What should I do with my Medicare coverage when retiring to Thailand?

Medicare Health Insurance Retirement Expat Life Social Security Thai Immigration

Feb 5, 2024

9 months ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Turning of age in the USA and trying to escape.... I will have retirement and social security. My question is, I understand I have to have medical. but what do you do about the Medicare in USA? Do you drop all but Part A , or do you keep everything or do a Medicare advantage.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

When considering retirement abroad in Thailand, particularly regarding Medicare, you have options: you can choose to keep only Medicare Part A, which is free, or explore Medicare Advantage plans. Many expats recommend dropping Parts B and D since they cannot be used in Thailand and suggest obtaining private health insurance instead. Moreover, it may be wise to maintain ties, such as paying taxes, for a year or two while transitioning to life abroad.

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Marty *********

I only have the free Medicare Part A. I declined to sign up for Medicare Part B. You can’t use Medicare here and I am committed to staying in Thailand. I would live here a year or two before completely cutting ties with your home country. I even continued to pay California state taxes the first couple of years. If you want to pay for private health insurance then do your shopping and buy in as early as possible. Your policy will exclude preexisting conditions so have savings and/or income to cover those expenses.

9 months ago

Graham *******

Trying to escape, so will this guy soon.

9 months ago

Linda ***********

I would also like to find out what others think re dropping all but A, adding to current SSA payments. Many years of paying for health insurance in 2 countries ... and no plans to return to US.

9 months ago

John ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Great group here with a lot of smart people that we are hoping to draw experience from / Please help and give some thoughts. I just hate giving up money that I do not think I need to. No plans in coming back once gone.

9 months ago

Reply to

John ******

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