Health Insurance

[hadi8253]

In 2001

[hadi8253]

In 2001 (58 years old) I chose Bupa Thailand as my health insurance. The benefit plan (Ruby), the guaranty of “life time” if I pay yearly my premium, the yearly amount for my premium, all this seemed to be OK.

It worsened in 2006 (63y). The premium raised yearly, in 2009 when I became 66 by almost 20 % also I did not make any claim. During the last 6 years the premium has almost doubled!

According to Bupa “medical inflation” and/or “age band” is responsible for the increase. My repeated question how much I will have to pay next year, when I will become 70 has after 9 (nine !) emails not yet been answered.

And it became really bad: My wife also insured by Bupa since 2001, never made a claim had a premium raise at 37,25 % when her age changed from 55 to 56 years.

The promise of “renewal is guaranteed for life” is easy done by Bupa. Bupa will raise the premium every year without any warning until you will be happy to leave this company …

Please feel free to contact me

((removed))

Edited July 30, 2012 by lopburi3
email removed per forum rules

[Jingthing]

Yes, this is what happens with unregulated private insurance companies. The medical inflation aspect is real and so is their estimation of your higher risk. I guess you could say you are "lucky" they haven't dropped you. Wait until you make a big claim though.

[cooked]

I can't claim to be an expert but I have been rooting around for a decent illness insurance for about 6 months now. I am 64.

Guaranteeing that you have an insurance for life doesn't mean much, they forget to tell you that premiums will double by the time you are 70. Then we have 'preconditions: high blood pressure at 60 means your heart bypass doesn't get paid for...Question: why should a company that wants to make money accept your insurance? The only one that seems trustworthy is Nordic, they are asking 13 000 a month plus the first 2500 dollars of any treatment. I think we have to admit that putting 13 000Baht in the bank is a better alternative. Maybe not for some people but as the government hospitals seem to be quite good, I think that this is the way that I will be going.

[Jingthing]

Medical insurance underwriter's heaven:

Masses of young/healthy people paying premiums as high as possible

Older/sick people all rejected/kicked out/claims denied

Of course it's not as bad as that but from a business point of view, that's where they're coming from.

[Sheryl]

According to Bupa “medical inflation” and/or “age band” is responsible for the increase. My repeated question how much I will have to pay next year, when I will become 70 has after 9 (nine !) emails not yet been answered.

You should have ion your information packet from the time of your last renewal a list of premium costs by age bracket, I know I do. Of course this will not indicate any future l price increases, but it will give you an idea of the magnitude of increase when you move "up" an age bracket.