Health Insurance for Family?

[Action Script]

We're a family of four with two young kids and have previously been insured through work but are now changing jobs and are weighing up the options.

We're all under 40 and have no existing conditions but usually end up going to the doctors (international hospital) with the kids perhaps once every two months on average in terms of check ups, colds, coughs etc

As we might be sorting out our own insurance, is it better to do it as a group or should we get individual policies?

Can anyone recommend any good packages or providers in Thailand and what sort of price we might be looking at?

So we'd like cover for casual visits plus accident and emergency and also any serious illness, all at a top hospital in Bangkok. Are we asking too much?

Thanks for any advice.

[Sheryl]

If your previous insurance was through the Thai social security scheme (as it may have been if employed in Thailand) you can maintain this coverage for life as long as you continue to pay into it, and should definitely do so even if you also take out a private policy as it is the best "deal" in insurance an expat can get, and once you stop paying into it you can't get it again except by being employed again for >13 months in Thailand.

As to private policies, I am moving this to the insurance forum for better answers.

[Action Script]

I'm not sure about that. It was with Bupa.

Would the Thai social security scheme cover the whole family and would it cover visits to hospitals like BNH?

Thanks for your help.

[AAInsuranceBrokers]

For a family with children it can be advantageous to insure as a family as there are discounts available.

If you wish for family quotes then please go HERE and include the ages of all family members

[samran]

We are with Wiliam Russell. Their plans are cheaper than many of the top line local plans (which suffer due to a shallow insurance pool), but provide a much higher level of health coverage.

For us, we have inpatient cover only, as outpatient costs in Thailand can be handled out of pocket quiet easily.

[stevenl]

We are with Wiliam Russell. Their plans are cheaper than many of the top line local plans (which suffer due to a shallow insurance pool), but provide a much higher level of health coverage.

For us, we have inpatient cover only, as outpatient costs in Thailand can be handled out of pocket quiet easily.

Please expend on that.

[Satcommlee]

Been very happy with Bupa-international (not BUPA Thailand)... but very expensive.. about 25K baht a month for me 37, wife 27, boy 3

Sent from my GT-N7100 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Youpi88]

There are many good insurance companies out there: MSH International, Bupa International, William Russell, etc.

They are all very good. I am myself with MSH International, they have an office in Bangkok, I find it to be a big plus.

Best way is to make a quote yourself: http://sea.msh-intl.com/

[AAInsuranceBrokers]

Agree MSH is good and we sell many of their policies however they are expensive and for similar benefits we can offer better options, especially for families

[JLCrab]

As one reads the names of all these health insurers and brokers that might cover a non-Thai person here in Thailand, just be aware that such individual policies are all subject to medical underwriting, that is, they may say thanks for applying but you do not meet are underwriting standards.

I applied to about 5 of such international policies simultaneously while still in my 50's -- so I could say on each that I've never applied for and then been denied health insurance -- and they ALL rejected my application.

[Satcommlee]

Also, don't confuse the cheap crap that most people have to be medical insurance, it is nothing more than glorified accident insurance and they can decline you cover when things take a turn for the worse, leaving you un-insurable to anyone..

A company like "BUPA International" cannot dump you due to ill health as long as you are keeping up your payments. They also can't penalise your premiums based on conditions acquired after membership.

If anyone tells you they got health insurance for a low figure like 50'000 baht a year, it is not proper health insurance.

[samran]

We are with Wiliam Russell. Their plans are cheaper than many of the top line local plans (which suffer due to a shallow insurance pool), but provide a much higher level of health coverage.

For us, we have inpatient cover only, as outpatient costs in Thailand can be handled out of pocket quiet easily.

Please expend on that.

Private health insurance in Thailand isn't prevasive, most people don't have it, so the local companies can only offer a limited amount of insurance given the pool of premiums they can pay out from. Additionally, given the price points, lower insurance premiums = less cover.

When we were investigating insurance options a few years ago, the TOP TOP policy from Thai Health was more expensive than the base William Russell policy, despite William Russell having a higher level of coverage. We've been with them for years, for some run of the mill and some nasty stuff, and they've always come though.

Edited July 26, 2013 by samran

[stevenl]

We are with Wiliam Russell. Their plans are cheaper than many of the top line local plans (which suffer due to a shallow insurance pool), but provide a much higher level of health coverage.

For us, we have inpatient cover only, as outpatient costs in Thailand can be handled out of pocket quiet easily.

Please expend on that.

Private health insurance in Thailand isn't prevasive, most people don't have it, so the local companies can only offer a limited amount of insurance given the pool of premiums they can pay out from. Additionally, given the price points, lower insurance premiums = less cover.

When we were investigating insurance options a few years ago, the TOP TOP policy from Thai Health was more expensive than the base William Russell policy, despite William Russell having a higher level of coverage. We've been with them for years, for some run of the mill and some nasty stuff, and they've always come though.

Thanks for that.

Good for you you're happy with William Russell, but your explanation has nothing to do with an insurance pool, and your explanation does not explain how you reach the conclusion the top line local plans suffer.

[JLCrab]

William Russell according to their website is an "insurance provider" whose packages are underwritten by Allianz.

And all health insurers deal with re-insurers including MunichRe and Lloyd's of London syndicates so the 'large pool' is always there.

Edited July 27, 2013 by JLCrab

[mccw]

Signed up with AIA recently.

Two adults under 40 and two kids 5 and three. Cover critical illness, any minor doctors visits and A&E, ambulances, in patient care etc, total cost for all of us was 173,000bht per year. Pay 20years and get the rest life up until age 99 for free.

[plopmeister]

Signed up with AIA recently.

Two adults under 40 and two kids 5 and three. Cover critical illness, any minor doctors visits and A&E, ambulances, in patient care etc, total cost for all of us was 173,000bht per year. Pay 20years and get the rest life up until age 99 for free.

I have much the same thing....The important thing to ask is what happens at 55, 60,70 upwards of age...If they can't give you a quote don't touch them.....

[Satcommlee]

Signed up with AIA recently.

Two adults under 40 and two kids 5 and three. Cover critical illness, any minor doctors visits and A&E, ambulances, in patient care etc, total cost for all of us was 173,000bht per year. Pay 20years and get the rest life up until age 99 for free.

That seems reasonable but if for example you got diabetes next year, could they load your premium or decline cover?

173K seems a sensible amount for proper health insurance, but I pay around 300K for BUPA international, although my policy is pretty much fully comprehensive, I could go in with an STD and they will sort it on insurance.

Does your policy cover out-patient stuff or just emergency and life threatening conditions?

[plopmeister]

Signed up with AIA recently.

Two adults under 40 and two kids 5 and three. Cover critical illness, any minor doctors visits and A&E, ambulances, in patient care etc, total cost for all of us was 173,000bht per year. Pay 20years and get the rest life up until age 99 for free.

That seems reasonable but if for example you got diabetes next year, could they load your premium or decline cover?

173K seems a sensible amount for proper health insurance, but I pay around 300K for BUPA international, although my policy is pretty much fully comprehensive, I could go in with an STD and they will sort it on insurance.

Does your policy cover out-patient stuff or just emergency and life threatening conditions?

I had BUPA International years ago. I went into Bumrungrad around 1997 to have a lump removed inside my breast fat ( I am male but can't think of a better word) but they refused to pay...Haven't touched them since...BUPA that is not my nom..

[Youpi88]

Agree MSH is good and we sell many of their policies however they are expensive and for similar benefits we can offer better options, especially for families

Probably yes. I was not looking for the cheapest insurance, having someone I could speak with here in Bangkok was more important to me.

Though I admit, I did not think of going through a broker at that time. Maybe next time !

[mccw]

Signed up with AIA recently.

Two adults under 40 and two kids 5 and three. Cover critical illness, any minor doctors visits and A&E, ambulances, in patient care etc, total cost for all of us was 173,000bht per year. Pay 20years and get the rest life up until age 99 for free.

That seems reasonable but if for example you got diabetes next year, could they load your premium or decline cover?

173K seems a sensible amount for proper health insurance, but I pay around 300K for BUPA international, although my policy is pretty much fully comprehensive, I could go in with an STD and they will sort it on insurance.

Does your policy cover out-patient stuff or just emergency and life threatening conditions?

Its a fixed fee apparently and all cover including out patient stuff is covered- so little trips with cut knee or fever check or what ever. I haven't had to test any of this yet though. From home, travel and car insurance companies previous experience, uk purchased this is, they never wanted to pay out or if at all its less than should be. I had PPP medical insurance in UK wich was about 3grand a year, thats with/after a 45% applied, and that discount is lost on any claim and then re spplied back in 5 or 10% increments monthly there after until back to full 45%. Only cover was for hospital stays or specialist if referred through a GP first. So i treated it really just as a last resort for most serious risk factors. Where as this should basically cover everything and is like a fixed budget for any medical costs for the whole year; so fingers crossed not nasty surprises. The deal I'm on now, provided it is honoured is much better; I am happy with it.

[mccw]

Signed up with AIA recently.

Two adults under 40 and two kids 5 and three. Cover critical illness, any minor doctors visits and A&E, ambulances, in patient care etc, total cost for all of us was 173,000bht per year. Pay 20years and get the rest life up until age 99 for free.

I have much the same thing....The important thing to ask is what happens at 55, 60,70 upwards of age...If they can't give you a quote don't touch them.....

My deal is pay twenty years and rest life until 99years old is free. By the time we've paid 20years, non of us will be won't be 55yet. Its especially good for our kids since they will be only 23 and 25 by the time all paid off and covered for life; so not face these issues / bills I'm paying now. But who knows, maybe the company will be broke before then. Its quite an astounding promise; But I guess most of thier customers are older people ; /or they expect plenty of new customers joining up down the line, which I think is possible with Asians rising prosperity and increasing numbers of expats. Hopefully they would see any revenue problems from this promises in advance and decrease the future promises on new contracts if they saw any problems arising. I don't put total faith in anything though and think its important to save and keep spare money's in reserve for unforeseen emergencies anyway/ not just think I've got this piece of paper that says I'm full cover until 99 and think no more worries haha

[JimmyTheMook]

I used BUPA , they sucked, as noted in one of the above replies.

Now using AXA for myself and kids - they seem OK ,

AXA have denied some procedures and paid for others but the process has always seemed straight forward.

BUPA used for 2 years , first year never made any claims , second year child needed a tonsillectomy after recommended by a doctor for a recurring strep throat - BUPA denied the claim immediately claiming it as a preexisting condition on a 7 year old.

William Russell sounds interesting.

[JLCrab]

When reading these various Insurance Forum topics I am reminded of the old saw in the news biz: It isn't news when the plane lands safely.

One reads of the horror stories when an insurer irrationally and for no apparent reason denies a claim; you hear the policy holders side of the issue but not the insurer's. Maybe all is as stated on ThaiVisa and maybe all is not.

If you go to a private hospital in Thailand at least in my experience there are few non-Thais; almost all the Thais will be there because they have private insurance and in most cases it is because they are in a hospital that is part of the insurer's network ... they can't ALL have been irrationally denied coverage for their condition, can they?

[stevenl]

One reads of the horror stories when an insurer irrationally and for no apparent reason denies a claim; you hear the policy holders side of the issue but not the insurer's.

In this case he already told us the insurer's side of the issue: "second year child needed a tonsillectomy after recommended by a doctor for a recurring strep throat"

From a distance this sounds very much like a pre existing condition.

Edited August 1, 2013 by stevenl

[SurinBeach]

RE Pay 20years and get the rest life up until age 99 for free..

is that for Adults only or kids too ?

Signed up with AIA recently.
Two adults under 40 and two kids 5 and three. Cover critical illness, any minor doctors visits and A&E, ambulances, in patient care etc, total cost for all of us was 173,000bht per year. Pay 20years and get the rest life up until age 99 for free.

[mccw]

Suring Beach.

- its all named people on the policy; ie ie whole family, including the kids

Regards

[Youpi88]

When reading these various Insurance Forum topics I am reminded of the old saw in the news biz: It isn't news when the plane lands safely.

One reads of the horror stories when an insurer irrationally and for no apparent reason denies a claim; you hear the policy holders side of the issue but not the insurer's. Maybe all is as stated on ThaiVisa and maybe all is not.

If you go to a private hospital in Thailand at least in my experience there are few non-Thais; almost all the Thais will be there because they have private insurance and in most cases it is because they are in a hospital that is part of the insurer's network ... they can't ALL have been irrationally denied coverage for their condition, can they?

+1

Can't agree more. We only hear about the bad stories, not the 99% good ones.

[AgentYoghurt]

A family is not considered a group unless all of you work together in a business.

What's more, to get a good company discount, a 4-people group is a really small size.

Cheers

[guzzi850m2]

I just got a quote from Cigna, 251 US$ pr month(still below 100.000 baht pr year for the 3 of us) for a family of 3, I am 51. It covers all countries in the world except the US.

Silver package. Up to 1 mill US$ coverage pr family member pr year not bad.

I think I gonna take it.

[speede75]

For family insurance, i would without a doubt go for ACS, a french insurance company which ive had now for the past 2 years for me and my 3 year old son. We are both covered up to $500,000 USD a year (option to increase to $1M USD) with a bunch of other options on top of this such as life, loss of income, liability etc)

Exactly how high your premium will be depends of course but for him and myself (im under 40) it ended up at i think 45,000 THB for 1 year, but that excludes out-patient coverage, which i took year 1, and realized it wasnt needed.

Used AAincurance broker here in Pattaya and am super pleased with the service! So much i let them take care of my car insurance as well (saved 4,000 bath by using them plus getting an even better coverage and assitance)

Edited September 9, 2013 by speede75