Another Health Insurance Question.

[Vinny1967]

Can some of you kind people give me an indication of what you are paying for health insurance in Thailand.My other half says that you have to pay extraordinary amounts of money to get any sort of insurance for expats.She says that you are only covered for double the price of what you pay per year,for example if you pay Bht 100,000 per year,then you're only covered for 200,000 expenses.She said that's the way it's done over here.

Cheers

Vinny

[manhattan55]

International expat insurance does not work on such a formula. Policies offered by expat insurers have annual plan limits of typically around $1.0mn, premiums are primarily a function of age, level of benefits and amount of deductible chosen. Without more information, it's difficult to quantify, but $3000 (THB 100,000) would not be an unrealistic figure.

[kamalabob2]

You can easily see coverage levels and annual premiums based on your sex and age if you check the English language web pages of the two largest health insurance companies in Thailand. Bupa as well as Thai Health insurance. In patient cover will pencil out far better than out patient coverage. Some of the goofy "investment | insurance" schemes foisted by the banks and some agents have terrible health cover in relationship to what you pay each month. The 2 millions baht BUPA PLatinum cover plan has served me well and the premiums are not out of line. But each year I check with my insurance broker. Eric Dohlon, in Phuket to see if for my age, there might be a better value with a different reputable Thai Insurance firm. The BUPA Platinum card seems to make admission to a hospital, even a small hospital that is not on the direct billing network, go much smoother, than if you were a cash customer. No bank deposit to pay prior to admission, no huge hold on a credit card, the hospitals seem to understand the "procedure" with BUPA and with "Thai Health Insurance".

[Mike45]

I've been looking at Health Insurance in Thailand. I haven't made up my mind yet which I want to purchase. I'm concerned about the low levels of coverage.

I have looked at the BUPA 2 million policy and think its a good one and a good company.

Unfortunately medical costs continue to rise but the policy maximum is fixed. That concerns me because I know that over time my Baht will buy fewer medical procedures. In twenty years it might not even pay enough for heart surgery.

I also think of insurance as protection for my assets. It's possible that with a health catastrophe that the insurance company would pay the 2 million Baht but I could be financially wiped out because of huge medical expenses.

I'd like the reverse situation for my protection. I'd like a limit on what I have to pay but require the insurance company to take the burden of the catastrophic expenses.

Has anyone seen a plan like that?

[samran]

What you have described are crappy savings product dressed up with a little bit if insurance and sold to the gullible given there is no real return on them and the insurance coverage is marginal.

Look up the normal brands like BUPA or Thai Health and you'll get a better idea of what local health insurance products should look like.

[Mike45]

What you have described are crappy savings product dressed up with a little bit if insurance and sold to the gullible given there is no real return on them and the insurance coverage is marginal.

Look up the normal brands like BUPA or Thai Health and you'll get a better idea of what local health insurance products should look like.

Samran thanks for your response but perhaps I didn't explain properly. I was talking about the BUPA 2 million platinum HEALTH TYPE policies. They don't have any life insurance component.

They protect you for only the first 2 million each occurrence from my understanding, they are not indexed to inflation.

After that you are completely uncovered and if the medical problem was large enough it could wipe you out.

My experience with different types of insurance has been along the lines of:

I pay the premium. When sick I pay the applicable deductible for each occurrence. If I or my family have multiple illnesses in one year we are protected by a yearly maximum out of pocket deductible.

After those are met the insurance pays for all expenses. I'm protected from a catastrophic health cost.

[AAInsuranceBrokers]

As many have pointed out the best course is to use a recommend Broker to help you with Medical Insurance. Of all the insurance types available Medical
is the most difficult for many reasons. Unlike an object e.g. a House / Vehicle etc. where premiums can be compared to a certain extent – and even that should not be taken as gospel – Medial Insurance is very personal.

As an example, presently the best value for a good coverage (full payment) policy available in Thailand is from ACS/Allianz BUT one must apply before 65.

Quotes for this and any other products please go HERE

www.aainsure.net

[Morden]

As many have pointed out the best course is to use a recommend Broker to help you with Medical Insurance. Of all the insurance types available Medical

is the most difficult for many reasons. Unlike an object e.g. a House / Vehicle etc. where premiums can be compared to a certain extent – and even that should not be taken as gospel – Medial Insurance is very personal.

As an example, presently the best value for a good coverage (full payment) policy available in Thailand is from ACS/Allianz BUT one must apply before 65.

Quotes for this and any other products please go HERE

www.aainsure.net

I agree completely with that. Sadly, many expats. compare the cost of good health insurance with the cost of a beer. The excuses for not even considering insurance are infantile.

'I'm too old' - but if the made an enquiry, they would probably find that they are not.

'I have enough in the bank'. Are you really sure about that? Do you know what it costs for long term care for a dread disease?

'Insurance companies are crooks'. These people mean that they don't read legally binding contracts and complain when they claim for something not covered.

'Small print'. What small print?

'Insurance companies won't cover my existing medical condition'. Of course they won't. They cover a risk, not a certainty.

[stevenl]

What you have described are crappy savings product dressed up with a little bit if insurance and sold to the gullible given there is no real return on them and the insurance coverage is marginal.

Look up the normal brands like BUPA or Thai Health and you'll get a better idea of what local health insurance products should look like.

Samran thanks for your response but perhaps I didn't explain properly. I was talking about the BUPA 2 million platinum HEALTH TYPE policies. They don't have any life insurance component.

They protect you for only the first 2 million each occurrence from my understanding, they are not indexed to inflation.

After that you are completely uncovered and if the medical problem was large enough it could wipe you out.

My experience with different types of insurance has been along the lines of:

I pay the premium. When sick I pay the applicable deductible for each occurrence. If I or my family have multiple illnesses in one year we are protected by a yearly maximum out of pocket deductible.

After those are met the insurance pays for all expenses. I'm protected from a catastrophic health cost.

(Nearly) All insurance policies have limits to either maximum payable per year or maximum payable per disability.

[samran]

What you have described are crappy savings product dressed up with a little bit if insurance and sold to the gullible given there is no real return on them and the insurance coverage is marginal.

Look up the normal brands like BUPA or Thai Health and you'll get a better idea of what local health insurance products should look like.

Samran thanks for your response but perhaps I didn't explain properly. I was talking about the BUPA 2 million platinum HEALTH TYPE policies. They don't have any life insurance component.

They protect you for only the first 2 million each occurrence from my understanding, they are not indexed to inflation.

After that you are completely uncovered and if the medical problem was large enough it could wipe you out.

My experience with different types of insurance has been along the lines of:

I pay the premium. When sick I pay the applicable deductible for each occurrence. If I or my family have multiple illnesses in one year we are protected by a yearly maximum out of pocket deductible.

After those are met the insurance pays for all expenses. I'm protected from a catastrophic health cost.

Aplogies Mike, wasn't refering to your post. Was referring to what the OP, Vinny, was describing.

All the best...

[manhattan55]

What you have described are crappy savings product dressed up with a little bit if insurance and sold to the gullible given there is no real return on them and the insurance coverage is marginal.

Look up the normal brands like BUPA or Thai Health and you'll get a better idea of what local health insurance products should look like.

Samran thanks for your response but perhaps I didn't explain properly. I was talking about the BUPA 2 million platinum HEALTH TYPE policies. They don't have any life insurance component.

They protect you for only the first 2 million each occurrence from my understanding, they are not indexed to inflation.

After that you are completely uncovered and if the medical problem was large enough it could wipe you out.

My experience with different types of insurance has been along the lines of:

I pay the premium. When sick I pay the applicable deductible for each occurrence. If I or my family have multiple illnesses in one year we are protected by a yearly maximum out of pocket deductible.

After those are met the insurance pays for all expenses. I'm protected from a catastrophic health cost.

Yes, what you are describing is a standard feature of most insurance plans: you agree to pay a (very) high deductible in exchange for lowering your premiums, this way at least you are protected against the catastrophic events of cancer, etc.

However, you are only covered up to the annual limit of your plan. If you say that BUPA has a THB 2 mn ceiling, then you are right about your financial risk. ~$70,000 does not give you much coverage. The international expat plans are better because their hospitalization plans give you on average about $1 mn annual coverage. But these plans are more expensive; you're looking probably at several thousand dollars in premiums. Age is a decisive factor.

[Morden]

TB2m may well not be enough for major medical care. there are products that offer much higher limits.

if you don't have detailed knowledge of medical insurance, speak to an independent broker.

[Vinny1967]

Thanks for all the replies.I really want to get some sort of health insurance sorted out.The other half said she was talking to some thai broker,and that's where she came up with the " only covered for double the price of your premium " crap.Maybe that's the way the thai people do it.

I'm only 46 and she's using the " health insurance " excuse to go back to europe where there's better coverage.She has this idea in her head that I'd have to pay millions just to get a decent insurance.

[Morden]

Many Thais seem not to understand insurance at all and are persuaded by sales people to buy what is often no more than poor quality life cover with hospital cash benefits added. Hospital cash is not the same as medical insurance.

[Sheryl]

Thanks for all the replies.I really want to get some sort of health insurance sorted out.The other half said she was talking to some thai broker,and that's where she came up with the " only covered for double the price of your premium " crap.Maybe that's the way the thai people do it.

I'm only 46 and she's using the " health insurance " excuse to go back to europe where there's better coverage.She has this idea in her head that I'd have to pay millions just to get a decent insurance.

At 46 you can get 5 million baht cover for about 45,000 baht/yr give or take.

No truth at all to the "twice your premium" as regards proper health insurance.

premiums do rise as yo uage, of course.

[User3]

Well, to put it into perspective, I have full health coverage on my wife's plan. Full being NO LIMITATIONS. While she is a Thai gov't officer, it seems reasonable to expect anyone else to be able to piggyback on such a health plan. And as a matter of interest, her parents are both covered with no limitations as she has deemed them her beneficiaries on the basis of the plan. Her brother, who is also a gov't empoyee, i.e. civil servant, has also deemed the parents as beneficiaries so they are covered by BOTH plans.

This is quite normal for Thai gov't employees health care plans.

I go to Soon Pat Patana for my day to day needs (thankfully only a cardiologist so far)

[AAInsuranceBrokers]

Thanks for all the replies.I really want to get some sort of health insurance sorted out.The other half said she was talking to some thai broker,and that's where she came up with the " only covered for double the price of your premium " crap.Maybe that's the way the thai people do it.

I'm only 46 and she's using the " health insurance " excuse to go back to europe where there's better coverage.She has this idea in her head that I'd have to pay millions just to get a decent insurance.

At 46 you can get 5 million baht cover for about 45,000 baht/yr give or take.

No truth at all to the "twice your premium" as regards proper health insurance.

premiums do rise as yo uage, of course.

That seems a little on the high side as the product from Allianz will offer $ 0.5m (about 15m Baht) of full cover in S.E.A for under 30,000 Baht for a 46-50 year old