SammyJ

19 minutes ago, Pumpuynarak said:

Well i've just tried to get an online quote from Aetna and it would appear they don't insure Thai nationals independently, but i could be wrong lol

that seems wrong--they have an office, i was told here in Chiang Mai--try contacting them directly.

13 minutes ago, KannikaP said:

This is the first time I ever heard of health insurance premium going DOWN by Bht 30k when the policyholder is 3 years older. 

exactly, seems curious--but, will accept it at face value--very rare, even without any claims, that a carrier would reduce premiums but i do think that PC has it that premiums can be reduced 10% if there have been no claims in the previous plan year--like I said, i found PC to offer some options not seen in many carriers.

On 10/12/2023 at 8:02 AM, Pumpuynarak said:

Thanks for your post. Its for my 42yo Thai wifey not me. I'm way past being able to get health insurance due to age and pre-existing conditions. I'm thinking she's very healthy and fit at the mo so a good time to sign up. Having spent most of my working life in the UK insurance industry i have good knowledge of how things work in the UK but Thailand is a totally different ball game, i'm concerned regarding how good claim payments are cos if they are sketchy i won't bother to get her insured.

 

In the UK if you're insured and have given full disclosure when initially applying and with subsequent renewal then no problems with having claims paid, well you certainly were with the company i worked for lol  

See my reply further down this thread--i have not seen any issue with having claims paid by the larger carriers with which I am familiar--some list issues, but "the devil is in the details" and without knowing the precise details of any case, one can't really say, I agree or not.

Someone mentioned here in a comment, which is a key issue--read the fine print, and ask questions of any broker used--as someone shared, carriers' t&c will reserve the right for them to revise certain aspects at renewal--much of that is based on utilization during the previous plan year--and, so the problem often is not whether the carrier will pay claims, the problem is with increasing premium amounts often beyond the affordability of those expats here on a fixed retirement income.

On 10/12/2023 at 8:39 AM, mfd101 said:

Yes, I've had much the same experience. Like extracting blood from a stone ...

 

I joined 3 years ago at 71, just renewed at 74. But perhaps the entry rules have changed since then?

 

In any case it was very expensive at first (3M cover c104K with 40K deductible) but  - with no claims - progressively reduced to now 74K with a 40K deductible & OPD excluded.

That's pretty unusual--joining at 71--they have told some of my expat friends no new coverage 65 and older??  But, you may not have had any pre-existing conditions that concerned them, but, again, pretty unusual, any of us in later years almost always have something in our medical history that will cause concern.  Yes, here--most only take in patient coverage as the outpatient coverage is relatively inexpensive--and PC allows you to adjust the deductible to lower the annual coverage--which PC plan do you have?  Of course, that also will determine the annual premiums.

And, while some here shared slow payment or coverage, again, that's not what i have seen--if they question claims or are slow to pay sometimes it has to do with reviewing if it is covered under the plan or was not doing to the claim involving a pre-existing condition.

28 minutes ago, Pumpuynarak said:

Has anyone actually got Pacific Cross Health Insurance cover that they have actually made a claim on or do you know of anyone who has ?, if so can you enlighten me as to your experience or anyone else ?

I'd like to be informed of policyholders claims experience. TIA guys.  

Not sure if you are thinking of applying to Pacific Cross or have it already and are concerned about making a claim?  Regardless, I know several expat friends who have Pacific Cross and like it and enjoy a variety of options it allows that some other carriers do not.  However, if you have not applied, then, depending upon age (they do not offer new policies to those 65 or older--as is the case with most all carriers here) and pre-existing conditions, they may approve an application,  If you qualify with them and all claims are legitimate, I have never heard any problem with them paying claims,

6 hours ago, treetops said:

Lots of discussion in the banks/finance subforum but as above, no-one knows how it'll be implemented.

Actually, there has been some very informative articles in recent Bkk Post online.

26 minutes ago, Sigmund said:

On reading all the hassles of Thai immigration for retirement, it seems that if you go to Thailand say for 4 or 6 months in winter, you will be spending all your time just chasing the inefficient banks and the over zealous immigration red tape.

 

Not really at all--these rules are not the bank rules but immigration's rules--Bkk bank is a bit more of a hassle come renewal time, as to get the previous 12 months statements, they must send to Bangkok for them, while other banks can print them out upon demand--for Thailand's largest bank to be unable to print out one's statements does seem strange, but knowing how they work, one just plans, at renewal time, for statements, and on the day the statements arrive, then, when picking up the statements, ask for the deposit letter, and update ur bank book--don't do that PRIOR to ur statements arriving--and I have only ever been charged 100 baht for these documents.  Also, Bkk Bank is one of the banks that can take larger foreign transfer deposits, which is helpful for those doing the monthly income route to renew the retirement visa.  So, it's not ideal, but with a little planning, it works--my bank back in the US gave me more headaches than my Thai bank here.

5 hours ago, charleskerins said:

I don't think the 2000 a month was a typo  ,please share where you found insurance for 3000 a year 

Thanks

3000 dollars--over 100,000 baht--still would love to see carrier name and plan name,  It might of benefit to others--I am assuming that you were covered by this carrier prior to the age of 65?

5 hours ago, charleskerins said:

I don't think the 2000 a month was a typo  ,please share where you found insurance for 3000 a year 

Thanks

I would also like to see the policy of any plan that will cover someone in their 70's--would be interested to see the plan benefits and restrictions--it just doesn't seem realistic for quality comprehensive coverage--some expat friends here have had coverage for many years with a Thai company, and the company will continue to provide coverage past age 65, but often the annual premiums increase beyond affordability for many.  Some believe that their carrier has promised them certain annual costs, but every policy i have seen contains a caveat that allows companies to increase premiums based on medical costs inflation and utilization.

On 9/23/2023 at 3:03 PM, Liverpool Lou said:

I've never come across any medical/health insurance providers (that's what he's asking about) that exempts claims for the treatment of injuries  resulting from motorcycle accidents.  Do you know of any?

While i am not the original poster of that information, but i  don't think most medical health insurance will do that, but i think some travel insurance may exclude that, knowing that many tourists want to try their hands at riding motorbikes or scooters while on holiday, and it leads to frequent accidents.

Don't know a comprehensive health insurance company that does not exclude pre-existing conditions--how they treat them may vary--most travel insurance also, if you read the fine print, also have pre-existing conditions exclusions--they are more for accident, injury, etc while traveling.

15 hours ago, Brewster67 said:

This is Homepro.... Wouldn't you think the biggest company in Thailand that covers this industry would have done that work already?.. Meaning they vet the workers they send to install their goods.

Suggest to ask the brother in law--these workers, btw, really do not work for Home Pro, just as with outfits like Home Depot and Lowes back in the US--Home Pro arranges installation but contracts that out--in the US, local contractors really wanted to be on the Home Depot lists as it got them more work.

12 hours ago, steven100 said:

thanks for your opinion.  btw .. i wasn't advocating WWIII ... i was asking what others think about the on-going and why not just stop it with the US and NATO superpower.     just saying

I thought it was why not take out Putin and the NK idiot, but either way, stopping it with US and Nato, likely ends up with Russia using nuclear weapons and maybe the involvement of China, etc--a proxy war, is the only reasonable way I see at this moment.

13 hours ago, bignok said:

Might take a week to get paid.

----or more--I have read that some restaurants that use some of the delivery services only get paid once a month??

53 minutes ago, KhunBENQ said:

New SSD and laptop starting from that.

Did you reinstall Windows or transfer?

It's obvious that the WiFi pw was stored on the old installation and got lost.

The sticker on the router is usually the pw to login to the router and not the WiFi pw.

WiFi pw can be changed in the router menu.

Are you familiar with that?

Yes, this is absolutely correct---the change of the ssd should not impact the correct wifi pw

do you have the pw written down somewhere, or remember it?  

18 hours ago, Stevemercer said:

Being 'legally; married would no doubt assist in getting a visa (and eventual residency in America). However, once in America, immigration laws recognise de-facto relationships, including same sex (unlike Thailand).

 

So yes, it would be best to go to one of the recommended agencies to work out the best options for your partner. Once in the US, it will be pretty easy to find a pathway for your partner to stay.

 

I would recommend, while still in Thailand, collecting as much proof as posible to demonstrate you have lived together for so long. This might include joint bank accounts, household books, joint travel etc. Even if in Thai, you can get it legalised and translated. It will be much easier to do this while still in Thailand.

It was my understanding from a friend in the US who went thru this, that to apply for residency, etc, US immigration requires one to return to their home country and go thru the process from there,

Does anyone know if this is correct?

15 hours ago, RxDan said:

Anyone have any good recommendations for a pediatric dentist for a 7 year old?

Thanks

Dentaland, Dr. Joy    excellent, but expensive    we have taken our daughters there for years!

8 hours ago, dia1 said:

 

My license is expired for about 6 months now. At what point will I have to do it all over?

 

Yes, the process was done with an agent. I'm not sure how I would follow up as I am not sure what office handles the tax records.

As someone else stated, I think you have one year to renew---as to tax records, again, google is your friend--google the question--and also talk to the agent, person, who sold you the condo.

1 hour ago, steven100 said:

why put myself through all that ....   just tell the delivery guy to send it back is much simpler.   ( it's shopee not Lazada BTW )

sorry, i was responding to the guy with problems on Lazada with wish lists.

1 hour ago, DrJack54 said:

Name me one agent that can obtain a certificate of residence.

I am in Chiang Mai---most agents that work with immigration on visa issues will also obtain  the residency certificate--of course, there is a fee that some may not want to pay--u can go directly to immigration, and i believe that you can obtain one for free but must wait a week, or something like that--or can pay a fee and have one expedited?  I have never done it that way--always had my agent get one for me as i liked the convenience--but, sorry, not sure i want to recommend my agent to you--again, google is your friend--contact any of the large visa agents here and they will help you.

5 minutes ago, steven100 said:

i don't use the apps, I simply log in using a couple of saved bookmarks on the PC.

so you use the website, not an app on your ph or tablet?  The simple thing it appears to do is to either email or call Lazada help--i order on Lazada all the time over many years, and while it is not Amazon, i have been pleasantly surprised at how few problems I have had--and one time, I actually did reach out to their help number and spoke to an agent (who spoke excellent English) and resolved the issue very promptly---give it a try???

It really isn't that hard, but living in a foreign country does take a bit of research at times--google really can be of great help---the residency certificate, as shared, can  be obtained via immigration or via a visa agent. for a price--you don't need to live here or work here to get it.  Also, how long has ur previous temp license been expired, as you may have to do the complete test over again?

--the other items, tax records should have been sorted during the purchase process---was there an agent that helped you with the purchase, or helped the seller--they should arrange all that, but it may just be slow in the processing--but definitely worth looking into to be sure that the purchase process was completed correctly.