Important Information re COVID coverage for Expats Already in Thailand

[Sheryl]

1 hour ago, Neeranam said:

My daughter just called from Bangkok asking if I could buy her Covid insurance. I guess she doesn't want to risk going to the field hospital, but wants Bamrungrad, the ripoff hospital where she was born. . 

 

1. She won't have the option of Bumrungrad if she is asymptomatic or mild, at least not in the present situation.

 

2. The level of these policies wouldn't fully cover care in a private hospital.

[Sheryl]

4 hours ago, Felt 35 said:

Anyone who know how the policy to Pacific Cross handle this subject?

Thanks 

Felt

 

no idea, you had best ask them. And please post what you find out. Are you referring to a COVID-only policy or a general health policy?

[moogradod]

42 minutes ago, NE1 said:

This is from the Roojai.com Corona virus insurance page. So age is not a problem. The only other reasons can be the " smoking or visited covid hotspots in the last 2 weeks " or the poster could have already had Covid.

This may be misleading, it might not be only "smoking, hotspots or previous Covid infections" that prevents them from accepting you.

 

I remember when I actually went through the online process of ordering the insurance for my wife, you will be asked other questions about preconditions and conditions pop up (in Thai) that one could interpret as "we are not paying if you have preconditions" without going into detail what these are. I did ask my lawyer to translate this passage for me.

 

Your above posted text gives the impression that it is a "Pre-existing condition" that is not covered (how could it anyway - this is a Covid-only insurance), but it is somehow contradictory how this issue is presented on the Roojai webpage and could very well be a translation issue / misunderstanding. Just go through the ordering process and look for yourself - you may at any time abandon the process like I did.

 

I will as well try again to see if I am actually mistaken or not. I am not 100% sure, but quite.

[Sheryl]

1 hour ago, moogradod said:

My Wife and my Stepdaughter have both a Covid Insurance from Roojai for THB 850.-- which I concluded online for them.

 

I did not buy one because there were questions about preconditions of which I have plenty. I must in fact assume that I would not survive any Covid infection if you believe the press. However no one knows for sure and the question is for me and as well for others: Is there any Covid-only insurance that would accept one with preconditions ?

 

 

Most of the COVID-only  policies discussed here exclude only already having COVID at time of application. . And have no health questionnaire.

 

To apply for KWG I needed to proivide only my passport and address.

 

 

[Thingamabob]

1 hour ago, Neeranam said:

Totally untrue and uncalled for. Do you really think that the Thai government should pay foreign tourists' medical bills?

They should have proper insurance before coming. 

Btw, I am a farang expat, but not a foreinger. 

Do you mean foreigner ?

[Sheryl]

6 minutes ago, moogradod said:

This may be misleading, it might not be only "smoking, hotspots or previous Covid infections" that prevents them from accepting you.

 

I remember when I actually went through the online process of ordering the insurance for my wife, you will be asked other questions about preconditions and conditions pop up (in Thai) that one could interpret as "we are not paying if you have preconditions" without going into detail what these are. I did ask my lawyer to translate this passage for me.

 

Your above posted text gives the impression that it is a "Pre-existing condition" that is not covered (how could it anyway - this is a Covid-only insurance), but it is somehow contradictory how this issue is presented on the Roojai webpage and could very well be a translation issue / misunderstanding. Just go through the ordering process and look for yourself - you may at any time abandon the process like I did.

 

I will as well try again to see if I am actually mistaken or not. I am not 100% sure, but quite.

 

When I go through this I do not get any health related questions other than smoking, height/weight and whether visited any "hot spots" in past 2 week. Experimenting with it the only answer that stopped the enrollment process was visiting COVID hotspot in past 2 weeks. I experimented even with heavy smoking and very obese, still OK.

 

The T&C that used to pop up were in error as discussed elsewhere in this thread and have since been corrected, they were for standard health policy not COVID policy. The pop up now does nto mention pre-exisitng conditions (though it is clear from the website that they will nto cover if you already had COVID at time of application, and of course if you lie on your application that would invalidate the policy).

 

It makes sense that the insurer's concern would only be the odds of your getting COVID and not factors that would affect the severity of it since at least until recently anyone with COVID was going to incur at least 200k in medical costs even if asymptomatic, that being what a special COVID room in a private hospital costs.

[moogradod]

9 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

Most of the COVID-only  policies discussed here exclude only already having COVID at time of application. . And have no health questionnaire.

 

To apply for KWG I needed to proivide only my passport and address.

 

 

Thank you Sheryl.

 

The Roojai Covid online insurance in its process of ordering and the published somewhat contradictory conditions leads one to believe that they might not pay if you had preconditions or not even accept you in the first place.

 

I would like to apply at KWG as well. Where can I do that ? Online or do I have to go somewhere ? About passport: They can have a copy or I show them the original but I would never give them the real thing.

[moogradod]

2 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

 

When I go through this I do not get any health related questions other than smoking, height/weight and whether visited any "hot spots" in past 2 week. Experimenting with it the only answer that stopped the enrollment process was visiting COVID hotspot in past 2 weeks. I experimented even with heavy smoking and very obese, still OK.

 

The T&C that used to pop up were in error as discussed elsewhere in this thread and have since been corrected, they were for standard health policy not COVID policy. The pop up now does nto mention pre-exisitng conditions (though it is clear from the website that they will nto cover if you already had COVID at time of application, and of course if you lie on your application that would invalidate the policy).

 

It makes sense that the insurer's concern would only be the odds of your getting COVID and not factors that would affect the severity of it since at least until recently anyone with COVID was going to incur at least 200k in medical costs even if asymptomatic, that being what a special COVID room in a private hospital costs.

Thanks. You were quicker than me. Can ignore my above post then and I will try again with them. Or is KWG better ?

[Sheryl]

2 hours ago, Surasak said:

Was just refused by Roojai. No reason given.

Did you click yes to the "visited COVID hotspots" question? As that seems to be the only one that does this. (Unless there is  something that  occurs after completion and submission of the online form?)

[NE1]

18 minutes ago, moogradod said:

Your above posted text gives the impression that it is a "Pre-existing condition" that is not covered (how could it anyway - this is a Covid-only insurance), but it is somehow contradictory how this issue is presented on the Roojai webpage and could very well be a translation issue / misunderstanding. Just go through the ordering process and look for yourself - you may at any time abandon the process like I did.

Why would I look for myself , it was not I that was asking the question , just supplying an answer.

[Sheryl]

4 hours ago, khunjeff said:

 

And will these cover foreign retirees without work permits? The advertisements I've seen all say that you must have a work permit to be eligible, though I have no idea whether that's really what the policies say, since a huge number of Thai companies seem to assume that there are only two categories of foreigners in Thailand: those with WPs, and tourists.

 

Yes, they will cover retirees.

 

I see no mention of work permit on any of these websites.

[Sheryl]

4 hours ago, pontious said:

And hospitels as well Sheryl?

Yes, of course, that wa snever in doubt. the issue is the "Fueld Hospitals" and "hospitels"

 

But if you are wanting to be covered for care in a actual hospital, costs would well exceed what KWG pays (for me not an issue as I have other insurance). You should get the highest level medical cover you can as cost will be 200-300k in an actual hospital without major complications/ICU care and sky pretty much the limit if you end up in an ICU. Or better yet get a general health policy, as COVID is not all you need to worry about in terms of hospitalization costs.

[Sheryl]

3 hours ago, theoldgit said:

 

This, or maybe a similar policy with Dhipaya is being marketed to True Customers, in their terms and conditions, it says:
"While registering for for Coronavirus Insurance Protection (Coronavirus (2019-9CoV)) The insured must reside in Thailand (In the case of foreigners must have Passport and Work Permit or must have resided in Thailand for more than six months)"

https://privilege.trueid.net/en/privileges/VWZKRLJYpG47?merchantId=z0nplvl43358

 

 

 

 

I think the key word there is "or".

[Sheryl]

2 hours ago, Dart12 said:

I see this 6 month rule being talked about above...Will they accept foreigners here on Covid extensions?

 

The policies being discussed here do nto ask for visa details. You need to be resident in Thailand for at least 6 months in a given year.

[Sheryl]

3 hours ago, Freeduhdum said:

I just exited Thailand and obtained my exit covid test at Bumrungrad Hospital. I specifically asked the question what happens if I come up positive on the test. I explained that it was my understanding that you will be sent to the hospital even if you have no symptoms. The doc informed me that if I were to test positive that I would be referred to a "specialist" to discuss my options. I pressed further as to what my options would be if I were asymptomatic. She stated that it would be possible that I would not need to go to a hospital that an alternate quarantine could be considered. She seemed to be a young junior doctor, but that is what she told me. 

 

the alternative quarantine would likely be a Field Hospital or "hospitel".

 

 

[Sheryl]

3 hours ago, Bkk Brian said:

Ok just got some news, however it will not solve all the questions as its particular to these people and their circumstances.

 

So to confirm, it was a total of 5 people, 1 teacher, 1 parent and 3 students (all non Thai) all from the same year group at an International School. They were all officially classified as PUI and had to pay for the initial test, the subsequent tests were free. They each received a total of 4 PCR tests. One to discover the virus, another to confirm on entering the government hospital and 2 further while in the field hospital, the final one being on the morning they were being released, which was late evening.

 

None had to pay for the government hospital or the field hospital. This could be because both the adults, teacher and parent work full time and pay Thai social security. 

 

The so called field hospital was in a local University, there was a main large hall where beds were but then also some student dormitories in the floor above, this is where they were placed with own rooms, so it was not like they were in a mass hall with others.

 

Thank you for confirming that foreigners are indeed being sent to Field Hospitals.

 

Out of curiosity: how long were they in the field hospital and on what day was the 4th test? And do I understand correctly that all 5 tested posiitve?

 

Having Social Security would certainly cover costs.

 

 

[Sheryl]

5 hours ago, NE1 said:

When I visit their website , all I get is travel , motor or household insurance.

I cannot find the details for their Covid related plan .

I know. It shows on the Roojai website.

 

Same is true of KWG, in that case it is a very new policy, I got the detials from broker.

[Sheryl]

6 hours ago, tonray said:

Wow..that would mean I now have 3 insurance polices in Thailand, one for general coverage, one for my OA Visa extensions and one for Covid. Might as well add a few more for accidents, another for street food illness and another for angry Thai girlfriend injuries.

I have 3 too (PA, general insurance and now COVID) and if they are still requiring the silly 400/40 for re-entry permits to get a COE in a few months time I'll end up with a 4th just for that purpose!

[Bkk Brian]

4 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

 

Thank you for confirming that foreigners are indeed being sent to Field Hospitals.

 

Out of curiosity: how long were they in the field hospital and on what day was the 4th test? And do I understand correctly that all 5 tested posiitve?

 

Having Social Security would certainly cover costs.

 

 

Yes all positive. The 4th test was on the last morning. Result back in late evening so they left then. I think they had 2 nights in gov hospital then 11 or 12 in field hosp.

[Sheryl]

6 hours ago, wonder6281 said:

Is there any insurance that covers adverse reactions to the vaccine?

Yes, several. I know KWG does

Covid_ENG_03-01.jpg.pdf

[chilly07]

Best of luck getting clarification from any insurance company! Once they have your premium they don't want to hear from you till renewal. They don't respond to emails and put you on indefinite hold if you ask for customer service. They employ hair splitting loss adjustors who get paid a percentage of any claim rebuffed.

[Neeranam]

38 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

Yes, of course, that wa snever in doubt. the issue is the "Fueld Hospitals" and "hospitels"

What's the difference? 

 

[scorecard]

53 minutes ago, moogradod said:

This may be misleading, it might not be only "smoking, hotspots or previous Covid infections" that prevents them from accepting you.

 

I remember when I actually went through the online process of ordering the insurance for my wife, you will be asked other questions about preconditions and conditions pop up (in Thai) that one could interpret as "we are not paying if you have preconditions" without going into detail what these are. I did ask my lawyer to translate this passage for me.

 

Your above posted text gives the impression that it is a "Pre-existing condition" that is not covered (how could it anyway - this is a Covid-only insurance), but it is somehow contradictory how this issue is presented on the Roojai webpage and could very well be a translation issue / misunderstanding. Just go through the ordering process and look for yourself - you may at any time abandon the process like I did.

 

I will as well try again to see if I am actually mistaken or not. I am not 100% sure, but quite.

 

I've heard comment before (from farang) who e.mailed to roojai asking for very specific answers to some of the items in their Covid 19 policy.

 

It was mentioned that roojai had answered with little delay with very clear and specific answers.

 

I compare this with my Thai son checking around several years ago for private full health insurance (before Covid) for himself, his Thai wife and 3 daughters. He got good answers for some of his questions and eventually took policies with Tokio Marine Health Insurance.

 

He got answers like the following from some companies, one a very well known 3 letter company (AIx????

 

- 'Customers not allowed to ask further questions, not polite.'

- 'No need to ask questions, just read the brochure.'

- An answer which was ambiguos and off the subject and just raised more questions.

[ThailandRyan]

14 minutes ago, chilly07 said:

Best of luck getting clarification from any insurance company! Once they have your premium they don't want to hear from you till renewal. They don't respond to emails and put you on indefinite hold if you ask for customer service. They employ hair splitting loss adjustors who get paid a percentage of any claim rebuffed.

Not true.

For clarification I have just heard back from my broker with PCH.  A PCH  policy will cover you fully whether you are in a hospital or field hospital if you are symptomatic outside of course your deductible if you have one.  If you are merely asymptomatic they will only pay up to 16k for room and board per day, as there is no other medically necessary treatment needed.  Additionally, they will also cover Covid testing if you have symptoms and a doctor has recommended the lab perform a test to see if your positive for covid.  They will not pay for the vaccine, but if you have side effects from the vaccine and need to be treated they will cover that as well.

 

Stay safe folks.

[blackcab]

As this topic is now becoming quite detailed, would a knowledgeable member be able to make a list of covid-19 insurers that:

 

a. Have confirmed that they will pay for field hospital/hospitel stays

b. Have confirmed that they will not pay for field hospital/hospitel stays

c. Have not confirmed their position

 

I think this would be very useful for the community.

 

Thank you

[chilly07]

3 minutes ago, ThailandRyan said:

Not true.

For clarification I have just heard back from my broker with PCH.  A PCH  policy will cover you fully whether you are in a hospital or field hospital if you are symptomatic outside of course your deductible if you have one.  If you are merely asymptomatic they will only pay up to 16k for room and board per day, as there is no other medically necessary treatment needed.  Additionally, they will also cover Covid testing if you have symptoms and a doctor has recommended the lab perform a test to see if your positive for covid.  They will not pay for the vaccine, but if you have side effects from the vaccine and need to be treated they will cover that as well.

 

Stay safe folks.

Yes brokers are able to get responses where mere customers can't. I presume they have the tel nos and email addresses of individuals in the companies in question.

[blackcab]

3 hours ago, Bkk Brian said:

None had to pay for the government hospital or the field hospital. This could be because both the adults, teacher and parent work full time and pay Thai social security.

 

Thank you for your detailed follow up, it is much appreciated. The only point I would make is that international school teachers do not pay Social Fund contributions.

 

In the context of this discussion that is positive, as a non-contributor to the Social Fund was treated for free.

[Mises]

Insurance companies are businesses not charities.  You pay them a premium and get cover for accidents or illnesses.  They try to balance the risk and premiums with a view to making a profit, competition keeps the profit reasonable - we hope.  If you test positive for COVID but are asymptomatic you are by definition not ill.  Why should they pay up for any cost due merely to government mandate?

[ThailandRyan]

4 minutes ago, Mises said:

Insurance companies are businesses not charities.  You pay them a premium and get cover for accidents or illnesses.  They try to balance the risk and premiums with a view to making a profit, competition keeps the profit reasonable - we hope.  If you test positive for COVID but are asymptomatic you are by definition not ill.  Why should they pay up for any cost due merely to government mandate?

You are ill even if asymptomatic.  Asymptomatic: Definition, Importance, and Controversy (verywellhealth.com)An asymptomatic infection is one in which a bacteria, virus, fungus, or parasite has invaded the body but has not yet caused any symptoms (like fever or a cough). Your body may fight off the invader and you may never know it was there. Or, you may develop symptoms of the illness after an asymptomatic phase. Depending on the pathogen, you may be able to spread the germs to others even though you have no symptoms

 

So with being Asymptomatic you have the virus and can spread it.  Stop living and feeding false information to others.

 

My insurance Company PCH will cover an asymptomatic case, but only up to 16k a day for room and board as no medical treatments are needed until you start to show symptoms.  You need to stop thinking that asymptomatic individuals pose no risk or threat. 

[ThailandRyan]

27 minutes ago, chilly07 said:

Yes brokers are able to get responses where mere customers can't. I presume they have the tel nos and email addresses of individuals in the companies in question.

My broker works in the main office in Silom, and I hand carry any claims I have into the office as well.  I have all the same numbers he does and could have called and asked them directly, but chose to get my information from him as he had faster access to the claims department who would only talk to me regarding a current claim at this point because they are just a tad busy.