Medical Insurance

[phuketcowboy]

Sawaddee khrup to everyone on the forum.

I really need swome advice on insurance....(medical)..

I am now just 60 years old and spend almost 11 months of the year here in Phuket and only travel back to Sydney twice a year.

Can anyone shed some light on who i see or contact about good medical insurance for hospital or general problems...?

I really would appreciate the help....and thanks in advance....

[Garry9999]

BUPA International

[Spaniel]

Yes try BUPA: www.bupathailand.com

[denboy]

Bupa thailand are OK. if you join at 60 years of age they will cover you for lifetime. I used them from the age of 62 to 70 and had no problems with them. They paid the hospital bills without any problems.

Because I joined at the age of 62 I am now forced to have a more expensive cover. BUPA thai 80.000 baht. = BUPA inter, 160.000 baht..

BUPA thai have several levels of cover, you can check them out via the web.

[F1fanatic]

Bupa thailand are OK. if you join at 60 years of age they will cover you for lifetime. I used them from the age of 62 to 70 and had no problems with them. They paid the hospital bills without any problems.

Because I joined at the age of 62 I am now forced to have a more expensive cover. BUPA thai 80.000 baht. = BUPA inter, 160.000 baht..

BUPA thai have several levels of cover, you can check them out via the web.

Bupa Int is expensive - but they pay out without argument when deserved.

I've been with Bupa since I was 20 so all my pre-existing conditions are covered - and this is the main point. Once you take out a NEW medical insurance policy, pre-existing conditions are NOT covered.

My ex-husband found this out to his cost when he dropped his Bupa (too expensive) and took out a cheaper policy with another company.

[astral]

http://www.goodhealthworldwide.com/

They paid out $60,000 for me last year.

[barryofthailand]

I am also with Bupa for the last seven years. If you travel to Australia twice a year, it would be less expensive for you to get travel insurance which can cover you up to six months. Then you can renew when you are ready to come back to Thailand. Bupa Thai also sells travel insurance.

Barry

[BRichards]

Bupa or any other great medical insurance you can easily get through Pacific Prime Insurance brokers. They provide international coverages for locals and expats. I got mine through them and they will find a medical plan that will be right for you and your needs. look them up on the net. BR

[samran]

Given that you are likely to be Australian and have access to Medicare, whatever policy you get I'd recommend getting one which includes repatriation to your home country. These usually are provided by non-thai expat health insurance outfits.

Nothing wrong with many aspects of the Thai hospital system (there are soem quite good public and private hospitals and well trained doctors)and there are many proceedures you might be comfortable paying out of pocket for- but the fact you'd be relying on insurance while you are in Thailand, means that coverage may run out/be limited at some point.

Expat insurance policies can be more pricer than some local Thai ones, but it may be worthwhile to examine a policy with a high deductable, meaning you are covered for most things seriously life threatening, but anything run of the mill, routine, or outpatient, you may pay for yourself. This will significantly lower the premium. Most all expat health insurance co's will have the repatriation offering, which is a good 'out clause' for everyone.

Co's include Bupa International, NZI and William Russell, in addition to the ones others have mentioned.

Edited November 11, 2010 by samran

[kamalabob2]

Phuketcowboy:

You might go in person to the two largest private hospitals in Phuket and visit in person the "insurance office" staff who do speak and understand English. Ask them face to face which insurance companies that particular hospital knows will pay hospital bills (in patient) without a hassle. Ask the staff which insurance broker who speaks both Thai and English they recommend you go meet in Phuket so you can have a wide choice of insurance options.

That hospital staff in my opinion will not want a "hassle" from "angry farang" over insurance billing. That hospital staff will want patients to work with a bi-lingual insurance broker who will guide them through the process and will have a true understanding of "how things work" in Thailand, how things can be of benefit for the patient.

It was at payment time of my first Phuket Bangkok Hospital visit for my wife and the "high" bill that I realized my USA medical coverage was not a practical or cost effective solution to our insurance needs in Thailand. I've paid for two years of "Thai Health Insurance" and four years of "BUPA" in patient insurance coverage for myself, wife and child in Thailand through Eric Dohlon in Phuket and I live many hours from Phuket. Eric Dohlon was born and educated in Thailand of expat parents, can communicate very well in Thai and English and is worth meeting in my opinion.

[Patong Bob]

When I lived full time in Thailand I was with AIG, they were good but were getting more expensive every year, especially after 60.

Now I visit for three months twice a year. I buy my return ticket with a Westpac Gold Mastercard, which covers me for all health costs through Zurich Insurance in Australia. I had to use it two years ago when I had a fall and had concussion and three broken ribs. No problems with them paying everything at Phuket International. Great service and by paying with Mastercard no extra charge.

WARNING : I have seen several people have to return to their home countries because of medical problems or emergencies, no problems usually. This trip, for the first and last time, I was on Jetstar who refused to change the booking unless I paid full fare for an extra flight. T stayed in Thailand until my return date but if the injury or illness had been life-threatening it would have cost me #1,000 +, full price Phuket -Melbourne

[oldsailor35]

When I lived full time in Thailand I was with AIG, they were good but were getting more expensive every year, especially after 60.

Now I visit for three months twice a year. I buy my return ticket with a Westpac Gold Mastercard, which covers me for all health costs through Zurich Insurance in Australia. I had to use it two years ago when I had a fall and had concussion and three broken ribs. No problems with them paying everything at Phuket International. Great service and by paying with Mastercard no extra charge.

WARNING : I have seen several people have to return to their home countries because of medical problems or emergencies, no problems usually. This trip, for the first and last time, I was on Jetstar who refused to change the booking unless I paid full fare for an extra flight. T stayed in Thailand until my return date but if the injury or illness had been life-threatening it would have cost me #1,000 +, full price Phuket -Melbourne

YES ! I do the same. Pay my airfare with my Commonwealth Platinum Credit card and get free insurance for 12 mths., also covered with Zurich.

[oldsailor35]

http://www.goodhealthworldwide.com/

They paid out $60,000 for me last year.

Just had a look. You cannot be over 65 !

[californiabeachboy]

I am really interested in a couple of the replies above.

I am a 59 year old American and would like to spend part of the year in Thailand, maybe as one poster above said, three months twice a year. I used to live in Australia and I still have an account with Suncorp Bank, and a debit card with them (VISA). So if I use that card, maybe that will solve my problem?? I want to keep my health insurance here in the US, and I am just looking for something that will cover me if I have a problem in Thailand. Not small things (a couple of hundred US dollars) but big problems.

Any advice would be appreciated.

[ThaivisaInsurance]

I am really interested in a couple of the replies above.

I am a 59 year old American and would like to spend part of the year in Thailand, maybe as one poster above said, three months twice a year. I used to live in Australia and I still have an account with Suncorp Bank, and a debit card with them (VISA). So if I use that card, maybe that will solve my problem?? I want to keep my health insurance here in the US, and I am just looking for something that will cover me if I have a problem in Thailand. Not small things (a couple of hundred US dollars) but big problems.

Any advice would be appreciated.

May we suggest a plan with 'deductibles' ? There are a couple where there are different levels of deductibles - with corresponding levels of discounts. For an on-line quote from Thai Visa Insurance Brokers for these plans please go HERE