Question
QUESTION: I have retired to live in Thailand due to the fact that my spouse is Thai and for us to live together in the US is impossible. I have lived here for the past 8 years and am currently a very healthy 67 years old. No medications, no serious health issues at all.
Thai hospitals and medical treatment have been relatively inexpensive . .excellent doctors and care .. .and low costs . .and I paid out of pocket for my gall bladder operation, annual checkups, removal of precancerous moles and the like.
I am uninsured.
Most companies here will not insure at my age, those that will are exorbitantly expensive. We have car insurance so that I am covered in the event of an accident, and I can continue paying my medical expenses out of pocket for as long as I need to . . .until something big happens.
Here is my question: I realize that Medicare offers no coverage abroad. If I were to be diagnosed with something requiring extensive treatement, a major operation perhaps . . .can I return to the US for treatement and coverage by Medicare?
I wrote to a couple of US hospitals about this and recieved no reply.I have been wandering around the AARP websites and Medicare websites for hours to no avail.
I know this is possibly the wrong forum for this post . .but I also know that my request will fall on friendly and understanding ears.
I would so much appreciate any help, suggestions or links to websites that may be able to help.
Thanks so much
Chas
ANSWER: If you had enough working quarters in the Medicare system, you can still get Medicare but you will pay a hefty premium for not signing up when you were eligible. No, you cannot use Medicare overseas and I am not sure if you have to have a US address for Medicare. I would suggest that you call Medicare and get the answer. A hospital is not a good resource for this.
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QUESTION: Thanks Merry . .to clarify,
I already HAVE my Medicare card. I am retired and on SS.
I have not yet been able to get an answer on this from Medicare. All I get is the standard . .you can not be treated abroad . .line. I have known this for years. I dont have a stateside address. If that is necessary, I wonder what the rules are . .how long etc. I have friends and family in the US though. I do appreciate your answering here!
Thanks
ANSWER: So my question is..how do you get your ss checks..Are they mailed to you in Thailand or are they deposited in a foreign bank.
Of course you can use your Medicare..in the States. And any hospital. You use the same address that the social security administration has as your address.
As long as you have Part A which is for hospitals and Part B which is for most provider services, you are covered in the States. No problem at all. Lost of people do that.
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QUESTION: I really appreciate your answer Merry . .thank you so much.
This is a question I have been asking various people for quite some time now and as I dont have insurance, it is my only fallback position in the event of some serious diagnosis or condition. Someone actually said that I have to have a stateside address.
The address the SSA has for me is my home address here in Thailand. My checks are deposited every month into my US bank account.
I have ONLY Part A of Medicare. But just knowing that I can travel to Hawaii, say, and get treated in a hospital there with Medicare coverage is wonderful news!
Answer
But Part A only covers hospital fees. That does not include any services of the doctors,or so many other things. You are not safe with just Part A. My Part B is less than $100 a month. Even with the 10% penalty for not signing up at 65, I would seriously try to consider getting Part B so in case you have a serious illness, you will be covered. Remember Part A does not cover you for services in the hospital, just for the actual facility fees such as the OR, the room and board but the procedures and other services would usually come under Part B. If you download Medicare and You from the medicare.gov site, you will see the coverage rules.
Good luck
