What are the options for obtaining Thai health insurance for an O-A visa at age 68?

Dec 3, 2019
5 years ago
Ron ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I'm exasperated with this Thai Insurance requirement. I had all of my required documents ready to go the the Thai Consulate (NYC) next Monday. I decided to double-check the website and found that I needed Thai Health Insurance. The majority of the companies listed don't offer insurance for a person my age (68 years old). The few that do are asking 70K baht to 90K baht for annual premiums. I need advice! I was all set to retire with my Thai wife in our house in Thungsong, Nakonsritamarat, but I can't figure out this health insurance requirement.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A user expressed frustration over the Thai health insurance requirements for an O-A visa, citing high annual premiums and age restrictions. Several community members offered advice, including options for a Non-O visa without insurance, looking into specific insurance providers with lower premiums, and considering alternative visa types such as a marriage visa that does not require health insurance.
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James ********
And its time to close this discussion...thanks all for your input. We await more factual feedback from current O-A visa holders.

Commenting closed.
Robert **********
I have o visa converted in Thailand, requires no insurance, this is retirement. I had a thai Aetna policy, poor coverage, and it went up 30% in one year I’m age 66, so I dropped it. I keep a Medicare supplement, not advantage in the United States, which allows me to go to any Medicare doctor in any of the 50 states. It is not good in Thailand, except possibly a limited travel insurance benefit for the first 60 days of a trip.
James ********
Robert Gerchalk essentially...bottom line...you have no health insurance in Thailand. Thats one huge reason Thai government is mandating health insurance for O-A visas and O-X long stay visas... What's next? Nobody knows at this time. I am not criticizing your decision. Its yours to choose.
Stephen ***********
Hi Ron, I work for Pacific Cross Health Insurance based in Bangkok if you would like a free quote pm me.
James ********
@Stephen **********
a friend of mine just purchased Pacific Cross. But sadly you do not insure a person age 75...as age 75 is Thai age 76 😒
Bernard ********
" The few that do are asking 70K baht to 90K baht for annual premiums."
@Ron *****
, you were too excited and made a mistake when reading. As far as I read on all and every site from the "official" health insurrance companies for visa OA, the price isn't par month but per year !
Darrel ********
You should apply for the Non-Immigrant O Visa based on being related to a Thai (marriage) - check the Consulate's website for required documents. No health insurance required. It is my understanding that Thai Embassy & Consulates in USA will not give a Non-Immigrant O Visa for the purpose of retirement, but will insist on you applying for the Non-Immigrant O-A Visa if that is your purpose for applying for the Visa.
Tod *********
I would say (at your age) there is NO benefit to getting the O-A visa as it will only cause you problems down the road when you get a yearly extension from it.

You have a few options. Get a 90 day single entry Non-O visa from a thai consulate back there, either based on being married to a thai or on being over 50 <- Note I said get an O visa not an O-A ;)

Once you come here, decide whether you want to get a yearly extension based on marriage or on being over 50 (retirement) and then transfer the appropriate funds into a thai bank account in your name only. 2 months later apply for the yearly extension at the immigration office.
Tod *********
so you had done the criminal background check, got the medical certificate signed by a doctor, got your proof of funds ready to send them Right?
Wayne **********
Ron, Not sure if your wife is in NYC with you, or in Thailand, but download the requirements for a Non Imm "O" visa, and check if they can/will issue at the consulate in NYC. I assume your wife will enter Thailand with her Thai Passport and Thai ID, so no visa requirement for her. You need to show the income of THB65K per month is YOUR income, and not a joint income. If its not they will probably halve it and need you to show an annual accumulated balance of THB800K in YOUR Thai bank account. Search on the site here will have a full list of everything you'll maybe have to have to show a genuine marriage, income, no intention to work etc....
Ivan ************
It's 400K or 40K income for a marriage extension in Thailand. The 800k/65k is a retirement extension. If getting the visa in the US you only need to show $700 in the bank.

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Tod *********
okay, Andrew Logan while your comment was somewhat helpful it was WAY off base as far as this O/P and his question.

AND you are talking about getting a yearly extension of stay based on marriage from an immigration office NOT getting a year-long, multi-entry visa from a thai consulate

Sorry i deleted your comment.
Sean **********
Since you are married to a thai why don't you just get a marriage visa. You don't have to get health insurance with a marriage visa.
James ********
@Sean *********
great solution πŸ˜‰πŸ˜‰πŸ˜‰
Darren ********
Try a non O visa based on being over 50

Insurance is not required
Toms ******
Darren Brogan what is to stop them from introducing insurance on the non o visa next?
Andrew ********
@Darren *******
, πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‘
Jeremy ********
If all else fails just buy the EV as there is no insurance needed or minimum deposits per month
James ********
@Jeremy *******
what is EV...and Ed Visa??
Ron ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Will look into it. Thanks so much. $460+ per month for health insurance would take a large bite out of my $4K/mo fixed income
Jack ******
Yeh..., not to mention low dollar vs baht exchange rate. You will loose over $6000 dollars yearly due to higher baht value to the dollars - good luck.
Ron ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
What/where is Savannakhet?
Ron ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Really? No Medical Certificate, FBI report, bank statements, 1st born, etc?
James ********
@Ron *****
if married to a Thai...come over on Tourist Visa. Go to Savannakhet get Non O Marriage to Thai for one year. No money required in a Thai bank
James ********
Ask Pacific Cross about their O-A policy with a 300,000 Thai baht deductible...it reduces the annual premium by about 50%. Keep your 800,000 Thai baht in US earning interest of 2-3.75% ...net cost is little...to nil.

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Ivan ************
No one is paying 3.75% interest in the US. If you invest, sure you may get higher, but with risk. It's more like 2%, while in a Thai bank it is slightly lower but not by much, you can get 1.5% with Bangkok Bank and slightly higher with some others.
Ron ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Looks like 26,000 baht annual premium for that Standard Extra plan. Great suggestion. I filled out an application and emailed it to them. I hope I get a response. Would you know how they would like to receive the premium payment (hopefully electronically)?
Phil *****
70-90 k baht is only $225-$275 month. In the USA I assume you have Medicare but the supplement is over $200 also . So what is the big deal? I’m 62 now & plan on moving Thailand next year quotes I received are about the same . I think it’s important to have insurance or you will die in a Thai hospital without it
Craig *********
@Phil ****
the policies are grossly overpriced compared to other countries and if you read the reviews people have had trouble with the companies paying up...
Ron ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
So, you're paying $160/mo for your Medicare part B and will add to that $275/mo Thai insurance for a total of $460+ per month?
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