Health Ins. "Entry-Limit" ?

[swissie]

Still have some e-mail contact with a couple Thai-Buddies from before. I hear things like: "If you want health-insurance in Thailand you must by all means sign up before you hit the age of 60"! ( Otherwise it will be very hard to get any coverage at all and none that would go beyond the age of 65), or the premiums will be sky-high ! True ?

Well, I just turned 59. Should I hurry? I intend to settle in Thailand in about a years time.

If time should be of the essence, can I sign up with Thai-Health-Insurance-Companies while still staying in Europe or do I have to be in Thailand phisically ?

Thanks & cheers.

[jdinasia]

If you have health insurance in the EU, I would make sure it had a rider that covered Thailand and keep it in effect. I have a friend that was told he got in just under the wire with BUPA when he was 59 (meaning at 60 it would have been harder/impossible)

[swissie]

If you have health insurance in the EU, I would make sure it had a rider that covered Thailand and keep it in effect. I have a friend that was told he got in just under the wire with BUPA when he was 59 (meaning at 60 it would have been harder/impossible)

I live in Switzerland, so the EU-Version can not be applied to me. I am looking strictly for coverage by a Thai-Insurance-Company that is also based (legally) in Thailand.

I would not even dream of taking out any insurance with an "International Insurance Company". Registry possibly in the Bahamas, Cayman-Islands or Eastern Timbuktu. They have by now aqired a reputation of collecting insurance premiums gladly, but they never pay out anything. Under the slogan: Sue us, we may have an office in London, but our headquarters are located in Eastern Timbukto. Good luck !

Nevermind, still would be interested in comments concerning age-limitatons etc. in accordance with my opening post.

Cheers.

[ThaivisaInsurance]

The reason that 60 is mentioned so often is because that is usually the age for most companies to require a medical exam together with the application. Many people at that age are living very happily not having medical check-ups for many years and thinking all is well - however when the check-up is done they may find problems and it is that which will go against them in the application.

You mentioned the age of 65 and not being able to start medical insurance - that is not quite true however it obviously get's more difficult. Thai Visa Brokers do have 'Senior' plans available but obviously they will not be cheap as one knows there will be claims (some large) in a relatively short period of time.

Your case : as you have only just turned 59 and will be out here in a year, we would suggest 2 or 3 months before your 60th you start the application process in order to get in "under the wire" before the underwriting criteria starts to get more difficult.

[jazzbo]

The OP makes a good point for choosing a company with Thailand domicile vs. Bermuda or Turks & Cacaos, etc.

The information on the various age restrictions for BUPA/Thailand has not been accurately presented. If you go to the following on page 2 paragraph 2 left column it starts with 'Members may join before the age of 66 years' and then keeps on going:

http://bupa.co.th/Fi.../2_ATT_EN_1.pdf

Edited April 6, 2011 by jazzbo

[swissie]

The reason that 60 is mentioned so often is because that is usually the age for most companies to require a medical exam together with the application. Many people at that age are living very happily not having medical check-ups for many years and thinking all is well - however when the check-up is done they may find problems and it is that which will go against them in the application.

You mentioned the age of 65 and not being able to start medical insurance - that is not quite true however it obviously get's more difficult. Thai Visa Brokers do have 'Senior' plans available but obviously they will not be cheap as one knows there will be claims (some large) in a relatively short period of time.

Your case : as you have only just turned 59 and will be out here in a year, we would suggest 2 or 3 months before your 60th you start the application process in order to get in "under the wire" before the underwriting criteria starts to get more difficult.

Thanks. I will certainly keep that in mind.

Cheers.

[ThaivisaInsurance]

The reason that 60 is mentioned so often is because that is usually the age for most companies to require a medical exam together with the application. Many people at that age are living very happily not having medical check-ups for many years and thinking all is well - however when the check-up is done they may find problems and it is that which will go against them in the application.

You mentioned the age of 65 and not being able to start medical insurance - that is not quite true however it obviously get's more difficult. Thai Visa Brokers do have 'Senior' plans available but obviously they will not be cheap as one knows there will be claims (some large) in a relatively short period of time.

Your case : as you have only just turned 59 and will be out here in a year, we would suggest 2 or 3 months before your 60th you start the application process in order to get in "under the wire" before the underwriting criteria starts to get more difficult.

Thanks. I will certainly keep that in mind.

Cheers.

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