Expat Health Insurance

[expatfamily]

We are looking for expat health insurance for me and my family, wife and 2 kids who are living in Bangkok and only visiting the US once a year for less than 30 days. My understanding is that most insurance plans that exclude the US actually provide cover for visits upto 30 or 60 days ? 

[Sheryl]

Many international policies will cover you for emergency care during short trips, yes, but not all. However if you have an inpatient only policy (as is usual for Thailand since outpatioent care costs do nto make the added premium of in + outpt cover worthwhile) you'll only be covered for inpatient costs while in the US, and there, outpatient costs can be significant.

 

Another option is to get a travel policy to cover you during US trips, that is what I did until eligible for Medicare, I used IMG Patriot America for that https://www.imglobal.com/travel-medical-insurance/patriot-america-plus

(When it says "nonresidents" that includes US citizens residing abroad)

 

For your main policy, I suggest you work with a broker as there are many variables to consider, including how long you expect to stay in Thailand, your age, etc. Try AAbrokers  https://www.aainsure.net/

 

Note that if your wife and children are Thai citizens they already have access to free health care in Thailand

 

 

 

[simon43]

Sheryl, in many previous forum posts, Cigna UK always seems to come out 'tops' for expat health insurance, in terms of their cover and promise not to increase premiums or refuse renewal in the event of a claim.

 

Do you know if that's still the case, or are there 'new kids on the block' who also provide the same promise?

 

I'm a few months from my insurance renewal, and also a few months from 60 years old.  It may be prudent for me to switch from HCI to Cigna before my birthday.  Thanks.

[Sheryl]

I think HCI also does not raise premiums based on health status or claims, pretty much none of the internationally based insurers do, insurance regulations in the country they are headquartered would nto allow. Beyond that I don't know too much about HCI.

 

Besides Cigna, April International is a good option and a newcomer that is interesting for those still under 65 is David Shield. It has actually been around for a while as a policy for expat Israelis but is now global and a number of people living in Thailand have gotten it. Works in an interesting way, different from other insurers - basically you get a Master Card and they authorize a line of credit when they pre-authorize a hospitalization, then you just pay the bill with the card then and there, finished.

 

Best to discuss all this with a good broker as they will have specific feedback from their own experience in terms of ease of claims etc.