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Self insure v health insurance


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18 hours ago, 4MyEgo said:

Agree 110%, invest, invest and keep investing in property and shares and any other vehicle, because savings on their own don't grow as much as the above, then when you get to retirement age, you keep investing while earning from the fruits of your labour. 

I am now fantastically wealthy ....... as i have invested in insurance companies since i was a ltlle boy.

I proudly tell everyone that I am "one of the owners"   of Berkshire Hathaway !   Thanks, Warren !

Berkshire Hathaway owns 100% of its insurance operations, with a massive float value of US$147 billion. “The insurance business is made to order for Berkshire,” the company said in its 2021 annual report.
 
disclosure:   this statement may or not be true.     it will be evaluated again by ME after a time that i designate
 
Edited by rumak
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1 hour ago, rumak said:

I await the pro insurance advocates answers to this AMAZING  post .    thank you sir.     What would have been the cost of this very generous contract offered to you by the wonderful  and caring insurer ?

It's all there!  62.000.- The KV because of 50% discount and 300.000.-THB deductible!

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2 hours ago, Richard 2020 said:

This is the offer from Pacific Cross to me...A joke, but a bad one!

 

I am 71 years old, except COPD, according to the findings of the hospital for my age very healthy!
I had to make the examination to be able to make a claim at all!
The examination pays the insurance, but only when the contract is signed!
But that is not important to me! 
I was, I say it kindly "Very Surprised" when I got the offer of the health insurance!
Here is the letter to this insurance, which of course I will not conclude!

 

The letter:

 


Referring to your application for insurance, the company would like to confirm your enrollment based on the completed application form.
The terms and conditions are as follows.
Does not cover the diagnosis and treatment of heart disease and abnormalities diseases and disorders of cerebrovascular disease and diseases and disorders arteriosclerosis, including hypertension and hyperlipidemia, their consequences and complications
Does not cover diagnosis and treatment of emphysema chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, disease and disorders of the respiratory system and lungs, including sequelae and complications
Does not cover examination and treatment of diseases and disorders of the prostate, urinary tract infections, urinary incontinence urinary insufficiency, lower urinary tract syndrome, including sequelae and complications
(Does not cover examination and treatment related to eye diseases and abnormalities, but does cover eye defects resulting from accidents and casualties
Waiting period(s)
Does not cover diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders of the bony joints of the neck and back covered by the policy, include
Complications for a period of 3 years Coverage for acute fractures. will reconsider After this waiting period, however, the requirements for 30% of the joint responsibility for the diagnosis and treatment of such disease apply 
Does not include diagnosis and treatment of moles and skin lesions, including complications, for a period of 3 years and will be reconsidered).
Waiting Period means a condition that was originally excluded from coverage because the Waiting Period was included.
Automatically covered after the expiration of the waiting period. Future coverage of previously excluded conditions is conditional.
When reviewing the customer's most recent claims and treatment history If the customer has undergone a prior examination or treatment Excluded conditions during the waiting period This condition may be considered a condition that exists and does not exist by the insurer.
Protection may be offered in the future. This review will be conducted on a case-by-case basis. Future coverage options may include co-payments.
An application for health insurance must be submitted with a certified copy of the passport or a copy of the identification card of the individuals whose names are certified
to the Company to be lawful, effective and correct.
2: This offer is valid for 30 days after the insurance application form is completed.
3: The policy will come into effect according to the terms of when the insurance premium has been paid.

 

 

My decision:

 


Thus, all possible illnesses for which there is currently no indication from the medical side 
(see hospital report) are excluded from any treatment!
These exclusions include as good as ALL diseases that could occur somehow!
So I pay in case of a hospital stay not only the ca.62.000.- THB contribution, which is the amount with 50% discount, but also 300.000.-THB deductible, and the health insurance rejects all claims, because yes 99% of all possible diseases are excluded!
And for the rest, there is certainly a causal relationship with the diseases excluded from the regulation.
OK, a fracture of the arm or leg would possibly be partially regulated as a gesture of goodwill!
In addition, the biggest uncertainty factor for the future is this passage in your contract conditions:
The insured has the possibility to extend the contract continuously up to the age of 99 years: (If i can still afford it...).
Premium and coverage can be adjusted based on claims history, health status and increasing age.
THAT means for me:
Claims history with me! Health condition that actually does not improve and increasing age, which is pretty sure will lead to exclusions and exorbitant premiums!
Now I seriously ask myself, what should I do with a health insurance that does not pay for illnesses that occur?
Now this is not meant ironically by me, but just a factual statement.
So once again thank you for your kind support and help!

 

With that insurance you'd also need to self insure to cover all those possibilities 

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12 hours ago, Lorry said:

Very unusual. 

Usually they will ask for  a deposit of 50,000 or 80,000 baht,  even if they know that the final bill will be much higher. 

I have once heard of a 500,000 baht deposit,  never heard of more.

 

Was it Bangkok Pattaya hospital? Due to the prevailing culture in this resort and due to their fine selection of clientele, they have less scruples.

Bangkok Hospital Hua Hin - maybe they didn't rate his chances ? Still he pulled through and got a few more years out of the ticker.

 

However sadly he died last week.

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"

Rumak's solution :   I told them where they can put their "ratcheting up "  

 

Note:  there are quite a few "good ideas"   IMO ............... that in actual practice, and when distorted and corrupted by bureaucracy and self interest ,   have completely done the opposite of what they were "intended to do" .   

That subject is for another day/time.      For today,  i will end my comments on this subject by saying :    " wouldn't it be nice if health care and ALL the health agencies and insurance conglomerates were really trying to heal the populace .  "   

 

Try discussing the subject of altruism with insurance claims people .     That should be a real laugh

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2 hours ago, SteveBull said:

Bangkok Hospital Hua Hin - maybe they didn't rate his chances ? Still he pulled through and got a few more years out of the ticker.

 

However sadly he died last week.

that's another nice one.

They have a poor reputation inside BDMS (their parent).

Which again may have to do with the culture of Huahin: decades of history towards farang (enshrined in an official document from the eighties), decades of sloppy medicine.

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1 hour ago, Lorry said:

that's another nice one.

They have a poor reputation inside BDMS (their parent).

Which again may have to do with the culture of Huahin: decades of history towards farang (enshrined in an official document from the eighties), decades of sloppy medicine.

I'm intrigued - what document ?

 

Yes Bangkok Hospital haven't got the best reputation given their price structure, however our local army hospital HAS got a very good reputation so on the very rare occasion I've ever thought I need to get something checked out I go there. They don't even notice I'm a farang, they just get on with it and there is no dual price structure. Ridiculously cheap.

 

At the other end I hear many good things about Bumrungrad. Recently got into the top 500 hospitals worldwide.

 

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21 minutes ago, SteveBull said:

I'm intrigued - what document ?

There was a discussion in the local business community whether double pricing would be a good idea. The chamber of commerce (if I remember correctly) than published an official decision to double-price foreigners (there were no Chinese tourists at the time, foreigners were farang).

 

Much later, they drove their point home to me when I was double-priced for a cone of ice-cream, it is as ridiculous as it is disgusting.

I avoid that place, but I suspect that nowadays 7/11 doesn't have double pricing in Huahin. Wouldn't surprise me, though.

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38 minutes ago, Lorry said:

There was a discussion in the local business community whether double pricing would be a good idea. The chamber of commerce (if I remember correctly) than published an official decision to double-price foreigners (there were no Chinese tourists at the time, foreigners were farang).

 

Much later, they drove their point home to me when I was double-priced for a cone of ice-cream, it is as ridiculous as it is disgusting.

I avoid that place, but I suspect that nowadays 7/11 doesn't have double pricing in Huahin. Wouldn't surprise me, though.

I think you can rest easy - I've lived there for years and to date I haven't come across a single case of 'double pricing' and being married to a Thai I'm pretty sure I would have spotted one by now

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22 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

Strange, guy i know went back and got treated straight away, very recently. Remember that YouTuber Kev in Thailand, had cancer, wasted  1m+ trying to get treated in Thailand, eventually went back to UK, died, maybe should have gone back sooner

Nothing strange about inconsistent treatment  from the NHS. I follow  the current NHS guidelines to get accurate information  not hearsay  and gossip especially about a sadly  deceased you tuber who like the  'friend' you knew does not represent an overall view of NHS conditions. You seem to live in a news vacuum  about the UK but the Guardian,  the Mail, The Independent,  The telegraph and other major newspapers are all free online. I wish you would aquaint yourself  with relevant,  accurate  information  before addressing me. I am at a loss to respond to someone who is so ignorant about  a subject they wish to  discuss. The NHS is in crisis and has been especially  hit hard by the Covid crisis  The crisis  is in all  areas of service  from GPs to AnE to specialist in all fields to nursing provision, maternity, beds availability, surgery waiting times etc etc. How can you possibly  think Kev in Thailand  or your 'friend' has any bearing, any relevance to the reported reality of the NHS? Honestly you need to approach  such serious  subjects with more maturity.

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8 minutes ago, The Hammer2021 said:

Nothing strange about inconsistent treatment  from the NHS. I follow  the current NHS guidelines to get accurate information  not hearsay  and gossip especially about a sadly  deceased you tuber who like the  'friend' you knew does not represent an overall view of NHS conditions. You seem to live in a news vacuum  about the UK but the Guardian,  the Mail, The Independent,  The telegraph and other major newspapers are all free online. I wish you would aquaint yourself  with relevant,  accurate  information  before addressing me. I am at a loss to respond to someone who is so ignorant about  a subject they wish to  discuss. The NHS is in crisis and has been especially  hit hard by the Covid crisis  The crisis  is in all  areas of service  from GPs to AnE to specialist in all fields to nursing provision, maternity, beds availability, surgery waiting times etc etc. How can you possibly  think Kev in Thailand  or your 'friend' has any bearing, any relevance to the reported reality of the NHS? Honestly you need to approach  such serious  subjects with more maturity.

you do spout some nonsense, usually because you're offended by yet another thing

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8 hours ago, Lacessit said:

I don't see too much dignity in being hooked up to multiple machines, while I am drugged to the eyeballs, or living in pain while I am injected with poisons that operate on the principle they kill cancer cells just a little bit faster than healthy cells.

There is always the exit choice, which some more enlightened governments have legislated.

As other posters have demonstrated, the trustworthiness of health insurance companies is a doubtful quantity.

It's irrelevant to me anyway, unless I go back to Australia for medical care.

Is that your  personal  experience or are  you a doctor? Or just an opinionated person? The issue medical  insurance gives you times and choices  which equal dignity .Choices...

You are projecting a  worse case scenario  of incurable  cancer  but why? Lots of cancer patients  recover  or live for  years normally. Why don't you consider  a more mature point of view  not the teenage worse  case scenario? It's simply obtuse. If you  think NOT having medical  insurance  gets you a better more dignified  end of life scenario and more control and choice then you clearly  mistaken.

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8 hours ago, Lacessit said:

Insurance companies are going to be ratcheting up premiums for the foreseeable future in response to their risk assessments. Areas prone to bushfire, flood or sea level rise will become uninsureable.

Insurance might become cheaper if lawyers were not persuading juries to award inflated damages. Shakespeare's solution might be appropriate.

Irrelevant  to medical insurance

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5 hours ago, SteveBull said:

 


Yes Bangkok Hospital haven't got the best reputation given their price structure, however our local army hospital HAS got a very good reputation so on the very rare occasion I've ever thought I need to get something checked out I go there. They don't even notice I'm a farang, they just get on with it and there is no dual

price structure. Ridiculously cheap.

 

 

 

How do you manage to get treatment at an Army hospital? Thai ID card? Married to a Thai? An army connection?

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There is another category  of people who argue against  medical  insurance,  the people who can't afford it, the people who can't under how or why insurance  works and the people whose opinions  exceed  their  life experiences- the immature and those lacking life experiences.

When travelling  around the world and living abroad  medical  insurance  is essential. Living in the UK its absolutely  brilliant these days.

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10 hours ago, Lacessit said:

My last colonoscopy was four years ago. The doctor said don't bother coming back, at your age if you haven't had cancer, it's unlikely you will get it now.

Actually it is not that it is unlikely that you will develop colon cancer but that past  certain age the risks of a colonoscopy begin to outweigh the benefits -- especially if you already had negative tests. 72 is a bit young to stop though. In the US it us recommended toutinely until age 75 then on case by case basis for ages 76 - 85 (depending on risk factors).  In UK I think it is up to age 74.

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2 hours ago, The Hammer2021 said:

 The issue medical  insurance gives you times and choices  which equal dignity .Choices...

 

Not much choices when they exclude pre-existing conditions and previous medical issues.  ☹️☹️

 

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3 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

Actually it is not that it is unlikely that you will develop colon cancer but that past  certain age the risks of a colonoscopy begin to outweigh the benefits -- especially if you already had negative tests. 72 is a bit young to stop though. In the US it us recommended toutinely until age 75 then on case by case basis for ages 76 - 85 (depending on risk factors).  In UK I think it is up to age 74.

Everyone in the UK is offered screening for colon cancer when they reach 60. They send a test kit every two years. I think it only tests for blood being present, but it might be more than that these days

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11 hours ago, Richard 2020 said:

This is the offer from Pacific Cross to me...A joke, but a bad one!

 

I am 71 years old, except COPD, according to the findings of the hospital for my age very healthy!
I had to make the examination to be able to make a claim at all!
The examination pays the insurance, but only when the contract is signed!
But that is not important to me! 
I was, I say it kindly "Very Surprised" when I got the offer of the health insurance!
Here is the letter to this insurance, which of course I will not conclude!

 

The letter:

 


Referring to your application for insurance, the company would like to confirm your enrollment based on the completed application form.
The terms and conditions are as follows.
Does not cover the diagnosis and treatment of heart disease and abnormalities diseases and disorders of cerebrovascular disease and diseases and disorders arteriosclerosis, including hypertension and hyperlipidemia, their consequences and complications
Does not cover diagnosis and treatment of emphysema chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, disease and disorders of the respiratory system and lungs, including sequelae and complications
Does not cover examination and treatment of diseases and disorders of the prostate, urinary tract infections, urinary incontinence urinary insufficiency, lower urinary tract syndrome, including sequelae and complications
(Does not cover examination and treatment related to eye diseases and abnormalities, but does cover eye defects resulting from accidents and casualties
Waiting period(s)
Does not cover diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders of the bony joints of the neck and back covered by the policy, include
Complications for a period of 3 years Coverage for acute fractures. will reconsider After this waiting period, however, the requirements for 30% of the joint responsibility for the diagnosis and treatment of such disease apply 
Does not include diagnosis and treatment of moles and skin lesions, including complications, for a period of 3 years and will be reconsidered).
Waiting Period means a condition that was originally excluded from coverage because the Waiting Period was included.
Automatically covered after the expiration of the waiting period. Future coverage of previously excluded conditions is conditional.
When reviewing the customer's most recent claims and treatment history If the customer has undergone a prior examination or treatment Excluded conditions during the waiting period This condition may be considered a condition that exists and does not exist by the insurer.
Protection may be offered in the future. This review will be conducted on a case-by-case basis. Future coverage options may include co-payments.
An application for health insurance must be submitted with a certified copy of the passport or a copy of the identification card of the individuals whose names are certified
to the Company to be lawful, effective and correct.
2: This offer is valid for 30 days after the insurance application form is completed.
3: The policy will come into effect according to the terms of when the insurance premium has been paid.

 

 

My decision:

 


Thus, all possible illnesses for which there is currently no indication from the medical side 
(see hospital report) are excluded from any treatment!
These exclusions include as good as ALL diseases that could occur somehow!
So I pay in case of a hospital stay not only the ca.62.000.- THB contribution, which is the amount with 50% discount, but also 300.000.-THB deductible, and the health insurance rejects all claims, because yes 99% of all possible diseases are excluded!
And for the rest, there is certainly a causal relationship with the diseases excluded from the regulation.
OK, a fracture of the arm or leg would possibly be partially regulated as a gesture of goodwill!
In addition, the biggest uncertainty factor for the future is this passage in your contract conditions:
The insured has the possibility to extend the contract continuously up to the age of 99 years: (If i can still afford it...).
Premium and coverage can be adjusted based on claims history, health status and increasing age.
THAT means for me:
Claims history with me! Health condition that actually does not improve and increasing age, which is pretty sure will lead to exclusions and exorbitant premiums!
Now I seriously ask myself, what should I do with a health insurance that does not pay for illnesses that occur?
Now this is not meant ironically by me, but just a factual statement.
So once again thank you for your kind support and help!

 

"except COPD" is a very big exception given that COPD puts you at elevated risk of heart disease.

 

Many insurers would refuse to insure you altogether. Any that would  insure you would certainly exclude both cardiac and pulmonary problems (and yes, that is a huge exclusion).

 

The other exclusions though (prostate, bone etc) is something peculiar to PC and based on your age regardless of medical history. They exclude conditions that are more common in older people. Makes no sense to me since the increased risk due to age is already reflected in much  higher premiums. 

 

I would not in any case recommend a policy from  Thai company.

 

If you want to look elsewhere given your age I would suggest Cigna Global (NOT Cigna Thailand). They may refuse to insure you altogether or else exclude cardiac and pulmonary conditions but they won't  come back with all those other age related exclusions. 

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4 hours ago, SteveBull said:

I think you can rest easy - I've lived there for years and to date I haven't come across a single case of 'double pricing' and being married to a Thai I'm pretty sure I would have spotted one by now

from 2019 the governmental hospitals can add 25% to foreigner bill. Siriraj hospital in bangkok has posters on all wards since then.

that charge suppose to cover vip treatment - shorter lines for tests, treatments, seeing doctor's consultation. In practice they don't have internal procedures to facilitate that, so it just double pricing.

For hospitalisation a foreigner will be offered the most expensive room. I was quoted 7.5k for a private, so I opted for a common room for 2.5k. They took an advantage of me because I needed urgent hospitalisation.

After that hospitalisation I have shopped around I found a neighbouring hospital charging 3.8-9.5k (or 2.9k in a double room) and 1350b for a common. That prices are all inclusive. The first hospital doesn't publish their prices and doesn't offer choice between private rooms, the second does.

 

 

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17 minutes ago, internationalism said:

from 2019 the governmental hospitals can add 25% to foreigner bill. Siriraj hospital in bangkok has posters on all wards since then.

Siriraj is not cheap for foreigners.  Government hospitals have double pricing. 

Their private arm has prices slightly (10%) cheaper than Bumrungrad.

The public arm may very well charge almost the same prices if you are a foreigner. A recent example was 650,000 for aortic valve replacement for a destitute American (TGF paid), which in Bangkok Hospital would have cost 800,000.

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7 hours ago, SteveBull said:

I'm intrigued - what document ?

 

Yes Bangkok Hospital haven't got the best reputation given their price structure, however our local army hospital HAS got a very good reputation so on the very rare occasion I've ever thought I need to get something checked out I go there. They don't even notice I'm a farang, they just get on with it and there is no dual price structure. Ridiculously cheap.

 

At the other end I hear many good things about Bumrungrad. Recently got into the top 500 hospitals worldwide.

 

Bumrungrad  is excellent  but expensive.

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1 hour ago, Lorry said:

Siriraj is not cheap for foreigners.  Government hospitals have double pricing. 

Their private arm has prices slightly (10%) cheaper than Bumrungrad.

The public arm may very well charge almost the same prices if you are a foreigner. A recent example was 650,000 for aortic valve replacement for a destitute American (TGF paid), which in Bangkok Hospital would have cost 800,000.

Some hospital  offer better language  support than others. The cheaper  the hospital the likely  you will need your own Thai friend, translator and even someone  to stay with you. The more expensive  hospital have agents to  help with visa etc. But they charge  for  every  cotton  bud.

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