Bupa Renewal

[jazzbo]

I am about to renew my BUPA Policy for my 6th year of coverage. When I took out the policy, the coverage was for any country in the world. I took out their Platinum Policy at the 5,000,000 Baht per incident level as this would give me pretty good coverage if I had some emergency (non-accident) situation in the USA. They ridered my left knee for 2 years as I had earlier surgery. The next year, when they sent me my renewal pack they said that I was covered anywhere in the world EXCEPT the USA. So I took out a one-year travel policy which provides 2,000,000 Baht per incident but only covers me for a maximum 60 day per stay outside of Thailand.

So this year, before renewal, I decided to check out some of those Lloyds of London-type programs where, as an American, you must reside outside the USA no less than 6 months per year and they mean exactly no less than 6 months… BUPA has said that as long as they believe I maintain my primary residence in Thailand they don’t count days. However, with the Lloyds policies, I would be fully covered in the USA so long as I used their Provider network which is no problem. Other than the 6 month limitation, I could stay in the USA for any length of time per visit.

So I applied to 4 different companies at the same time so that I could answer “No – I have never been denied health insurance” on each of them. Three of the companies turned down my application and the fourth never got back to me maybe thinking they are doing me a favor so I can say that I still have never been denied coverage.

So it looks like I’m sticking with BUPA as I am guaranteed renewal for life (or at least until I qualify for MEDICARE). I later DID later require surgery on that knee and they covered it in full (except for my crutches and a can of Coca-Cola). Although my rates may have been upwardly adjusted for a year or two, they are now back at the rates on the printed Premium schedule. They have a 10% of Premium annual no claims refund and I get a calendar in the mail every year.

[jazzbo]

Well it's now official: Four applications; Four turn downs.

GOODHEALTH an Aetna Company

Dear (JAZZBO)

I am writing in regard to your recently submitted application for international health insurance.

We regret to inform you that our underwriters have declined your application based on the medical information that was provided. Therefore, we cannot offer you international health insurance at this time.

While we understand that this is not the decision you hoped for, our decision not to provide cover at this time is consistent with terms and conditions that apply, equally, to all applicants. Kind regards, (Account Service Representative)

Aetna, I'm glad I met ya.

BTW to clarify above, BUPA Platinum Accident coverage IS worldwide including USA; the Travel Policy is to cover Medical emergencies such as heart attack, stroke, aneurysm, et.

[PattayaParent]

I don't understand why you have to apply to 4 companies to be able to answer that you've never been denied health insurance (and being unsuccessful to boot) when if you've never applied to them you could claim that anyway?

[jazzbo]

The question asked on the application(s) reads have you ever been denied insurance at any time by any company... and I applied to four simultaneously companies hoping that at least one would provide coverage. None did.

As i have written here on several occasions, the insurance companies will happily accept your premiums for years and only do intense investigation when presented with a large claim... and they have access to the above information. You give them the right to investigate when you sign the application.