What are the implications for a US citizen on Medicare, Medicaid, and SSI when moving to Thailand as an expat?

For those of you talking about self insurance, I would recommend at least a policy that will cover repatriation to the US in the case of a long hospital stay being required. Four months in Bangkok hospital for pneumonia, COVID and treatment for an infection was about $150k US.

First I must tell you that “a lot” is two separate words.

If you are using the provided Direct Express card for you SSI it is a nightmare to use internationally. You are not required to use it. Switch the direct deposit to a Wise Card for international usage.

Taxes:

You file a U.S. tax return if you're a U.S. citizen and make over the general income threshold.

If I recall, you'll pay if annual income is 100,000.

Use the official gov't agency website for advice.

%20you%20earned%20Social%20Security,you%20can%20receive%20your%20payments.

Question as well;

Are you able to access Military facilities overseas being an ex-pat veteran ? ….

-medicare-coverage-outside-the-united-states.pdf

The best answer to your needs is to stay where you are. SSI most likely will not be enough. Medicare will not pay bills acquired here in Thailand. To get an O visa you need about million Baht and Baht 50,000 or more per month income. Insurance will be far more than you can afford if you can get any. I am healthy with no medical problems needing regular care or meds. At 85 insurance is sky high. I have several million Baht set aside for when I need money for emergency or health care. Multiply what money you have to work with by 35 and that will be close to the Baht you will get for that money. // Good luck.

Ready to ❌ become an expat❌ in Thailand = Ready to ✅immigrate✅ to Thailand

Still pay income tax in America. Forget about using your Medicare in Thailand 🇹🇭

You won't receive medicare or medicaid in Thailand. Your SSI will probably be cut off if the government knows you are living in Thailand. Not sure about the tax situation.

Just get some Thai health insurance

You cannot move to Thailand on ssi at all. And you can’t have Medicare and Medicaid…

I did not sign up for Part B but I had already been living in Thailand several years and knew I would be staying. I would keep part B until you know you plan to live outside the US permanently.

Social Security has my Thai address but my benefits are deposited in my US bank. I don't know anything about SSI.

If you are inside Thailand for 180 days then you become a tax resident in Thailand. Your Social Security will not be taxable. In the past I just filed my US taxes using Turbotax and didn't do anything with Thailand. This year I've chosen to work with a tax attorney to file my US and Thai tax returns just to see what is going on and how the dual tax treaty applies. What I do in the following years depends on what I see this first time.

I have a pensioner LTR visa so any money I remit to Thailand is not taxable. Most people don't qualify for an LTR but you may want to look into the LTR visa. It might be something to consider if you do qualify.

Your Medicare is useless over here

With what I read on this, SSI will be terminated if outside USA. Please double check as I'm not sure, only what I read somewhere

If you keep paying your Part B Traditional Medicare whle living abroad you can be treated as you as you land in country or any of The US territories such as Guam. If you have your Medicare with an Insurance Company you have to wait 6 months.

Silence is golden. Duct tape is silver. Direct deposit in your USA bank. Suck it out via wise or remetly as needed. If they know your our more than 6 months you’ll lose part D for any medicine you need. Don’t announce your plans out loud.

 I believe I read in this group somewhere that there’s actually a Social Security office in the Philippines

Welcome to Cambodia..mutch better than thailand

Please look at the official government website to have your questions answered. That is the official office and can accurately answer your questions.

Thailand is not the U.S. and your health benefits do not work here.

You can't just up and move countries. You need a visa and they have specific requirements.

Keep a US address for your social security. If not, you have to fill out a I'm still alive form yearly and hope that the postal system finds you here in Thailand.

Welcome. I keep all my Medicare up to date and travel back to USA as needed. Of course you’ll pay USA income tax annually. Most likely SSI will not follow up but inquire. Medicare n Medicaid are not of help here. Feel free to message if anything doesn’t make sense.

TL;DR: NO

No, your free health insurance isn’t accepted here, and neither is your welfare assistance. Shocking, I know. Retirees who actually contributed to social security their entire lives? They get their benefits. Freeloaders on disability handouts? Not so much.

Not sure about SSI, but SSA has no change. Medicare is useless here. Insurance here is also pretty useless if you're older and/or have or existing conditions OR previous treatments. If you're not planning to return to USA, drop part b and keep part a (which is free). Tuck your Medicare premium and any supplemental costs into a bank account and self-insure here. Pay your day to day medical costs out of pocket (relatively cheap) and use your savings if you have a significant issue. You can buy insurance for higher risk activities like riding a motorscooter, etc. but regular health insurance here is expensive and you never know what they're going to pay till it's time to do so.

Nope, cannot get Supplemental Security Income (SSI) in any foreign country (outside the USA), but getting Retirement Social Security (RSDI) anywhere in the world as an U.S. citizen is no problem

Welcome, I'm in Bangkok since 2013 with a retirement "O" visa with a Thai wife for 22 years from Virginia. I opted out on my part B medicare and I save and use for my medical visits etc. welcome to chat.

Get Medicare part B if you expect to return to the U.S., there are penalties for applying late. It will not, however, apply in Thailand. Not sure about SSI, check that, but getting your Social Security is fine.