Sheryl

Different brand names for same thing do either will do.

Yes. Thai policies only, and specifically the Pacific Cross policy OP is considering renewing. Insurers based in Western countries are not allowed to increase premiums based on claims history. Nor are they allowed to newly exclude a condition that developed after the policy was issued. Haven't seen any that singled out cancer for a much lower level of reimbursement either.

You need to see a trained therapist. There are some good Western ones but mainly in Bangkok. Where are you located? Drugs will just worsen your situation in the long run. Note that benzos are highly addictive.

Cigba Global offers 2 plans: "Close Care" which is limited to country of residence and country of nationality, and Global Health which covers worldwide (2 options: including or excluding USA). You apparently got quote only for the latter. The issues I mentioned for PC are clearly written into the policy. You do not have to rely on anecdotal reports, it is there in black and white.

As I understand it Chubb bought out only Cigna's health and life jnsurance in Thailand and some other countries and there remains a Global Cigna expat policy isfmsued out of UK. OP should check with a good broker to sort this out.

You have to create an account. No idea why you cannot but note that membership is restricted to health professionals. As others have said Vivacor is just a different imported brand name for Rosuvastatin. Therd are also locally made versions which usually cost less.

It sounds like you refer to Cigna Thailand not Cignal Global. Or have you not taken into accojnt hhe cover for emergency care when travelling? Cigna offers both deductible and copay options which reduce premiums. And their premiums at older ages do not rise as dramatically as PC. Be sure to look at premiums for the age bands above yours. And remember the additional 25% increases after large claims in addition to age rtlated increases. In the long run this policy will cost you far more and in addition -- and this to me is a clincher -- will not cover you for any chronic illness you develop beyond the initial years claim (and in the case of cancer, cover you even at first claim only up up 100k which in your case is 0 cover since less than your deductible). At which point you are also unabld to get a different policy. Since you are planning to live out your old age in Thailand you may well (in fact probably will) end up with a policy that has become completely unaffordable and does not cover your health conditions (cancer, heart disease, kidney disease, stroke to name just a few things that would be excluded aferr first year of claims and have a high chance of occurring in old age). This is all clearly spelled out in the policy terms. These are not policies suitable for growing old in Thailand. Better for younger people here temporarily.

I suggest you contact Cigna Global as it seems what you had was not Cigna Global but Cigna Thailand. Go through a broker specializing in international expat policies e.g. [email protected] [email protected]

If you can find a program at an actual university (there are some) this should work fine. It is the stand alone language programs (some of which people enrol in but rarely attend) that are looked at more dubiously

Self ear cleaning: be very, very careful so as not to puncture ear drum. Inserting cotton wads safer than Q tip and do nto try any hard metal instruments (including those sold as ear wax removers -- if that is necessary have a trained person do it) There are things you can put in the ear that help dissolve wax. A brand of drops called I think "Dewax", or a few drops of 3% hydrogen peroxide - see https://www.entsinusorlando.com/earwax-removal/hydrogen-peroxide-solution/

Good feedback on this doctor https://www.bangkokpattayahospital.com/en/doctor-profile?v_id=205&depid=28

There is a great difference between external otitis (infection of the outer ear) and otitis media (infection of the inner eat). External otitis can be treated with ear drops alone and cannot cause hearing loss.

According to the MRI report (which does need to be supplemented with a direct MRI reading by a specialist) changes at C4-C5 are mild which if true would not warrant surgery. Even at C5-C6 the report lists only moderate narrowing which also does not usually equate to surgery in the near term, though it may worsen over time to an extent that requires it. I'm not sure you understand how very common these findings are (even in perfectly asymptomatic people) and what the usual threshold for needing surgery is? However, the symptoms you report are at odds with the MRI report so its accuracy needs a review. Compression fracture would usually be treated with neck brace and PT (cervical traction), has this been done? Besides the actual MRI film bring Xray film with you if available. A great deal can be seen on XRay including things like bone spurs which sometimes get missed and can account for symptoms worse than the narrowing would otherwise cause.

Best to make an appointment, which can be done by phone or online. He is in high demand and theere onlt Tuesday evenings and Saturday mornings. 420k if a private international hospital is quiet possible (depending on exact type of surgery) but would be much less at a government hospital and of course free if obtained through the universal scheme, though that process can be slow. What hospital is your GF covered at under the universal ("30 baht") scheme? It will be where she is listed in a housebook (tabian ban). And from whom/where did she get this 420k+ quote? You said Sriraj advised no surgery needed and also that is not a private hospital so it sounds like she has consulted someone else at a private hospital.

5 million is about right for the most likely to be incurred in a single hospitalization in a private hospital (worst case scenario, but worst case is what one should plan for). If using only government hospitals can be 1.5 - 2 million. And of course need a way to replenish these funds as used.

These drops contain and would be extremely dangerous to use in presence of bacterial or fungal infection. So considerable caution needed. Best not self-prescribe.

You might also run onto issues entering visa exempt unless there was a time gap. Sometimes get in, sometimes taken aside for questioning but eventually let in; Occaisonally refused entry. Note that if entering by plane you'll be asked to show a flight out within 30 days. Basically they go not want people living in Thailand long term on TVs . Some people manage it but there is always some doubt as to whether next entry will be allowed. At your age options are: - Thailand Elite visa -work visa - educational visa but careful on those as there have been crack downs on some schools. And marriage visa but for that you need to marry a Thai.

Single (not multi) entry tourist visas can be issued in neighboring countries but whether you can get one is another matter. Back to back tourist visas are frowned on as is spending more than 6 months a year in Thailand on tourist status and if you time your entries right you'll have already gotten 9 mos off your METV. Chances of a SETV at yhat point are flim IMO. How old are you? If over 50 could consider converting to a type O and getting a retirement extension.

Not quite....savings count and above a certain low threshold you'll be required to spend that first. You can keep a home and 1 car. And income limit is really low. As little as $1,500 a month for a married couple in some places.

Bumrungrad is one of the most expensive private hospitals in Thailand. Not a feasible option for your GF. For spinal surgery at a private hospital you are looking at over 300,000 baht. (How far over depending on type of surgery and how many levels of the spine). As noted she can get care free under the Thai public health system. If that proves hard to access (with spine surgery it sometimes does) her next best recourse is self pay at a government hospital like Chulalongkhorn. But as the MRI report did not indicate a need for surgery you should, as previously said, start by having the actual MRI film reviewed by a top spinal specialist.

If I recall this was the plan I used to get https://www.imglobal.com/img-insurance-plans/patriot?gad=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwwISlBhD6ARIsAESAmp77VmQATq_fGzWsQe5uY4bHs8s71SwJbbxHIVkdO0so1lTUAAa7PLQaAqbrEALw_wcB I don't recall it being very expensive...but I may have taken a high deductible on it.

The usual factor in how soon you can be discharged is how much pain you have. Thai hospitals are reluctant to prescribe narcotics to outpatients so will tend to keep patients until they no longer need a narcotic pain killer. If your pain is minimal 1st day post op then yes, could likely go home then, otherwise maybe 2nd day. You can start walking almost immediately but not too much for the 1st week (be guided by how you feel). Most people can resume brisk walking after about 1 week, You will need to avoid lifting heavy objects and things like sit ups, bench presses etc -- anything that exerts pressure on the abdominal muscles - for at least 6 weeks as it takes that long for the mesh to integrate with the body tissues. You risk hernia recurrence if you start too soon. it is not possible to do this surgery under sedation + local . Laparoscopic is always done under general anesthesia. If there is a reason general cannot be used then open approach can be done under regional anesthesia i.e. spinal anesthesia .

Suggest either of these: https://www.bumrungrad.com/en/doctors/Weeraworn-Nakarawat https://www.bangkokhospital.com/en/doctor/prof-dr-kongkiat-kulkantrakorn

I woukd suggest a US based plan. Just make surf it goes not ecxlude US citizens livingcdbroad. Prior to becomjng eligible for Medicare I used to get IMG

Possible this is a spinal issue and unrelated to the COVID just bonicidental timing . If symptoms persist may need to get MRI of spine. If arm affected as well as leg then both cervical and lumbar spine.