Getting Thai health insurance for 68 year old American

[gk10012001]

   Who has reasonable health insurance for me, a male, non smoker aged 68?

 

Below is the background of why I am asking about this.  I plan to get the Non Imm 0 extensions based on retirement after I get to Thailand and while that does not require insurance, I prefer to get some.  And since I will be getting Thai health insurance, I may get a slightly different visa, maybe Non imm OA in my home country first, start the THai health insurance, etc.

 

I am on USA medicare.  But they insist on charging me maximum IRMAA premiums based on previous years income even though I am now retired.  Painful numerous phone chats and in person calls about the SS-44 form.  So, since I am ready and planning to go Thailand for some long term stays, I am likely to dis-enroll from Medicare, go to Thailand and get Thai based health insurance.  Then when I return to the USA I can enroll in Medicare again during a supplemental period and at that time my Medicare premiums will be low.  Medicare bases premiums on previous two years of taxes.  Their reduction request form and process just isn't working and they are charging me $670 USD a month which is crazy, now and will continue to do so for a year or more even though I am now retired and grossing much less money!  So I do plan to put this in another forum but this is just background information.

 

 

[scubascuba3]

If visiting Thailand for longer stays only then travel insurance is the best option

[gk10012001]

30 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

If visiting Thailand for longer stays only then travel insurance is the best option

yeah but if I plan on staying for one year or two if I use it the right way, then to get the Non imm O-A prior to going to Thailand they really want a proper Thai insurance that has all that COVID stuff

[Scouse123]

On 6/25/2025 at 3:40 AM, scubascuba3 said:

If visiting Thailand for longer stays only then travel insurance is the best option

 

I think there are limits on the amount of time you can spend in Thailand on a travel insurance plan.

 

To my knowledge, it isn't open-ended, nor was it intended to be.

[newbee2022]

On 6/24/2025 at 11:34 PM, gk10012001 said:

   Who has reasonable health insurance for me, a male, non smoker aged 68?

 

Below is the background of why I am asking about this.  I plan to get the Non Imm 0 extensions based on retirement after I get to Thailand and while that does not require insurance, I prefer to get some.  And since I will be getting Thai health insurance, I may get a slightly different visa, maybe Non imm OA in my home country first, start the THai health insurance, etc.

 

I am on USA medicare.  But they insist on charging me maximum IRMAA premiums based on previous years income even though I am now retired.  Painful numerous phone chats and in person calls about the SS-44 form.  So, since I am ready and planning to go Thailand for some long term stays, I am likely to dis-enroll from Medicare, go to Thailand and get Thai based health insurance.  Then when I return to the USA I can enroll in Medicare again during a supplemental period and at that time my Medicare premiums will be low.  Medicare bases premiums on previous two years of taxes.  Their reduction request form and process just isn't working and they are charging me $670 USD a month which is crazy, now and will continue to do so for a year or more even though I am now retired and grossing much less money!  So I do plan to put this in another forum but this is just background information.

 

 

Get a quotation from WRLIFE. Unbeatable rates, fixed rates.

[Presnock]

On 6/24/2025 at 11:34 PM, gk10012001 said:

   Who has reasonable health insurance for me, a male, non smoker aged 68?

 

Below is the background of why I am asking about this.  I plan to get the Non Imm 0 extensions based on retirement after I get to Thailand and while that does not require insurance, I prefer to get some.  And since I will be getting Thai health insurance, I may get a slightly different visa, maybe Non imm OA in my home country first, start the THai health insurance, etc.

 

I am on USA medicare.  But they insist on charging me maximum IRMAA premiums based on previous years income even though I am now retired.  Painful numerous phone chats and in person calls about the SS-44 form.  So, since I am ready and planning to go Thailand for some long term stays, I am likely to dis-enroll from Medicare, go to Thailand and get Thai based health insurance.  Then when I return to the USA I can enroll in Medicare again during a supplemental period and at that time my Medicare premiums will be low.  Medicare bases premiums on previous two years of taxes.  Their reduction request form and process just isn't working and they are charging me $670 USD a month which is crazy, now and will continue to do so for a year or more even though I am now retired and grossing much less money!  So I do plan to put this in another forum but this is just background information.

 

 

I too am a retired US govt person - I sympathize with you and the US govt sponsored health insurance - for family, I pay almost a 1000 a month for my family, daughter will be turning 22 shortly so will then switch to one plus one but that too is fairly expensive.  My wife is Thai so she does have some Thai insurance but the savings of 500 USD a month if I drop to self only, would probably be worth while.  As a foreigner age 68, they will charge you quite a bit and put a lot of caveats that coverage so as you age it could become less useful.  I have seen stories about getting adequate coverage when some emergency arises too with some different companies.  There are other international companies that you might be able to get prior to coming here which will cover you while living here too.  The best thing about the US coverage is that you are guaranteed coverage for whatever ails you and the hospitals and doctors here are aware of that too.   Whatever, I hope you find what you need and can depend on - after all once we get old and then OLDER that insurance might be worthwhile.

[rwill]

The main problem is that the insurance companies here will exclude many things based on pre existing conditions.

For instance if you take blood pressure or cholesterol medication they will exclude heart attacks, strokes, etc.

But they still charge you the same premium.

[Presnock]

You can google Thailand Insurance Companies and their costs to get a better idea IMHO.

[scubascuba3]

1 hour ago, Scouse123 said:

 

I think there are limits on the amount of time you can spend in Thailand on a travel insurance plan.

 

To my knowledge, it isn't open-ended, nor was it intended to be.

Last time i purchased travel insurance was for 18 months, of course you need to understand the T&Cs

[Etaoin Shrdlu]

In the case of serious illness or injury, travel insurance will only pay medical expenses up to the point where it becomes possible and more cost-effective for the insurer to repatriate you to your home country for further treatment. In such a situation, your choice would be to say in Thailand and pay for further treatment yourself, or be repatriated to the US and be covered only for whatever Medicare Part A would pay on its own. 

 

Thai health insurers will exclude pre-existing conditions, so coverage may be less than ideal. If you do plan to apply for Thai health insurance, make sure you make proper disclosure of your medical history. If you omit anything that is material to the insurer's decision to grant cover, the insurer may void the policy from inception and deny any outstanding claims and also claw back any claims they may have paid previously. Best way to avoid disclosure issues is to attach copies of your medical records going back as far as possible when you submit the proposal form. 

 

Use an insurance broker to help you find a solution that best fits your needs and who can help you understand your duty of disclosure when you apply. A broker can also help with claims issues. Don't try to do this by yourself.

 

 

[GmailJen]

Been there,done that. I had an OA but that required expensive medical insurance and most only offer unnecessary International insurance whereas I was looking for Thailand only.

I ditched the OA but still bought medical insurance Thailand only ! with Bangkok Insurance,a reputable company and the premium half of what the International Policy was.

Why on earth does one need all those inclusions in International policies ,like reparatriation of body from USA ! when I'm never going there ? 

If I want to go to Europe I just take out a Schengen policy for the time there ( just done, 100 euro for 2 months )

It is essential for anyone approaching 70 to get Medical Insurance as after 70/75 most policies not available.

[Jumbo1968]

73 years old I was refused health insurance because I was on 20mg statins daily, I have no history of coronary or heart disease, my cholesterol was 6 mmoL/l now less than 4 mmoL/l.