aldriglikvid

I might have some further color on this issue. Recently, I ventured in somewhat of a deep-dive to get Medical Health Insurance for my expatriate to beginning in a couple of months. Out of recommendation, my eyes were set on Cigna Global (and Allianz). I believe that a lot of people that are(or were) insured by Cigna Thailand are under the false impression that it is actually Cigna Global. Via the website www.cignaglobal.com we can "Get a Quote" and at the final step we can acquire named policy. However, if we choose Thailand in the first step the issuer becomes Cigna Thailand in the last step. Would've have chosen another country, pretty much all produce the original Cigna Global as is issuer. Doesn't sound much of a difference, but in reality it's a huge difference in coverage and how claims are handled. Here's some intel from their EU office, straight from the mouth. Licensing of "Cigna Thailand" will probably end within short, and not be re-licensed to another 3rd party again. As mentioned, we have recently closed down our Thai office, bring all policies onto our international platform, enhancing benefits. Therefore the policies that you see on the Thai website are no longer available to purchase. Please see key differences between Thai Vs International policies: Outpatient was pay and claim on Asia plans – International plans are direct billing Inpatient pay & claim with preapproval on Asia plans – No pre approval is needed on the International plans Pre-approval was needed for outpatient – Not needed with the international plans Network was limited on Asia plans – International plans are unlimited offering freedom and flexibility Asia plans customer care team which work office hours are Thai speaking – International plans have a 5 star 24/7 English speaking service

Of course - I'm not that stubborn, I just gave you my POV. I've already sent an email to the mail you provided with me earlier. Fingers crossed, they have the policy!

Oh the irony... ???? Anyways, thanks again for all your help.

Thanks! Although I don't fully agree with these conclusions, having been in the P&C and Banking business myself, I do very much appreciate - and thankful of - your help. When I worked in the industry, we almost always treated the customers directly to us 2-3x more expedient and 2-3x more properly. These were high, high margins customers because brokers/wholesalers hadn't taken that 20-30% distribution cut. Not looking to engage in dispute here, just letting you know another side of the coin. Enough of that. ???? Final Q: I've decided to sign Cigna and I want the "International/Global - issued policy". However, in my final stage of applying at https://www.cignaglobal.com/ I'm met with the following: "Good news, our products are available through Cigna Thailand! One of our representatives from Cigna Thailand will be in contact with you soon to discuss your options." Do you know if this is the same entity? I'm not being lazy here, but my Googling isn't give me much. Bless!

Very helpful, thanks! Although no previous experience, I also figured that comprehensive Outpatient Coverage makes little economic sense - so I'm glad you supported that opinion as well. In regards to using a broker when it comes to things such as P&C Insurance, Flight Tickets, Bank Loans - to name a few - it's almost always more smooth and hassle-free to not have a middleman. Would you be able to spend a minute to explain me the pros of going through a commissioned agent? His/hers ambition to help should be non-existent when I paid the premium already, no?

Hi, I just got my Thai Elite cleared and I'm looking to stay in Thailand year-around for the next handful of years - thus in need of a Health Insurance. In my early research, I'm finding it hard to benchmark the different policies out there - so I'm reaching for some recommendations here. Keep hearing Cigna Global and April International are good (i.e. OK price and little to none hassle when accidents occur). Also, I've used ACS travel insurance myself and - from what I can see - their health insurance looks competitive as well. I'm all ears - thanks!

There's ca. 1 100 local stocks available - and only a handful of ADRS, so that's a no-brainer for me ???? I use SBITO. Very satisfied.

Thanks for the input! However, I have some small pushback: 1) Neither IBKR nor Schwab offers the domestic Thailand market (thus the reason why I opened a local brokerage to start with). 2) TH does not have capital gains if I trade (hate that word, I invest) in stocks on the local stock market, via my domestic broker. Only tax on dividends.

Interesting thread! Since Thailand have 0% capital gains tax and only 15% withholding tax on dividends, I was in my 'early' stages of building a stock portfolio here (keeping the main one back home, as of now). As things were I didn't plan to declare these transactions to my home country - but do I understand it correctly that balances and transactions will be reported to the tax agency of the passport-country which I used opening the account?

Hi friends, I recently applied for a Thai Elite, and was told the current backlog is 2-3 months. I'm planning to enter the country, via air, 2 months from now - and the TE might very well not be finished by then. However, I do live in a country where the electronic SETV applications are done - somewhat hassle free - in 2-3 days at the reasonable fee of $70. So, to cut to the chase: will entering on a SETV now, or next month, hinder my TE application? I guess not, but I just wanted to see if you guys heard anything about this.

Excellent answer, thanks!

Very clear. Thanks!

Not close. Taxes for dividends are 15% lower in my home country, than in Thailand, but no broker in my home country accepts the SET and the 1100 stocks on it. ????

Hi, I opened a local Stock Trading Account here in Thailand, and I'm about to make a deposit and start trading. I'm familiar with the tax rates and I'm totally confident with all those details. I also now how to declare the taxes to my home country. However, there are two things that are not very clear to me: - I will be taxed for dividends received (which is fine, and expected) but is that tax to my "name" or have they set up a TAX ID for me? Do I need to file something every year, with the local tax agency? - Would invest in the stock market, via a Thai Bank, be perceived by Immigration as "working" and interfere with my Visa? I'm currently on a SETV and on the late stages of receiving a Elite. Please observe: I'm not looking for investment options, I'm not looking for "why don't you invest back home/with interactive brokers" etc. On topic only :)

Yes, the TM30 is, for some reason, a lot (and I mean a lot) more important for IM-staff these days, than a couple of years back.

Maybe a pet, such as a dog?

Yes, the French mutual insurance company (as earlier mentioned) that's actually writing the policy is MGEN - but for me, as a foreigner, I'm only allowed to get it from their official partner ACS. If I were French, which I'm not, I could buy it via MGEN.

Yes, thank you - I noticed that as well, and they confirmed it was active. They also mentioned that whenever I stay 12 months or longer, they have other relevant plans for me. ACS is a mutually owned insurance co (which I like) and they are based on France/EU law, ombudsman, board of complaints etc. Overall it's hard to find forums where people say that ACS doesn't pay when it matters.

I do sympathize with you being unemployed, restless and no purpose in life - but please stay out of my threads with your off-topic stuff. Get a purpose, start living.

Uninformed and silly to argue that it's "impossible" to benchmark global policies without knowing the home country, or that a local based policy is by definition better.

I invest both in the public and the private markets, if you want any more detail I'm available in the DM's. However, I would like this very thread to stay on topic. Thanks!

Hi, I'm below 40 and I stay around 9 months per year in Thailand. To date it has been consecutive Tourist Visas (and STV's) and this autumn it will be through a 20y Thailand Elite Visa. Currently I'm on ACS: Globe Partner (Travel Insurance): https://www.acs-ami.com/en/travel-insurance/globe-partner/ The way I'm thinking about these things is, in short, that I want to be covered in accidents and immediate/sudden sickness. Any long term permanent issues, such as a cancer or diabetes, I want to be covered for the "getting sick-part" and then go home to Scandinavia, for treatment. Is this a decent coverage for my needs?

Thanks Jack! My main concern is that, I buy this Elite Card now - which gives me the ability to upgrade another 15y for 400k - and they rack up the price to 800k next year (or so). I mailed ThailandElite and asked them if the rules are fixed as per purchasee.

What's the history of ThailandElite drastically changing the rules? Why I'm asking: I'm pretty close to the decision to buy "Elite Easy Access Membership" (5y) for 600k which gives me the right, but not the obligation, to upgrade to a "Elite Superiority Extension Membership" (20y) for 400k within 5 years. Would it be naive to me to assume that if I buy the first mentioned card, that the rules will stay "for me" for my 5 years (even though, perhaps, the main rules are changed for new buyers). Happy to hear your thoughts (and yes, we can't know - that goes without saying)

Thanks, I really appreciate your feedback! What I'm thinking right now is that I'll order a cleaning service after 1.5-2 months = som air circulation and getting the condo neat and clean before I arrive.