jerrymahoney

You know best.

Oh.

Is that the same 800K that some have in their Bangkok Bank account via their agent for microseconds?

Yes. I do the same. And the rest of my money stays in the USofA just as with the agent-aficionados

I note the above link to IMG Global. They have a 317 area code and HQ in Indianapolis, IN which for some reason seems to be a city specialized in this type insurance. While you are discussing travel insurance, they also offer a full medical coverage similar to CIGNA Global. And this from their brochure: Note the 6-month restriction: Dead giveaway this is a Lloyd's of London syndicated policy. And their Bermuda-based underwriter is indeed linked to a Lloyd's syndicate.

My favorite 2016 Presidential debate cartoon from NY Times:

The 7162 form says: IMPORTANT: Failure to complete and return this form within 60 days will result in suspension of benefits That's it. As long as you mail it promptly after receiving, no big deal about a day or 2 faster or slower.

Probably you are right. However, since I went the warm&fuzzy route, I know that my 7162 form IS -- not probably IS -- at the ISC. And for my one mailing each year back to the USofA, I can splurge on the extra cost

Jersey Boy Takes On Florida Man With his old pal Trump, Christie goes from enabler to destroyer. We (Ms. Dowd and Christie) have both known the blackguard for decades. And let’s be honest. We want Christie on that wall. After years of watching Republicans cower before Trump, it’s bracing to see the disgraced former president finally meet his mean match. (opinion from Ms. Maureen Dowd) https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/01/opinion/chris-christie-florida-trump.html https://archive.is/SUfjk#selection-319.0-323.64

Let's just say in this context, unique. I became involved with an NGO here in Thailand working with disadvantaged persons which I used to help set-up the US NGO or 501c3, The NGO is in the sphere of so-called Access to Knowledge or A2K. But not so active now as per 10 years ago. However, given the topic here, though I never thought about it, I would lose the qualifications for the waiver if I ever went back to the USA without an active health insurance policy covering me while in Thailand. And that is worth about $2000 every year.

Thank you. When reaching around age 65, I was back in the USA for a visit and talked on the phone to an SSA agent. She said, with my insurance (BUPA) and 501c3 affiliation, I definitely qualified. I said that I spoke to a few agents before her and none of them knew what I was talking about. She said that so few persons actually qualify that most agents have never had to deal with it.

to the above: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2008/06/27/E8-14040/medicare-program-special-enrollment-period-and-medicare-premium-changes ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: This final rule provides a special enrollment period (SEP) for Medicare Part B and premium Part A for certain individuals who are sponsored by prescribed organizations as volunteers outside of the United States and who have health insurance that covers them while outside the United States.

Yes. Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 Section 5115 All CMS Provisions As of February 28, 2006 Waiver of part B late enrollment penalty for certain international volunteers. Provides for the waiver of the Part B late enrollment penalty and establishment of a special enrollment period for beneficiaries who are volunteering outside of the U.S. through a 12 month or longer program sponsored by a tax exempt organization defined under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and who have other health insurance coverage. https://www.cms.gov/RegulationsandGuidance/Legislation/LegislativeUpdate/Downloads/DRA0307.pdf obsolete link

Unless you qualify for the Part B penalty exemption. https://www.uhc.com/news-articles/medicare-articles/how-to-avoid-the-medicare-part-b-late-penalty

Yes. And if you go back to US for treatment under Medicare, it makes a big difference whether you still maintain Plan B while living in Thailand. Plan B this year almost $2000 per year whether you use it or not. Some doctors, it seems, will only take on new Medicare patients who have Plan B.

I disagre.

People who self-insure get to say how smart they are so long as nothing real bad happens. People who buy health-insurance only get to say how smart they are (if they so choose) when something real bad happens and their claims paid out far exceeds their premiums paid in or they will ever pay in.

I moved to Thailand in my early 50's. My family was not happy. But one reason they acquiesced was that I was able to get a personal insurance policy (BUPA Thailand pre-Aetna) that was becoming exorbitantly expensive in USofA. That was almost 20 years ago and I am still insured in Thailand. 3 inpatient claims paid no problem.

Maybe they check for forged signatures?

I only got involved in this discussion because people were discussing a 7162 notification to SSA Wilkes-Barre or Baltimore via FAX. Not my choice.

That's terrible. Better luck for you this year.

Most years, the 7162 is the only piece of hard copy mail I send to the US. I have never received a follow-up letter that my 7162 was not received. You do it your way -- I'll do it mine.

My experience is that even if there is no signature, they still get it and I have had no problems. If not registered, one cannot be sure that it ever made it out of Thailand..

You may be right. I do the registration for me so I know that it got to Wilkes-Barre.