Health Insurance In Thailand? Opinions On Bupa?

[phuturatica]

Hi guys, I just realised that my health insurance I had has run out (3 months ago! Oops!) and I am looking at getting some new health insurance.

My main problem is that I have chronic kidney disease stage 4, therefore I am pre-dialysis. A lot of helath insurance companies don't cover me for this for some odd reason.

Now I know nothing about health insurance as luckily *touch wood* I have never had to use it or been in hospital in Thailand but I want to be safe than sorry just in case.

I've been looking at the Bupa crystal plan as they cover kidney dialysis and whatnot. however I want to know people's opinions on this. Is Bupa worth paying nearly 2,000 baht per month for? Or are there better health insurance companies out there?

I mainly want something that covers my doctors appointments with my renal specialists and then if I do get sick with a kidney infection, I want to know if I am going to be covered seeing as I have a pre-existing condition.

Sorry for all the noob answers, I haven't a clue when it comes to insurance. Somebody educate me please!

Edited July 25, 2012 by phuturatica

[phuturatica]

Sorry, can this be moved to the insurance in Thailand forum.

[JSixpack]

During my slight experience w/ Bupa I found they don't pay for anything that even smells pre-existing. In fact they wouldn't pay for a Bumrungrad-prescribed CAT scan even to see if I might have a condition because the indication I might have a condition was in itself possibly pre-existing! When I cancelled, they asked how I liked their service. I replied, "What service?" I paid for my own scan at Chula (good scanner!) and it was then determined that I don't have any condition.

Your best bet in that case might be Thai gov't insurance after you've worked a year for an institution where you're enrolled in the program. Choose a hospital that has a dialysis machine! Of course you can have private insurance as well.

[Sheryl]

Moving it. AFAIK no individual insurance policy is going to cover anything related to your kidney disease as it is a pre-existing condition. And given that kidney disease increases the risk of many other problems you may find it hard to get even a policy that excludes it.

If there is any way to resurrect your old policy you should do so, policies vary in how much of a grace period you may have to make overdue payments.

Otherwise your best option is to try to get legally employed here long enough to come under Thai Social Security scheme and then without fail maintain your enrollment thereafter.

[phuturatica]

Only problem is that my old insurance didn't cover my kidney either. I just got it in case I had an accident however I have always paid for any check ups with a renal specialist at Bangkok Hospital. However it's ridiculous that it is over 4,000 baht for a simple blood test which tests my kidney function. They're always trying to make me have other stuff done when I only need a kidney function test doing, that's about it!

[phuturatica]

Also why the hell don't they cover kidney disease!?

[MichelBangkok]

We used BUPA for years from 1996 to 2000 and then decided to assume the risk ourselves given that it was a fight with many requests for reimbursements with multiple visits at their head quarters. Many if not all pre-existing conditions were specifically not covered and you are requested to list these completely before you become a client; also check the limitations in case of a major sickness as their maximum amounts may be deceiving as not "per year", but "per sickness", that is, if you get cancer, you get a million baht and after that you will be "expelled" form their coverage the following years for this specific sickness. After 10 years of saving the large premiums for two persons ("gold", it was called at that time), we have more in bank in case such sickness falls on our heads than their maximum coverage would offer. We only hold "accidental" coverage from a local Thai Insurer (very inexpensive, but very limited) in case we are hit by a bus or drop from a balcony...

[Satcommlee]

I'm sorry to hear about your health issues but I am afraid the previous posters are correct, you will not get insurance for your condition.

My Bupa International policy does cover pre-existing conditions if you have not experienced any symptoms or seen a doctor about them in the last 7 years. For example: The Mrs had a kidney removed after an accident when she was 7, because she has been healthy in the last 7 years, she is fully covered should anything arise.

I have heard horror stories about BUPA Thailand, but I have had no problems with BUPA International.. although I do pay around 23'000 Baht a month for a good package.

[howzat]

Never had a problem with Bupa Platinum cover in Thailand.

Just go to Samitivej and they forward the bill to Bupa who pay direct. Never had to reclaim the money myself.

[tonydabbs]

As Sheryl said, you have no options. Your only hope is to run, not walk, back to your previous insurer.

No health insurer wants to assume liability for guaranteed medical costs; particularly, no health insurer in Thailand.

Most health insurers provide a 30 day grace period for payment of premium. You have gone well beyond that.

Good luck!

[Fgis]

How can they know all our pre-existing conditions if we don't tell them ?

Shouldn't it be covered my medical secret ?

If I had to test for some disease at hospital I wouldn't give my real name and wouldn't use an insurance because I don't want anybody knows until I get the right insurance to cover this...

[Satcommlee]

How can they know all our pre-existing conditions if we don't tell them ?

Shouldn't it be covered my medical secret ?

If I had to test for some disease at hospital I wouldn't give my real name and wouldn't use an insurance because I don't want anybody knows until I get the right insurance to cover this...

In making a claim you allow them to examine your medical history, the second part is Fraud and jail time.

[Fgis]

555 +

Fraud and jail time, this one is a good one :-)

Seems that I am lucky that they never caught me !

[balo]

If your younger and healthy and had some minor problems in your home country its better not to tell the Thai insurance company .

Just my personal experience without getting into details.

[ItDontMeanAThing]

If I had to test for some disease at hospital I wouldn't give my real name and wouldn't use an insurance because I don't want anybody knows until I get the right insurance to cover this...

That plan would work if two things are true. First is some policies exclude specific illnesses for the first # months of coverage. Second is once you're covered a doc can't look at your current state and deduce how long you've had the condition. Most people think 'pre-existing' condition is one that's been detected or treated by a doctor. Those who actually read their policy usually see 'pre-existing' includes things you should have sought treatment for.