tonydabbs

Also check the fine prints. Bupa for example only cover 50% if you have an accident with a MC.

This is a long standing myth that continues to hang on and refuse to die. Bupa provides 100% coverage for medical treatment of motorcycle accidents, within the limits of the coverage of the plan you choose. The coverage for motorcycle accidents is exactly the same as the coverage for illness.

But, if you do read the "small print" you will see that you will not be covered at all if you are injured while riding on a motorcycle shooting at people. Also, you are not covered if you are injured throwing bombs at taxis that refuse to stop for you.

Ok. If you die in a motorcycle accident Bupa will only pay your beneficiary 50% of the death benefit due under the Personal Accident (PA) addition to your health & accident insurance. PA insurance is an Accidental Death and Dismemberment supplement to your policy. It has absolutely nothing to do with medical treatment.

By the way, health insurance in Thailand is tightly regulated by the Office of Insurance Commission (OIC). The "small print" you see in one policy will be pretty similar the "small print" you will see in all policies sold here.

Now, excuse me while I get off of my high horse and trot off into the...

Beachboy You are asking the wrong questions. First, you have to understand your Thai based "renewable for life" options here.

1. If you apply for coverage at age 60, you will have two local insurance options, Bupa Thailand or LMG Pacific Thailand.

LMG Pacific is a good buy, but they will require you to take a physical. Bupa won't require a physical.

2. If you apply at age 61, Bupa is no longer a real option. They will only insure you to age 70.

3. Bupa only covers for accidents in the US. No problem with Australia, though. LMGP may require you to share costs in the US (80/20 or 70/30?)

4. Both have emergancy medical evacuation back to Thailand, but not to another country. You may be able to make additional arrangements through SOS for about another 20,000 baht.

5. Your hypertension will be excluded from coverage; but, if you keep it well under control, your heart and other areas of potential risk will be covered.

6. There are a few off-shore health insurers that service Thailand, also. LMG Pacific is a bit cheaper, though.

Good luck! I'm from the L.A. area myself.

Thanks for re-confirming that, Tony... I know insurance is your area of expertise... So much appreciate your contributions here....

BTW, do you happen to know anything about the RBI outfit that was mentioned earlier in this thread... I'd never heard of them before....

I have never heard of them either, TallGuy. They seem to be new. They are not an insurance company, they operate as a group. That is why the age 55 limit to apply and the maximum age for coverage is age 65.

They don't say who the insurance company is; but; they seem be the administrator of the group. They can change insurance companies as needed just like any group. The group shares the risk among themselves.

That is why they don't raise premiums on individuals for claims or age. They raise premiums on the overall group based on increased claims and medical costs for the group as a whole. This is good for people who have a lot of claims and would prefer to spread the cost of their claims among the whole group.

Tony, what you say above is technically correct, but I'm not sure that suggesting by implication that a person hold onto all their claims paperwork beforehand and not submit them to LMG is good advice...

The reason, of course, is your correct use of the term "VALID claims." And who's going to determine what constitutes VALID claims that count toward your deductible? LMG of course...

The only way any policyholder is going to know for certain that their medical expenses during the policy year are being tallied by LMG and credited toward the person's deductible is if they submit those expenses to LMG as they occur.

I had a situation with LMG during the past year in which I had a two-years past outpatient doctor visit that I did under my outpatient coverage, and assumed LMG had paid for it... after signing the paperwork at the hospital and presenting my insurance card. And then last month, about two years after the fact, I got a registered letter in the mail from the hospital totally out of the blue seeking payment for the visit and informing me LMG had never paid...something LMG had never informed me of... And I only then found out they had (IMHO) wrongly classified the visit as being for something excluded under my policy.

Bottom line, if I'm going to have the 40K deductible policy, I want to know for certain if I've reached my 40K deductible... And I don't want to end up being hospitalized for something unexpectedly and then at that point having to argue with LMG about that status of some medical expenses that happened months before, while I'm in the hospital, just as one potential example.

Tall Guy, you are correct. I checked with LMG and they confirmed that it is entirely up to you. You can submit the batch of claims all at once when they total up to 40K or you can submit them as you pay them and LMG will keep them in your file until they build up enough to satisfy your deductible. Also, they will let you know if any of the claims you submit don't qualify towards satisfying your deductible. So, while you have two options, I strongly agree with you that submitting the claims as they occur, rather than building them up, is by far the best option. Thanks for correcting me on that, Tall Guy.

Vagabond, you're raising two different questions here...

One is the timing of submitting claims to LMG. I don't have a direct answer or info from LMG on that... But I do have what my Thai insurance broker advised, as follows... Since this is going to be my first year using LMG's 40K deductible plan, I wasn't sure about the process for that... So I spoke with her, my broker, at length about it, and she spoke with LMG...

The upshot is... basically, she strongly advised me to submit to her office any eligible claims as soon as I incur them. We never talked, and she didn't mention, anything about LMG having any set time period for that. But rather, she counseled that by submitting each eligible claim as it occurs, my broker and I will know beforehand that LMG has accepted the amounts involved as eligible toward my total deductible, or if they don't for some reason, that we'd then have plenty of time to work out any issues...

I had started out suggesting to her that I'd simply save up the various receipts I might incur, and if/when they were getting close to my deductible cap, that I'd pass them along to her and then she'd pass them along to LMG... She pretty strongly counseled against that, saying she didn't want to dump a bunch of claims on LMG all at once. And especially if I ever had any urgent, serious thing like an inpatient operation, she said I wouldn't want to have that hung up for coverage while LMG was processing a bunch of months old claims...

I figured I'd end up having to mail the receipts into my broker in BKK every time. But I was surprised to hear her offer to have a messenger come and pick them up at my home, any time I incurred a medical expense. When I asked about the trouble of doing that, she replied that that was a normal thing and they do it all the time with other clients... So I said, OK... can do.

As for the 5% no claims discount, I didn't get that answer direct from LMG, but from my broker, who usually is pretty good and accurate about such things, and is used to dealing with LMG. But I wondered the same question as you, and so I specifically asked her about it, and she answered that I'd get the 5% discount in the subsequent year as long as LMG didn't pay out any amounts toward my coverage in the current year... and it didn't matter for qualifying for the 5% discount what expenses I myself covered as part of my policy deductible.

If anyone hears anything different about that, please chime in, and if necessary, I'll re-raise the question again. But her answer kind of makes normal sense, since LMG really ought to only care whether THEY are paying out any money toward my policy, not whether I'm paying for any expenses myself.

Just to be clear, though, on a related issue, I also asked about medical expenses that might not be covered under a person's policy for various reasons, either general policy exclusions or pre-existing conditions that have been excluded for coverage... And not surprisingly, any expenses in those categories that an individual might incur don't count toward the annual deductible, because they're not covered items under the policy.

Any valid claims you have before before the deductible (40K) has been reached are meaningless to LMG. They only become important when your valid claims exceed 40K. Then they need to be submitted to LMG so that you can start getting paid for the rest of the valid claims during that policy year.

Health insurers cannot arbitrarily raise premiums without across the board approval from the OIC.

But they can increase individual premiums under 2 conditions: age and claims

Individual premium increases are determined by your age bracket. These "premium increase age brackets" are public knowledg and are the same for everyone. You might call this age increase a "Happy Birthday!" age increase.

Normally if your claims exceed 80% or more of your annual premium the insurer will raise your premium. This increase depends on the total cost of the claims you had in relation to the annual premium you pay. They won't raise your premium more than 100%, though. 50% is fairly common. And, one insurer won't raise premiums more than 25%. But that insurer also raises premiums across the board more often. If you are insured as a group or family, the premium increase that would normally be charged to the claiming individual will be spread out among the group or family.

Health insurers in Thailand are not supported by taxpayer money like health insurers in many countries are. If their claims run too high, they have to raise premiums. Raising the premiums of claimants allows insurers to keep their premiums lower and remain more competitive.

if there had only been compulsory Insurance, I believe limit is 50k baht

compulsory insurance pays 100k for death .

No! A Work Permit doesn't automatically qualify you. You have to work for an employer participating in the Social Security program. Your employer will tell you, because you will have to participate.. You pay half your cost and the employer pays the other half, based on your salary. The maximum cost 1,500 baht per month. Most expats earn a salary high enough to pay the maximum, 750 baht per month. They have no choice, they have to pay it, even if they have other coverage. The coverage is very good, though. The participating hospitals can be private or government You are assigned a particular hospital.

If you had the vehicle imported into Thailand the 600,000 baht probably included the cost of Import Duty.

Insurance companies won't insure that cost.

Also, Insurance companies don't like to insure imported cars because replacement parts are too difficult and costly to obtain.

Yes, there are other insurers that will insure your vehicle. But, the insurance will cost you more than if you had purchased a vehicle sold locally

This is Thailand. They speak, read and write in Thai here. If you are Thai with good bi-lingual skills (Thai & English) I know many companies that would be strongly interested.

If you are an expat fluent in Thai, maybe. What are your insurance skills? Why should an insurance group hire you in Thailand?

Frankly, I think that you are going to be very disappointed in your job search. You might consider teaching English.

You should check with a broker. Start with Thai Visa's broker, since they help pay for this forum. Then check with other brokers if you want. It doesn't cost you anything to do so. They also offer international options. As for getting advice from a forum, listen to it, but take it with "a grain of salt." A good broker can help you better and offer you educated support. Of course, there are bad brokers, also.

Okay. Bupa is probably the closest to what you are looking for, in terms of offering monthly premiums. But, you have to have a credit card (not debit card) from a Thai bank. Bupa also offers a family discount. Remember, you got this from a forum. Now,take this information with a grain of salt and verify it with your broker.. .

First point, Thai Visa Brokers can insure just a 'baby' but in the majority of cases the parents simply add the new born to their own policies.

would be interesting to know, for the benefit of the general public, if you could tell us the name of the insurance co's which will insure a baby without needing a parent.

Actually, there are now 2 Thai based health insurance companies that will insure a child without insuring either parent. And, there is another local option also. Name them? Sorry. Check with your broker.

OK here is my back-off statement: First off, I have previously communicated directly with Kuhn Bazmlb in saying that in fact most persons should use a broker for health insurance rather than contact a company directly... it takes time and some understanding of health insurance which I do possess having had assignments with the hospital reinsurance industry in Bermuda... It certainly does not cost any more to use a broker when purchasing insurance and you will have the added support at hospital admission and claim time if so required.

However the 'specialty' medical insurance companies based in Thailand including BUPA and ThaiHealth have invested significant time and financial resources in providing direct on-line and customer care services and I do not believe -- if it is one's preference -- that it is 'stupid' to make use of those services.

As to my suggestion that Kuhn Bazmlb is a broker that was only my unfounded supposition after reading the multiple posts he has made over the last several years as to the many reasons one should use a broker ... but he has never said that he is in fact a broker.

Hi Jazzbo,

Sorry to disagree with you on this; but you know where I am coming from. I think that it is very very foolish to purchase directly from an insurance company if you know a good agent or broker you can deal through. I see absolutely no logic in buying directly from the insurance company. Buying through a broker doesn't cost any more, as you have pointed out, and it provides additional back up support for you if you ever need it. And, I have known many people who have needed it. Even if you do purchase through a broker, you can still deal with the insurance company directly ,if the broker disappoints you. Or, you can change brokers. Insurance companies allow you to do this.

I know for a fact that health insurance companies here have a lot of difficulty finding competent English speaking staff to deal with expats. Also, there is the issue of Kreng Jai (arrrhghh!).

And finally, there is certainly no love affair going on between health insurers and medical care providers. Insurance companies are afraid of being overcharged and being asked to pay for unnecessary testing. Some of the major medical care providers for expats tend to view insurance companies as selfish and petty.

In regards tot Kuhn Bazmlb's support of brokers, it just may be that he has been right and you have been wrong, Jazzbo. Have a very Happy Thai New Year.

I don't have time to read all of the posts. But I was surprised to note that none of those that I did read made any mention of what day it is today. Why was this information mentioned here and not in the Nation Newspaper?.

I have heard that the San Francisco Bay Bridge is up for sale for a very low price.. Anyone want to buy a bridge? >

in the UK data protection would not allow it unless it was in the public interest. your medical records belong to the doctor but for a fee you can get a copy. i would be prity sure the data protection act would prevent anybody getting that information then theres the hypacatic oath a doctor has to take. i would say they face getting stuck off for passing on such info to a comercial business. google should reveal all

insurance companies especially travel and health dont exactly stick to the terms on the signed and agreed form now do they, always look for away to get out of paying.

It is true that your medical records are protected in Europe.. But, the insurance company can ask you to obtain them for them if you want the claim settled.

It is part of Thai culture. It is called "Kreng Jai." (We call it a "white lie" in our culture.) The speaker is trying to make you feel better and avoid conflit. Thais consider it being polite. To me, it is one of the most maddening aspects of Thai culture. I first became aware of it many years in the States when I used to visit an Asian bar and sit with one of the Thai hostesses. She <U>asked me</U> if I would like to have dinner with her some time. We scheduled a date, time and place to meet. But she never showed up. She later explained to me that she was just trying to make me happy. She did make me happy; but I soon became very unhappy after waiting 2 hours for her to show up.

You have only 2 options:

Buy travel insurance, outside of Thailand, that will cover you for 6 months in Thailand.[*]Purchase annual renewable health insurance coverage in Thailand. (Recommended).

If you are planning to stay in Thailand for not more than 6 months in a year, then get travel insurance - it provides the flexibility you are requesting.

BUT...if you may stay longer, get annual renewable health insurance. Believe me, it's to your advantage. It will cover you in other countries (2 months, 3 months or for a full year, depending on the plan) and you can get part of your premium refunded to you if you decide to cancel. The premium refund amount is standard and is guaranteed in all health insurance contracts.

You are talking "apples and oranges" here. Bupa and Thai Health Insurance are health insurance companies. Thai Life Insurance (who happerns to own Thai Health Insurance) is a life insurance company. Life insurance companies are allowed to sell basic inpatient hosital insurance as a rider on a life insurance policy. Life insurance policies serve as savings programs for Thais.

The only life insurance sold by health insurance companies is PA insurance (Accidental Death & Dismemberment coverage). Health insurance companies and life insurance companies are governed by 2 totally different sets of rules.

The coverage offered by Bupa Platinum is far superior to health insurance coverage provided by a life insurance company. But, the coverage provided by Bupa Ruby or THI WH1000 are nothing to get excited about in comparison to life insurance health insurance coverage, except that their premiums are much lower than life insurance health coverage. But with life insurance, you start getting some of the premiums back in a few years.

Frankly, I lean towards keeping life insurance and health insurance seperate

Bongo, If an insurance co knows your pre-existing condition & that you are taking cholesterol medication, they most likely will exclude all treatment relating to Hyperlipidemia

Of course. They will not pay for any treatment, testing or medication for Hyperlipidemia. But will they pay for treatment of a heart attack? Yes, if your treating physican determines that it wasn't related to your Hyperlipidemia.

If you have regular checkups and are able to show that you are keeping the problem under control through medication, or whatever, "relating to" should have no meaning in regards to any other medical problems.

1st Class covers damage to your car. It also includes 2nd and 3rd Class coverage.

2nd Class covers Fire damage to your car and Theft of your car. It also includes 3rd Class coverage. Beyond fire, it does not cover any damage to your vehicle.

3rd Class covers liability to 3rd parties, for injury, death and property damage. It doesn't include coverage for your car in any way. But it does provide bail bond coverage to get you out of jail.

It also provides some PA coverage and some Medical treatement coverage for driver and passengers.

4th Class and 5th Class( Viriyah is the only one to call them that) are actually 2nd Class - plus and 3rd Class - plus

2nd Class plus and 3rd Class plus are relatively new coverage ideas in Thailand and are actually marketed under different names. They offer some cost advantages for older cars.

2nd Class plus adds Colision coverage (only with another vehicle) to the Fire & Theft coverage.

3rd Class plus only adds colision with another vehicle coverage, no Fire & Theft.

Their is a Bupa insurance office on sukhumvit just south of North Pattaya road, just before BKK Pattaya hospital on the same side of the street. You can get travel insurance 2 million Baht of coverage, health and accident for 3000 Baht.

Barry

Bupa does not have anything for you for such a short period of coverage. The Sunshine plan (Platinum 1) is very good coverage, but it is for 6 months. What you will need to do is pay the full 6 months premium and then ask for partial reimbursement when you are ready to leave. That is a lot of hassel. What you should have done is purchased travel insurance from Thaivisa before you left home. There is no short term health insurance in Thailand and, as a rule, you can't buy travel insurance for the the country that you are already in. Another answer for you is to present an application to Thaivisa effective the date you plan to re-enter Thailand from Laos (or wherever). Then go out and enter Thailand from that country.

Today's lesson : use a reputable Broker, do not be afraid to ask for their I.D. and Broker License

or get insurance directly from the insurance company without a broker. cash on spot, docs on spot. sorry tv insurance

This is a very good example of some very bad advice that can often be found in forums. For so many reasons that I don't have time into right now, it is to your advanatage to use a good reputable broker like THaivisa. No matter who you use, though, always be careful and get proof of transactions.

I posted the rates a while back for BUPA Thailand 2006 and 2009 -- the published rates stop at age 60-65 but are 82,394 baht (hospitalization only) for their most expensive Platinum policy... so your numbers for age 70 of 250-350K I do not know.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Bupa-thailan...rs-t279941.html

They increase 10% per year after age 65, according to Bupa.

Since you are planning to stay in Thailand indefinitely, there is no reason to purchase travel insurance.

You can purchase health insurance now and have the coverage start when you arrive here. But you need to provide an address in Thailand.

When you live in Thailand you are living on "the other side of the looking glass" (Alice in Wonderland). You either accept Thais as they are or leave. I often like to say that Thais are among the most prejudice (ethnocentric) people in the world; but they are probably the nicest "racists" you will ever meet - if you don't show attitude towards them. Whenever I am walking someplace and see a group of Thais staring at me with a sour look on their face, I look at them, smile and Sawadee them. Everytime, their faces break into a big smile and many Sawadee back. I would be afraid to try that approach anywhere else but in Thailand

By the way, the word Farang comes from the word Farang-sed, meaning French. Apparently, they were the first group of white skinned people the Thais came into regular contact with. Eventually, "sed" was dropped and Farang was used to refer to all white skinned people, similar to how we often use "Asian" to identitfy Thais, Chinese, Japanese and other people with similar features when we don't know what nationality they really are. Jai yen yen.