Five Health Conditions that might affect your Insurance application.

[CharlieH]

Health insurance is essential for anyone living in Thailand as it helps cover any unexpected medical costs. However, securing full coverage can be tricky if you have pre-existing conditions like diabetes or heart disease. In some cases, your insurance could outright get denied, or you could face even higher premiums.

Let’s take a look at five health conditions that might affect your insurance application and how you can handle said issues.

1. Pre-existing Conditions

Failing to disclose pre-existing conditions can lead to policy cancellation or denied claims. Insurers like Cigna require full disclosure to assess risks accurately. Pre-existing conditions include chronic illnesses such as diabetes and hypertension, which may impact coverage options.

In Thailand, insurers handle pre-existing conditions in one of the following ways:

• Moratorium: A waiting period before coverage begins (from months to years).

• Premium Loading: Higher premiums in exchange for coverage.

• Exclusions: Some conditions may not be covered at all.

How to manage: Always disclose conditions honestly, review policy terms, and seek insurers offering plans for chronic illnesses.

2. Mental Health Coverage

Not all health insurance in Thailand includes mental health care. Policies may exclude conditions like depression or anxiety, or provide only limited coverage. Cigna provides full coverge, ensuring you recieve the care that you need.

How to manage:

• Check if mental health coverage can be added as an extra option.

• Ensure your plan includes access to mental health professionals.

• Consult an insurance expert to find a policy that meets your needs.

3. Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)

Most insurance plans exclude STDs like HIV, syphilis, and gonorrhea, considering them pre-existing conditions. Some insurers offer add-ons, but they come at an extra cost. Without coverage, treatment can be expensive, especially for chronic conditions like HIV.

Cigna covers certain STD screenings, including chlamydia and gonorrhea for high-risk women, HIV for teens and adults, and HPV testing for women over 30.

How to manage:

• Check if your policy includes STD coverage.

• Take preventive measures to lower health risks.

• Consult an insurance advisor for tailored coverage options.

4. Alcohol-Related Conditions

 

Health insurance in Thailand usually excludes alcohol-related conditions, including illnesses and injuries caused by excessive drinking. Insurers may investigate claims and deny coverage if alcohol is a factor, especially in accidents.

How to manage:

• Review your policy to check for alcohol-related exclusions.

• Drink responsibly to reduce health risks.

• Look for policies that provide limited coverage for alcohol-related conditions.

5. Cancer Treatments

Many insurers exclude coverage for pre-existing cancer diagnoses. This means individuals diagnosed with cancer before their policy begins may have to pay for treatments out of pocket. However, Cigna Global offers comprehensive cancer care, covering both inpatient and day-patient treatments at top hospitals in Thailand.

Cigna has also partnered with MSD (Thailand) Ltd. for the "Together4More Possibility" campaign, which provides updated information on cancer treatments, including immunotherapy, reinforcing their commitment to better health outcomes for cancer patients.

How to manage:

• Confirm if cancer care is included in your policy.

• Consider plans offering extensive oncology services.

• Look for policies that provide add-ons for cancer treatment coverage.

 

 

Health insurance in Thailand can be complex, especially for pre-existing conditions, mental health, STDs, alcohol-related illnesses, and cancer care. While insurers like Cigna offer comprehensive plans, others may impose exclusions. Always review policy terms and seek expert advice to find the right plan for you.

 

 

Sponsored - Original article by The Thaiger

 

[renaissanc]

I'm 69. I've never had health insurance, nor do I ever fall ill. The cost for my age is about 80,000 Baht per year, it seems. If I had insurance and wanted to claim, for sure, the insurance company would do its utmost not to pay anything at all. Maybe it would pay for something, maybe not. This is what insurance companies do. So, if I put aside 80,000 Baht per year I will have enough for any eventuality. In any case, you prevent illness through foods and herbs and cure it through foods and herbs. 

[brewsterbudgen]

1 minute ago, renaissanc said:

I'm 69. I've never had health insurance, nor do I ever fall ill. The cost for my age is about 80,000 Baht per year, it seems. If I had insurance and wanted to claim, for sure, the insurance company would do its utmost not to pay anything at all. Maybe it would pay for something, maybe not. This is what insurance companies do. So, if I put aside 80,000 Baht per year I will have enough for any eventuality. In any case, you prevent illness through foods and herbs and cure it through foods and herbs. 

 

What if you have a serious car/motorbike/pedestrian accident, or fall down some stairs/slip in the shower?

[JustinT]

8 hours ago, renaissanc said:

I'm 69. I've never had health insurance, nor do I ever fall ill. The cost for my age is about 80,000 Baht per year, it seems. If I had insurance and wanted to claim, for sure, the insurance company would do its utmost not to pay anything at all. Maybe it would pay for something, maybe not. This is what insurance companies do. So, if I put aside 80,000 Baht per year I will have enough for any eventuality. In any case, you prevent illness through foods and herbs and cure it through foods and herbs. 

You should only go without medical insurance if you have significant cash reserves to pay for any medical expenses.  I wouldn't do it if I had less than 5 million baht available to pay for medical expenses.