What options are available for retiree expats needing insurance.

[stevenl]

Almodeller's post raises a question for me. Does regular health insurance cover medical costs due to accident?

Yes, it does.

[elzach]

"A Plus", underwritten by Allianz. Cover at USD586per annum, 50 year old. You can pay quarterly about USD147. An annual claim limit of USD500,000, private room, emergency evac... This one has an excess USD675, which is only a one time thing in a twelve month period of claims. It's a South East Asia policy, so you're covered on visa runs or holidays to neighboring countries. Through; Pacific Prime Insurance (google it) I have a contact in their Hong Kong branch. Happy to help further, as best I can, just pm me.

When I searched locally for cover, and a real person to talk to, it was hopeless getting quality information/advice. My mates are with Bupa; one has the Thai policy, the other international. I felt that the Thai option wasn't enough, and the international was way too expensive. I got lucky with a chance business introduction, which lead me to being looked after with Pacific Prime.

I read Thai Visa regularly, but never registered. I see this topic come up time, and time again, I hope my post adds value.

Cheers

Thanks for that info, but in a way this might be too good to be true for a lot of people. So it covers both in-patient and out-patient? Also it seems to be a "regional" policy, SE Asia? It wouldn't cover China, Japan for example? And of course no cover when going back to Europe.

I have to say though, Pacific Prime (insurance brokers) should definitely be asked by any expat looking for overseas health insurance. They are efficient, quick and thorough.

[AgentYoghurt]

"A Plus", underwritten by Allianz. Cover at USD586per annum, 50 year old. You can pay quarterly about USD147. An annual claim limit of USD500,000, private room, emergency evac... This one has an excess USD675, which is only a one time thing in a twelve month period of claims. It's a South East Asia policy, so you're covered on visa runs or holidays to neighboring countries. Through; Pacific Prime Insurance (google it) I have a contact in their Hong Kong branch. Happy to help further, as best I can, just pm me.

When I searched locally for cover, and a real person to talk to, it was hopeless getting quality information/advice. My mates are with Bupa; one has the Thai policy, the other international. I felt that the Thai option wasn't enough, and the international was way too expensive. I got lucky with a chance business introduction, which lead me to being looked after with Pacific Prime.

I read Thai Visa regularly, but never registered. I see this topic come up time, and time again, I hope my post adds value.

Cheers

Thanks for that info, but in a way this might be too good to be true for a lot of people. So it covers both in-patient and out-patient? Also it seems to be a "regional" policy, SE Asia? It wouldn't cover China, Japan for example? And of course no cover when going back to Europe.

I have to say though, Pacific Prime (insurance brokers) should definitely be asked by any expat looking for overseas health insurance. They are efficient, quick and thorough.

Hello!

As far as I know, A Plus offers Southeast Asia plans for those living in that region, however, you can opt for international cover. Just go to any online broker, search for A Plus and you can see your options. Hope this helps.

[Al9lives]

Agreed, Pacific Prime are tops. Although its easy to go anywhere and get the same policy online, it's usually at the same price, so why not deal with someone you find reliable and knows their stuff. I didn't realize the extent of my relationship with my broker back in my home country, until I went down the path of finding a new one.

[abrahamzvi]

I was talking about BUPA Thailand. Just looked at what I paid this year for the top platinum plan - 74,364 baht with 10% discount if pay by renewal date and a further 10% no claims after 6 months (BUPA send me a cheque for the 10% every half year)

This is correct. This is approximately what I pay for my wife, who is 46 and Thai. I pay much more for an insurance in my home country , with whom I have been insured for some 30 odd years. The advantage of my policy is that although I have to carry the first EURO 1,000 p.a. myself, it covers me without any limits anywhere in the world and it has no age limit. Of course, they can and do adjust the premiums depending on the claims experience and age, but it is still tolerable. If and when we go back home, I am able to reinstate the domestic cover and have my wife (who used to live in my home country for quite a few years before we moved to Thailand on my retirement) included, of course for an additional premium.

I really do not believe in self insurance. I have no problems with petty expenses and would be prepared to have an even higher annual deductible. What worries me is a serious incident, where the expenses of treatment could run into tens of millions Baht and ruin us financially.

[andreandre]

Thanks to all for the input ..but jeez , to me its just made it even more confusing..in regards to original question...

[Old Croc]

I could pay for insurance here, even with the high premiums for my age group, but the killer is the exclusions they tack on every policy.

Chronic conditions are excluded, and not many at this age, are free of long term problems such as arthritis, joint wear and tear, or lung, heart, kidney or liver problems. Not worth it if you can't make a claim for anything.

I'll stay self insured.

Edited August 13, 2013 by Old Croc

[stevenl]

Thanks to all for the input ..but jeez , to me its just made it even more confusing..in regards to original question...

That's why with difficult insurance matters like this a broker is a good idea.

[madmitch]

"A Plus", underwritten by Allianz. Cover at USD586per annum, 50 year old. You can pay quarterly about USD147. An annual claim limit of USD500,000, private room, emergency evac... This one has an excess USD675, which is only a one time thing in a twelve month period of claims. It's a South East Asia policy, so you're covered on visa runs or holidays to neighboring countries. Through; Pacific Prime Insurance (google it) I have a contact in their Hong Kong branch. Happy to help further, as best I can, just pm me.

When I searched locally for cover, and a real person to talk to, it was hopeless getting quality information/advice. My mates are with Bupa; one has the Thai policy, the other international. I felt that the Thai option wasn't enough, and the international was way too expensive. I got lucky with a chance business introduction, which lead me to being looked after with Pacific Prime.

I read Thai Visa regularly, but never registered. I see this topic come up time, and time again, I hope my post adds value.

Cheers

This sounds a very inexpensive option and if you travel outside of the region you can always take travel insurance to cover you.

I eventually found the website (aplusii.com) and there's an easy quote facility on there. Prices are actually comparable to LMG Pacific Healthcare but taking the SE Asia option only you can make a saving with a deductible.

Underwritten by Allianz in France, it does seem a viable alternative to the usual companies.

[Issangeorge]

Just checked it out. For me 62 years old the cost was $6,001 US, that's a lot of money when I only use up country public hospitals. I'm better to put the money away and be self insured.

Sent from my i-mobile IQ 6 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[elektrified]

"A Plus", underwritten by Allianz. Cover at USD586per annum, 50 year old. You can pay quarterly about USD147. An annual claim limit of USD500,000, private room, emergency evac... This one has an excess USD675, which is only a one time thing in a twelve month period of claims. It's a South East Asia policy, so you're covered on visa runs or holidays to neighboring countries. Through; Pacific Prime Insurance (google it) I have a contact in their Hong Kong branch. Happy to help further, as best I can, just pm me.

When I searched locally for cover, and a real person to talk to, it was hopeless getting quality information/advice. My mates are with Bupa; one has the Thai policy, the other international. I felt that the Thai option wasn't enough, and the international was way too expensive. I got lucky with a chance business introduction, which lead me to being looked after with Pacific Prime.

I read Thai Visa regularly, but never registered. I see this topic come up time, and time again, I hope my post adds value.

Cheers

Thanks for that info, but in a way this might be too good to be true for a lot of people. So it covers both in-patient and out-patient? Also it seems to be a "regional" policy, SE Asia? It wouldn't cover China, Japan for example? And of course no cover when going back to Europe.

I have to say though, Pacific Prime (insurance brokers) should definitely be asked by any expat looking for overseas health insurance. They are efficient, quick and thorough.

Although I have not read the policy I doubt it covers outpatient. No policies do unless you buy an OP rider of which premiums are over-priced. Most people don't need outpatient coverage as the cost of visits to the clinic, your doctors office, are so reasonable in Thailand.

[elektrified]

I was talking about BUPA Thailand. Just looked at what I paid this year for the top platinum plan - 74,364 baht with 10% discount if pay by renewal date and a further 10% no claims after 6 months (BUPA send me a cheque for the 10% every half year)

This is correct. This is approximately what I pay for my wife, who is 46 and Thai. I pay much more for an insurance in my home country , with whom I have been insured for some 30 odd years. The advantage of my policy is that although I have to carry the first EURO 1,000 p.a. myself, it covers me without any limits anywhere in the world and it has no age limit. Of course, they can and do adjust the premiums depending on the claims experience and age, but it is still tolerable. If and when we go back home, I am able to reinstate the domestic cover and have my wife (who used to live in my home country for quite a few years before we moved to Thailand on my retirement) included, of course for an additional premium.

I really do not believe in self insurance. I have no problems with petty expenses and would be prepared to have an even higher annual deductible. What worries me is a serious incident, where the expenses of treatment could run into tens of millions Baht and ruin us financially.

You do know - don't you...??? that you are waaaay over-paying for coverage for a Thai citizen.

[jpinx]

I wish this thread could stay on-topic

Retiree (over 65)

Expats (farangs)

All the other stuff is interesting - but not on topic and make this thread pretty much unuseable.

Does anyone know of a company that will insure a retiree expat - farang over 65 - who is a new insuree and has existing conditions?

[NamKangMan]

I wish this thread could stay on-topic

Retiree (over 65)

Expats (farangs)

All the other stuff is interesting - but not on topic and make this thread pretty much unuseable.

Does anyone know of a company that will insure a retiree expat - farang over 65 - who is a new insuree and has existing conditions?

I'll just add to your question and also ask, are there insurance companies that will not cover your pre-existing conditions, but will cover new injuries and illnesses. Eg. you have had stroke or a heart attack in the past, so they will not cover another heart attack, but will cover you for, say, falling down steps and breaking your leg.

[elektrified]

I wish this thread could stay on-topic

Retiree (over 65)

Expats (farangs)

All the other stuff is interesting - but not on topic and make this thread pretty much unuseable.

Does anyone know of a company that will insure a retiree expat - farang over 65 - who is a new insuree and has existing conditions?

I'll just add to your question and also ask, are there insurance companies that will not cover your pre-existing conditions, but will cover new injuries and illnesses. Eg. you have had stroke or a heart attack in the past, so they will not cover another heart attack, but will cover you for, say, falling down steps and breaking your leg.

Sadly it seems even the accident only policies (like the ones offered through the banks) have a cut-off at age 65 as well.

[jpinx]

Here's the reply from LMG Pacific along with the conditions and forms. I asked for the quote by giving age 66 and Thailand only cover needed, but other options are available.

It appears that for the 62,234 Baht per year you get 5;000;00 per claim up to a maximum of 20;000,000. In other words you can make 4 claims and that's it for life - as far as I can tell.

Seems like self insurance to that level is a better bet. 20,000,000 @ 3% in the bank = 600,000 per year

I'd be very interested if anyone else has a better quote.

For the sake of completeness, here's the Quotation email and attachments

Thank you for your enquiring about our medical insurance plans. Your total premium is 62,234 THB.

As an incentive to your decision making we will offer you a special discount of 5% off the annual premium for all applications received and within 5 days from the date of this email.

This document applies to accepted applications only and applies for the first policy year.

Note:

- Physician examination report is required from all applicants age 60 year-old and over. We accept past 3 months test result (with the same test requirement). Applicants are responsible for the expenses.

- Medical record is required from all applicants age 65 year-old and over.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Best regards,

Pornchai Dilokthammaporn (Toh)

Sales Coordinator

LMG Pacific Healthcare

14th Floor, Jasmine City Building, 2 Soi Sukhumvit 23,

Sukhumvit Road, Klongtoey Nua, Wattana, Bangkok 10110

Tel: 0-2401-9160, Fax: 0-2401-9167

App_Pcl 1.pdf

Physician Examination Report.pdf

[Al9lives]

This is what I got from Pacific Prime, for a 68 year old. I know every individual case is different and this is very broad quote and a big difference from my 50 year old policy, but they seem very willing to do business. Anyway, best of luck with it.I've included the email I was sent, just to give a clearer idea of the attitude of the company.

Email From Pacific Prime; The older a person gets the more expensive and difficult it is to find an insurance plan to cover them.

The older you get the more risk the insurance company takes as its more likely a person will develop a condition as they get older, make sense?

That being said I can assure you that there are plans that will cover older/retired members and I have attached a dummy quote for a person aged 65 for you to review.

Please be aware that we do work with over 25 different companies, I have picked a number of more popular choices for you to consider and review.

Many companies will underwrite in different ways (Exclusion, coverage with loading, decline, Moratorium) and this means that if clients already have conditions it will generally be harder for them to gain coverage, but not always impossible.

You will notice this option in the comparative table attached, when a person gets to 68 it tends to get a little more expensive.

I think a lot of people are under the impression that as they get older they cannot get insurance. This is actually incorrect however it might take a slightly longer process due to pre existing conditions and location. I think the message that we have to get out to people is that they do have options and we are here to help them find a suitable plan, not the most expensive one.

I hope this clarifies things for you a little more, any further questions?

[elgenon]

Thanks Al9lives

It looks very interesting. Can you PM me who to get a hold of? I am hoping they can mail me all the literature.

What was the website you got the info from?

[jcnbkk]

Before I moved to Thailand in March 2012 I applied for "Global Medical Insurance" with IMGlobal.

http://www.imglobal.com/img-insurance/international-health-insurance/global-medical-insurance.aspx

They flat turned me down, said I didn't meet their underwriting requirements, but wouldn't provide any details. I was surprised. I was used to being turned down in the U.S., but I thought it was a U.S. thing.

At the time I was age 49, in good health, with conditions that required treatment in the past but no longer require any treatment.

So, I lived 13 months in Thailand with no health insurance (or, "self insured"). I am back in the U.S. right now (uninsured here as well - I can't get individual health insurance in the U.S. at any cost), but plan to return to Thailand in the near future. I would like to have some health insurance, in the U.S. as well as abroad.

It sounds like I should try Healthcare International. Anyone here have success getting coverage with this company despite preexisting conditions? If so, are the preexisting conditions covered, or excluded?

Thanks!

I think a previous post said Healthcare Intnl. doesn't cover in US. I was following the posts, they sounded good till I saw that.

[stevenl]

Read this thread and the link given in this thread, could be very helpful for people looking for health insurance. http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/673770-buying-health-insuurence-thailand/

Still uncertainties IMO, but who knows, might be a solution for some of the people that are having problems finding insurance now.

[nedkellylives]

If you are over 65 years old your only option is to self insurance and take your chances

If you cannot afford your medical expenses that way you should return to your home country where you should be covered

[stevenl]

If you are over 65 years old your only option is to self insurance and take your chances

If you cannot afford your medical expenses that way you should return to your home country where you should be covered

According to the information some people are reporting in the thread I pointed to, this is absolutely not true.