The thriving business culture, ease of living, relaxed post covid entry requirements, affordability, exciting nightlife, and enchanting culture and geography make the Kingdom of Thailand a popular, ideal getaway for travelers or retirees looking for adventure and leisure.
Hundreds of Retired and non-retired U.S veterans also find sanctuary in Thailand and choose to take root here to work, retire, establish a business, or utilize their GI Bill at some of Thailand’s many respected post-secondary institutions,
As a 60% disabled GI Bill veteran living in Thailand for 2+ years, I’ve been impressed by the immense, diverse number of veterans I’ve met. On the other hand, I’ve found it challenging to locate concrete information on how to get seen for my service-connected disabilities. I was surprised by the limited information and the number of vets experiencing similar challenges.
From reaching out to local providers firsthand and from my experience getting seen for my service-connected disabilities, here is information that I think veterans living, visiting, or planning to visit Thailand should keep in mind.
Where To Go?
- Bumrungrad Hospital [ Bangkok]
- Bangkok Hospital Pattaya
Bumrungrad Hospital [ Bangkok]
Regarded as one of the best hospitals in Thailand and still considerably cheaper than medical providers stateside, I doubt there isn’t needed medical work you couldn’t get done at Bumrungrad.
Bumrungrad hosts top-notch facilities and provides quality, competent professional medical services. In my experience visiting Bumrungrad on two occasions, I’ve been satisfied with the level of care and professionalism. American visitors and other reviewers describe Bumrungrad to be “World Class,” “The Best Hospital in Thailand,” friendly,” clean,” “organized,” and modern.
3Pros: Reliable care, competency, 5 Star design & facilities.
3Cons: Costlier if paying without insurance, longer waiting times, long hold times when calling, and difficulty reaching the right representative.
Bangkok Hospital Pattaya
Pattaya is a lively coastal city just a 2-hour bus ride from Bangkok. Pattaya is full of adventure, fun, and nightlife, complemented by an infamous adults-only scene. I’ve visited Bangkok hospital Pattaya several times in developing and gathering evidence for my disability claim. I have been impressed by the level of customer service I received both at my appointment and with speaking with the hospital and their international insurance department prior to my visit. Other visitors describe Bangkok Hospital Pattaya as “The Best Hospital in Pattaya,” “clean,” “efficent,” “friendly,” and “welcoming.”
3Cons: Long waiting times, Costlier if paying without insurance, longer waiting times at the pharmacy checkout.
3pros: Strong, competent professional international insurance department, excellent call center customer service, friendly and diverse international staff.
Key Takeaways: I’ve been seen at both Bangkok Hospital Pattaya and Bumrungrad. Bangkok hospital Pattaya and Bumrungrad are both phenomenal in their regard; if in the area, I believe both hospitals are worth paying a visit to, but if you’re looking for a specialized procedure, the quality of care offered at Bumrungrad may better suit you.
For vets on the Foreign Medical Program looking to avoid out-of-pocket fee’s Bangkok Hospital Pattaya is a choice worth considering, as they bill directly to FMP; just be sure to coordinate with the international insurance department prior to your visit and bring an updated FMP award letter WITH A THAI ADDRESS listed.
Tricare / Direct Billing (Using Tricare in Thailand)
Plainly stated, whether or not medical providers in Thailand will directly bill Tricare Retiree is a gray area.
Here’s what I Know.
Bumrungrad’s website list Tricare Retiree under their “International (Non-Thai Subsidiary) Direct Billing Contracts,” However, if you’re planning to visit, I encourage you to coordinate with the hospital and the JUSMAG Retiree Activities Office.
Bangkok Hospital Pattaya only accepts Tricare Retirees for Inpatient visits only. If you’re planning to visit, coordinate with Bangkok Hospital Pattaya’s International Insurance Department at the contact info listed below. BHP has an awesome, very knowledgeable, and competent international insurance department; in my experience, reaching out to them has been very fast & efficient.
Key Takeaways from an Offical Source
JUSMAG’s RAO, has published an extensive all-in-one report on Tricare in Thailand; if you haven’t already checked it out, be sure to check it out at the link listed. Here are some key takeaways.
“When seeking care from an overseas host nation provider or a stateside non- network provider, be prepared to pay up front for services and file a claim with International SOS for reimbursement in the overseas region where you live.”
“There is no universal or contractual direct billing for retiree beneficiaries in Thailand and TRICARE cannot compel foreign providers to file claims on behalf of TRICARE beneficiaries.”
“The remaining limited number of known care providers that may still offer direct billing (case-by-case) first require that a TRICARE-eligible patient have a valid Thai residential address in DEERS (at least 30 days old), and they typically request your SSN. Local care providers may legally also photocopy a military ID card for filing a TRICARE claim (see last paragraph in linked DoD news article). These are fraud prevention policies of individual care providers. They do not involve TRICARE. Retirees that refuse to comply with individual care provider rules pay 100% upfront. Period.”
“The “Thailand Providers” list on the TRICARE Overseas website under “TOP Remote” is for active-duty service members and their eligible family members.”
“The availability of inpatient direct billing from local care providers is not automatic, and availability cannot be counted upon. Direct billing is a care provider case-by-case private offering that can end at any time. A care provider that may be trialing or offering direct billing today may abruptly end that service tomorrow. Direct billing TRICARE is strictly a health care provider’s private decision to make. The decision does NOT involve, nor require, TRICARE approval.”
“Over the years, various hospitals in Thailand have attempted legitimate TRICARE direct billing for retiree inpatient care (case-by-case basis) only for most attempts to eventually end. Why? Primarily due to care providers not adhering to TRICARE claims filing procedures and incurring financial losses. Added to that were retirees that defrauded (and still try to defraud) health care providers. As a result, numerous care providers stopped offering direct billing to retirees.”
One Response
Links listed here, guys
— https://www.bumrungrad.com/en/insurance
—https://www.bangkokpattayahospital.com/en/patient-services/health-insurance-en/item/103-insurance-companies-en.html#:~:text=CONTACT%20INTERNATIONAL%20INSURANCE%20DEPARTMENT,Scroll%20right%20for%20more%20%2D%3E