As reported on last week’s front page, Sasha suffered a spinal fracture when a visa run minibus she was travelling in crashed on August 9 (read the story online at the phuketnews.com).
The total cost of Sasha’s treatment was around B350,000, but was covered by the visa run company as it had insurance.
Sasha was very lucky to find her medical bills covered by the visa run minibus company in this particular case. With no personal health insurance, it could have been a far worse situation.
If the company had been operating illegally, or had no insurance, it might feel it was under no obligation to pay her mounting hospital bills, let alone any ongoing care. (In Sasha’s case, the company also paid further funds for a Thai nurse to visit Sasha’s apartment in Chalong to take care of her).
How would Sasha have paid the bills then? She might have found herself in the same situation as many other people on Phuket without insurance who get into trouble – hoping that a public appeal by friends and family will raise enough money to pay the hospital bills.
Living or travelling abroad with no personal health insurance is a real gamble.
If a medical emergency happens, you may be turned away from the island’s top international hospitals, and much-needed care.
It may be extreme, but Sasha’s experience is a reminder to everyone of the risks of living overseas, and just how badly things can go wrong if you aren’t covered for medical emergencies.
Sasha was lucky this time. Often life is a game of chance. Play the odds in your favour. Take care of youself, just in case nobody else does.