Will I be required to have Health Insurance when renewing my Non-OA visa at age 74?

Oct 10, 2019
5 years ago
James **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
So now the O A non immigrant Health Insurance bombshell has hit!

Many questions will now arise to keep Admins on their toes.

I recently received a new OA non imm from the Thai Embassy in Canberra. Entered on this visa 25 July 2019 admitted until 25 July 2020.

So question ...

And admin may not know answer immediately...When I leave on or around 24 July 2020 to come back in for another year...will I be expected to have Health Insurance as mandated at that point? My gut tells me yes. However my age being 74 then tells me ...where does a healthy 74 old get such cover? I've not seen anything available in Thailand for my age group.

I'm sure I am not alone in facing this dilemma.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A user discusses concerns about the new health insurance requirement for the Non-OA visa in Thailand, particularly as they approach the renewal date at age 74. They express difficulty in finding suitable insurance coverage for their age and seek clarification on whether health insurance will be necessary upon re-entry into Thailand. The conversation includes various comments addressing the health insurance requirements, suggestions for insurance providers that cover older individuals, and discussions about the implications of the new rules.
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Robert *******
Sorry, but I understand that an Insurance is now part of the Thai Non Immigrant O-A visa. but the requirements to get this insurance, their policies, their service, how they do payments if needed, if the lady at the desk is the girl to date or a nightmare for every man has absolute nothing to do with VISA advice.
Pedro **********
What information gathered, I believe you only show insurance evidence when APPLYING for the O-A. I don't believe immigration at checkpoint will ask for it.
Robert **********
Try insurance for ex-pats is medically underwritten and not guaranteed against rate increases or non-renewal. So the older we get the harder it’s going to be to manage this.
Roy ***********
@James *********
I have considered the issue of guaranteed renewal previously. My conclusion is that it has little value since they can price you out of a potential renewal at a certain age. In other words, if in the future an annual renewal cost me $10,000 or $20,000 or $30,000, eventually my guaranteed-renewal is useless. I might be able to lower that cost by significantly by increasing my deductible, but that gets me closer to self-insurance - but true self-insurance is not acceptable for visa purposes. Or I switch to annual extensions based on retirement, until they also have an insurance requirement.
James **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Peter *******
That's a an extremely interesting question as I'm actually in a similar situation. I've been told by my Thai girlfriend who is also a Govt Employee Teacher that if I marry her I will be covered. Amazing coincidence...

I'm yet to pursue this idea only because of issues that relate to how my pension would be affected. However now that the bomb has dropped I will need to seriously consider this. I'm 74 I dont know your age so I'm also wondering if Govt Plans have age limits. The other issue for me is She retires late next year so I will need to act fast I think.
Peter ********
@James *********
do you have info for insurance if you marry Thai Gov employee?? My future wife (a Thai Teacher) tells me I will be covered for medical -hospital-- doctor --drugs
James **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Robert *********
A cursory look at the insurers participating in this OA health insurance scheme does show at least one insurer that will offer guaranteed renewal through age100

Of course I would be able to chose whether to give then an arm or a leg as well as my life savings to get it!
Robert **********
@James *********
I believe you can get international guaranteed renewable insurance if you are young and healthy. As an older person, or with pre-existing conditions it is either unavailable or too expensive.
James **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Robert *********
As an ex Insurance agent from way back...non renewal policies are potential minefields. I will only purchase guaranteed renewable. Thanks for your input.
James *******
I currently have 5m of cover and a lot of other benefits, however I forsake outpatient for a 20% discount. I am in the country now so the new regs don’t apply to me but if they start moving the goalposts I can see me eventually needing outpatient and losing that discount. Other than that it’s only right people should have insurance, and not only retirees.
Daniel *******
Hopefully, O-A’s obtained in ones own country will be spared from this, but who knows..
Stephen *******
@Daniel ******
It’s rules for an extension of stay from a previous O-A
Mikkel *******
@Daniel ******
those are the only ones this affect. You can only get a non o-a in your home country.
Ellie *******
To get your second year from Non-OA, you need to enter Thailand on or before "Valid Until / Enter Before" date ON ViISA STICKER, not admitted until date on your current entry stamp. I bet your valid until date is much earlier than 25 July 2020.

And I think that answer to your first question wouldn't be known until all rule actually applied.
James **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ellie ******
I already done this once before . As long as I exit and re enter before the date I have mentioned I get another year. Now of course Health Insurance may circumvent that. If I've been unable to secure cover beforehand.
Marty *********
Information on the minimum policies are here
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Colin ********
Pacific Bell have excellent worldwide cover policies and very reasonable rates. I recently move all my insurance over to them
Gregory ******
@Marty ********
thanks for the link
Marty *********
Daniel Wolfe I believe you can buy better policies than what you see on the link. The policies on the link just meet the minimum requirements. You can exceed the minimum. Talk to the company of course.
James **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Marty ********
Thanks for the link....seems there are possibilities. I will research those providers that will insure and renew through to age 100.. I have longevity in my Gene's. LoL
Daniel *******
@Marty ********
This is the 1st time I’ve seen American based companies on a list. I wonder if, for those of us who split our time, they could conjure up a policy that will work in both countries?
Marty *********
Pacific cross has policies up to 75 years of age but any policy for you will be expensive.
James ********
I will reply after breakfast. Thanks
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