2 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

Why would they only accept USD?

Did he not have a credit card?

No they would accept Baht & Quoted it was near 500k

I said USD because his wife & step daughter did not have the funds & they had to contact brother...I guess no credit card. He actually use to live in CM but had moved back to USA & was visiting for a wedding which is why he did not have the funds on hand I guess...

But again as you said proof first operation later even if deteriorating fast & time is of the essence in that type of scenario

19 minutes ago, mania said:

No they would accept Baht & Quoted it was near 500k

I said USD because his wife & step daughter did not have the funds & they had to contact brother...I guess no credit card. He actually use to live in CM but had moved back to USA & was visiting for a wedding which is why he did not have the funds on hand I guess...

But again as you said proof first operation later even if deteriorating fast & time is of the essence in that type of scenario

No credit card and no travel insurance, bummer

44 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

No credit card and no travel insurance, bummer

I know right?

On 2/18/2026 at 9:13 PM, Chomper Higgot said:

There are no Private hospitals in Nan and the Government hospital is notorious for very long wait times for consultations and treatments.

By the way....Wonder what Happened with Ram Nan? Seems to have stalled? Maybe ran out of funds or ?

On 2/17/2026 at 10:47 AM, SamSpade said:

you can get the Pacific Cross Maxima plan with 5Million inpatients coved for approx 76K THB with 100K deductible but again, this won't cover anything that they say has come about because of an existing condition so you wouldn't be covered for anything to do with your heart.

Existing conditions is the biggest problem with health insurances, especially for old folks. The insurance company can claim that your heart attack, kidney failure, fatty lever or whatever is because of your mild diabetes or slightly high blood pressure or some other existing condition, and they will refuse to pay. Better to save the hypothetical insurance premiums in a Thai bank account and use for any emergency or treatment.

Problem Insurance premiums/hospital bills can become unaffordable.

Been here since 2015 (from Canada) and researched medical coverage now on two occasions. Pre 2019 many insurers did not have much for pre-existing conditions. Now they (insurers) all have pre-existing conditions. The contract leaves very big openings for possible denial of future claims. Two friends expats +70s had their policies cancelled on renewal. One used it extensively and other had no claims.

I really don't want to pay to:

a) have cvg. denied.

b) be deemed uninsurable and without a policy after paying yrs of premiums.

Solution

That being said I have choosen to self insure at 63 I had a stint in 2020 done due to congenital heart defect from birth. Was done in government hospital but still ran near ฿200,000. (The doctors sent me out to several specialists before doing Angioplasty and a stint) am now am classified as having a heart condition.

Chronic care is expensive: kidney failure, by-pass (heart), dementia, home nurse, oxygen supplies including cancer care.

My Current Health Coverage Fund is 3M฿ from 60 to 70 years.

Increasing to 4M฿ from 70 to 80 years. I used data from this study to determine health costs, added for inflation over time.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1155/2018/4180565

The study takes all aspects of medical care into consideration.

The money (Health Fund) earns 3.25% after withholding tax/year. Which I save and use to cover 2 x yearly medical checkups and medication as needed now.

Note costs are rising: The UHC is underfunded as medical costs since 2020 have increased over 15%. I might be under funded for terminal cancer treatment but at that point I am ready to go.

Risks:

1) not enough money.

2) stock market takes my capital.

3) develope expensive long lasting terminal illness.

19 hours ago, oceanbluejewell said:

I might be under funded for terminal cancer treatment but at that point I am ready to go.

If it is terminal, you don't need any funds.

On 2/26/2026 at 9:58 AM, JJ-Thailand said:

Existing conditions is the biggest problem with health insurances, especially for old folks. The insurance company can claim that your heart attack, kidney failure, fatty lever or whatever is because of your mild diabetes or slightly high blood pressure or some other existing condition, and they will refuse to pay. Better to save the hypothetical insurance premiums in a Thai bank account and use for any emergency or treatment.

This is why I refuse to have anything to do with Thai health insurance. My prviate health insurance in Australia was expensive, but after reasonable qualifyng periods, it covered everything regardless of existing problems.

Thai companies want to profit from all rather than accept a certain percentage of clients will cost them. I'd rather pay a higher premium knowing I'm covered and not get refused after the event on a technicality

On 3/2/2026 at 12:30 PM, Old Croc said:

Thai companies want to profit from all rather than accept a certain percentage of clients will cost them.

International health insurance companies like Cigna and Allianz often refuse to pay but are very expensive. I have no health insurance at all, saving the hypothetical premiums instead and can use the money for any future emergency.

1 minute ago, JJ-Thailand said:

International health insurance companies like Cigna and Allianz often refuse to pay but are very expensive. I have no health insurance at all, saving the hypothetical premiums instead and can use the money for any future emergency.

I had Cigna for years for myself and my family and submitted hundreds of claims, including a rotator cuff and two knee replacements all at Bumrungrad, and not a single claim was refused.

A few claims (the second knee replacement for example) had to be resubmitted with further explanation, but they were all ultimately reimbursed. Even some things that were not covered like supplements and whatnot were reimbursed.

Annual top-level heath check-up and every follow-up visit, and all prescribed medication at Bumrungrad, for the entire family, all covered.

Is Cigna expensive? Absolutely. But it is great insurance.

21 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

I had Cigna for years for myself and my family and submitted hundreds of claims, including a rotator cuff and two knee replacements all at Bumrungrad, and not a single claim was refused.

A few claims (the second knee replacement for example) had to be resubmitted with further explanation, but they were all ultimately reimbursed. Even some things that were not covered like supplements and whatnot were reimbursed.

Annual top-level heath check-up and every follow-up visit, and all prescribed medication at Bumrungrad, for the entire family, all covered.

Is Cigna expensive? Absolutely. But it is great insurance.

Was the Cigna paid for full or in part by an employer, or 100% self paid by yourself ?

1 hour ago, KhunLA said:

Was the Cigna paid for full or in part by an employer, or 100% self paid by yourself ?

Both. 80-20 company at first, then two years after I retired 100% self-paid.

15 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

Both. 80-20 company at first, then two years after I retired 100% self-paid.

When a company plan, usually honored. I know a few, independent plan owners, that claims denied or policies cancelled.

Myself included, after I got fired, coverage supposed to be good for 30 days, per union, no matter reason for employment ending. 2 incidents, actually 3, and the insurer refused to cover. When employed, always covered.

One, hearing aid, as already completely approved before fired, and cancelled the day to be fitted, after being fired. Ear doc was pissed.

Another was OJI injury, open med for life, for back after surgery, not honored after leaving. That one come back to bite them really hard.

Sued & won both, along with 3 other lawsuits, all revolving around healthcare insurance / work comp, not being honored.

Along with suing home owner's insurance for low balling a home repair after a fire.

I have no respect for insurance companies. Without a lawyer, they will do anything not to pay out. My experiences anyway. YMMV

4 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

When a company plan, usually honored. I know a few, independent plan owners, that claims denied or policies cancelled.

Myself included, after I got fired, coverage supposed to be good for 30 days, per union, no matter reason for employment ending. 2 incidents, actually 3, and the insurer refused to cover. When employed, always covered.

One, hearing aid, as already completely approved before fired, and cancelled the day to be fitted, after being fired. Ear doc was pissed.

Another was OJI injury, open med for life, for back after surgery, not honored after leaving. That one come back to bite them really hard.

Sued & won both, along with 3 other lawsuits, all revolving around healthcare insurance / work comp, not being honored.

Along with suing home owner's insurance for low balling a home repair after a fire.

I have no respect for insurance companies. Without a lawyer, they will do anything not to pay out. My experiences anyway. YMMV

Did you have Cigna?

Was this while you were in Thailand?

I was talking about my experience, with Cigna, in Thailand.

Insurance companies are in the business of paying premiums, not paying claims. It has been my experience that most people complaining about their insurance not paying their claims, tried to claim thing that were not covered, or they had undisclosed preexisting conditions.

People seem to think they should be able to buy insurance that costs 10% of what it pays out.

1 minute ago, Yellowtail said:

Did you have Cigna?

Was this while you were in Thailand?

I was talking about my experience, with Cigna, in Thailand.

Insurance companies are in the business of paying premiums, not paying claims. It has been my experience that most people complaining about their insurance not paying their claims, tried to claim thing that were not covered, or they had undisclosed preexisting conditions.

People seem to think they should be able to buy insurance that costs 10% of what it pays out.

Cigna ... NO

While in TH ... Yes, living in, but still working in USA & US docs

All claims, healthcare & OJI care, were covered in the past, for self & others, while employed. 2nd back injury was claimed at work, and approved by management to be treated. I was fired the next day after submitting paperwork, and approval to be treated. Probably just a coincidence

Even though, firing cause incident, that happened way more than 2 weeks before, which is outside the unions rules for disciplinary action.

My lawyer asked me if I wanted my job back, might take a year to win. Asked if I'd get back pay, sad probably not, or very partial, so I decided not to sue. Traveling back & forth from TH, for depo and court, wouldn't be worth it.

Last time I had surgery, cost them a few $100k, so they were just cutting the future cost of keeping me around, so financially understandable.

NWA was self insured, and used a few insurance carriers just to handle accounting for claims, OJI / work comp & family healthcare.

That in itself, shows how profitable health insurance is, premiums paid vs covered pay outs.

They used varies carriers to handle accounting depending what coverage; OJI, dental, retiree, while working you got to chose 2 different coverages (Blue Cross or HMO), latter having 0 deductible within plan. All good & smiles while working, but ended when they saw a big pay out coming, and they thought they could weasel out easily.

Most people couldn't afford to stay unemployed for a few years, while they dragged things out in court. Moment you took a job, you lost any lawsuit. I had planned to retire, as already had house built in TH & a wife. Just waiting for new union contract to be finalized, when fired.

Which never happened and I actually left on the best contract, which had to be honored. They filed bankruptcy, and DL bought them out. My pension comes via DL, under NWA / IAM union (last & best) contract.

On 3/4/2026 at 9:49 AM, Yellowtail said:

I had Cigna for years for myself and my family and submitted hundreds of claims, including a rotator cuff and two knee replacements all at Bumrungrad, and not a single claim was refused.

The problem is with existing conditions, especially for old folks. The insurance company can claim that your heart attack, kidney failure, fatty lever or whatever is because of your mild diabetes or slightly high blood pressure or some other existing condition, and they will refuse to pay.

45 minutes ago, JJ-Thailand said:

The problem is with existing conditions, especially for old folks. The insurance company can claim that your heart attack, kidney failure, fatty lever or whatever is because of your mild diabetes or slightly high blood pressure or some other existing condition, and they will refuse to pay.

That has not been my experience.

If that were true, insurance would never pay anything.

I think this is a myth that comes from people that buy cheap insurance without understanding what is covered, and them moaning when they find out that you don't get million-dollar insurance for ten dollars.

5 hours ago, Yellowtail said:

That has not been my experience.

If that were true, insurance would never pay anything.

I think this is a myth that comes from people that buy cheap insurance without understanding what is covered, and them moaning when they find out that you don't get million-dollar insurance for ten dollars.

He was probably talking about Thai insurance, different regs to the west

23 hours ago, Yellowtail said:

I think this is a myth that comes from people that buy cheap insurance without understanding what is covered

Not cheap insurance, 200,000 Baht per year and inpatient only (+65).

20 hours ago, JJ-Thailand said:

Not cheap insurance, 200,000 Baht per year and inpatient only (+65).

You bought medical insurance for B200K and you were refused coverage because of preexisting conditions?

When was this, what company, what preexisting conditions, and what treatment was refused?

1 hour ago, Yellowtail said:

You bought medical insurance for B200K and you were refused coverage because of preexisting conditions?

When was this, what company, what preexisting conditions, and what treatment was refused?

Surely all insurers will refuse to pay for treatment for undisclosed pre-existing medical conditions?

47 minutes ago, brewsterbudgen said:

Surely all insurers will refuse to pay for treatment for undisclosed pre-existing medical conditions?

As well they should, but I was responding to someone that said: "The problem is with existing conditions, especially for old folks. The insurance company can claim that your heart attack, kidney failure, fatty lever or whatever is because of your mild diabetes or slightly high blood pressure or some other existing condition, and they will refuse to pay."

And the "undisclosed" preexisting clause only works if the insurance company can show you knew about the condition.

Get a credit card with a $80,000 limit in your native country.

Use it once, never pay it back. Let them chase you.... you'll be dead anyway.

I would highly recommend avoiding the insurance Mafia setting that money aside and try to avoid touching it if possible. In the end if you don't use it it's just a bonus annuity and if you have to use it, it's there. There are some very good public hospitals in Thailand and they are relatively inexpensive.

That insurance premium is absolutely insane, and if there's one thing you can be a 100% certain of in this world, is that your premium will go up annually, infinitum.

Just say no to the health insurance mafia.

At almost 75 years old, and having lived in Thailand for 14 years, I still have no health insurance, and everything is fine.

For the very rare emergencies, I manage to pay like the locals. I go to a government hospital or a doctor recommended by my young girlfriend.

For example, I had skin cancer successfully treated with an autograft by a surgeon team in Chonburi at the exorbitant total cost of 16,000 baht.

But more than the cost itself, not being insured forces me to take care of my body and my health in general. As a result, I'm never really sick.

This isn't advice for everyone, especially those with fragile health, but it's my philosophy, and I stick to it.

On 3/7/2026 at 7:06 AM, Yellowtail said:

You bought medical insurance for B200K and you were refused coverage because of preexisting conditions?

I didn't buy it as it excluded all pre-existing conditions and I have a few. You could possibly fill in the forms and tell them that you don't have any pre-existing conditions and hope they won't find out but if they do you just committed insurance fraud.
I think it's better to save the premiums in a bank account and use them for any future emergency, unless you are employed and a company is paying for the insurance.