Vol 12 issue 21 16 31 july 2013

Page 1

L1 - L16

Volume 12, Issue 21

16 - 31 July 2013

30 BAHT

Compulsory insurance under fire P

attaya travel operators have given a firm thumbs down to the Public Health Ministry’s call for mandatory health insurance for all tourists travelling to Thailand. The proposal has now been referred to a committee for further study and recommendations. The final report is expected in September.

It is no secret that the government would like such a scheme – provided it can be made to work. About two and a half million foreigners appeared at Thai hospitals last year, but a small minority was unable to pay, which resulted in a financial burden for the institutions. It is estimated that up to 40 percent of all foreign visitors are uninsured or have inadequate cover. The problem is acute in the Pattaya area. The state-run Banglamung hospital estimates that unpaid bills from foreigners amount to at least two million baht a year. Total costs nationwide are in the region of 70 million baht annually. The biggest costs occur when uninsured foreigners are hospitalized following an emergency such as a traffic accident or heart attack, although surgery is unlikely before payment of a hefty deposit or the tendering of a financial guarantee.

Banglamung Hospital is concerned about unpaid bills

Continued on page 6


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