & opened the wall up to get more room. Now we are searching for a beach front condo to buy in Hua Hin are of Thailand. None of this I could afford to do in my own country. Gives us a lot of flexibility. But it has taken me nearly 5 years to get used to living here, the driving & such. Now I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.   Patrick

Hello Patrick ,

Great to hear I don’t do a lot of back and fourth to the U.S. anymore, My legs and roots are planted in Thailand now I love it !!
There is Doctor from the UK at the Fort Suranee Military Hospital here in Nakhon Ratchasima where I live that’s outstanding  !!
I’m in hopes of taking a look at the info you send me to further my research and maybe consider as I continue to shop around , The Hospital and Doctors at the Military Hospital are very good and comparable to good healthcare that can be found back in the States.
So I’m sold and not worried of the costly trips back and fourth to the States.

I look forward to hearing back from you soon.

Best Regards
Bob T. American Citizen / Retired Resident of
Nakhon Ratchasima / ChoHo Thailand

Bob, good to hear you found a doctor you like. We also use the military hospital for tests & prescription drugs, we have been very happy with there service.  While I am waiting for my inlaw to get back to me, you might look at Nomad travel Insurance on line. They will cover everything & our very reasonable. We have a couple of Friends from Brazil that have used it for years, without any problems. The catch is you have to apply before you get to Thailand, we have used it for our trips to the US. If you travel a lot it’s really worth it.  Patrick

Hello ,

Patrick , I’ll await your In-Laws info you send me.

Cannot apply for Nomad Insurance have no plans in the near future to go State Side

Have a Great Weekend
Best Regards
Bob T. American Citizen Retired Resident in
Nakhon Ratchasima / ChoHo Thailand

Hello Patrick ,

I was wondering if you were able to obtain that Health Insurance / Coverage to 90 Years Old ?

I know you said you needed a couple of days to get back to me , It’s been about a week and was just checking back.

Thanks
Best Regards
Bob T. American Citizen / Retired Resident of
Nakhon Ratchasima / JoHo Thailand

I’m still trying to get that information to you. The insurance is in Thai, do you have someone that can help you read?  My sister in law is not easy to deal with. But am still trying to get this to you. We leave for a 3 month visit to California in less than a week. Will stay in touch.  Patrick

Hello Patrick,

Ok I’ll await the info , Thai is no problem my Wife is Thai she can read it for me.

One other quick question do you have a Thai Wife or Girlfriend ? I ask because what is the process and cost to get her a Visa to visit in the
U. S. ?
I have not looked into It yet and was wondering , Any info you have would be great

Best Regards Safe Trip
Bob T. American Citizen Retired Resident living in Nakhon Ratchasima / JoHo Thailand

Bob, I have a Thai wife but she is a US citizen. We met in California some 35 years ago. It used to be that Thai citizens could stay up to 6 months. Most of my. Wife’s family has visited us when we were living in the US. I really don’t know what the regulations are now, you will have to contact the Embassy. We are both seniors am 67 years old, my wife just turned a young 70 years old. I will be in touch. Patrick

Bob,I have the name of that insurance company I was telling you about. FWD health insurance Thailand. They will insure you till you are 70 years old, then they will renew your coverage till you are 79. They say they will cover you in the US also,but probably just Emergency Care. Hope this helps.Good Luck to you.  Patrick

Hello Patrick ,

Thank You I found the website I’ll check it out , Thanks again

Bob T.
American Citizen Retired Resident in
Nakhon Ratchasima/ ChoHo Thailand

Hi! Found this thread to be really interesting so I've decided to add my thoughts on this from my time in Thailand. Healthcare is fine as long as you use the first-rate hospitals. I go to Samitivej ever since and so far, so good. I personally prefer the private ones. I've used my BUPA health insurance, no issues. Dentistry is good. I always use Thantakit Dental in BKK and never had any problem. They gave me an installment payment plan for my dental implants which was great. The best thing to do is do your own research aside from personal recommendations. I can't compromise health especially when you're on your travels. Good luck.

This was really helpful thanks to all who took part!