Affordable health insurance for anyone in Thailand

[JLCrab]

Per my experience regarding some of the above, the main reason not to trust a well-established health insurer is if you've given them reason not to trust you.

[Sheryl]

3 hours ago, pearciderman said:

 

There is for those who have worked for 6 months or over here. For those who came here to retire, they are old enough to know better and should have made provisions for any healthcare needs.

 

 

To be fair, many of them are coming from countries where there is a national health system that provides care through  government facikities , so they had no need of insurance before, and by the age when they retire they often have pre-existing conditions making it hard to get insurance. And of course insurance at older ages is expensive.

 

I agree they should have thought this through and arranged something before coming here or else not come here, but it seems that many of them have never even imagined a situation where health care would nto always be available to them for free. They also seem to have never, ever heard of health insurance before and to think of it as a very strange, dodgy system.  Why this is so, I don't know, given that the health care systems of many Western countries are based on insurance, both government provided and private.

 

 

[Sheryl]

23 hours ago, 4MyEgo said:

I too hadn't heard of them until my broker put me onto them, link below, if you want to know who my broker is, PM me and I will give you the details, although I do recall at the time of writing this, you have to get in before 64, I think ?

 

http://www.davidshield-intl.com/

They do not issue new policies to people over 64, however, I checked.

[4MyEgo]

9 hours ago, Sheryl said:

They do not issue new policies to people over 64, however, I checked.

Correct I also just rechecked the policy, so for those under 64 who join, they can continue with life time cover with David Shield, unfortunately for those over 64 who wish to join, they cannot.

 

Wording from the policy below: 

 

2.3.2 The maximum age for joining the Insurance is 64 years.

[4MyEgo]

19 hours ago, Sheryl said:

To be fair, many of them are coming from countries where there is a national health system that provides care through  government facikities , so they had no need of insurance before, and by the age when they retire they often have pre-existing conditions making it hard to get insurance. And of course insurance at older ages is expensive.

 

I agree they should have thought this through and arranged something before coming here or else not come here, but it seems that many of them have never even imagined a situation where health care would nto always be available to them for free. They also seem to have never, ever heard of health insurance before and to think of it as a very strange, dodgy system.  Why this is so, I don't know, given that the health care systems of many Western countries are based on insurance, both government provided and private.

 

 

Your spot on there Sheryl

 

Whilst I agree with pearciderman that the Thai health system shouldn't have to support expats with the 30 baht scheme, one could ask why western countries don't make it mandatory that westerners join private health care providers from the age they join the workforce and leave the Medicare system for the unemployed, disabled and pensioners, etc etc, at least that way more and more people would be in private health cover, which would reduce premiums, (one would hope), if regulated properly, while also taking the pressure off the public system.

 

Those who have had private cover would know its something you have always had and will need when you go overseas, as opposed to coming off a system that you have paid tax or not into, i.e. (if unemployed, disabled and pensioners) and are automatically covered.

 

Like you said, most wouldn't even think of getting insurance when coming here, apart from travel insurance, as I did, it wasn't until reading stuff on TVF that all of a sudden I felt naked not having insurance and then finding out how expensive it is, but when one does calculate what tax they were paying into the public system back home, in my case 2% up to a salary threshold, then a 1.5% surcharge past that threshold, you will work out that international health insurance can be on par to what you were contributing back home, the only thing now is to ask one self if they can afford to keep paying it on the income they are on now which I would imagine is considerably less than what they were on.

 

They way I look at it is, for around 150 baht per day, every expat should be able to afford cover in Thailand, seriously, how many expats do we know that down 4-6 large bottles of beer at a bar per day as a minimum, according to my calcs that's between 340-510 baht per day, reduce the intake and get yourself covered for those that drink, I say

Edited April 30, 2018 by 4MyEgo

[scubascuba3]

Correct I also just rechecked the policy, so for those under 64 who join, they can continue with life time cover with David Shield, unfortunately for those over 64 who wish to join, they cannot.
 
Wording from the policy below: 
 
2.3.2 The maximum age for joining the Insurance is 64 years.

Did you agree on the pre-existing conditions covered? Or is it a case of a nervous wait if you make a claim

[NancyL]

12 minutes ago, 4MyEgo said:

Your spot on there Sheryl

 

Whilst I agree with pearciderman that the Thai health system shouldn't have to support expats with the 30 baht scheme, one could ask why western countries don't make it mandatory that westerners join private health care providers from the age they join the workforce and leave the Medicare system for the unemployed, disabled and pensioners, etc etc, at least that way more and more people would be in private health cover, which would reduce premiums, (one would hope), if regulated properly, while also taking the pressure off the public system.

 

Those who have had private cover would know its something you have always had and will need when you go overseas, as opposed to coming off a system that you have paid tax or not into, i.e. (if unemployed, or a pensioner) and are automatically covered.

 

Like you said, most wouldn't even think of getting insurance when coming here, apart from travel insurance, as I did, it was until reading stuff on TVF that all of a sudden I felt naked not having insurance and then finding out how expensive it is, but when one does calculate what tax they were paying into the public system back home, in my case 2% up to a salary threshold, then a 1.5% surcharge past that threshold, you will work out that international health insurance can be on par to what you were contributing back home, the only thing now is to ask one self if they can afford to keep paying it on the income they are on now which I would imagine is considerably less than what they were on.

 

They way I look at it is, for around 150 baht per day, every expat should be able to afford cover in Thailand, seriously, how many expats do we know that down 4-6 large bottles of beer at a bar per day as a minimum, according to my calcs that's between 340-510 baht per day, reduce the intake and get yourself covered for those that drink, I say

What you're describing is basically the system in the U.S., where there is the mandate under the Affordable Care Act that people have some sort of health insurance coverage.  Problem is that usually the insurance people purchase has limited coverage overseas, at best travel insurance for a limited period of time.  It's useless to keep this  same insurance policy long-term if someone retires here.  And often, the policy is tied to where someone lives and once you live away from that area for more than six months of the year, you can no longer have the policy.  

 

The one good thing is that people who have had to purchase their own insurance during their working lives have a better understanding of how insurance works, so are more likely to start their research and purchase insurance shortly after arriving in Thailand.  This was explained to me by a British insurance broker here in Thailand when Hubby and I arrived in Thailand and wanted to get health insurance done and dusted before the travel insurance period of our U.S. health insurance policy expired and it no longer made sense to continue to pay for that policy.  He said that usually people from countries with nationalized health care wait until they're older and developing health problems before they start to shop for health insurance, rather than buying it when they first arrive and are younger and healthier (and before they develop pre-existing conditions)

[4MyEgo]

3 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

25 minutes ago, 4MyEgo said:

Correct I also just rechecked the policy, so for those under 64 who join, they can continue with life time cover with David Shield, unfortunately for those over 64 who wish to join, they cannot.
 
Wording from the policy below: 
 
2.3.2 The maximum age for joining the Insurance is 64 years.

Did you agree on the pre-existing conditions covered? Or is it a case of a nervous wait if you make a claim

To be honest when I completed the application, I fully disclosed my pre-existing conditions and provided them with docs/dates etc etc.

 

I wasn't actually seeking cover for my pre-existing conditions, i.e. you kind of get used to hearing that you won't get covered by insurers for chronic conditions, so you either bite the bullet or self insure, suffice to say they requested more up to date docs with a general summary from the specialist's which I recently requested and will forward to them when received shortly.

 

I didn't say I was covered for my pre-existing conditions, but the wording in the policy appears that they will look at them and if your condition has been good for the past 5 years they might consider it, suffice to say, if they knock me back on the pre-existings, I am ok with it as I went in with open eyes.

 

If they knock me back on the pre-existing conditions at least I know that if I break a leg tomorrow, I won't be out of pocket 350,000 baht, if you get my drift.

 

I will update you as soon as I hear something back on the pre-existing cover, i.e. whether they decline it, or make a waiting period, or add an additional premium, but like I said, I am not looking for it, but if it comes through, it would be a big bonus.

[meatboy]

for those who think they will get cheap cover,they will find outpatient cost will NOT be cheap,my test last week 25,000bht.also medication I get for my seizure's alone 1,560bht.a month.i will find out tomorrow if anything needs to be done and the cost if there is.

as its 10yrs.ago I had a new aota valve and by-pass surgery,what I found out this would be close on 4million bht.if it had been done here.but after paying N.I. in the uk.for over 40yrs.i got more than my money back.

I have plenty of self cover here,but if I had to have any major surgery at 73yrs.old I would take a chance.

[IFinish]

1 hour ago, 4MyEgo said:

To be honest when I completed the application, I fully disclosed my pre-existing conditions and provided them with docs/dates etc etc.

 

I wasn't actually seeking cover for my pre-existing conditions, i.e. you kind of get used to hearing that you won't get covered by insurers for chronic conditions, so you either bite the bullet or self insure, suffice to say they requested more up to date docs with a general summary from the specialist's which I recently requested and will forward to them when received shortly.

 

I didn't say I was covered for my pre-existing conditions, but the wording in the policy appears that they will look at them and if your condition has been good for the past 5 years they might consider it, suffice to say, if they knock me back on the pre-existings, I am ok with it as I went in with open eyes.

 

If they knock me back on the pre-existing conditions at least I know that if I break a leg tomorrow, I won't be out of pocket 350,000 baht, if you get my drift.

 

I will update you as soon as I hear something back on the pre-existing cover, i.e. whether they decline it, or make a waiting period, or add an additional premium, but like I said, I am not looking for it, but if it comes through, it would be a big bonus.

Interesting read so far and the timing well...

and I must say 4myego, i completely share your sentiments completely that insurance has become a crap shoot and we are all pawns at their mercy. 

Just last week i made an inquiry on insurance as i will be needing to renew this fall.

Im a 58 yo male on a long stay from the US with very mild Type2 diabetic (nagging for last 15 yrs) as pre-existing cond. I was on ACA coverage in the US so the PEC was not an issue but when i started looking into coverage for coming over here, boy did i get a rude awakening! All the major providers basically told me to f#% off! It really pissed me off that i wasted my time reviewing their coverages in detail and asking a lot of questions then after I decided on them they just say oh well sorry no can! Other than the mild T2d im in perfect health, bmi 23, jog 12-16 miles a week regularly. 

 

So i inquired abt coverage last week via a broker i found on line here and he sent me quotes from 10 companies including majors Aetna, Alliance, Cigna etc, and who do you think looks like they have the best policy, yep DavidShield. 

 

Wish there was more feedback history available on DavidShield and will be eager to hear how they treat you on your PEC!

good luck!

[altcar bob]

3 hours ago, meatboy said:

for those who think they will get cheap cover,they will find outpatient cost will NOT be cheap,my test last week 25,000bht.also medication I get for my seizure's alone 1,560bht.a month.i will find out tomorrow if anything needs to be done and the cost if there is.

as its 10yrs.ago I had a new aota valve and by-pass surgery,what I found out this would be close on 4million bht.if it had been done here.but after paying N.I. in the uk.for over 40yrs.i got more than my money back.

I have plenty of self cover here,but if I had to have any major surgery at 73yrs.old I would take a chance.

Just go to Medifee,seek out what/where you want   Chennai and Calcutta nearest   at least 1 tenth,more like 1 20 th of the costs here...put this on before guy spent 1.25 mil here valve aorta  less than 2000 Gbp  there meds too far cheaper 

 

Am going over in week or two  about 5 thou return    injured shoulder,inquired here,no thanks     MRI approx 3.5 thou   surgery approx same    try   not if shoulder   really good

Edited April 30, 2018 by altcar bob

[billd766]

On 27/4/2561 at 4:05 AM, chubby said:

I'd be very happy to get a plan for 3000B/month ;   , etc

 

'self insurance' to me  just means 'no insurance' ...... and probably often ends up in people neglecting  preventative care

 

IMHO this is the most important part. "depending on the  small print"

 

[meatboy]

4 hours ago, meatboy said:

for those who think they will get cheap cover,they will find outpatient cost will NOT be cheap,my test last week 25,000bht.also medication I get for my seizure's alone 1,560bht.a month.i will find out tomorrow if anything needs to be done and the cost if there is.

as its 10yrs.ago I had a new aota valve and by-pass surgery,what I found out this would be close on 4million bht.if it had been done here.but after paying N.I. in the uk.for over 40yrs.i got more than my money back.

I have plenty of self cover here,but if I had to have any major surgery at 73yrs.old I would take a chance.

what test I had done last week was to find out where the pain in my calf muscle was coming from,i did have an injury to my foot,a few moths ago,plenty of numbness and tendon soreness,but after 3months its almost back to normal,except for the calf.but all my meds.[life] I am quite happy with the cost.pharmacy in the city.

[4MyEgo]

3 hours ago, IFinish said:

Interesting read so far and the timing well...

and I must say 4myego, i completely share your sentiments completely that insurance has become a crap shoot and we are all pawns at their mercy. 

Just last week i made an inquiry on insurance as i will be needing to renew this fall.

Im a 58 yo male on a long stay from the US with very mild Type2 diabetic (nagging for last 15 yrs) as pre-existing cond. I was on ACA coverage in the US so the PEC was not an issue but when i started looking into coverage for coming over here, boy did i get a rude awakening! All the major providers basically told me to f#% off! It really pissed me off that i wasted my time reviewing their coverages in detail and asking a lot of questions then after I decided on them they just say oh well sorry no can! Other than the mild T2d im in perfect health, bmi 23, jog 12-16 miles a week regularly. 

 

So i inquired abt coverage last week via a broker i found on line here and he sent me quotes from 10 companies including majors Aetna, Alliance, Cigna etc, and who do you think looks like they have the best policy, yep DavidShield. 

 

Wish there was more feedback history available on DavidShield and will be eager to hear how they treat you on your PEC!

good luck!

It's all a learning curve for us mate, sure the big guns are in it to win it, i.e. make profit, otherwise they wouldn't be in business, but seriously, some people sitting behind desks need to realise that because we had an episode or are borderline, and have not had an event or a reading anywhere near a high risk level, and have actually improved our health through healthy eating habits, regular exercise, medication and have retired away from the stresses of everyday life, doesn't mean that we should be tainted with the same brush.

 

I have been in perfect health for a long time, regular blood test, and other test show that, but because I had a stent inserted in 2008 due to a mild heart attack which was a result of a clot from when I overexerted myself, meaning I really pushed myself way over my lmits, it could have happened to anyone, so what, I am going to eat into their profits, as I am a risk, give me a break !

 

That said, not worth getting agro or let down over it, it is what it is, and the international insurers for some reason can get away with refusing you whereas in some western countries they would be fined for excluding your pre-existing condition.

 

I suppose they hedge their bets and put us all in the same basket, well not much we can do about it, but I tell you what, if DS does cover my pre-existing conditions, not that I expect them too, it will be posted here on TVF, so anyone like yourself can perhaps give them a go, if they feel like it.

 

The only thing to be tested is if they are good payers, because from my research the company has been around since 1999 and has recently branched into the expat side of insurance, so who knows if they are good payers, not enough reviews out there and this maybe a way of rounding up a lot of business out there that others have refused and can only grow from there ?

 

Will keep you posted.

[scubascuba3]

Just go to Medifee,seek out what/where you want   Chennai and Calcutta nearest   at least 1 tenth,more like 1 20 th of the costs here...put this on before guy spent 1.25 mil here valve aorta  less than 2000 Gbp  there meds too far cheaper 
 
Am going over in week or two  about 5 thou return    injured shoulder,inquired here,no thanks     MRI approx 3.5 thou   surgery approx same    try   not if shoulder   really good

Sounds good, let us know how it goes, good luck

[meatboy]

17 hours ago, meatboy said:

what test I had done last week was to find out where the pain in my calf muscle was coming from,i did have an injury to my foot,a few moths ago,plenty of numbness and tendon soreness,but after 3months its almost back to normal,except for the calf.but all my meds.[life] I am quite happy with the cost.pharmacy in the city.

I have also stayed at 2 of the local gov.hospitals,both ok,i also had a private room in both of them,but for them that don't know,if you have a private room you MUST have someone to be with you 24/7.

[scubascuba3]

if you have a private room you MUST have someone to be with you 24/7.

Why?

[altcar bob]

Just now, scubascuba3 said:

 

 

Why?

I had private room in India,but moved me to semi private (one other person)  Nurses here or there do not do what nurses do in the west  ie look after patient care.  The people ,relatives etc.  with the other patient took turns  look me up,but it was only to supply water,was not up to much after the op

[scubascuba3]

How strange, maybe you need to prearrange a little helper somewhere

I had private room in India,but moved me to semi private (one other person)  Nurses here or there do not do what nurses do in the west  ie look after patient care.  The people ,relatives etc.  with the other patient took turns  look me up,but it was only to supply water,was not up to much after the op

[altcar bob]

4 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

How strange, maybe you need to prearrange a little helper somewhere

amazed I turned up alone for the op,but ward secretary whoever he was did say at end of stay  he was my servant,said nothing whilst in need,  needless to say  no tip

[scubascuba3]

I got a basic quote from Cigna, left contact details, I've had 3 phonecalls from my local UK office, i haven't answered but they are obviously very keen to sell.

It would be awful if you paid for years and years and then they deny the claim. I'm actually shifting towards the India option if something comes up thats massively expensive in Thailand, and an emergency in Thailand I'll pay with credit cards which I'll carry plus cash available if need be. I'm still deciding, may take years

[TerryLH]

18 hours ago, meatboy said:

I have also stayed at 2 of the local gov.hospitals,both ok,i also had a private room in both of them,but for them that don't know,if you have a private room you MUST have someone to be with you 24/7.

MUST?  Maybe in the two you stayed at, but not all government hospitals are the same.  

I stayed at a large government hospital that had a place for a relative to stay, but it was not mandatory for anyone to actually have to do so.  

Or maybe it was only because of the reason you were there.  ??

Terry

[NancyL]

23 hours ago, TerryLH said:

MUST?  Maybe in the two you stayed at, but not all government hospitals are the same.  

I stayed at a large government hospital that had a place for a relative to stay, but it was not mandatory for anyone to actually have to do so.  

Or maybe it was only because of the reason you were there.  ??

Terry

In general, both private and gov't hospitals prefer to have relatives or an attendant stay in a private room with a patient.  But, this is not a hard-and-fast rule and depends upon how independent and competent the patient is.  In general, the hospitals err on the conservative side and will insist that someone stays with the patient and if no one is available, will ask the patient to hire an off-duty staff member for a cost of about 400-600 baht per 8 hr shift.  That person expects to sleep on the couch in the room during most of their shift and not be up to "entertain" the patient.

 

The reason for this is that the hospital fears the patient will try to get out of bed or get into distress and be unable to use the "call nurse" button.  Also, often hospitals are short-staffed, especially at night, and they expect patient relatives to help get patients to the toilet and to do other mundane tasks.  If a patient can't provide someone to stay with them and they are making demands on the staff, they may find themselves transferred to ICU when their condition really isn't "critical", just because there is higher level of staffing in ICU to take care of their needs. 

[altcar bob]

Few months ago,guy 71 stated he had health insurance,without quoting an actual figure I think about 4 to 5000 GBP was in the ballpark,the max possible claimed  for an event was 1 mil baht,but multiple claims in the one year was possible for claims again in the 1 mil baht bracket.  To me this is stupidity itself,assuming he does claim,not withstanding past history would exclude any claim,but another claim in the year for another 1 mil baht is beyond belief,just who is taking this money?and assuming aging puts up the amount due,plus the first 200,000 is to be found ,it sure sounds one hell of a deal

[Sheryl]

1 hour ago, altcar bob said:

Few months ago,guy 71 stated he had health insurance,without quoting an actual figure I think about 4 to 5000 GBP was in the ballpark,the max possible claimed  for an event was 1 mil baht,but multiple claims in the one year was possible for claims again in the 1 mil baht bracket.  To me this is stupidity itself,assuming he does claim,not withstanding past history would exclude any claim,but another claim in the year for another 1 mil baht is beyond belief,just who is taking this money?and assuming aging puts up the amount due,plus the first 200,000 is to be found ,it sure sounds one hell of a deal

I am completely unable to figure out what you are saying.

 

Someone has insurance with a cap of 1 million baht  per event but no limit to #events per year.    It is far from beyond belief that someone might have more than one  1 million baht claim in a year, I have seen it happen many, many times. The bigger problem is that the 1 million baht limit is way too low unless he is prepared to use only government hospitals. And certainly better deals can be had than 4-5,000 GBP with a 1 million baht limit.

 

I have never seen an insurance policy with a GBP 200,000 excess (deductible). That part you must have wrong. Deductibles commonly range from  0 - 5,000 max. And the policies which offer them usually have much higher caps than 1 million baht.

[altcar bob]

Just now, Sheryl said:

I am completely unable to figure out what you are saying.

 

Someone has insurance with a cap of 1 million baht  per event but no limit to #events per year.    It is far from beyond belief that someone might have more than one  1 million baht claim in a year, I have seen it happen many, many times. The bigger problem is that the 1 million baht limit is way too low unless he is prepared to use only government hospitals. And certainly better deals can be had than 4-5,000 GBP with a 1 million baht limit.

 

I have never seen an insurance policy with a GBP 200,000 excess (deductible). That part you must have wrong. Deductibles commonly range from  0 - 5,000 max. And the policies which offer them usually have much higher caps than 1 million baht.

Sheryl did not say GBP 200,000  I meant baht,but if your 0- 5000 max is GBP ,about the same

[JetsetBkk]

On Saturday, April 28, 2018 at 4:45 PM, Sheryl said:

On Saturday, April 28, 2018 at 3:10 PM, JetsetBkk said:

 

I'm guessing that sentence was aimed at me!

 

Here're the words from the Regency For Expats brochure that I received. Their quote was the cheapest:

 

"We will not cover the following:
1. Any claim relating directly or indirectly to any medical condition or related condition for which you have received treatment, had symptoms of, had knowledge existed or should have known existed, or you sought advice for prior to your date of entry (preexisting medical condition).
2. Any claim relating directly or indirectly to an incident, injury or illness which you were aware of at the time you purchased this insurance and which could reasonably be expected to lead to a claim."

 

I think that covers "everything you've ever had", and a bit more! 

 

Pre-existing means by definition, present at the time your policy started. It is not the same as a past problem. A problem you had in the past that was fully resolved, with no permanent change to your risk profile, is  not pre-existing because it did not exist when the policy began.

 

If you broke your arm as a child, healed and then have a new accident after taking out an insurance policy, this is NOT a pre-existing condition, at least not by any reasonable interpretation, and I have never heard or a reputable international insurer trying to claim otherwise. If however your broken arm left you with a permanent deformity, or had not healed at the time you got your policy, that would be pre-existing and  nto covered.

 

in practice scrutiny as to whether a claim should be disallowed on grounds of pre-existing condition is most intense if a claim is made in the first year of coverage, or  in case of things known to have long lead-ups (like heart disease), the first couple of years.

I don't think the broken arm analogy works well, since that would be an accident.

Also, most old people are more likely to be suffering from heart, blood pressure, kidney, liver etc problems.

 

1. I have had high blood pressure for over 15 years, but it's kept under control by medication. So I don't actually have high blood pressure. But if I had a heart attack would a typical policy pay up or use the "pre-existing conditions" clause as an excuse?

 

2. I recently had a kidney stone removed - very expensive. So I am now prone to kidney stones. If I have another, would a typical policy pay up or use the "pre-existing conditions" clause as an excuse? The scheme that the Bangkok Insurance Brokers are trying to set up will have a waiting period of 6 months for stones. So I'll have to drink lots of water until at least November.

 

Also, exclusion number 1 in the Bangkok Insurance Brokers scheme is:

This policy shall not cover any claim directly or indirectly from:

1. There is medical evidence indicating that Cancer and Kidney Failure were pre-existing condition.

So my slightly high creatinine level may be indicative of a kidney problem. Oops, that'll be 200,000 baht sir. 

 

[JetsetBkk]

On Sunday, April 29, 2018 at 7:16 AM, 4MyEgo said:

If your not comfortable with any insurers, self-insure as I have done for the past 2.5 years and hope luck is on your side

What does "self-insure" mean?

If it means keep a 1" thick stack of 1,000 baht notes in you desk drawer, then I agree.

 

[altcar bob]

The whole point in having medical insurance is to receive treatment and medically be put back as before,before ill health struck    This just not happen with elderly medically insured.  Of the 5 posters  (and more) I have observed here in the last 18 months or so,mostly insured,2 apparently have died,2 more are certainly on the (rapidly) way out,lastly the last one is going that way too,or already has gone The point being years of medical insurance,a diagnoses,an operation,but you still die quicker than quick,the op probably speed-ed up the process.

•   Selective and elective ,the heart etc  can be done in far less cost environment ,probably better too than Thailand's,I'm off soon enough ,but Thailand's medical quotes are outrageous

[HampiK]

For me there exists 2 kind of Health Insurance:

• Insurance take care of everything and therefore they are expensive
• Insurance which only take care of bigger things (so they can have higher deductibles)
  small things you pay yourself.

I am not sure yet which way I want to go at the  end. At the moment I use the first type. This is easy to change to the second type. But from the second type you can't change if you have already a problem came up.

In my opinion I also happy when the Insurance only take care of a real big Issue which would cost more than 200'000 baht. The small things like 5'000 baht or something I not have a problem to pay it myself. I not need an Insurance which pay my medicine when I feel a headache. That's the main problem, why the Insurances become more and more expensive.