Best Health Insurance?

[Timwin]

I have currently Bupa health insurance, but if I look at the small print, it is actually quite BS insurance, covering about accidents only and having various clauses that allow the insurer to avoid payments in many situations.

I am planning to use maybe 10000-15000 baht per year and maybe somekind of mix of in and out patient insurances so any advises would be helpful.

What insurances to avoid, best coverage, out patient insurances, hospitals used etc etc. In other words, what insurance gives the best bang for the buck

Edited December 10, 2012 by Timwin

[kamalabob2]

It is your 2nd post, so I have no idea how long you have lived and received medical treatment in Thailand. Out patient treatment is not "cheap" at major famous hospitals in Thailand. However if you work with an experienced LICENSED insurance BROKER, it will become clear that BUPA might offer a better plan that the plan you currently have, and you might pencil out the cost to benefit ratio of in patient coverage where OPD might not pencil out. BUPA is not a "HMO" like Kaiser in the USA. Thai Health Insurance is another firm worth looking into the "Wealthy Healthy" coverage. BUPA Platinum in patient (not OPD) has served our family well for five years. It is my observation that Health Insurance is to cover serious costly situations, to get immediate admittance to any hospital, and it is not a way to "budget" for all health care costs. But we can see a licensed Government Doctor in our town at either the Government Hospital or his after hours / week ends private clinic near the market for 50 baht, 100 baht or 150 baht per visit. I've been twice into the emergency room of the local Government hospital and I am sure glad I could be taken to a better private hospital if the situation had gone worse or if I needed a real operation or more extensive tests. Nice local government hospital staff, but it was not quite the same as a top grade private hospital. 390 baht for emergency room tests for a "heart attack", (cleaning up a garage is NOT a couples activity and can lead to serious stress in my one experience) 290 baht to sew up a real bloody cut from the infamous collapsing plastic chairs which have shrapnel, were the actual prices charged to Farang in 2012 at the local government hospital. So I'll save the OPD premium and have higher total policy limits with BUPA Platinum for in patient and accidents. Both BUPA and Thai Health Insurance have plenty of English on the respective web sites, but a BROKER who is bi-lingual and a native English speaker might guide you better once you have read the possible policies on line. Buying insurance direct from a company in Thailand is no cheaper, and puts you at a possible disadvantage if you have questions you want answered in an UNBIASED manner. It is NOT like buying insurance in America.

[Theboy]

Depends on age !

[Tafia]

Anyone had any experience with Siam Samsun Life Insurance? They deal in Health & Life policies.

Any dealing with the company, claims etc...

Any info appreciated.

[nong38]

Depends on age !

Exactly, when you hit 60+ you will increasingly become a bad risk, all will dump you by 85 at the best so if you are looking for another option you can put your 10000/15000 bts pa away in the bank and hope you dont have to use it, that way the insurance company wont short change you and you can leave it to someone you want to.

Read the small print of any policy and see if it really gives you what you want, the ones I have seen have been very expensive and the cover was very poor, then there is the wriggle room not to pay out.

[Pineapplesamui]

If you go to Siam commercial bank they offer accident insurance with their bank accounts it costs 1800baht per year..

Other banks offer similar options I've got a few accounts and you can use them together so I have been told..

But I am still fortunate enough to not have had any accidents...

definitely worth looking at..

Sent from my iPhone using ThaiVisa app

[citizen33]

It is your 2nd post, so I have no idea how long you have lived and received medical treatment in Thailand. Out patient treatment is not "cheap" at major famous hospitals in Thailand. However if you work with an experienced LICENSED insurance BROKER, it will become clear that BUPA might offer a better plan that the plan you currently have, and you might pencil out the cost to benefit ratio of in patient coverage where OPD might not pencil out. BUPA is not a "HMO" like Kaiser in the USA. Thai Health Insurance is another firm worth looking into the "Wealthy Healthy" coverage. BUPA Platinum in patient (not OPD) has served our family well for five years. It is my observation that Health Insurance is to cover serious costly situations, to get immediate admittance to any hospital, and it is not a way to "budget" for all health care costs. But we can see a licensed Government Doctor in our town at either the Government Hospital or his after hours / week ends private clinic near the market for 50 baht, 100 baht or 150 baht per visit. I've been twice into the emergency room of the local Government hospital and I am sure glad I could be taken to a better private hospital if the situation had gone worse or if I needed a real operation or more extensive tests. Nice local government hospital staff, but it was not quite the same as a top grade private hospital. 390 baht for emergency room tests for a "heart attack", (cleaning up a garage is NOT a couples activity and can lead to serious stress in my one experience) 290 baht to sew up a real bloody cut from the infamous collapsing plastic chairs which have shrapnel, were the actual prices charged to Farang in 2012 at the local government hospital. So I'll save the OPD premium and have higher total policy limits with BUPA Platinum for in patient and accidents. Both BUPA and Thai Health Insurance have plenty of English on the respective web sites, but a BROKER who is bi-lingual and a native English speaker might guide you better once you have read the possible policies on line. Buying insurance direct from a company in Thailand is no cheaper, and puts you at a possible disadvantage if you have questions you want answered in an UNBIASED manner. It is NOT like buying insurance in America.

In an ideal world comprehensive medical insurance is the best option, but the suggestion that one should prioritise inpatient over OPD coverage makes sense. As more of us get older, exclusions and rising premiums make private insurance more problematic and it is worth thinking about areas where we might have to self-fund. Bob's post raised a few issues for me.

1. Government hospitals come in many forms:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_hospitals_in_Thailand

When Bob writes about the limitations of the 'Government hospital' emergency room he seems to be thinking of MoPH community or district hospitals, which are clearly not the place to present with a life-threatening condition. A MoPH provincial hospital or specialist tertiary care hospital, a military hospital or a university hospital would be a much better choice, It is possible to pay for private treatment in such hospitals, generally at a much more reasonable cost than in a private hospital. Regarding outpatient care and to take the example of cardiac conditions, the best options in Isaan are not private hospitals but specialist public facilities in Khon Kaen and Ubon.

2. The leading private hospitals in places like Bangkok and Phuket are excellent. However, the same may not be true in the rural north or northeast. Small private hospitals in remote provincial towns are a risky proposition for anything serious, Many of the doctors work in both MoPH and private hospitals, but the clinical facilities in the big public hospitals tend to be better. Research where the MRI and CT scanners in Isaan are located!

3. The private medical insurance market in Thailand is much smaller than in countries like the USA (Thai people are covered by the three public schemes), and there are no HMOs or PPOs. I suppose Bob raised this point because HMOs can usually offer a bigger bang for the buck (albeit with limitations on choice and the hurdle of utilisation review), but you will only find conventional insurers in Thailand.

[tonydabbs]

If you are talking about Bupa Thailand, you should understand that health insurance companies in Thailand are tightly regulated by the Office of Insurance Commission (OIC). Most policyTerms and Conditions and Standard Exclusions are the same here. Differences in the coverages can be found in the Policy Endorsements attached to the Terms and Conditions. The best health insurance depends on how much annual premium you are willing to pay.

By the way, you are probably reading the PA (Personal Accident) portion of Bupa's Terms & Conditions. PA insurance is actually AD&D (Accidental Death & Dismemberment) coverage. PA has nothing to do with treatment coverage.

Edited December 16, 2012 by tonydabbs

[Pushit]

Regular excercise and healthy diet also recommended

[kamalabob2]

Post 7 from Citizen 33 and Post 8 from Tony Dabbs are two of the best postings on Health Insurance options to consider for Thailand. We live almost three hours from Khon Kaen where all reports indicate one of the best hospitals for Cardiac treatment. Sure could never argue with Post 9!!

[eezergood]

I also need insurance for my Wife, Thai national but we are trying for a child next year - any suggestions for an insurance provider or broker???

[gypsyrodeo]

I saw a post regarding public hospitals and insurance in Thailand. Could you please clarify the difference between MoPH community or district hospitals and MoPH provincial hospitals .

Also, my husband and i have enough savings to self insure but are unsure of the appropriate way to explain we can afford it in an emergency room situation..or if god forbid we are unconscious upon arrival. I've searched and searched and this seems to be the sticking point for those who self insure.Would carrying a bangkok bank book with a hefty amount of bahts deposited everywhere we go work?

I thank you for any help you can provide.

G-

[citizen33]

Thailand is fairly unusual among developing countries in having a very well-developed Ministry of Public Health Infrastructure in place right down to sub-district level, thanks mainly to an earlier generation of good people at the top of the MoPH. Each of the 880 or so districts outside Bangkok (the amphur) has a hospital generally known as the district or community hospital (‘rhong pa-ya-baan amphur’ or ‘rhong pha-ya-baan choom chohn’) – the terms are interchangeable. These range from about 10 beds to 150 beds, and although they are very useful facilities, are not ideally suited to the treatment of more complex cases. This is because of staff shortages and limited equipment. However, the acknowledged need for facilities to treat more complex cases means that each province also has its designated provincial hospital. The link to the list of facilities that I gave in an earlier post calls these general or regional hospitals, roughly depending on size. These hospitals will have somewhere between about 160 and 850 beds. Some will have more facilities than others but the services will be much more comprehensive than those of a community hospital. In Thailand the MoPH also has some additional specialist tertiary care and general hospitals alongside the provincial hospitals. As mentioned the public sector additionally manages certain non-MoPH hospitals of which the university and military hospitals may both be options for paying expats.

Some other members may be able to help more with the question of how to prove ability to pay. I’ve heard some saying that they hope their credit card will accomplish this, but it’s hard to be sure. My own hope is that the rationalization of emergency provision which started in 2012, and which means that members from all three public insurance schemes get the same treatment, will be developed to mean that everybody gets a guarantee of life stabilising treatment before the accountants get involved.

Edited December 30, 2012 by citizen33

[Satcommlee]

There are no good health insurance policies for the sums being spoken about here.

My BUPA International depending on dollar rate costs around 25'000 THB a month (300K a year), for a family of 3.

37 Year old smoker

27 year old non-smoker

2 year old (better not be bloody smoking!)

That is proper health insurance, the cheap policies of course will only cover you for accidents and emergencies and then they will be limited.

[saakura]

I have been using BUPA comprehensive insurance for last about 12 years. Covers upto 15 opd visits per year and ipd upto about 500k per case for surgery. Room abt 5000 per day and nursing, lab etc separate. Premium 14000 Baht per year, they have never refused any claim during this period. Negotiated (premium) yearly by one of the leading insurane brokers for employees of various companies in the group.

[jpinx]

ok - how much cash to carry? Scene of the incident treatment, ambulance trip to nearest public hospital, 3 nights stay (should be enough to get you compus-mentus enough to make sense of the bill). Plus basic emergency room treatment for something like a cardiac arrest (couple of belts of mains electricity and plug you into the ECG monitor). Obviously it's a highly variable total, but some indications of likely liability would be interesting.

As an aside -- I reckon a stroke is the incident that needs really fast treatment to minimise ongoing problems, so maybe the cost of emergency treatment for that is what I should carry around... ?

[inventorinthailand]

Oh, i get dizzy of all abbreviations OMP, SED,TDS, GoR. - just made up them, but anyway. I get headache to read about all theses exceptions and if and buts.

I'm 43 years old, non-native English guy (i had to look up the word "abbreviations" above) who have been living in Thailand for more then 9 years. It is time to get my self a health and accident insurance that covers the bigger things like heart diseases, kindly, liver failure, falling of my bike and hurt my self really bad etc. I have really hard times to read all these complex texts and hope for some advice here.

Which insurance is the best to cover the serious medical issues mentioned above without breaking the bank? I'm okay if i could pay like 3000 baht a month

I have a work permit since 2004 so im in a way covered, at least i'll let me to believe that anyway. - any comments?

I'm a non smoker, lightly over weight 103kg at 183 cm

Cheers,

[billaaa777]

Oh, i get dizzy of all abbreviations OMP, SED,TDS, GoR. - just made up them, but anyway. I get headache to read about all theses exceptions and if and buts.

I'm 43 years old, non-native English guy (i had to look up the word "abbreviations" above) who have been living in Thailand for more then 9 years. It is time to get my self a health and accident insurance that covers the bigger things like heart diseases, kindly, liver failure, falling of my bike and hurt my self really bad etc. I have really hard times to read all these complex texts and hope for some advice here.

Which insurance is the best to cover the serious medical issues mentioned above without breaking the bank? I'm okay if i could pay like 3000 baht a month

I have a work permit since 2004 so im in a way covered, at least i'll let me to believe that anyway. - any comments?

I'm a non smoker, lightly over weight 103kg at 183 cm

Cheers,

I have looked over all of the options many times, and I have been with BUPA now for about 5 years. I have never had a claim, thank goodness.

But, I have read many threads like this one, and they all say the company pays when it is supposed to. This month, I am upgrading my insurance from 2 Million, to 5 Million, which is the best plan they offer.

By the way, the time to buy health insurance is when you do NOT need it and you are healthy. After you get sick, or come down with a disease, you might not be able to get health insurance, and if you do, it will not cover what you have.

The thing I do NOT like about BUPA’s plan is that it really does not cover “Out Patient Care” The maximum coverage that you can buy is 60,000, and at my age, which is 55 it cost 30,000.

The reason that this is a problem, is because some forms of cancer treatment are performed on “Out Patient Basis”, and they can be quite expensive.

If you are a non smoker, you really should consider getting a cancer supplemental policy in addition to BUPA’s regular policy, just to be safe. BUPA offers a cancer rider, but not for foreigners.

I found this other company Thai Health Insurance that does offer a cancer policy, but I am not sure if they cover foreigners. So, you are going to have to check it out.

This is BUPA website where you can read over its policies, and get a direct quote.

It would cost a 43 year old for their 1 Million Policy about 31,000 a year.

It would cost a 43 year old for their 2 Million Policy about 34,000 a year.

It would cost a 43 year old for their 5 Million Policy about 40,000 a year.

Good luck

[maturebrit]

I also need insurance for my Wife, Thai national but we are trying for a child next year - any suggestions for an insurance provider or broker???

my wife and I use AIA and you can discuss the level of cover..

best of luck with making your little one

Sent from my GT-N7000 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[inventorinthailand]

Oh, i get dizzy of all abbreviations OMP, SED,TDS, GoR. - just made up them, but anyway. I get headache to read about all theses exceptions and if and buts.

I'm 43 years old, non-native English guy (i had to look up the word "abbreviations" above) who have been living in Thailand for more then 9 years. It is time to get my self a health and accident insurance that covers the bigger things like heart diseases, kindly, liver failure, falling of my bike and hurt my self really bad etc. I have really hard times to read all these complex texts and hope for some advice here.

Which insurance is the best to cover the serious medical issues mentioned above without breaking the bank? I'm okay if i could pay like 3000 baht a month

I have a work permit since 2004 so im in a way covered, at least i'll let me to believe that anyway. - any comments?

I'm a non smoker, lightly over weight 103kg at 183 cm

Cheers,

I have looked over all of the options many times, and I have been with BUPA now for about 5 years. I have never had a claim, thank goodness.

But, I have read many threads like this one, and they all say the company pays when it is supposed to. This month, I am upgrading my insurance from 2 Million, to 5 Million, which is the best plan they offer.

By the way, the time to buy health insurance is when you do NOT need it and you are healthy. After you get sick, or come down with a disease, you might not be able to get health insurance, and if you do, it will not cover what you have.

The thing I do NOT like about BUPA’s plan is that it really does not cover “Out Patient Care” The maximum coverage that you can buy is 60,000, and at my age, which is 55 it cost 30,000.

The reason that this is a problem, is because some forms of cancer treatment are performed on “Out Patient Basis”, and they can be quite expensive.

If you are a non smoker, you really should consider getting a cancer supplemental policy in addition to BUPA’s regular policy, just to be safe. BUPA offers a cancer rider, but not for foreigners.

I found this other company Thai Health Insurance that does offer a cancer policy, but I am not sure if they cover foreigners. So, you are going to have to check it out.

This is BUPA website where you can read over its policies, and get a direct quote.

It would cost a 43 year old for their 1 Million Policy about 31,000 a year.

It would cost a 43 year old for their 2 Million Policy about 34,000 a year.

It would cost a 43 year old for their 5 Million Policy about 40,000 a year.

Good luck

I have never bought a health insurance before as i'm a Swed and there are all medial "for free" but paid by huge taxes. This will not cover my long time visit in Thailand though. When i read about the Thai insurance companies maximum coverages, it seams to be very low. Paying 35 000 a year for a maximum coverage of lousy 1.2 Mbaht. I mean, i read often about people getting multimillion bahts bills after some "minor" issue. I have some saved and could pay the 1.2millons my self, but not a 5-10millon medical issue... Maybe i have misunderstood the whole meaning of insurance companies maximum coverages??

Edited January 30, 2013 by inventorinthailand

[billaaa777]

The cost of health care in Thailand is much less than it is in the US and most European countries.

The 5 Million Baht policy BUPA offers will cover almost any serious illness that you come down with.

Unless, like I stated previously, you will need “Out Patient Care”, and it will not cover that.

There are essentially two different types of hospitals in Thailand, which are the “Public” and the “Private”.

For all emergencies, I recommend the private hospitals.

Each of these institutions provides exceptional medical care, and I will try to point out the differences between the two below based on my past experiences.

1) The Public hospitals are FAR less expensive.

2) The Public hospitals do NOT have all of the latest most innovative and expensive medical equipment.

I got real sick here a few years ago and almost died.

I checked into Bangkok Pattaya Hospital and was in the operating room in less than two hours.

After my first operation, I woke up in ICU. They were not able to get all of the infection cut out with the first operation. So, they did a CAT Scam and performed a second operation.

According to my doctors, that was the one that saved my life.

My first week at Bangkok Pattaya Hospital cost me 500,000 Baht.

At the time, like a dumb ass, I did not have health insurance. I could not afford to spend that amount each week for a long hospital stay.

So, I transferred myself to Queen Sirikit Hospital in Sattahip. I stayed there 5 more weeks and had 3 more operations.

That cost me 120,000 Baht.

But, they always x-rayed me and did not use a CAT Scan machine, because I do not think that they had one.

I am not sure I would be alive today without that machine.

Queen Sirikit Hospital in Sattahip provided excellent medical care based on their limitations. I thought both the nurses and the doctors did a wonderful job and were quite caring and professional.

3) The public hospitals do not have as many staff as the private hospitals. When I was in Queen Sirikit Hospital in Sattahip they did not have enough nurses working the night shift, and I had to hire one of their employees to sleep in my room with me because that is their rules.

I hope that helps, good luck.

[uhuh]

Queen Sirikit Hospital does have CAT scan.

They dont use it as liberally as Bangkok Pattaya Hospital.

[maturebrit]

heard many good things about Queen Sirikit and agree...I have a 3 yr old who was in Bangkok Gen with Lymphoblastic Leukaemia and they were brilliant but like you say they are not cheap but when state hospitals are limited in terms of equipment and qualified staff we had no choice.... his life was worth more than that.... two years on hes in remission but only needs blood checks and micro chemo treatment to prevent a relapse...

Your post was great for those that were not aware....

Sent from my GT-N7000 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[stiggy]

Had Bupa TH for both personal use and a separate company policy to cover our staff.

They will pay max of 80% of claim after the vent has already been paid for.Had success once for dengue after a LOT of hassle and fighting to get them to they never paid for transportation etc and then refused claims based on existing condition.When the condition was ACUTE (sudden onset) and first and only time it had been a problem.

Our staff had similar issues, we paid a small fortune each year to cover 7 people.

We now use another Company. William hill for me and the wife, AIG for staff.

Edited February 1, 2013 by stiggy

[stiggy]

opps William Russell not hill

[JLCrab]

William Russell is not an insurer but as they call themselves a 'provider'. Their health policies are underwritten by Allianz Nederland Schadeverzekering NV.. From their website:

“Our relationship with Allianz goes back to 2000. We enjoy an excellent relationship with Allianz, based on mutual trust and respect – and of course Allianz bring a great deal of financial security for our clients, which is important.”

No comment from me as to their service good, bad, or indifferent. Allianz themselves are here in Thailand as well. As they say on their website, Allianz themselves have 1.4 million policy holders here in Thailand.

Edited February 1, 2013 by JLCrab

[inventorinthailand]

This looks good but a bit pricy though... But with a Deductible on $1000 i can get the Vital benefits for $90 (2700baht) per month... Next step would be $155 (4600baht) per month but im not sure if i want to pay that much per month.

What do you guys think? It seams to cover more then Bupa and has a higher limit at 30 Million baht.

See http://sea.msh-intl....ily_result.aspx

[Theboy]

One you must have missed are the Allianz plans by ACS. I have checked and better than msh - talk to the sponsors here, Peter over at AA Ins Brokers, very helpfull

[PTG]

What about AGA are they good?

[canopus1969]

What about AGA are they good?

Very good but would get the kitchen too hot in this climate