Health Insurance For Us Federal Retiree

[upena]

I retired from Federal Service in Hawaii a few months ago. I was in the Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS) and my health insurance (Federal Employee Health Benefits - FEHB) carried over to retirement. Problem is that it carried over to my Hawaii carrier - Kaiser Permanente - who doesn't provide coverage in Thailand. This is a monthly payroll deduction taken out of my retirement check.

I contacted the Thai Visa Insurance folks and got the following in response to my query:

Larry

Sorry but no insurance company will accept monthly payments. Should you wish to pay this way may we suggest you pay the premium by CC then you can pay the CC as and when you wish ?

Best Regards

Peter

Is this in fact true? Or did I not make myself clear in my initial inquiry?

Anyone out there that is retired from US Federal service that has a solution?

I will be eligible for Tri-Care from the US Army Reserves when I hit 60 in two years - or sooner if they get it approved for us gray-area retireees.

Appreciate any info that you guys can provide.

Thanks,

Larry

[HNLDennis]

Hi Upena. I retired from PWC Pearl / NAVFAC Hawaii a year and a half ago. I switched from Kaiser to Blue Cross Blue Shield before I Moved over here. Can you change over to a insurance that will cover you here? They have open season once a year when you can change over. You can also contact OPM and tell them you moved out of the coverage zone for your health benifits and need to change to a new carrier, then you don't have to wait for open season. If you need more info you can PM me with questions.

[jazzbo]

BUPA Thailand allows the option to make payment transfers from a Thailand bank account -- whether monthly or just quarterly I do not remember as I pay by Credit Card for which the annual premium must be paid in full.

[Langsuan Man]

You should be able to change your insurance carrier due to your "change in residence" and not have to wait for the Annual Open season

I would suggest that you check with the benefits coordinator with your former agency who should be able to make the change for you

BUPA is not an option, nor is any other vendors other than Blue Cross for overseas coverage

Get Blue Cross now, and when and if you are eligible for Tri care, you can cancel out of Blue Cross

[lopburi3]

There are other providers available for overseas insurance for those retired under OPM (old civil service) but not sure if FERS has the same (but many are limited category). I currently have Blue Cross and believe it is good value. But I have used two other providers in the last 18 years I have been retired. It is basically you pay and get detailed receipts and then submit your claim. But BS/BC does have agreement with several major hospitals in Thailand for direct billing of hospital stay.

[lopburi3]

OPM list of nationwide plans

You can check the nationwide list of plans from above page and download details of each plan. They all offer worldwide coverage but Blue Cross is one of few that does not require any translations or exchange rate statements.

[Thanyaburi Mac]

OPM list of nationwide plans

You can check the nationwide list of plans from above page and download details of each plan. They all offer worldwide coverage but Blue Cross is one of few that does not require any translations or exchange rate statements.

I've used both Mail Handlers and GEHA in past years with no particular issues but for the last 20+ have been with one of the "members only" plans, FSBP. I pay upfront then submit the claim, and as Lop3 says, no translations or exchange rate required, altho I provide my own, just noted on the receipts. Same with reimbursement of locally purchased meds, no prescription required.

Hey, maybe we should have a get-together one day. Anyone ever visit Future Park Rangsit mall?

Mac

[Wirat]

Hey guys I found this post and although a little off-topic, I was wondering if I could ask your advice since it appears you are all US fed retirees. I am also a US fed and plan on retiring in about 6 years under FERS. I have been considering retiring in Thailand and have been there several times on vacation, my wife is from Laos so it will be somewhat less of an adjustment for her. I was considering up North/Chiang Mai area as I have met some expats that like it there and I also like what it offers.

My questions involve health care and insurance, but it appears you can use BC/BS there without much issues correct? That's what I have now.

What other considerations do I need to consider or plan for as far as the Fed retirement?

I estimate I should have an income of about $65,000 to $70,000 a year but that's a ROUGH estimate and the way the exchange rate and federal benefits are going, who knows. Is this more than enough? I have been told that even in todays dollars that $2500 a month is more than enough to rent a decent house and cover all living expenses for two in the Chiang Mai area if you are reasonable.

What did you do with your stateside residences? Our kids are grown and on their own, so I don't really want the expense of maintaining two homes plus not sure what to do with all of our "stuff", furniture, car, etc.!

I was assuming renting in Thailand would be the way to go for me. Is buying a condo worthwhile? I dont have a Thai wife so owning something is going to be limited for me plus I want to be able to move if the neighborhood goes bad, health problems arise, etc.

When you retire, is there a state of residency that you can choose that will have the best tax benefits? I now live in Virginia, but dont plan on staying here after I retire regardless.

Regarding your federal retirement benefits, what things have you learned since you have been there that you wish you would have known before moving over?

Thanks for whatever feedback you can give. -Wirat

[lopburi3]

BC/BS is getting higher priced than some plans now but is easy with no translations required and direct payment options to selected hospitals in most countries. But most will be payment and then getting paid back later (although that could change in six years). I suspect your wife will have survivor/insurance benefits so if something happens to you she can use for retirement extensions on her own.

I would plan to sell home if you have no plans to return as tax and such can be a killer for no valid reason. But if you have family you want to turn it over that should also be considered in your decision.

You should have plenty of funds with such an income. Rents at other than prime locations are not that expensive and will give your the freedom to move as you see fit.

My home state was Florida so no tax issues and able to renew drivers license on-line when required. Virginia will likely want state tax as long as they can get it.

[retiredusn]

For your question on Tricare, you can find a lot of good info on "tricare-overseas.com "

[Wirat]

Thanks guys! All good info. -Wirat

[Langsuan Man]

Just make sure you formally leave Virginia by turning in your drivers license, car plates and establish residency in a non income tax state BEFORE you come here. That means getting a drivers license and registering to vote in your new state

This is important since Virginia is almost as mercenary as California in getting state income tax out of retirees

Here is a list of income tax free states

Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming.

PM me for information on how to become a resident Nevada without having to move there

[lopburi3]

As a former resident of New Hampshire must add that state to the non income tax list.

Taxpayer Assistance > Does NH have an Income Tax or Sales Tax?

New Hampshire does not have a general sales tax or an income tax on an individual's reported W-2 wages. There are taxes on an individual's interest and dividends income, inheritance, business taxes, consumer excise taxes and other taxes as listed below. Fuel taxes are administered by the NH Dept. of Safety Road Toll office at 603-271-2311.

http://www.nh.gov/revenue/faq/gti-rev.htm