Thai Social Security

[Robinhood]

I know the thread title is for foreigners, but I want to find out if Thai nationals, nearing 70, can opt into the 30 Baht or 435 Baht schemes run by the Thai government.
The elderly parents of Mrs Robinhood still farm, and pay as they go at the local hospital in Issan. It might be a good move for me to pay the monthly charge.

[Big Boy]

My wife has paid very little (not even 30฿) since she turned 60, and she is a frequent flyer at local hospitals. She has never paid 1฿ into anything.

AFAIK most care at public hospitals is free for all Thais from age 60. Mrs BB was recently put on non-standard meds, and she does have to pay full price for that.

[Robinhood]

BB, I think 60 is considered pretty old in Thailand! I read that not so long ago, the majority of Thais' used to die in their late 50's?

I still feel relatively young even though I also have six score on the door.

My thoughts with the insurance, is that if the parents need more expensive treatments, say scans, hospital stays, or as you say non-standard meds. This would put a strain on the other Thai family members. So anything that smooth's out financial shocks would be a plus.

[Big Boy]

I think old age is becoming a problem in Thailand. Too many old people, with insufficient youth coming through.

My wife has had multiple inpatient stays, numerous scans, etc., plus some very expensive medication. Most medication is available to Thais. Not wanting to go in to too much detail, but one of her existing meds was having an adverse reaction. She needed a special med from overseas to help her.

If I put her in a private room, I do have to pay for that. I know from my son's recent experience that Social Security will cover a small % of a private room.

You talk about subscribing to the 30฿ scheme - that would bring you no benefit whatsoever. The only benefit would come if they could subscribe (free of charge) to the nationwide scheme. AFAIK they should be getting it all for nothing already,

My son has recently had an important operation using Social Security, and there were significant savings. If you can subscribe to that there could be significant benefits. However, whether they can start paying in at this late stage I've no idea.

[Big Boy]

One other thing that I should have said, I very much doubt Thai Social Security would pay for any non-standard meds. However, I'm not 100% on that one, so please let us know when you've checked it out.

[Robinhood]

If I've not heard anything about he age eligibility for Thais joining the 435 Baht a month scheme, I'll head down to the Social Security Office on Phekersam road, and post anything relevant.

[hhinner]

BB, I think 60 is considered pretty old in Thailand! I read that not so long ago, the majority of Thais' used to die in their late 50's?

I still feel relatively young even though I also have six score on the door.

My thoughts with the insurance, is that if the parents need more expensive treatments, say scans, hospital stays, or as you say non-standard meds. This would put a strain on the other Thai family members. So anything that smooth's out financial shocks would be a plus.

Congratulations on reaching 120 years old.

[VincentD]

You need to understand how the medical expenses work in Thailand..

1. The government workers get everything paid for at any government hospital when they provide their Thai ID card and proof of employment. Private medical care is at their own expense.

2. The Thai 30 baht scheme is for holders of Thai ID cards and need to be registered at a particular hospital for them to use this benefit. The hospital is typically allocated based on their place of residence. As to how non-Thais get to use it, ask BB, since he seems to be able to use it. I paid full price on the one occasion I needed to use the service. (Dog bite and tetanus shot, upcountry)

3. The State Enterprise employees have their own medical welfare seperate from the government employees i.e. typically 50% off any private hospital on their list, but are able to use any government hospital in a similar way, for free. They lose this on retirement. And revert to item 2.

4.The social welfare scheme (435 baht as you put it) is not 435 baht.
It is for those individuals working for private companies (who may or may not have seperate company-provided benefits) and is mandated by the government to deduct a certain fixed percentage of their salary monthly, starting at 435 baht, to a maximum of 1,000 baht, with the employer contributing a similar amount. The recipients are assigned only one hospital where these benefits can be used. There is no age limit as long as the deductions continue.
Should you leave the place of employment, these benefits will also cease. To continue, you need to join another company that has a similar scheme, or contact them directly, and get them to list you as an individual contributor (at 435 baht per month).

You will get your previous contributions refunded (yes, believe it or not) but they keep the company's half. Do note, however, that you have to be a contributor under a company before you are eligible. You cannot just walk in and ask to join.

Hope that clears some things up.

[hhinner]

^^ You don't need to be employed. If you've never been employed, or been unemployed over a certain period after being employed, or are a self-employed or freelance worker you can join the state social security scheme under section 40. The scheme has age restriction of 15 to 65 years old.

https://www.sso.go.th/wpr/main/privileg ... _1_125_698

[hhinner]

^^ You don't need to be employed. If you've never been employed, or been unemployed over a certain period after being employed, or are a self-employed or freelance worker you can join the state social security scheme under section 40. The scheme has age restriction of 15 to 65 years old.

https://www.sso.go.th/wpr/main/privileg ... _1_125_698

Previously employed can apply under section 39 of the social security act.

[hhinner]

^^ You don't need to be employed. If you've never been employed, or been unemployed over a certain period after being employed, or are a self-employed or freelance worker you can join the state social security scheme under section 40. The scheme has age restriction of 15 to 65 years old.

https://www.sso.go.th/wpr/main/privileg ... _1_125_698

Previously employed can apply under section 39 of the social security act.

Just seen this Thai Enquirer post on X, which implies that social security section 40 doesn't give hospital treatment benefit. But government has plans (again).

https://x.com/ThaiEnquirer/status/18000 ... 3BxPg&s=19

[Big Boy]

As to how non-Thais get to use it, ask BB, since he seems to be able to use it. I paid full price on the one occasion I needed to use the service. (Dog bite and tetanus shot, upcountry)

Just to clarify, I also pay full price. It is my family members who benefit.

[Martinoo]

I am under the 435 THB scheme from SS, I extended the corporate one when I retired in 2015. When I went back to work in 2017 I kept the personal one over the one the SS company offered. You can choose your preferred hospital, as I did, initially in Bangkok, because I worked and lived there in an apartment while the family house was in Ayutthaya. I moved it to Ayutthaya in 2015 and recently moved it to Hua Hin Hospital because we moved to Cha am. During my working days I was issued an private health care card by the companies I worked for as well.

I have had some medical issues, gal bladder removed, collapsed lung during Covid, CT scan, I never have paid one baht. The medication issued by the government hospital is 'standard' if you want anything fancy then you need to pay, I never felt the need for that.....

And I used the private health card to upgrade the room to a private or VIP room and get better meals...now that I am retired I will have to pay for that myself...I am not looking forward to sharing the room with other people....

Thai people have the 30THB card and can register, as mentioned, in a hospital that is appointed to the region they live in. SS card not as a lot of workers are migrants from other provinces than for example Bangkok
The 30THB card means that they will have to pay 30THB for every new treatment, repeats for a specific issue are not charged, but that is my experience with my wife. It could be different anywhere. She broke her underarm once during a slip/fall on the driveway and the doctors of the hospital arranged the doctor appointment in Thammasat University Hospital, where she was operated as well. Again, not one THB paid...

So in my opinion there is no reason for any Thai not to be insured under either one of these government solutions. Private insurances are not needed same for payments to the hospital... I understand that a lot of Thai people think that now with the farang in the household they can show others they do not need these solutions as Khun Farang will pay...... not in my book....