Health Insurance

[elodbelle]

Hello,

My family and I are moving to Phuket from the UK in February for 6 to 12 months.

We are not sure whether to buy an expat health insurance (eg BUPA, AXA) on top of our travel insurance or just stick with the travel insurance only.

We will be moving with our 1 year old son. Since our travel insurance will not cover for the one off visit to the doctor and medicines, what would you suggest? Is it worth spending the few hundred pounds a month and be fully covered or would it work out cheaper just to pay for doctor's visits. Obviously, we want the best for our baby but are slightly put off by the high cost of health insurance.

Thanks for your help.

[Mario2008]

Moved to insurence forum.

[MikeyIdea]

A few hundred pounds per month = a few thousand pounds per year... takes you a long way in Thailand, also on good private hospitals - unless you need surgery

BUPA is good, have a check, I don't think the prices are as high as the above numbers

I have BUPA health insurance free from work for my daughter, not having had it zero to seven years old wouldn't have broken my wallet either. Don't fall for "must use only best hospital", nothing wrong with health care on the hospitals one step below that. Avoid clinics though

[PattayaParent]

I reckon that in my case the outpatient cover is not worth the extra fee. My kid and myself and the missus are seldom ill, maybe once per year visit to the doctor.

It's usually 500 Baht for a doctor visit plus whatever medicines if you do it yourself. It's cheaper than most policy excesses which means you'd never be able to reclaim anything.

Some policies also don't cover for the vaccinations the baby will need so you'd have to pay for them on top anyway.

Edit: you say 'moving', are you coming to work? You'd better check that your travel insurance will remain valid while working, or even staying in one place over 6 months.

[elodbelle]

Thank you all for your reply.

PattayaParent- We will be coming on holiday (a long one!).

We are considering not taking the BUPA cover and pay as you go once in Phuket. It may work out cheaper especially since Insurance don't cover everything or apply high excess.

[elodbelle]

Can anyone recommend a good English speaking doctor around Phuket (Chalong/Rawai)?

How much is roughly a private doctor consultation (adults/ 1 year old baby)?

Thanks

[wandrinstar]

Dont use Ex Pat Club Stuff, use a Hospital Plan or anything other thats advised by Ferangs here. It costs you double.

[elodbelle]

Thanks Wandrinstar for the advice.

But what do you mean by "Hospital Plan"?

Dont use Ex Pat Club Stuff, use a Hospital Plan or anything other thats advised by Ferangs here. It costs you double.

[canopus1969]

Dont use Ex Pat Club Stuff, use a Hospital Plan or anything other thats advised by Ferangs here. It costs you double.

not a clue

[wandrinstar]

An Insurance offered by a Good Thai Hospital is excellent. A ferang friend was charged 50 K for an Eye Opp. I had the Same for 12k Cash , not even worth filling in the form to claim..Hes paid in 20K for 7 Bloody Years to some Ex Pats Club, up to you. I'm not paying for Ferangs Commission . Canopus is clearly a parasitic agent, im only trying to help ferangs save money. I don't find it funny. he seems too.

[cardholder]

Dont use Ex Pat Club Stuff, use a Hospital Plan or anything other thats advised by Ferangs here. It costs you double.

Seems that someone has a chip on their shoulder.

[wandrinstar]

Seems that some cash in. Sorry if ive given some Food for Thought. . Against the rules to name names or prices. Exploiting Ferangs lack of knowledge can be profitable , like most services advertised here. With a bit of effort you can do it alone , and save a lot.