Health Insurance

[Boatman37210]

I'm retiring at age 63 and moving to Thailand in December on an O-A visa. For the last 10 years I worked for state government and will be able to keep my Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance until age 65. There are several hospitals and doctors listed on the BCBS web site that take their insurance in Bangkok.

Because these doctors and hospitals are on the BCBS web site, I am assuming they will 1) Get pre-approval before any treatment as required by BCBS and 2) agree to the payment rates stipulated by BCBS.

My questions is do I have to pay the bill in full and then file with BCBS to get my money back? My assumption has been that they will handle the filing of the claim with BCBS themselves and wait for payment from BCBS.

Thanks.

[Thanyaburi Mac]

Suggest you email the doctors you're talking about, or their hospitals/clinics, and ask them directly.

I have U.S based med insurance, not BSBC, and I pay upfront here then claim reimbursement, which is usually paid within 30 days or so.

BSBC only covers up to 65? What is your plan for thereafter? That's about when things start going downhill. FYI, there's a separate forum for Insurance matters, lots of postings and comments on various options, some seemingly good, some less so. All for a price, of course.

Mac

[Sheryl]

Yes, your big problem will be after 65. You should look around at once to see if there is any local insurance policy that will let you enroll at 63 and guarantee lifetime coverage.

If from the US you will have Medicare after 65 but medicare does not cover treatment in Thailand as there are currently no Thai facilities approved for Medicare reimbursement. It's a long flight back and obviously not feasible in case of a medical emergency.

I am moving this to the insutrance forum in hope you can get some info there about insurance policies that would accept a 63 year old.

If you do not find one, better self-insure by putting aside a good sum of money. ..enough for emergency care here and medical evacualtion back jhome or else enough for any needed hospitalization while here (and that will cost a lot more than you might think...health care costs have risen considerably and are likely to keep on doing so).

[perconrad]

Hi Sheryl,

What amount would You suggest for self insurance?