Cost to be properly insured in Thailand?

[kynikoi]

Anyone selling or shilling for insurance agents please do not post on this thread.

Can anyone guestimate what proper insurance costs for a married couple (Thai, foreign) ages 61M, 46F?

Modest, and large deductibles.

 

What would be a good set-aside for self-insurance two persons? Please don't say the more the better that is obvious.

Is it true that seniors are uninsurable 70+?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 27, 2021 by kynikoi

[tonray]

 You have to provide far more info for any answers tp be relevant and useful. 

 

Pre-existing conditions ?

 

Plan on treatment at private or government hospitals ?

 

Current health and lifestyle profile ?

 

 

[kynikoi]

2 minutes ago, tonray said:

 You have to provide far more info for any answers tp be relevant and useful. 

 

Pre-existing conditions ?

 

Plan on treatment at private or government hospitals ?

 

Current health and lifestyle profile ?

 

 

 

Thanks, but I'm just looking for personal, anecdotal information not a quote.

 

Private hospitals

Edited April 27, 2021 by kynikoi

[mark5335]

 

 

 

Edited April 27, 2021 by mark5335

[Sheryl]

First of all, not true that over 70s are uninsurable. There are Thai companies that will issue new policies up to age 75 and international companies (expat policies) that will issue up to age 100. (Note that you do not need a Thai issued policy to be covered in Thailand; there are internationally based companies that issue expat policies that would cover you in Thailand).

 

However, most people over 70 have at least one pre-existing condition and that, not their age, can make it hard to impossible to get a policy. For which reason it is better to get insured at a younger age and maintain the policy.

 

I assume you know that Thais already have free health care through the government system? So the only reason to get a private policy for a Thai is to use private facilities.  Which, while definitely more convenient and comfortable, do not necessarily offer better quality care (indeed sometimes the opposite).

 

You should go through a broker, they will not only help you select the best plan but also help afterwards with any issues on claims. I use AA  www.aainsure.net. Some important points to specify to the broker assuming you intend to settle in Thailand permanently:  policy should include direct payment to wide range of hospitals in Thailand, guarantee lifetime renewal and not raise premiums based on claims history or change in health status. (This last will rule out most Thai based companies and is quite important, otherwise even though on paper there is lifetime renewal, you can be priced out. Thai companies are allowed to tack on as much as a 25% rise per year on top of age related increases if you have had a large claim). If you will be insuring both yourself and your wife then a family discount would also be nice and of course it needs to be a policythat would cover both expat and their Thai wife.

 

As for setting aside for self insurance:  for the foreigner, wanting to use private hospitals, at least 5 million baht with plan for how to replenish it. For the Thai, since there is the fallback of using the government system for free, you really don't have to set aside anything. Just pay out of pocket as you go and for anything too expensive to pay for, use the government system.

 

As a rough guide, at 61 and with a deductible, you will need to pay about US $2,500 a year for inpatient cover only. Rates will then go up significantly with age.

 

[kynikoi]

Thanks to all. Especially you Sheryl.

 

Private hospitals can be as bad or worse. Agreed. The medical care here once you dig a bit is horrible. Even the dental has issues.

 

In US looks like 500$ mo would probably cover my wife. Can't win. 200k per year. But at least you're actually getting something for it.

Edited April 27, 2021 by kynikoi