Annual angst about proposal to renew current April International Health Insurance Policy - new AA recommendation to replace with Regency for Expats Policy. What to Do?????

[newnative]

4 hours ago, Sheryl said:

It sounds like you may have April UK policy?

 

April International (France), April Thailand, April UK --- all vpmpletely different.

 

Please check your policy documents. Who exactly is the contract with and who is listed as underwriter? 

     Thanks, Sheryl.  I had no idea there were different Aprils.  I checked my original policy documents and I have April International Expat, a subsidy of April International.  It seems to be run out of the AI Paris office, and my dealings have always been with the Paris office--and my billings always in Euros, with documents in French with English translations.

    I could not find any reference to an underwriter in any of my paperwork and it's been so long that I can't remember how I learned of, and got signed up with, AI Expat in the first place.  I used to have to fill out paper claim forms but now I have a phone app to use, Easy Claim.

    There are 3 zones with AI Expat.  A, the most expensive, covers the US, Switzerland, Japan and a few others.  B zone, a long list, is mostly other 1st world countries, including GB, Germany and a number of other European countries, plus others scattered around the world.  Zone C, the least expensive, is every country not covered in A or B, including Thailand.   

    I guess in a few months when I get my renewal notice I'll see if Thailand will be bumped up to Zone B.  Hopefully not.  I think in the meantime I will check with Paris to see if I can switch over to April Thailand, if it would be cheaper and with no wait periods.

     

[Sheryl]

2 hours ago, newnative said:

     Thanks, Sheryl.  I had no idea there were different Aprils.  I checked my original policy documents and I have April International Expat, a subsidy of April International.  It seems to be run out of the AI Paris office, and my dealings have always been with the Paris office--and my billings always in Euros, with documents in French with English translations.

    I could not find any reference to an underwriter in any of my paperwork and it's been so long that I can't remember how I learned of, and got signed up with, AI Expat in the first place.  I used to have to fill out paper claim forms but now I have a phone app to use, Easy Claim.

    There are 3 zones with AI Expat.  A, the most expensive, covers the US, Switzerland, Japan and a few others.  B zone, a long list, is mostly other 1st world countries, including GB, Germany and a number of other European countries, plus others scattered around the world.  Zone C, the least expensive, is every country not covered in A or B, including Thailand.   

    I guess in a few months when I get my renewal notice I'll see if Thailand will be bumped up to Zone B.  Hopefully not.  I think in the meantime I will check with Paris to see if I can switch over to April Thailand, if it would be cheaper and with no wait periods.

     

OK I see. So it is April International out of France (same as I and several others have) but apparently an old type of policy from long ago hence the different name and different zone coding, and inability to add a deductible.

 

I definitely do not recommend a switch to April Thailand. Keep what you have. If you like coudl consult a broker about whether there is a way to shift to one of April's newer policies that do allow deductible. AOC brokers seem familiar with April. https://www.aoc-insurancebroker.com/

[FantasticMrFox]

7 hours ago, Sophon said:

 

Another data point for you:

 

Last years premium USD 2,114.21 so a 13.4% increase (going from age 61 to 62).

Here's another data point still showing Zone 3.  Policy has been in effect since July 1, 2020. This year's premium increase is about 12%.  Perhaps the change to Zone 2 takes effect from August 2024, so the impact of the increased premium will hit me next year.  

 

 

Your benefits for the period 01/07/2024 to 30/06/2025

Premiums

Medical expenses - Type of membership: Principal insured + spouse + 1 child
Type of cover: 1st USD
Level of cover: Essential
Option: Hospitalisation and Basic repatriation assistance
Annual deductible: USD 500
Zone of cover: 3

USD 4,375.43

Comprehensive repatriation assistance and personal liability (private capacity) Not selected
Death and total and irreversible loss of autonomy Not selected
Income protection Not selected

Membership fee to the Association des Assurés APRIL USD 3.00

Total premium due for the period 01/07/2024 to 30/06/2025 USD 4,378.43
TOTAL TO PAY - To be paid before 05/07/2024 USD 4,378.43

[newnative]

17 hours ago, Sheryl said:

OK I see. So it is April International out of France (same as I and several others have) but apparently an old type of policy from long ago hence the different name and different zone coding, and inability to add a deductible.

 

I definitely do not recommend a switch to April Thailand. Keep what you have. If you like coudl consult a broker about whether there is a way to shift to one of April's newer policies that do allow deductible. AOC brokers seem familiar with April. https://www.aoc-insurancebroker.com/

Thank you so much, Sheryl.  Good advice, as always!

[Albaby]

On 12/22/2023 at 8:06 AM, dinga said:

 

YES - I've created another Thread for this specific question (Thai Social Security Health Coverage)

Link?

[dinga]

1 hour ago, Albaby said:

Link?

Hope not searching yourself saved you some time 

[FantasticMrFox]

On 6/6/2024 at 6:23 PM, FantasticMrFox said:

Here's another data point still showing Zone 3.  Policy has been in effect since July 1, 2020. This year's premium increase is about 12%.  Perhaps the change to Zone 2 takes effect from August 2024, so the impact of the increased premium will hit me next year.  

 

 

Your benefits for the period 01/07/2024 to 30/06/2025

Premiums

Medical expenses - Type of membership: Principal insured + spouse + 1 child
Type of cover: 1st USD
Level of cover: Essential
Option: Hospitalisation and Basic repatriation assistance
Annual deductible: USD 500
Zone of cover: 3

USD 4,375.43

Comprehensive repatriation assistance and personal liability (private capacity) Not selected
Death and total and irreversible loss of autonomy Not selected
Income protection Not selected

Membership fee to the Association des Assurés APRIL USD 3.00

Total premium due for the period 01/07/2024 to 30/06/2025 USD 4,378.43
TOTAL TO PAY - To be paid before 05/07/2024 USD 4,378.43

I logged into the April app today (Feb 15, 2025) to check policy documents and according to the General Conditions for My Health International dated September 2024 (Ref:MHI Cov 24S1, on bottom left of cover page), Thailand is shown as Zone 3 per snip below.  Last year, some people reported that Thailand has been moved up to Zone 2, but some still showed Thailand as being Zone 3.     Zone 3 premiums should be cheaper than zone 2, so I hope that the this will be reflected in this year's premium.  

 

[david_je]

On 2/15/2025 at 11:32 AM, FantasticMrFox said:

I logged into the April app today (Feb 15, 2025) to check policy documents and according to the General Conditions for My Health International dated September 2024 (Ref:MHI Cov 24S1, on bottom left of cover page), Thailand is shown as Zone 3 per snip below.  Last year, some people reported that Thailand has been moved up to Zone 2, but some still showed Thailand as being Zone 3.     Zone 3 premiums should be cheaper than zone 2, so I hope that the this will be reflected in this year's premium.  

 

The General Conditions in my April portal also say zone 3, but the broker says that is outdated and the 2025 General Conditions (p.6) say zone 2.

I have Essential policy with $500 deductible up for renewal next month, when I turn 68. New premium is $4912, 18% increase from previous year (I have not claimed in the 3-4 years I have had the policy). Broker AOC (France) says that remains price-competitive compared with other insurers, but one called Now Health Intl may turn out to be cheaper and more stable in long term.

Would appreciate hearing from other April France customers what they are doing.

  

[Sheryl]

I'm keeping it. As I have pre-existing conditions, a  change of insurers at this point for me  would  mean new exclusions. 

[scoutman360]

On 4/17/2025 at 3:21 PM, david_je said:

The General Conditions in my April portal also say zone 3, but the broker says that is outdated and the 2025 General Conditions (p.6) say zone 2.

I have Essential policy with $500 deductible up for renewal next month, when I turn 68. New premium is $4912, 18% increase from previous year (I have not claimed in the 3-4 years I have had the policy). Broker AOC (France) says that remains price-competitive compared with other insurers, but one called Now Health Intl may turn out to be cheaper and more stable in long term.

Would appreciate hearing from other April France customers what they are doing.

  

I have signed up with NOW Health Intl. No claims yet. But I got no replies to multiple emails when I needed to expedite my annual renewal for visa reasons. When I reached out to the broker AOC (France), he was quick to make things happen. Thumbs up for the broker, thumbs down for NOW.

[david_je]

On 4/19/2025 at 10:38 PM, scoutman360 said:

I have signed up with NOW Health Intl. No claims yet. But I got no replies to multiple emails when I needed to expedite my annual renewal for visa reasons. When I reached out to the broker AOC (France), he was quick to make things happen. Thumbs up for the broker, thumbs down for NOW.

Did you switch from April to NOW? What did you see as benefit? How did cost and coverage compare? Thanks.

[scoutman360]

4 hours ago, david_je said:

Did you switch from April to NOW? What did you see as benefit? How did cost and coverage compare? Thanks.

I never had April. I was previously covered by my employer's insurance. 

[dinga]

On 5/23/2024 at 3:37 PM, Celsius said:

 

Stopped reading right there

Who cares  -  certainly not I