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paigemel
Joined: 09 Aug 2011
Posts: 11
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 Posted: Wed Aug 10, 2011 2:30 am Post subject: Health Insurance |
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When it comes to health insurance I understand I should be able to find it fairly easily in Thailand. But, how can I be sure I will be able to get the medications that I need there. Should I continue to pay for insurance in the U.S. and have my medications mailed abroad? This sounds like such a hassle. If anyone has been there please shed some light.
Thanks,
Paige |
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tttompatz
Joined: 06 Mar 2010
Posts: 1951
Location: Talibon, Bohol, Philippines
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| Posted: Wed Aug 10, 2011 5:14 am Post subject: Re: Health Insurance |
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| paigemel wrote: |
When it comes to health insurance I understand I should be able to find it fairly easily in Thailand. But, how can I be sure I will be able to get the medications that I need there. Should I continue to pay for insurance in the U.S. and have my medications mailed abroad? This sounds like such a hassle. If anyone has been there please shed some light.
Thanks,
Paige |
Medical insurance is available. They usually WON'T cover pre-existing medical conditions. ( http://www.bupa.co.th/bupa_cms/en/home.aspx )
Most medications are available here. Many of them can be had over the counter without a script (everything from birth control to antibiotics).
If you do need a script (for some controlled medication) then a doctor's visit is usually 200-300 baht at a private hospital and you would have to get the (controlled) drugs from the hospital's pharmacy. The costs are MUCH less than you would pay in the US.
Depending on what the drugs are you may not be able to legally import them by mail (even with a prescription) and if you do so without a license to import them you may subject yourself to the draconian drug laws here; (importing a schedule I or II (USA) drug can get you a life sentence or (worst case) the death penalty.
This ain't Kansas. Even simple possession of Cannabis (smoke a joint on the beach at the full moon party) can get you 1-3 years in jail if you get (without several thousand dollars to buy your way out) busted by the Thai police.
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paigemel
Joined: 09 Aug 2011
Posts: 11
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| Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2011 3:56 pm Post subject: |
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Thank you. Importing trouble is not even something I had thought about. That's good to know. I guess I should check with customs (someone else?) before packing my medications in my luggage?
It's just that I need a specific type of birth control pill. Is there some way I would be able to find out if it's available OTC or by Rx in Thailand? Or will I just have to find out when I get there? |
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tttompatz
Joined: 06 Mar 2010
Posts: 1951
Location: Talibon, Bohol, Philippines
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| Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2011 11:16 pm Post subject: |
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| paigemel wrote: |
Thank you. Importing trouble is not even something I had thought about. That's good to know. I guess I should check with customs (someone else?) before packing my medications in my luggage?
It's just that I need a specific type of birth control pill. Is there some way I would be able to find out if it's available OTC or by Rx in Thailand? Or will I just have to find out when I get there? |
B/C pill, bring a year supply with you. It is no worry. You can probably get the same here (same formula and dose made by the same company with a different brand name). Just take your box into a local pharmacy and ask them to match the hormones and dose.
Prescription meds, bring in your luggage (as much as needed for the length of time your visa is good for) and have a copy of the doctors prescription with you and you would be fine.
Importing by mail is different and usually requires a license to import rather than a doctor's script.
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paigemel
Joined: 09 Aug 2011
Posts: 11
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| Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2011 5:55 am Post subject: |
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| That's a relief. Problem is my insurance company wont fill a year at a time; only up to 3 months. How have you been able to get a year's worth of bc? |
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tttompatz
Joined: 06 Mar 2010
Posts: 1951
Location: Talibon, Bohol, Philippines
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| Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2011 8:39 am Post subject: |
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| paigemel wrote: |
| That's a relief. Problem is my insurance company wont fill a year at a time; only up to 3 months. How have you been able to get a year's worth of bc? |
Take the 12 month prescription from the doctor, walk into a pharmacy and buy it.
The other option is to take your 3 month supply, travel, and buy it when you get abroad (over the counter, no prescription needed, get as much as you want, cheap as chips).
Depending on your brand, costs range from $1 to $10 per month (without insurance).
A doctor's consult will cost about $3-$10 (without insurance).
You must be from the States. It is the only place where you have to put up with that stupidity and drug costs are so high that you wouldn't consider actually paying for them out of pocket.
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paigemel
Joined: 09 Aug 2011
Posts: 11
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| Posted: Sat Aug 13, 2011 4:00 pm Post subject: |
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Indeed.  Thanks for the help. |
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