How much to put aside for major health issue (self insure)

[lopburi3]

6 minutes ago, Yme said:

Not when the existing diagnosis is peripheral artery disease. 

PAD is fat build up/blockage and is not a smoking condition.  Stents for blockage over 70% is covered by normal medical insurance and probably one of the most common insurance claims.

[Old Croc]

It would be more accurate if posters advising of high costs for various procedures would state if their insurance paid, or themselves. The cost varies significantly.

 

I've had two stays in BHP of around four days each time. No surgery, but underwent significant exploratory procedures, and given large quantities of medications and fluids. I've been seen by at least 5 different specialist doctors. I had private rooms with meals and nursing staff included. (I've paid more for hotel rooms with just breakfast)

I made it clear at the start I wasn't insured and lived locally. I did have a medical discount membership with the hospital. Both times my bill was about 100,000.

As stated, costs at private hospitals can be very high if insurance is paying. Self insured patients are treated differently.

[Matzzon]

If you set aside about 10M then you would at least be in the same ballpark like the ones that want to survive.

A good insurance per year would be about 80-90k and cover about the same. Ask yourself if you will pay that amount for over 100 years? 

[spornb]

On 9/13/2019 at 10:35 PM, Denim said:

My visa gold credit card has saved my ass a few times.

 

Readily acceptable and you have time to pay it back when you are over the worst and recovering.

I used mine Visa Platinum, to pay a lot of cancer costs, and chemo, and operations my card is from the UK, and wound up with a VERY large balance owing

 

I then wrote and said could not pay, and provided proof of my cancer, and they have indefinitely frozen interest and only require £1 per month

 

Because of the information I provided they know they will not even be repaid on my death

 

They also put in writing this debt would not be sold to an overseas debt collector

 

In the Uk lenders are becoming very considerate to those with major illnesses,  they are under pressure from the government and Charities like MacMillan

 

They also put in writing I would never be asked to pay what I can not afford

 

I had been a customer for 40 yrs plus, never one late payment hence very large limit, when I needed them they were there, no questions asked

 

Of course today my UK credit approval is shot but thats a small price to pay, while you can keep limits as high as possible on your cards

 

I am very grateful to them, however do not worry about them they do often charge very high interest rates

[spornb]

On 9/13/2019 at 4:51 PM, DFPhuket said:

I submitted the same health information to Cigna and their Silver worldwide plan covered me for USD 1,000,000 (excluding USA) with no exclusions. I'm 62 and the premium was USD 3200. You might try them. 

Fair and sensible, however do they guarantee similar premium when 72, and what happens if you have heart problems will they still renew, often not

 

There are many problems on health insurance as the age increases like 75 and UP, and then they do not like what they paid out in the previous year, and say no more, generally you only have a one year contract

[Skallywag]

On 9/13/2019 at 2:36 PM, Lazy Sod said:

Well, well, well...I just followed Sheryl's advice from another thread and applied online at cignaglobal. I declared the high cholesterol, it then asked me if I have any symptoms of heart disease, neurological, etc. (no), and is the condition controlled (yes). The next page listed exclusions...nothing related to cholesterol. So I paid with my credit card and it's done.

So you have high cholesterol but no high blood pressure? (hypertension)

They may very well look at your history here in Thailand if you have any history at hospitals or doctor offices (I did)

I believe even with Cigna, you are not covered for 30 - 120 days for some of the covered items.

 

As long as no high blood pressure readings are available to them (from Thailand only I believe) and no other cardiovascular testings or prescriptions for any other "diseases" you should be fine.  

[Lazy Sod]

18 hours ago, Skallywag said:

So you have high cholesterol but no high blood pressure? (hypertension)

They may very well look at your history here in Thailand if you have any history at hospitals or doctor offices (I did)

I believe even with Cigna, you are not covered for 30 - 120 days for some of the covered items.

 

As long as no high blood pressure readings are available to them (from Thailand only I believe) and no other cardiovascular testings or prescriptions for any other "diseases" you should be fine.  

No high blood pressure. Sorry what do you mean by "(I did)"? 

[Skallywag]

1 hour ago, Lazy Sod said:

No high blood pressure. Sorry what do you mean by "(I did)"? 

 (I did) meant that I have seen medical doctors in Thailand over the last 1-5 years and had high/ slightly elevated blood pressure readings, so that is on record.  

 

If you have never had a high blood pressure reading recorded by anyone in Thailand, then no worries

 

I mentioned this because a large percentage of people with high cholesterol also have high blood pressure is all.  

[Lazy Sod]

4 minutes ago, Skallywag said:

 (I did) meant that I have seen medical doctors in Thailand over the last 1-5 years and had high/ slightly elevated blood pressure readings, so that is on record.  

 

If you have never had a high blood pressure reading recorded by anyone in Thailand, then no worries

 

I mentioned this because a large percentage of people with high cholesterol also have high blood pressure is all.  

Thanks for the clarification, once or twice I had slightly elevated blood pressure readings during routine pre-doctor 'vital signs' screenings at BKK hospitals (doesn't everybody). I didn't declare this in the Cigna application because 99% of the time my blood pressure is normal (also recorded at the hospitals) and I don't take any medication for it. I put it down to white coat syndrome or rushing to meet the appointment time through heavy traffic when late, the doctors didn't seem bothered by it. It's always normal when I check it myself at home.

[Skallywag]

44 minutes ago, Lazy Sod said:

Thanks for the clarification, once or twice I had slightly elevated blood pressure readings during routine pre-doctor 'vital signs' screenings at BKK hospitals (doesn't everybody). 

Also those electronic blood pressure monitors give readings all over the place sometimes.

 

I have asked for a nurse or doctor to take a proper reading manually with cuff and stethoscope, it can make a difference