What insurance options are available for retirees in Thailand regarding urgent care and Medicare reimbursement?

Medicare Travel Insurance Emergency Care Health Insurance Retirement Visa Thailand Health Care System Insurance Coverage

Dec 10, 2023

a year ago

Jim *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Anyone with experience getting a reimbursement from Medicare for any urgent or emergency care?  I'm struggling with whether or not to purchase a policy.  All policies I've looked into say they are secondary coverage.  They also are on a reimbursement basis as is Medicare.   Do any travel insurance plans pay direct to the provider/hospital?  What do you retirees do about insurance?  I could self insure but would rather transfer the risk.  Thanks!

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The post discusses the challenges of getting reimbursement from Medicare for emergency care in Thailand and the importance of obtaining private health insurance or self-insuring. Comments suggest that Medicare does not cover health care in Thailand, emphasizing the need for a private insurance policy. For short vacations under 90 days, a Medicare Advantage plan can offer some coverage, but living permanently in Thailand typically requires purchasing international health insurance that pays hospitals directly. Some insurance options, like the Passport Card, can help avoid upfront payments.

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Carsten ************

With Passport Card you don't need to pay upfront, but they are pretty expensive. Most others, if not all, reqiere your payment upfront to the hospital and refund it later. Most, if not all hospitals are willing to contact your insurance upfront and let them send a guarantee in more expensive cases, but you will have to wait for the answer and that might be a issue in emergency. The hospital in this cases will charge your insurance directly. This is about real international insurances, not some travel plans.

a year ago

Kool *******

If you are simply vacationing in Thailand, for less than 90 days, you can get an Advantage supplement plan to Medicare that will cover you on short vacations, but that is it. If you look at what health insurances Thailand accepts for the OA retirement visa, they all pay directly to the hospital. It is a good reference to use as to what health insurance to buy. If you are living permanently in Thailand then paying for section B of Medicare is a waste of money, as you aren't covered at all here, not even on a reimbursement basis. You always have section A of Medicare as it is free.

a year ago

Jim *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Kool ******

thanks....my medicare advantage covers worldwide for urgent and emergency only....$95 copay. I should have stated that. Thanks for info on looking at the OA insurers.. just coming for a obout 3 months and then moving on elsewhere

a year ago

Reply to

Jim *******

Justin ********

Medicare won’t cover you here! You have to get a private insurance policy, or self insure.

a year ago

Jim *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Justin *******

I should have clarified...medicare advantage plan. Yes, it covers worldwide for emergency and urgent care

a year ago

Justin ********