claynlr

Question to the DS rep--

Thanks so much Natalie. One question--When you say " After age 64 we do not accept new applicants. " does this mean after a person turns 64 (as in on their 64th B-Day)? I am thinking I will start retirement in SEP 2019, at which time I would be 64 years 2 months.

Her answer--

You will be okay, up until your 65^th birthday (64 and 364 days J).

17 hours ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

I saw mention about the expat stuff on their website... But when I chatted with them online just now, the person answering online told me he thought I would not be eligible for cover as I'm not an Israeli citizen.... But after some back and forth on that point, he finally offered to have their sales staff call me on Monday when they return, to confirm one way or another.

 

Before chatting, I couldn't find anything on their website saying they only write policies for Israelis.... so who knows.... Of course, I also didn't find anything on their website that says they'll only write new cover for folks up to age 64.... And their chat staff was very definite about that detail.

 

They are not limited to Israelis. They will enroll up to 64 years, 364 days. Verified with a rep. AA Ins. will quote them. Same price as direct.

When I punched in numbers on the TV-Health site, I got a price of 67,292, or 5608 baht month= $175USD a month. This is for GOLD plan, 10,000,000 baht , inpatient only, no dental and 20,000 baht deductible.

David Shield International Plan is $173USD a month, 1.2MIL USD, no deductible or copay, inpatient only, no dental or vision.

I am 63. At 65 DS goes up to $211. Following is quoted from a DS rep e-mail to me---For those already in the plan, the price will increase at age 65 or renewal to $211.  This is based on 2019 rates.  Every 5 years there is an increase in premium due to age group transition.

There may also be increases due to medical trend in the market.

Yep Pib, I am going to sign up for part B at 65 and will have an International Health plan while in Thailand. Just whining!

I was on American Citizens Abroad web site and read that they have been unsuccessfully advocating to the government about this issue:

TheTriCare program available to military personnel overseas has shown the feasibility of extending Medicare coverage abroad. TriCare is available to retired U.S. military personnel and their dependents. Eligible recipients submit forms to overseas processing centers and have most of their medical bills reimbursed by the U.S. Government. The problems of establishing rules and control procedures have already been addressed and resolved. It would, therefore, be possible to integrate a Medicare component into the existing overseas health care benefit system, if the government so desired. See ACA’s position here

https://www.americansabroad.org/medicare-healthcare/

38 minutes ago, Pib said:

You can do that right now with Medicare.   

 

If you don't enroll when first eligible but say go repatriate to the US 1, 5, 10, etc., years later you can still enroll in Medicare but must pay the late enrollment penalty.   

 

If you never repatriate simply do not enroll....no premiums...no coverage.

 

Now where you say "....begin paying for services you will use..." as in cherry picking your coverage....like coverage only for cancer, for a heart attack, etc.,....or jump in and out of full coverage whenever desired with no penalty..... well, that ain't never going to happen.

Not talking about cherry picking coverage. I understand the rules. If one wants to be safe without paying the huge late enrollment penalty for the rest of your repatriated life, you need to sign up for B at 65. Just saying no one knows what will happen in the future...maybe you live until you die in Thailand and never need the B. Or, in 10 years you need to move back to US and if didn't have the B you would pay a 10% penalty for each of those 10 years. Just commented that it sucked! LOL

Rules for both would be good, as in if you repatriate you can begin paying for services you will use. If you never repatriate you don't pay for insurance you never need.

So seems to be quite the Catch-22. I turn 64 in July and will retire to Thailand a month or so after then. Will have an International inpatient health policy at that time. At 65 get medicare A and B that is possible I will never use. But if ever have to repatriate a big penalty on the B if you don't sign up at 65. So an extra $135 a month to the budget for something not using.

All the chat about Immigration not wanting us here but our home country has ignorant rules also. Sux.....

9 minutes ago, overherebc said:

Do all 'at home' embassy/consulates issue an OA on the rules or make their own rules is an important part of the equation.

The Thai Embassy and the 4 Thai consulates each have their own quirks as to what they require...some want papers notarized, some don't. Some want a different amount of copies of each document. The general requirements are the same I think.

I just sent another e-mail to the Chicago consulate. I will report if they answer!

6 minutes ago, OP GUY said:

For me the 1st time at CHICAGO. THEY WANTED TO SEE RETIREMENT ENTERING MY BANK ACCOUNT AND THAT IT EQUALED OR SURPASSED 800,000 BAHT ANNUALLY AND 3 ORIGINAL APPLICATION FILLED OUT, otherwise they were low keyed. When I first went their 5 years ago I asked for a application then I sat down in the room. Then 10 mins later one of the Thais came out and st next to me and asked if I had any questions.


Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect

This is also from their site. They only ask for 1 copy of application form. I know some of the other consulates ask for triple. I just an hoping I get it right the first time and they don't return it.

1. General requirements on application for visas:

If you need to apply for a VISA, below are the general requirements.

• Valid passport or other travel document  (not less than 6 months and it contains at least one blank visa page).
• One visa application form (be duly filled in and signed by applicant). 
• Two passport-sized (2"x 2") photographs are required (color, front view).
• A copy of flight itinerary and the most recent bank statement for all applicants for visa.
• Fee rate for each category of entry per person is collected, accordingly: Transit Visa $35.00, Tourist Visa $40.00, Non-Immigrant Visa $80.00, (one-year multiple-entry Non-Immigrant Visa: $200). Fee can be paid by Money Order or Cashier's check. (Personal check is not acceptable) Please make it payable to "Royal Thai Consulate-General, Chicago."
• When submitting application by mail, a self-addressed envelope size 6"x9" or large enough to fit all passports with sufficient postage stamps is required. Metered stamps will not be accepted. Applicant may have their visa mailed by attaching a self-addressed envelope of Priority Mail with Delivery Confirmation or Express Mail. (The Consulate will not be responsible for any lost, damage, delayed or misdirected mail.)
• Letter of Recommendation and/or relavant documents are required for doing business in Thailand or when apply for any other categories of Non-Immigrant visa.

They don't answer e-mails!....From the Thai Consulate Chicago web site:

VII. Retirement in Thailand (O-A visa), the applicant must be at least 50 years old and must submit documents as follows :

• documentation showing proof of retirement.
• bank statement or monthly/year income.
• a copy of the applicant’s criminal record from the local police department.
• a certificate of health.

*These documents must be certified by a Notary Public and certify true signature of the notary public by the Secretary of State.

I am from Arkansas and fall under Chicago's jurisdiction.

No Jingthing the tax filing doesn't have retired. I don't retire for 3 more months.

Hi OP Guy

I will be applying for an O-A at Chicago in a few months and have a question. One of the requirements on their site is "Proof Of Retirement".

I don't have a pension and am not yet receiving SS. Can I ask you what you use to satisfy this requirement? I will be doing my application by mail and want to make sure my application is complete and to their satisfaction so it doesn't get sent back!

1 hour ago, ThaiBunny said:

Why do you need to give proof of retirement? To whom?

I am wondering the same for an O-A I will soon apply for at the Chicago Consulate. Proof Of Retirement is asked for. I am retired but do not have a company pension nor am I receiving social security yet. Any one that has applied at Chicago know what they accept? Sent an e-mail but they never answered.

Thanks Simon....I am leaning towards David Shield. The quote from AA Brokers was very reasonable but I think I will check with D.S. direct. When I checked April Ins. , AA was actually cheaper than going direct with April. With D.S., over 60 has to have a blood test checking cholesterol and a couple of other things.

On ‎2‎/‎25‎/‎2019 at 4:33 AM, simon43 said:

 

 

 

Yes, indeed my plan was to stay with HCI with the $2,000 USD excess.  But I then considered a worst-case scenario where I might be quite old and short on hard cash, and unable to afford the $2,000 excess if I needed some operation.  This could be made much worst if I had to make several claims.  (I have a regular monthly income but never have much $ in the bank...).

 

Bearing this nightmare scenario in mind, I opted to join Davidshield with zero % excess and zero % copay, and an increase in my HCI cover from $500,000 to $1.2 million.  Yes, my premium increases significantly from $80 to $143 per month, with no health exclusions, (hitting 60 but I am lucky to have zero pre-existing conditions or health issues).

 

I had no problems with HCI, but they do not have a 0% excess option....

Hi Simon--Did you go through a broker? And is an exam required?

On ‎3‎/‎9‎/‎2019 at 12:58 PM, marcusarelus said:

I sent an email to embassy Washington DC a few days ago asking those same questions.  No word back yet.

I sent an e-mail to Washington Embassy 3 weeks ago and no answer back yet!

It's from apple.com...just want to be sure a Thai sim card will work before I buy.

And this has nothing to do with the Nakon temple prostitutes!!! LOL (I live in K.P.)

Apple web site (USA) is selling an unlocked, no sim iPhone 7 for $100 less than Apple Thailand. Will a Thai SIM card work in it and where would you buy the sim?

Hey Guys- Anyone know if you can fly from Bangkok to Nakhon Sawan? Saw an airport on Google maps but have never been there. Maybe just a small regional airport for like Cessna types.

On ‎2‎/‎3‎/‎2019 at 11:07 AM, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

So the L.A. Consulate accepted a visa application from someone from Oklahoma??? I thought the different Thai consulates and embassy each had particular regions of states that they had jurisdiction for.

 

I wonder if you were a walk in it wouldn't matter where you applied? I think I remember a recent post where someone applied at DC and it was sent back because they were in Chicago's zone.

Yes Sheryl, the international one. AA actually quoted about $60 dollars a year cheaper than April’s home site.

The first suggestion from AA was David Shield for US 1.25M versus 1M annual coverage for April, no deductible and cheaper than April. Everything else seems to be the same. David Shield wanted a blood test for over age 60 (cholesterols and a few other things checked) You ever look in to them Sheryl? $2076 first year, age 64

On 11/26/2016 at 4:07 PM, Sheryl said:

My current company is BUPA Thailand (Platinum Plan) but I am looking to change as they do not meet criteria #2 and 3. I want to switch to a policy which does while I am still healthy, one I can expect to stay with for life.

 

Still searching, just emailed a broker to help me. My "short list" was (in no particular order)

• Cigna Global
• A+ (SEA plan)
• Globaility
• William Russell
• April

 

Though the last one looks iffy as it seems, if I read correctly, that they require a second opinion by a doctor of their choosing. If so, that is out as I am not going to give an insurance company veto power over my health care, which is what that would amount to. But I may have misunderstood that provision.

 

It is also possible I have overlooked some, this is just what I have unearthed so far that looks possible.

 

 

Hi Sheryl- Since you have gone with April, was the “second opinion” in their policy? Thanks for all your research....I have an email in to AA for help.

2 hours ago, Sheryl said:

I had Cigna for a while. Got annoyed by their inefficient customer service (nothing sinister, just genuinely -- and very -- inept) plus April was cheaper so I changed.  With Cigna you (or the hospital) have to call the UK for everything. April has a local office that will handle pre-authorizations even if you are on the internationally issued  office issues  plan. Whioch is a real plus for communications with thai hospitals.

 

That said, Cigna is a solid company and many TV members have had very good experience with them, including multi million baht claims. And my general impression having been through application process with both was that Cigna is more reasonable regarding pre-existing conditions that are very stable. They will nto, for example, exclude hyppertension if your BP is completely normal on medication and you have not experienced any complications related to it and have no other cardiovascular issues.

I have Cigna now with the company I work for...big group plan that pays 100% overseas (workin the Middle East) around $36 a month lol. Got quoted around $230 month for after retirement on the website