davhend25

1 hour ago, NancyL said:

It's pretty standard practice to use wrist restraints in a hospital ICU when patients are in a coma or partially conscious if it's thought that they may move about, try to remove tubes, masks, etc.  Wrist restraints would have been a more accurate description than "handcuffs".  

My wrists were tied to my bedrails in ICU when I was connected to an intra-aortic balloon pump after a botched stenting procedure 20 years ago. As I was delirious and thrashing around while constantly attempting to pull everything out. As Nancy has said, sometimes it's necessary for the good of the patient/person.   

I have been using Lazada for nearly 2 years since I've been in Thailand. Have been pretty satisfied overall. Have tried to avoid anything marked "Overseas" as it can take weeks to arrive. What has been annoying to me are local (Bangkok mostly) items which sometimes takes 10 to 12 days to arrive...we are only 3  hours drive from Bangkok. Ordered a fan recently that took 14 days to arrive from a Bangkok seller.

I'm consistently receiving Amazon orders from the U.S. in 5 days. Shipping isn't free, but if speed is important, it can be a good way to go. Import fees are estimated in advance, so no surprises when package is delivered. If fees are overestimated, Amazon gives you a refund to your payment method.

Have not had many issues with delivery services (mostly Kerry). Thai post is good in our village. DHL is especially good.

Pretty happy that something like Lazada exist here.

1 hour ago, Sheryl said:

Cigna does NOT consider a simple polyp to be "essentially Cancer".  Just because it is asked about on the same line of the form does not mean that.  They will want the full details, of course.

 

But the diabetes will be a problem, with almost all insurers and will at a minimum mean higher rates.

 

Allianz is nto AFAIK any different than other insurers when it comes to pre-existing conditions. You have to declare htem and they may refuse to insure altogether, or insure with exclusions, or offer to fully insure at a higher rate.

 

I suggest you go ahead and submit an application to both Cigna and Allianz and see what these two come back with by way or rates and exclusions. Until you submit an application and the underwriters review it, you do not really know.

 

 

Thanks again, Sheryl. Sounds like good advice.

DH

36 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

It's a solid company but its policies are extremely expensive.  As in 2-3 times more than some other international companies for same level of cover.

Thanks, Sheryl, as always for your helpful and valuable reply.  I am 71 with some major pre-existing conditions. This company looks like they will cover without significant exclusions, albeit at a significant cost. But most companies I've looked at won't cover at all beyond age 70. 

If you have any suggestions for something better, at a lower cost, I would appreciate the information.

I got a quote from AA brokers for Cigna for something called "Close Care" that was pretty reasonable but after looking at their application and seeing that they consider a colon polyp as essentially Cancer, I decided not to pursue further.

Diabetes, which I have (type 2) can be considered pre-existing for almost anything.  So I would be just throwing money away with most of these companies. The medical establishment blames almost everything on Diabetes.

I have a U.S. based policy (BCBS) through my Virginia Retirement plan that will cover Major medical expenses with no exclusions up to $250,000, but the problem is I have to pay the providers up front and then wait for reimbursement. The Bangkok Hospital Group has a direct bill contract with my insurer also, but if anything major happened like a heart attack or stroke, I might run up a bill that I wouldn't be able to pay ahead of any reimbursement I might be due.

Any suggestions would be helpful and appreciated. I would really like to stay here in Thailand, but medical may be my deal breaker. 

Thanks!

DH

27 minutes ago, wgdanson said:

Just Googled ALLIANZ. Thailand site came up for me OK.

I'm sorry, I meant that I had searched the TV forums with no results. I was looking for a forum member or members who may have had some experience with this company.  But, thanks for the reply.  I will google search as well.

Hello all,

I've searched and nothing comes up for this health insurance company for expats, based in Dublin, Ireland, called "Allianz."  I would have sworn I had seen them mentioned on this forum, but search reveals nothing.

Has anyone had experience with this health insurer?

Thanks for any replies.

DH

On 12/27/2018 at 5:58 PM, GinBoy2 said:

Now the paperwork isn't hard, but I'm lazy and paid a preparer to do it all for me They took care of everything, required documents, translations and getting all the submissions in order. I just turned up when required and paid the fees.

Now this is the Federal Government we're dealing with here, so they can be picky. Get something wrong and your back at the start, thereby lengthening the process

 

 

May I ask who you used for this process?

15 minutes ago, sqwakvfr said:

Davhend25, I am in the same position.  I could do the 65,000 monthly transfers but I would often have to send part of it back to the US Bank on a reverse transfer.  The 65K Transfer is ideal for anyone who has pretty much cut ites with his/her home country.  I still have financial assets and obligations back in the US.  I also have US Bank issue credit cards and I often use them for travel.  

Yes, all of my credit card accounts are U.S. based and I have used them all extensively here in Thailand. All of my retirement benefits, including Social Security are direct deposited into my U.S. based Federal Credit Union.

Another kind forum member suggested marrying my Thai partner which would reduce the 65k baht to 40k baht and would essentially solve the problem of needing to transfer some money back to U.S. account every month. It would also open the possibility of using the 400K seasoned in a Thai bank option. It would also make my Thai partner happy (not a small thing...Lol). 

Hope you find a workable solution, my friend. ????    

29 minutes ago, skatewash said:

Not in any way offering a recommendation, but if you were to marry your Thai partner, the financial requirements would drop to 40,000 baht a month or 400,000 in a Thai bank account.  Just saying ????

You're right, my friend...probably my best option. Thanks for the kind and helpful advice. ????    

10 minutes ago, Thaidream said:

Not easier- currently simply go to Thai ATM and withdraw 65K plus when ever I need it. Pay 220 Baht- that's it.

 

Now-

Each month- call US Bank- get code- then go to online banking- fill out all info each month- Wait 3-5 days to show in overseas account-Swift transfer- $40 per month/  

Immigration day- go to bank get letter- keep Passbook updated.

 

The simple way was the ATM withdrawals- if Immigration wanted proof- show One page of US Bank statement which shows date ; amount and location of withdrawal- backed up by Overseas Debit cards. They understand it- because they asked me for proof of just that some years ago even when I had the Embassy Letter.

 

This new system will cost a monthly overseas call- waiting on line for the activation code- then a $40 x 12 fee. Then add the wait time for the money to arrive.This is double what I would have spent using the ATM.  

 

In the end, the new system only proves one has money to transfer- not income.  Actually, worse than the Embassy Letter.

 

I don't blame Thai Imm- they have changed nothing- Let's see how individual Thai Immigration offices interpret this.

What he said....

10 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

I don't know where you are from but the description given on the Thai Embassy London Website is quite good.

Thanks!  I'll check it out... DH

9 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

A OA visa allows unlimited one year entries for a year from the date of issue. By getting a new one year entry just before it expires you can get almost 2 years of total stay from it.

Thanks, ubonjoe...I couldn't seem to find an answer for this anywhere. Seemed like a simple enough question, but multiple "Google" searches just turned up more confusing answers. Thanks! DH

21 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

A OA visa can only be applied for at a embassy or official consulate in your home country if you are 50 or over. Extension of stay are applied for at immigration here.

The visa I applied for and received in my home country was/is a "Non-Immigrant O" visa. It was good for 90 days, then had to be extended based on retirement. What is the difference between this visa and a "Non-Immigrant OA" visa??

5 hours ago, ZABA said:

I personally have payments to make in the States so don't want all my pension sent here.

Same for me....

4 hours ago, Thaidream said:

Very Easy- I have 4 Bank Accounts in an American Bank and use online banking. Then I use  a Thai aTM to withdraw  more than 65K each month.  Only charge is 220 Baht at the Thai atm.

 

Now, I will be spending $40 per transfer and have to call my bank each month to get a security code- go online and fill out all the transfer data when I could simply show my  banking details to Thai Immigration which even shows the exact hour and day and ATM location here in Thailand.  Absolute proof. One sheet to look at plus the ATM cards if they ask plus the  account summary shows the income stream each month direct deposited. 

YES!!!!!

On 12/18/2018 at 10:00 AM, Jeffrey346 said:

I have multiple accounts at BKK Bank. Never needed an Embassy letter.

According to some online sources, this is a relatively new requirement.

4 hours ago, Jeffrey346 said:

That is not necessarily true. Many people have the income but not 800K required in cash.

Yes..yes..yes... and I am one of them....I have almost double the 65,000 baht monthly income requirement, but not 800,000 I can park in a Thai bank account earning very little interest. Jeffrey346 makes a very valid point here!!

5 hours ago, walkoff said:

@davhend25::  Did the US Embassy trip last week(11th) and secured the Income Affidavit. Week before(7th) Went to BBL branch(Atsadang Rd.) in Korat where I had opened an account some years past but they dropped the embassy letter requirement on me. I had my folder of docs that I used in April when I renewed retirement extension. 

Moved on to "main" location(Chumpon Rd.) here in Korat and opened new savings account. This one with ATM but if go the Direct Deposit route(pending SSA and banks directive) for income deposit, no ATM. You need counter service to withdraw cash,etc. They took copies of passport face page, retirement ext. pages, original lease agreement, done.

This location has an efficient staff. English speaking and deals with many more foreign customers then most branches. Be mindful that the bank letter will be 1700 baht. No 2 for one at the embassy. Just saying, don't stop at the first "no" at the bank. Be cordial even when you don't feel like it....if you want the letter since you are trekkin to BKK anyway you would be good at the bank.....hope all goes well for you.

Thank you for much good and kind information...I figured that as long as I was going to the embassy anyway, I'd just get the letter that some banks are now asking for. Thanks, again, my friend. DH

I'm going to the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok on Friday to get an Income affidavit for my retirement extension. Since I will be there, I was thinking about also getting an affidavit to help me open a bank account here in case I need to transfer money into Thailand sometime in the future. 

Does anyone know how long a letter like this would be accepted for opening an account? The income affidavits are supposedly good for six months, but I have no idea about this type of document.

I'm reading online that Bangkok Bank won't let a foreigner open an account without this embassy affidavit. I ran into the same thing when trying to get my Thai drivers license last year (what a hassle that was). This stuff is all great if you live in Bangkok, not so much if you're 3 hours away without a car.

Thanks for any information.

DH

4 hours ago, SheungWan said:

Re "I may go ahead and get an income affidavit from the U.S. embassy while still available this month, although I'm still not decided this is a worthwhile endeavor. My current extension runs through early June 2019."

Covering all one's bases suggests that it is a worthwhile endeavor. 

 

You're right, of course. I totally agree with your statement.

Thanks for your kind and supportive comment.

DH

4 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

You can use the income you will be getting in January since technically that is the payment for this month.

Thanks, ubonjoe...I didn't realize social security payments were paid in arrears? I hope you're right because I've pretty much decided to use the 2019 benefit amount, as you suggest.

DH

4 hours ago, Thaidream said:

As I mentioned- same situation. However, I m going to declare the amount on my Embassy Letter  the 2019 amount  which will match exactly  the amounts on my other proof- Social security and Veterans and since both are direct deposited into a US bank- the bank statement will match the Embassy Letter and the Pension Letters. If one uses the 2018 figures- they will not match the 2019 proof and bank statement and will cause the IO to be confused. IMO- the less confusion the better.

 

 

Yeah, I'm definitely with you on the "less confusion the better" part.... I'm leaning toward swearing to the 2019 income amount so all the figures match in June when I apply for my extension. Thanks for your kind input. DH