40 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

 

When the results of an industry medical carried out in Malaysia resulted in my being diagnosed with a very, very small kidney stone, I had the confirmation diagnostics and follow-up KUB ultrasound examinations carried out at a different hospital to that which was already listed as my primary care hospital by my insurer at my own cost here in Thailand. Nine months later, the third follow-up KUB ultrasound indicated that it was no longer visible. I didn't mention it to my insurer when I renewed. If some other renal or kidney-related issues arise as I grow older, and despite not having any invasive treatment, I should hope to avoid having any claim declined due to a pre-existing condition.

 

Back to the OP and the abdominal aorta aneurysm (AAA) detected, this is quite common in 60+ males and particularly with tall people or those with a 'long' back. My father had one and would have died if he wasn't already an in-patient at the hospital in the UK, undergoing tests after a few weeks of abdominal discomfort. A few years ago, my UK medical practice flagged me for a free AAA ultrasound examination which, due to the family history, I took seriously and had done in Liverpool as an outpatient. Since then, Bumrungrad in Bangkok have also added AAA Ultrasound examinations for the 60+ crowd, so I will be getting another check later this year.

Thanks for the post NanLaew, however my aortic aneurysm is right at the junction where it comes out of the heart, so I don't think it is an abdominal aortic aneurysm, however I may be wrong in my description, but anyway thanks again for the post.

29 minutes ago, 4MyEgo said:

 

I wasn't aware it was a Thai insurer, that said, I would never insure with a Thai personally as I have heard some bad stories when it came to coughing up.

 

When I once insured, and going through the fine print, it did state about the duty of disclosure when applying and that the insurer MUST know of any changes to ones condition, even if they weren't making a claim, that said, I would have thought most would be the same, but then again maybe not.

 

I haven't seen a general requirement to inform an insurer of changes in one's health status absent making a claim, but it is possible that some insurers do.

 

 

7 hours ago, Etaoin Shrdlu said:

 

Here's renewal wording from a policy issued by a Thai insurer:

 

"This policy can be renewed until the insured's age does not exceed 99 years old, no supportive evidence is required at this point."

 

To my understanding, this means that the insured is not required to make any additional health declarations or disclosures at renewal.

 

Some policies will have a clause that requires prompt notification of injury or illness that may give rise to a claim under the policy. So, yes, with respect to filing claims for new conditions, there is a requirement to report. This wording often appears in the claim notification clause.

Based on that people might as well advise their insurer just to be on the safe side, nothing to lose, rather than conceal it and risk claim denied

19 hours ago, xylophone said:

.

 

At 78 years old this year I won't be able to get any cover anywhere else, so it looks like I will have to draw down on my NZ investments, which will more than cover even the most horrendous hospital costs here.

 

 

If you are comatose in ICU... how do you drawn down them NZ investments ?

Just now, scubascuba3 said:

Based on that people might as well advise their insurer just to be on the safe side, nothing to lose, rather than conceal it and risk claim denied

 

As a general rule, disclosure is usually safer than non-disclosure. I'd also advise reading the policy in full and discussing the issue with your insurance broker.

 

 

23 hours ago, KannikaP said:

Isn't a 'pre-existing condition' one which exists when you take out the policy, and not one which develops over the duration of the policy?

 

Yes.

21 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

If you are comatose in ICU... how do you drawn down them NZ investments ?

Working on that one!!!!

32 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

If you are comatose in ICU... how do you drawn down them NZ investments ?

 

A durable power of attorney can allow someone to handle your financial affairs while you are unable to do so.

 

I assume a durable PoA is a thing in NZ. It may take some time to get the PoA recognized and the funds liberated from an NZ investment account, however.

 

1 hour ago, xylophone said:

1 hour ago, Ralf001 said:

If you are comatose in ICU... how do you drawn down them NZ investments ?

Working on that one!!!!

 

It's called a Living Will. Handy to have as we slip into our dotage and even forget our own PIN numbers.

Several options: –

If I am in intensive care, I won't know anything about what's going on and either the insurance I've currently got will cover it or it won't, and if it won't then I will be off to the great vineyard in the sky and my Thai daughter will inherit the funds I have here in Thailand and the funds I have have in New Zealand by virtue of a Will I have made in NZ and also one I have made here for my Thai assets.

 

Also I could transfer a lump sum to my Thai bank account and that should be sufficient to keep me away from the Grim Reaper and pay the hospital bills and still leave some investments in NZ.

 

I do have a blank form for a "Living Will" so I suppose I should get on and complete that and give it to the hospital/my daughter. Also the power of attorney (POA) form has been mentioned and I should also get on and complete that for my assets here and see if I can do the same for those in NZ.

 

Thanks for the memory jog and I will get onto that in a day or so.

 

PS. Any one of the scenarios above, or a combination of all, should work, or I could simply transfer all of my investments now to my Thai bank account and then won't have to worry, but at the moment I'm averaging about 7.25% per annum, paid monthly, in a "peer-to-peer" lending scheme in NZ and don't really want to scupper that yet.

 

More work to do.

4 hours ago, xylophone said:

Several options: –

If I am in intensive care, I won't know anything about what's going on and either the insurance I've currently got will cover it or it won't, and if it won't then I will be off to the great vineyard in the sky and my Thai daughter will inherit the funds I have here in Thailand and the funds I have have in New Zealand by virtue of a Will I have made in NZ and also one I have made here for my Thai assets.

 

Also I could transfer a lump sum to my Thai bank account and that should be sufficient to keep me away from the Grim Reaper and pay the hospital bills and still leave some investments in NZ.

 

I do have a blank form for a "Living Will" so I suppose I should get on and complete that and give it to the hospital/my daughter. Also the power of attorney (POA) form has been mentioned and I should also get on and complete that for my assets here and see if I can do the same for those in NZ.

 

Thanks for the memory jog and I will get onto that in a day or so.

 

PS. Any one of the scenarios above, or a combination of all, should work, or I could simply transfer all of my investments now to my Thai bank account and then won't have to worry, but at the moment I'm averaging about 7.25% per annum, paid monthly, in a "peer-to-peer" lending scheme in NZ and don't really want to scupper that yet.

 

More work to do.

I heard about a guy who had a stroke, unconscious, because the hospital couldn't find out about insurance or funding he wasn't given the best treatment, transferred to a cheaper hospital. Critical in a stroke situation to get quick treatment 

38 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

I heard about a guy who had a stroke, unconscious, because the hospital couldn't find out about insurance or funding he wasn't given the best treatment, transferred to a cheaper hospital. Critical in a stroke situation to get quick treatment 

 

I self admitted to hospital as I thought I was badly dehydrated.

Turns out it was severe pneumonia.... Upon admission I had to give a 20k deposit.

Within hours I was in ICU in an induced coma.

Iam told my insurance declined cover they next day and the hospital wanted a large chunk of cash to continue treatment.

HR Manager from my work stepped , paid what was owed (180k) and arranged transfer to my SS registered hospital.

I was brought out of the coma 15 days later.

 

Would have been screwed if I had to pull money from investments abroad.

On 7/2/2025 at 4:40 PM, xylophone said:

Well I have just had an answer from the company representative (the lawyer who I've been dealing with since I took the policy out many years ago) and she contacted the company and she informed me that because I've been with them and had the policy for over 10 years, then I am covered for this event.

 

Yeah, it's a problem when you change insurance provider. You're locked in now and if you do change they will load the policy.

15 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

 

I self admitted to hospital as I thought I was badly dehydrated.

Turns out it was severe pneumonia.... Upon admission I had to give a 20k deposit.

Within hours I was in ICU in an induced coma.

Iam told my insurance declined cover they next day and the hospital wanted a large chunk of cash to continue treatment.

HR Manager from my work stepped , paid what was owed (180k) and arranged transfer to my SS registered hospital.

I was brought out of the coma 15 days later.

 

Would have been screwed if I had to pull money from investments abroad.

i also met someone who went in ICU for 6 months in Bang Lamung, not paid for until after he woke, his condo had been rented out and belongings sold, thought he was dead

7 hours ago, Ralf001 said:

 

I self admitted to hospital as I thought I was badly dehydrated.

Turns out it was severe pneumonia.... Upon admission I had to give a 20k deposit.

Within hours I was in ICU in an induced coma.

Iam told my insurance declined cover they next day and the hospital wanted a large chunk of cash to continue treatment.

HR Manager from my work stepped , paid what was owed (180k) and arranged transfer to my SS registered hospital.

I was brought out of the coma 15 days later.

 

Would have been screwed if I had to pull money from investments abroad.

You make a good point with your last sentence, so I'm looking at the possibility of transferring a lump sum from my NZ Bank to my Bangkok Bank account here and thankfully I won't have to touch the peer to peer lending investment as not only does it pay a good rate of interest, it is secured against registered properties.

 

Having said that I can transfer money from my NZ bank to my Bangkok Bank in just over 24 hours by using NZ forex, provided I have got my computer handy, which could prove a problem if I am in hospital and somewhat incapacitated, so after your prompt, I'm planning for the worst but hoping for the best!

On 7/3/2025 at 7:01 PM, Etaoin Shrdlu said:

 

I haven't seen a general requirement to inform an insurer of changes in one's health status absent making a claim, but it is possible that some insurers do.

 

 

 

I will have to agree as generally one wouldn't have to inform their health insurer, that said, I thought it was a standard, after sighting the fine print in a health insurance policy that I once had, e.g. it basically stated that after disclosing any conditions prior to taking out the policy and it is approved, the insurer must be updated at all times of any conditions that the insured is diagnosed under in the future, regardless if they are not making a claim, as the insurer may decide not to pay any claim related to that condition diagnosed and not disclosed to the insurer at the time of diagnosis.

 

The above said, as I previously mentioned, I stopped insuring due to over the top annual increase in premiums, with no claims.

 

I am not suggesting you do the same, but if you have funds to back yourself up in an event, and or can return to NZ for treatment, that might be a way of saving on premiums now and in the future due to their increases.

 

Apart from that, eat healthily, drink in moderation, and exercise, should keep you away from trouble extending your longevity. 

 

 

On 7/2/2025 at 12:43 PM, xylophone said:

every few years the premium payable gets more

Wrong insurance 😂

On 7/2/2025 at 12:43 PM, xylophone said:

pre-existing condition which will not be covered in the new policy.

You got the wrong insurance ?🥴

I'm going through a similar situation to the OP, with my policy due for renewal this month, although thankfully without the frightening premiums, as I'm considerably younger.

 

To keep costs down, my plan includes a 50,000 baht deductible. Still, it’s hard not to wonder if the coverage is worth it, given all the horror stories about companies refusing to pay out.

 

I've been with Pacific Cross for several years, and a significant premium increase is scheduled for when I turn 66; I’m currently 63.

 

Health-wise, I’m in decent shape for my age, thanks to regular gym visits and daily walks. While I have some pre-existing conditions due to throat cancer, everything is fully declared on the application.

 

A yearly medical check-up at Bangkok Khon Kaen Hospital is scheduled for this month.

 

I am honestly sitting on the fence regarding renewal at the moment, and, like the OP, I've been paying premiums for over 23 years.

 

Some posters are highly recommending Wr Life, I think it is, but they are relatively new to the market, and I have been with Pacific Cross for many years.

 

I have never had a claim with them.

On 7/2/2025 at 12:43 PM, xylophone said:

it appears that many health insurance companies consider that to be a pre-existing condition when one goes to sign the policy for the next year!

 

You're not signing a NEW policy each year, you are extending the current policy.  It's kinda like getting an extension of stay based on your original visa.

 

"Pre-existing" means prior to commencement date of the policy.

1 hour ago, Scouse123 said:

I'm going through a similar situation to the OP, with my policy due for renewal this month, although thankfully without the frightening premiums, as I'm considerably younger.

 

To keep costs down, my plan includes a 50,000 baht deductible. Still, it’s hard not to wonder if the coverage is worth it, given all the horror stories about companies refusing to pay out.

 

I've been with Pacific Cross for several years, and a significant premium increase is scheduled for when I turn 66; I’m currently 63.

 

Health-wise, I’m in decent shape for my age, thanks to regular gym visits and daily walks. While I have some pre-existing conditions due to throat cancer, everything is fully declared on the application.

 

A yearly medical check-up at Bangkok Khon Kaen Hospital is scheduled for this month.

 

I am honestly sitting on the fence regarding renewal at the moment, and, like the OP, I've been paying premiums for over 23 years.

 

Some posters are highly recommending Wr Life, I think it is, but they are relatively new to the market, and I have been with Pacific Cross for many years.

 

I have never had a claim with them.

It does look like we are in similar situations, albeit that my premium is high because of my 77 years of age.

 

One other poster has simply said "Wrong Insurance" without giving any other information, but I have to consider that at my age (78 this year) there are not many health insurance companies who would take me on, and if they did the premiums would likely be just as high as I'm experiencing now.

 

I was initially with BUPA here, until it changed and they are now Allianz Ayudhya and I stayed with them because I am covered up until the age of 99 and I have had great help/service from their agent here who is also a lawyer and whom I consider a friend.

 

Some time ago I did look at both Pacific Cross and WrLife, however opted not to go with them because there were some adverse reviews on many Internet sites, and some of them were not "pretty" however if you have found PC to be suitable, then good on you.

 

I've come round to another way of thinking, whereby I transfer a lump sum from my bank in NZ and use that as a backstop to cover any health issues, at the same time cancelling my Health Insurance here. Having said that, I will keep the health insurance going for this year, then most probably cancel it before the next extension is due.

 

Like you, I have never had a claim, although they did pay for a colonoscopy a few years back, before I put in place the 50 K deductible, which I thought was good.

 

I would be interested to hear what decision you make and the rationale behind it, and if you don't want to post it here, then by all means send me a PM/message
 

On 7/2/2025 at 8:16 PM, xylophone said:

Yes it seems a lot now, but back then with a very small premium, it wasn't. It's just that over 15 years the annual premium has increased, as it always does.

 

I started the health insurance cover at aged 60 and because of that I wasn't able to increase the total cover in later years and it covered until the age of 99.

 

I elected to choose the 50 K deductible this time to lower the premium, but thinking about it, and that which I have already mentioned, this will be the last year, for me.

 

At 78 years old this year I won't be able to get any cover anywhere else, so it looks like I will have to draw down on my NZ investments, which will more than cover even the most horrendous hospital costs here.

 

There comes a time when weighing up the pros and cons, it becomes just about obvious that the cost/benefit doesn't balance out any more.

 

I suppose that if anything drastic happens, I could always go back to NZ and get free treatment on the government health system, not that I want to do that, but it is an option if things get desperate.

 

In summary, I have enough stashed away to cover me for even the most horrendous hospital costs here, so I will live with that. 

There are local policies available for care in Thailand only available until 1 month before you turn 80. 

On 7/3/2025 at 4:53 PM, Etaoin Shrdlu said:

 

A durable power of attorney can allow someone to handle your financial affairs while you are unable to do so.

 

I assume a durable PoA is a thing in NZ. It may take some time to get the PoA recognized and the funds liberated from an NZ investment account, however.

 

If your assets are in another country, it would be prudent for someone in that country to have the PoA.

 

In Thailand you could have a document to provide for a 'pipat' (guardian?), who can act in your behalf if you don't have a family member here. The complication is that the 'pipat' is appointed by the Court and may not necessarily follow the preference of the individual whom you have designated beforehand.

47 minutes ago, placnx said:

There are local policies available for care in Thailand only available until 1 month before you turn 80. 

 

 

But are they any good for us as foreigners?

49 minutes ago, placnx said:

There are local policies available for care in Thailand only available until 1 month before you turn 80. 

Any links?

I haven't seen any policies online by any insurers for the premiums charged that are as comprehensive as those Pacific Cross offers in terms of coverage for Southeast Asia.

 

All international insurers are far more expensive for less coverage.

 

My renewal for 10,000,000 baht of inpatient care, including a 50,000 baht deductible, a 20% no-claims discount, and no outpatient coverage, totals 47,000 baht for South East Asia.

 

I get a private room up to 10,000 baht per night.

 

I am 63 years old.

Error in my last post, the deductible is 40,000 baht, not 50,000 baht.

On 7/7/2025 at 5:33 PM, Scouse123 said:

 

 

But are they any good for us as foreigners?

Yes, anyway I'm going to see the insurance company tomorrow. However, if I have a really serious problem, I may go elsewhere and pay the bill myself.

On 7/2/2025 at 6:22 AM, KannikaP said:

Isn't a 'pre-existing condition' one which exists when you take out the policy, and not one which develops over the duration of the policy?

That’s exactly what it is. They exclude things that existed before you became their customer or charge you a higher rate because of that. 

On 7/6/2025 at 11:24 PM, NoDisplayName said:

 

You're not signing a NEW policy each year, you are extending the current policy.  It's kinda like getting an extension of stay based on your original visa.

 

"Pre-existing" means prior to commencement date of the policy.

Exactly