Can I use my American health insurance to apply for an OA visa in Thailand?

Oct 5, 2023
a year ago
Mike *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Is there a way to use my American insurance to qualify for an OA visa? I know it covers me in Thailand, but how can I get the form filled out?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The post discusses the challenges of using American insurance to qualify for an OA visa in Thailand. Commenters suggest that American insurers may not provide the needed assurances on coverage for visa applications, recommending instead that expats obtain policies from Thai companies. One commenter notes that foreign insurance policies may be accepted if they are signed by three company directors, which poses its own difficulties.
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Graeme **********
My understanding is you can use a foreign insurance policy as long as it is signed by three company directors…..virtually impossible
Vernon *********
Just get a policy from a Thai company. There is a list of companies you can use on the Thai Embassy website.
Mike *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Vernon ********
but my American insurance is provided at no cost and is permanent.
Nongnuch ********
@Mike ******
at the point when you change from the first 2 years out of the Non-Imm-O/A visa into the "1-year extension of stay", you will need a mandatory Thai private insurance anyways. Immigration will not accept a foreign insurance for the application to the extension. So why not choose a tgia-listed Thai insurer right away?
Vernon *********
@Mike ******
You have to buy a Thai insurance
Brandon ************
I'm not sure you can find an American insurance company that will fill out the form, because American insurance companies will never say that something is covered or isn't covered. They'll just tell you to make the claim and let the claims adjusters determine what is and is not covered. If they sign a document saying there is coverage then they can be sued if they later deny a claim, so they won't do it.
Mike *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
I have gotten the run around from BCBS, so far.
Glen *********
@Brandon ***********
not correct, insurance companies confirm coverage all the time when you purchase. Its no difference. I get a letter outlining my coverage details, what is covered, how much is covered and any exclusions etc.
Mike *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Glen ********
Who signs the form for Thailand?
Brandon ************
@Glen ********
having an officer of the insurance company signing a government official form is very different
Glen *********
@Brandon ***********
the form simply confirms the coverage held, does not in any way guarantee claims.
Brandon ************
@Glen ********
then tell the op which insurance companies in the US you know that will sign the form. Because I've only ever seen posts from people saying they couldn't get it signed and had to buy a policy in Thailand
Glen *********
@Brandon ***********
i never said they would sign it, I just said your claim insurance companies do not confirm coverage and only tell you to claim is misleading, they do provide confirmation of coverage.
Wylie *******
@Glen ********
100% agree with you. Every insurance I had in the US very clearly stated what they cover and don't cover. That doesn't necessarily mean they will always pay a claim as there are various reasons why they may not, which are also usually stated in the details. And as you said that doesn't necessarily mean they would sign the necessary form. Brandon may very well be correct about that, but the statement that they won't tell you what is covered is absolutely incorrect. I'm fairly certain it's against the law for an insurance company to keep that a secret and expect people to buy a policy when they don't even know what it covers. The healthcare system in the US is messed up, but not that messed up.
Brandon ************
@Wylie ******
they'll tell you what's covered in the policy terms but they won't sign anything saying something is covered though.
Wylie *******
@Brandon ***********
yes, that's quite different than you're original comment. Perhaps that's what you meant but the way it was worded made it sound like you were saying they simply won't tell you.
Neil ******
@Wylie ******
because they are required by law to do so.
Wylie *******
@Neil *****
I figured they had to be. Can you imagine trying to sell insurance, which is extremely expensive in the US, and they won't even tell you in writing what is covered. There's even set things they have to cover.
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