The expat's guide to social security in Thailand
While Thailand is hardly characterized as a welfare state, it does have a decent social security system in place.
If you’re legally employed by a company based in the country, you’ll be automatically enrolled in the social security system, though many expats and foreigners are unaware of how the system works or how to make full use of it.
When illness strikes
Are you prepared for the unhealthier times?
As the old saying goes - don't leave home without it! Not your health insurance card anyway.
Where's Santa Claus
Remember - health insurance is a business
Taxpayer supported health care is not a yet a reality for most of us. Now, we have no other choice but to rely on private health insurers for our medical care needs.
Keeping the money jar filled
A breakdown of health insurance costs
Buying health insurance, as well as any other type of insurance, is much like everyone putting money together into one big jar for use in the event of a medical emergency.
We get letters
A selection of letters from ajarn readers
Two years ago I was in a bad motorcycle accident and spent three months in the hospital including three weeks in an induced coma. I am doing ok now, however, I need powerful pain medications to be comfortable enough to get around.
Health insurance in Thailand
A reality check
There are basically 2 types of health insurance coverage available in Thailand, government Social Security Insurance (SSI) and non-government, privately funded health insurance.
Three potentially dangerous medical conditions
Hypertension, hyperlipidemia and diabetes
Ajarn.com's health insurance expert, Johnny Chan, looks at three medical problems that can't be cured but can certainly be controlled.
Clarifying OPD and IPD
There's no need to be confused
I really hate sending out claim rejection notices to clients. Lately, though, we have had to send out quite a few. Looking through them to see why, I discovered that most of the claims had one thing in common.
The dangers of self-diagnosis
Being your own doctor can be unhealthy
I fully understood why this person's claim had been rejected and his coverage cancelled. And, after having read his reply to them, I realized that he had absolutely no understanding of high blood pressure and how it could have been the cause of his heart attack.
Getting claims paid
Three types of health insurance buyer
As a rule, there really are no good or bad companies when it comes to paying claims, although some are a little better than others. It’s mainly a matter of timing and situation.
