timoti

Their benefits PDF is also not linked correctly, shows 404 page. So pretty bad website where the most important document is missing.

Ok this seems strange. I submitted a quote request using this link: https://lp.april-international.com/th/international-health-insurance/?bodytxt=solution-designed-for-expats-and-Thai-citizens&conjoin=an&header=for-Individuals-and-Families&keyword=International-Health-Insurance&source=Website&destination=TH&paysNationalite=US The auto email I got is from the same person I was talking to on the April side. Basically when I submitted the application manually for SG. So that link above is also not April Global then? In the signature it says: "APRIL Brokerage (Thailand) Co., Ltd., 518/3 Maneeya Center North, 10th floor, Ploenchit Road, Lumpini, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand"

Thanks a lot Sheryl, that's very useful! That April SG vs April Global was confusing. Tbh when you google april insurance, or april intl insurance, the website directs you to all sorts of places based on which place you choose. Surprised Pacific Prime didnt inform me of this. They told me this is intl insurance. But when I inquired Thailand one, they said I have to talk to PP Thailand. But AA brokers will surely sign me up with April Global rather than April Thailand? I will try 2 quotes from 2 emails with and with preexisting just to compare. That's really useful. Will share results. Thanks a lot again!

How much is it annually? IP and OP? Basic or Mid plan? Cigna seems more expensive and less benefits but if I am not wrong larger network.

Oh yes this was their executive plan, which was the mid one I think? I had both IP and OP. I was just thinking it would be nice if I could see doctors proactively like I have something minor or even a mole and get it checked etc. Mine was worldwide except USA. I was sent this before the preexisting conditions loading:

You mean I could likely get $1K annual for April Global? Because as I mentioned I got quoted $7k with exclusion, and almost $10k with full coverage. So would be very good if it was that cheap. Is it secret how much is your annual premium? I assume insurance companies like April charges the same for everyone for base based on age, regardless of claims (if we exclude pre existing)? So that would be a good way to see how much increase there is.

That 20 year option is only available as an upgrade? Or can you just get that directly?

My company provides insurance but they are very bad, doesnt pay anything, and no pre-existing and not only that they try to avoid paying legit claims. Company said it's put of their hands. After contract finish they will cut insurance also same day.

I can't coz of age.

I am also not sure but one doctor told me if they ask her she has to tell everything. Another doctor said they have people that can give this kind of private records if the claim is large. Pay some small fee to some guy to avoid paying 100k claim for example. So i am not sure exactly but i have a feeling if you use a different passport likely they wouldn't know? Another thing is possibly if you claim something and they order some test they can say this is an old illness based on timing?

You mean upgrading to 20 year is cheaper than getting another 5 years? If so that's pretty good.

Is it ok to get 5 year visa multiple times? Because in the website limited here i saw it's not renewable?

Yes me too. Seems like a crazy mark up. My time here is gonna end soon (contract), so we will see what I get quoted for April Global using AA brokers for Thailand coverage. Total annual premium is $7K SGD with exclusion. If I include you can imagine how much more expensive it is. It includes IP and OP though. If it's this expensive now, how much it would be when I am 70s. Will certain become a major financial cost.

Yes that also shocked me because we are not talking about 30% for a few years but forever, so it becomes huge. Pacific Prime did quote 30% in the final stage of approval though. Then I submitted another application myself via April's website and they contacted me, and I assume not knowing it's the same person also quoted 30%. I just checked the email to be sure, and I was wrong it was 35%. Here is their writing: "Kidney stones are excluded as you have wished. If you'd like to include them, a 35% loading would apply. Let me know if you want to change it, otherwise kindly send signed offer letter back to me." This was directly from April employee.

Thanks a lot for replying. That makes sense. If you get an insurance from AA brokers you mentioned, when you move, then you have to change your brokers also? As for 30%, it might be because this was April Singapore so I assume their mark ups are higher and maybe coz like you said kidney stones have higher chance to come back. I just liked the listed benefits of April more than others it seemed a lot better from what I could tell, that's why I want to get them if possible.

Thanks a lot for replying. I don't remember if they gave me the ability to exclude I think they did, but they said there was another type of underwriting moratorium but they said if you already applied to one you can't apply to the other one. Some weird rules. The big worry is if you exclude kidney stones, they come and claim some other complication is a result of that and avoid paying. Here also they say they this: https://globalhealthasia.com/aboutus-expat-medical/frequently-asked-questions.html "We will always make an attempt to cover your pre-existing conditions and may require a premium loading or a cap on benefits. We believe this is a more straightforward and honest approach than offering a pre-existing waiting period/moratorium." Because I got screwed by my employer insurance, I am trying to make sure I choose a good one that won't screw me down the line. I will ask the brokers you mentioned. Did you have any other intl. health insurance besides Cigna and April that you heard is good? There are so many listed on pacific prime website for example that it's a bit overwhelming but I did compare to almost all of their plans roughly in terms of caps, benefits, etc.

Thanks a lot. Is that a loop hole to get another year by visiting before expiry? I assume each visit gets you a year visa, and if you visit before the 5 year expires, you get an additional one? If so that's pretty good gain.

Also this 5 year elite visa, how does the duration work? If you get it on Jan 1 2022 for example, will it expire after 5 years to this date or does it depend on how much you stay in the country. For example if you only stay in Thailand for 6 months in 2022, then you will still have 4.5 years?

Thanks a lot guys but the websites you linked, are they from government official website? Because it looks like 3rd party company? So then this elite visa is a 3rd party operated business or is it the businesses handling the applications for this?

Yes I am talking about global intl insurance companies like April or Cigna. This was in another SEA country that quoted the 30% increase. So are you saying if the condition happened 2-5 years before they might not charge you extra to cover it? Because Pacific Prime told me there is no waiting period for this.

Hi, I was in Thailand during covid until the beginning of this year then had to leave due to work, and my contract is about to finish. When you visit Thailand, is one still eligible for Covid extensions? I assume that only applies to people who arrived before. In any case, is there a way to get 10 year visa for Thailand so I dont have to worry about visas for a while? My condo agent told me that her bf got this for 500K. So I was wondering how to apply for this and where I can find the procedure? Thanks a lot in advance.

Hi, I want to get an international health insurance in Thailand, and I saw a few that were mentioned here a lot like April Global. My question is, in another SEA country when I was asking for quotes from Pacific Prime, they told me for a preexisting kidney stone operator that happened 4 years ago, it would cost an additional 30% of regular rate, forever. Is this normal? I am mid 30s so I thought many people here sign up first time much older than that and so preexisting condition in these cases become much more common. So can anyone please tell me if any of you have similar mark ups on your premiums? If so, how much? One of my friend is also using April in Singapore, and he told me they are very good but not sure. Pacific Prime said they recommend Cigna likely coz of the kickbacks they get. When I compared their full benefit listing, April seems to have more benefits like unlimited scans vs 10K if I remember right, for their mid plans. I would appreciate any help on this because I want to have international health insurance for life, so it's important I choose the best one I can. Thanks a lot in advance.