david_je

On 4/30/2024 at 9:55 PM, topt said:

 @david_je         I was with Passport Card until they wacked upp the premium 30% about 2-3 years ago and then switched to April International. I had been dealing with AA here but also declined to deal with AA World so currently no broker.

 

If you look at some of the previous April threads on here Sheryl found a French broker that appeared to tick the boxes and his details - in fact just found them if you use this link and go down to her post on Oct 19th - https://aseannow.com/topic/1306387-april-international-some-premium-increase-analysis/page/2/#comments in case you are interested.

 

Unfortunately April premiums gone way up also.

The French broker is AOC, and I have switched to them, and so far they are good to deal with.

19 hours ago, malathione said:

I'm in the process of doing the same, switching to another broker though not AOC, and I will complete the process once I get back to Thailand.

The reason for the switch is that I'm not entirely comfortable dealing with the AA office in India to have my questions answered. I've not needed the agent's help with claims so I have no opinion of that. Passport Card/Allianz has been pretty easy to deal with directly.

My reason for switch is the same. Which broker are you switching to, and how did you decide on that? You have had good experience with Passport Card/Allianz re coverage, annual (and increasing) premiums, claims, etc.? Thanks.

I have April (France) health insurance policy and considering switch to AOC. Has anyone else done this, for what reason, and what has been your experience with AOC, esp. in helping with claims, etc.?

Thanks. 

On 3/28/2024 at 1:34 PM, SooKee said:

By way of a final update, and given the time constraints, I plan to renew my April policy for 2024/25 as a stop-gap with an increased deductible then take a more leisurely approach to finding a new provider with my new broker, AOC.  At the moment New Health International are looking favourite but AOC will also start handling policies from AXA later in the year, that's another option too, there may be others.

 

Having asked AA World to get a specific answer from April about the reason for my premium increase if, as they said,  that the zone change is NOT affecting renewals (the exact opposite of AOC), they eventually sent me an April one page flyer (a typical insurance company blah blah blah document) about all the things that MIGHT influence premium increases.  

I plan to also switch from AA World to AOC. Did you originally receive a premium notice with AA World listed as broker, then switch to AOC, then had April send new invoice with AOC listed as broker before you paid? Any need to notify AA World of switch?

When I asked April about my premium increase, they only sent a short doc called "Understanding how your
health insurance is changing" about general trends that could influence increases. Is that the same doc you got from broker? Maybe insurance cos. do not as a rule discuss individual increases.

Thanks.

12 hours ago, Sheryl said:

The General Conditions are on the customer portal. Just click on "My Documents".

 

Mine shows only from 2023 but that may be because my 2024-2025 premium is not yet due/posted.

My "My Docs" only shows insurance cert, notice on personal data and paying premium. Is it hidden somewhere in there? Thanks.

20 hours ago, SooKee said:

 I can give you the email address of the broker I am discussing with at AOC if you wish (contact me by direct message if you need it).  

Tried to DM but system says you cannot receive. Thanks.

20 hours ago, SooKee said:

 

It's a big document so probably not.  There is an awful lot of information in addition to just that too, way too much to post.  I would suggest the best thing is to contact a broker yourself who can provide you with all the information one might wish to consider  I can give you the email address of the broker I am discussing with at AOC if you wish (contact me by direct message if you need it).  As I say there is a lot of information, much of it not good.  As an aside, changing broker is easy, signature on form, copy of a utility bill and copy of passport.  I have found AOC very helpful and very thorough in terms of the information they provide, reasons for premium adjustments (both now and in the future!) and their overall helpfulness.

I thought there may be a link or manageable pdf. Like you, I could not find on April website or portal.

Thanks.

Sheryl, Since I know you have done it, does it make any difference if I switch from AA World to AOC before or after I renew my April policy in May? How has your experience with AOC been so far?

Like you, I had used the old AA as broker. The company now listed as my broker on my policy and new premium notice is called Alliance Insurance Services, with an aa-world.com email and a Pattaya address and phone. I recall reading here that the old AA was no longer allowed to broker overseas policies and shifted to an India-based contact?

Thanks. 

23 hours ago, SooKee said:

 If your renewal is due imminently, has your premium increased significantly or is it still within the 6-10% band?

I have Essential plan, $500 deductible. I started with $2966 premium in 2022, the year I turned 65; it rose to $3511 in 2023 and for upcoming renewal $4157. If I stay with April, thinking maybe go down to Basic plan and higher deductible.

4 hours ago, SooKee said:

"The general terms and conditions of 2024 (Attached again page 6), which is an annual update of the My Health International policies, is very clear and doesn't allow any doubt. Furthermore, all the brokers received this information in an email from April International about the change of zone for Thailand and other countries."

 

That document clearly states:

"For medical expenses and basic repatriation assistance:
Cover is provided on a year-round basis in the Country of destination/expatriation listed on your Membership certificate. Cover also applies in the Cover zone listed on your Membership certificate and in the lower zones.

6 zones of cover are available:

 

Zone 0: Bahamas (Islands), Puerto Rico, the United States and countries in zones 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Zone 1: China, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore and countries in zones 2, 3, 4 and 5
Zone 2: Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Mexico, Saint Barthélémy, Saint Martin, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Taiwan, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates and countries in zones 3, 4 and 5

etc etc etc"

 

This is directly from April's 2024 general conditions, as relayed by the broker, correct? Are you able to post the whole document? April had told me that the general conditions for my policy renewal due in May have not changed from when I first joined, in 2022. Thanks.

20 hours ago, Sheryl said:

Absolutely will lead to an exclusion. The only question is how broad an exclusion. 

Would you consider that a compelling reason to stay with April then?

On 3/16/2024 at 12:09 PM, Sheryl said:

My premium notice is not yet issued as comes due in  August.

 

Difficulty in changing insurers  relates to pre-existing conditions more than age.

 

For myself I think a change is not feasible as I now have hypertension (well-controlled, but requiring medication) and degenerative spinal changes which led to 3 insurance claims in recent years. So I think I will have to stay with April.   I may do some research on that  but can't imagine any insurer woukd not at least exclude all spinal problems. 

 

Thank you for sharing that. I had no pre-existing conditions excluded on my April policy. This past year I was treated for atrial fibrillation and had an ablation done that so far has restored sinus rhythm. (I did not make a claim with April for the ablation since I chose to do it outside zone of coverage of my policy.) Do you think that could lead to cardiovascular exclusion or some such if I switch to new insurer?

On 3/21/2024 at 12:47 PM, SooKee said:

 

 AOC also provided the following information regarding another provider:

 

+ The insurance premium is calculated in 5-year age brackets - age 66/70 and then age 71 to 75

+ There is a wide choice of annual deductibles, including $1 000, $2 500, $5,000, $10,000 and even $15,000.

+ The insurer increases these premiums by 5 to 7% a year for our client in South-East Asia
+ Private room are full refund
+ Rehabilitation is up to 30 days per medical conditions

 

 

This other provider is the insurer that AOC says you should switch to? Are you able to say who that is? It is possible AOC has financial incentive to urge a switch.

Have you already switched from old AA to AOC as your broker, and AOC is listed on your renewal policy from April as the intermediary?

I am in similar vexing situation as you with April renewal coming up.

Thanks. 

On 3/10/2024 at 12:27 PM, DrJack54 said:

 

Some folk suggest that after an overseas trip you must do first report in person however there are reports of doing it online after travel out of Thailand 

I did it at CW yesterday, and IO confirmed that after an overseas trip (or new passport) you cannot do the first report online. 

On 3/15/2024 at 2:25 PM, SooKee said:

As an example, in April 2022, the forecast for my premiums were:

Age Bands

61-65: $2,380 (only a couple of hundred out when the premium became due in 2023)

 

66-70: $2,790

71-75: $3,196

76-80: $3,611
 

Was this forecast from April France or from the old AA broker? And it is for Basic Plan? Thanks.

Will be going to CW this week since, as I said, I tried to do online notification but received email that it has been rejected with no reason stated, only "Please contact the nearest Immigration Office in person immediately." 

Can someone who was in similar situation advise what documents I may need to prepare, or procedure I should expect there? Thanks.

23 hours ago, SooKee said:

 

Just checked my premium notice.  Still shows as Zone 3, unless that's a typo as in, it's showing the zone that Thailand was in when the policy was taken out?  They may have a good track record on payment, I've never found their admin systems / responsiveness to be that good.

21 hours ago, Sheryl said:

Yes payment is fine.

 

I just heard this news about Zone change.  What is the date of your premium notice? 

My premium notice, for renewal starting May 4. also says Zone 3. It's Essential, $500 deductible, if that makes a difference.

Where is zone change officially stated? 

And if it's true, do you plan to change to another insurer because of this? Assume it would be difficult for anyone past 65.

Thanks.

18 hours ago, freeworld said:

When you make an appointment still have to get a number and they redirect you to those 3 booths just outside of the 90 day report area. Last time I did that they wanted a paper copy of my TM47 so had to go home to fetch that and return to do the 90 day report.

You mean they wanted the print copy of your last 90-day report? You don't keep that affixed to your passport?

And if you had had that, about how long would process have taken with an appointment?

Thanks.

10 hours ago, Lorry said:

Bumrungrad has Paxlovid, 31000 baht (plus cost for doctor and test)

Thank you for letting me know.

52 minutes ago, freeworld said:

At alien registration, click on it and select 90 day report from the drop down list.

 

Like this

Thank you for that. System not very intuitive to use.

Earliest avlb appt I got was Mr 21. Wondering if go sooner, is 90-day usually a long wait like if walk-in, like for extension of stay?

https://gov.immigration1.queueonline.net/appointment/login.html?v31

When I select CW, only option that comes up is Alien Registration Copy Request. I want 90-day notification.

What am I doing wrong? Thanks.

On 2/9/2024 at 6:59 PM, Sheryl said:

A post promoting a conspiracy theory documentary full of COVID misinformation has been removed.

 

@david_je"only available to Thais" has never been an official  government policy. Sounds like something the hospital decided on its own. Tends to happen with things in short supply, and Paxlovid supplies remain more limited than those of other drugs.

 

No guarantee, but your odds of getting Paxlovid would be greater at the private "international" hospitals. Of course so would the cost.

 

Having already had COVID infection once, and presumably also having been vaccinated, you will already have considerable immunity if re-infected. Do not be put off by accounts of declining antibodies, you will still have cellular immunity. 

 

COVID reinfection is significantly less likely than first COVID infection to cause severe disease

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9961977/

 

Are you still doing boosters every sixth months, wearing masks, avoiding crowded places, etc., Sheryl? Where would you recommend for reliable info on current infection, hospitalization, rates in Bangkok/Thailand? I'm wondering to what extent I should continue to take previous precautions.

On 2/13/2024 at 6:07 AM, Lorry said:

But the risk to develop long covid is not lower at your 2rd, 3rd or 4th... infection,  it's the same risk every time you catch covid

Yes, long Covid is what I worry about most.

On 3/10/2024 at 12:27 PM, DrJack54 said:

You will not receive a reply that explains why.

Many folk have had this experience (myself included) when using online reporting. 

 

You could try doing another. 

Some folk suggest that after an overseas trip you must do first report in person however there are reports of doing it online after travel out of Thailand 

I have resubmitted notification application and will see what happens. If you have to do in person after overseas trip, then will have to do that, I guess. What would be rationale for requiring that?

17 hours ago, bunnydrops said:

Are you sure you didn't get the 90 day when you did your extension? Imm always puts in a 90 day receipt in my passport when I pick up the extension.

No, they did not, I just rechecked. Actually, in my post I mistakenly said I did the renewal of extension application on March 6. Actually it was in February; I applied early. So it would have been way to early to do a 90-day notification (I re-entered Thailand Dec. 21), as I understand it. Thanks.