I am going to drop my wife on my insurance plan in the US.

When we move back to the States, I can reinstate my wife back on the plan.

My wife is Thai and I understand that she can use the 30 baht health plan at the government hospitals. However, I am trying to convince her to use the private hospitals because I imagine the government run hospitals are quite over crowded. I have no idea about the quality of care.

What are your experiences with the 30 baht plans? Any recommendations for private health plans that provide the most coverage? My wife is quite healthy with no health issues by the way.

With health care so cheap here, you can almost self insure. Unless she is in poor health...

I've been to the government hospitals a few times for minor stuff and it worked out about as good as dealing with the hospitals back in the US.

Just had a doctor visit at Pattaya International for a serious cold. 1030 Baht for a visit, checkup, shot, and 4 types of pills. About what I would pay for co-insurance back in the US!

Post #2: With health care so cheap here, you can almost self insure. 'Self-Insurance' and 'NO-Insurance' are not the same thing ... a self-insurance plan involves a large risk retention (or deductible) and then the purchase of excess or catastrophic coverage ... YOU and your family may be lucky enough to never experience a catastrophic illness but anyone who ever does probably figured that it would never happen to them.

... and even in Thailand the costs for some procedures and treatment can be large and the hospitals will want to see payment in advance if you are not covered by a recognized insurer.

Post #2: With health care so cheap here, you can almost self insure. 'Self-Insurance' and 'NO-Insurance' are not the same thing ... a self-insurance plan involves a large risk retention (or deductible) and then the purchase of excess or catastrophic coverage ... YOU and your family may be lucky enough to never experience a catastrophic illness but anyone who ever does probably figured that it would never happen to them.

... and even in Thailand the costs for some procedures and treatment can be large and the hospitals will want to see payment in advance if you are not covered by a recognized insurer.

Absolutely correct! But for me, self insurance means I have been setting aside money every month for years. So if something happens, I have the cash to pay for it...at least here! I would be bankrupt in the US.

My brother has catastrophic coverage back in the US. $300/month with a 3k deductible...or something like that.

My father was extremely ill for years. In and out of the hospital, but he was ex-military. I was amazed at the hospital bills. Easily $1MM over a 15 year period....

BUPA Platinum coverage is (up to) 5 Million baht per incident with no lifetime limit ... so even if you socked away that much for one incident for your family that would be close to $US 200K in liquid funds ... and persons for whom that amount would be pocket change still buy medical insurance ...

BUPA Platinum coverage is (up to) 5 Million baht per incident with no lifetime limit ... so even if you socked away that much for one incident for your family that would be close to $US 200K in liquid funds ... and persons for whom that amount would be pocket change still buy medical insurance ...

What's the cost for this plan? I know it depends on age, but say 55 or so?

BUPA Platinum coverage is (up to) 5 Million baht per incident with no lifetime limit ... so even if you socked away that much for one incident for your family that would be close to $US 200K in liquid funds ... and persons for whom that amount would be pocket change still buy medical insurance ...

What's the cost for this plan? I know it depends on age, but say 55 or so?

55 year old BUPA 5m Baht plan = 53,491 Baht :jap:

But what about when you get to 70 - then 80, and hopefully 90.

How much at BUPA then for B5 million coverage?

I imagine that eventually self insurance is the only option.

Any one in the super age brackets have experience?

I'll be 67 when I move to Thailand in 3 years.