Health Insurance, whats recommended? For people living in thailand..

[Hugh Geen]

Well I have Cigna's Global Silver paying 163.90 GBP pm - I almost wish I hadn't after reading this thread. Once again so much conflicting advice you end up more confused than when you started.

[Pormax]

I would suggest Thai Life Insurance Company, they sell medical insurance, we have been here 8 months, 6 of those months without insurance, we found this insurance though our relatives Thai people, but they have a few expats that have been happy with the price and service. We decided to just get hospital and emergency care only, we are 62 years old and we paid 1400.00 a year US money, it will also pay for travel insurance, but no prescription, doctor opp. blood test, or dental. But all of those things are cheap by American Standards. We just had our teeth cleaned for 30.00 US, ear doctor opp for 15.00 US. prescription are cheap 5.00-10.00 usually. If you want more information about this coverage I can give you there phone number and name of the person, who handled us. They will insure you till you are 90 years old, and they can never cancel you. Good Luck Patrick [email protected]

I too took out a 'Thailife' Health policy for myself, my wife and neice (who lives with us) it is definitely a company I would NOT recommend. If you can read , (in Thai only), in the small print there are so many things it does not cover and on most hospital in patient invoices there is a cost limit on many the operations and procedures and in my first experience less than 50% of the bill was paid. It does not cover for any outpatient treatment, we have to be admitted for at least one day to make a claim.

Whatever Company you decide to go with then ensure you are given all details in the poilicy before you buy. This I know sounds common sense, but a lot of companies will not disclose all the limitations until you have signed up. ThaiLife will only supply policy documents in Thai. This is one company I would steer clear off.

[nongsangcity]

just register on the thai health service.....everything 30 bht......I get my blood pressure tabs every 2 months 30 baht........my friend on the scheme fell off ladders in January.,.smashed his ankle to pieces....4 operations...pins in his ankle etc.........went to leave the hospital a bill for 58000 bht....his wife presented his thai health service card...,..,the bill came down to 30 bht.......simple if you are married to a thai national and have a yellow house book, just go to your local hospital, have a blood test, urine test and a chest x ray.....pay 2800 bht and you are on the thai health service rate......simple...........you will find bupa and the likes will let you down in the long run, I have friends who have paid out 1000s in bupa cover.......not worth the paper its wrote on when push comes to shohihi

thanks for your post ,, just like to know after I go to the hospital and get all the test done ,with yellow book , pay 2800

how I will be on the thai heath is this automatic the put me on it or I have fill application ... am so sorry this my first time I don't know how it work ,,

..........go to your local hospital with your wife...have your passport, your yellow house book, one photograph...have a blood test, urine test and a chest x ray....you pay 2800 bht....they take your photo off you and they add your photo to a card with your name your hospital number on it...they seal the card with plastic and away you go...no need to fill any forms....this scheme you have to go to your local hospital first if you need treatment if they carnt provide the treatment for you they will send you to a better hospital in your local area....my area is sakhon nakhon so any hospital in that area I can be sent to.....plus its only for use in your local area...you cannot live in Bangkok and go to Phuket on holiday and fall ill or have an accident you are not covered...your local area only....

[citizen33]

..........go to your local hospital with your wife...have your passport, your yellow house book, one photograph...have a blood test, urine test and a chest x ray....you pay 2800 bht....they take your photo off you and they add your photo to a card with your name your hospital number on it...they seal the card with plastic and away you go...no need to fill any forms....this scheme you have to go to your local hospital first if you need treatment if they carnt provide the treatment for you they will send you to a better hospital in your local area....my area is sakhon nakhon so any hospital in that area I can be sent to.....plus its only for use in your local area...you cannot live in Bangkok and go to Phuket on holiday and fall ill or have an accident you are not covered...your local area only....

Apparently this may still be possible in a few areas, but it will be interesting to hear how Nongsangcity gets on when he tries to renew. Also I am not sure how reliable a referral to tertiary care will be.

Edited June 19, 2014 by citizen33

[Sheryl]

For sure some provinces are still both issuing and honoring the cards. These tend not to have a high volume of it and I suspect it just hasn't gotten on anyone's radar.

Referral to tertiary level -- especially if that tertiary level is in Bkk - could run the risk of the card being revoked.

[ChoakMyDee]

BUPA is a scam. They will try any method they can to get out of paying when you need it. I had it for a year. I was honest when I filled out the form about a prior lung condition and they said they would never pay for treatment for any condition at all related to the lungs...all I had before was bronchitis and haven't had it for a long time. So I have no confidence that they would pay for treatment for anything. I'm sure if it was a major illness they would find a way to not pay.

All insurance people should be roasted alive slowly until dead and they can all rot in hell. They are killing people every day by not paying people who thought they were covered. Have a look at Michael Moore's "Sicko" documentary.

I would hardly say that. I have had it for over 2 years and in that time 2 claims, both paid directly by BUPA with no problem, and many other TV members have had the same experience.

They will, however, very closely scrutinize any claim coming in the first year, as will most insurance companies, and they will aleays disallow anything related to a prexisting condition (i.e. a condition you had before you first enrolled). Two reasons why it is important to enroll while still young and healthy.

Yes, I see what you mean. I shouldn't have been so harsh as there may be other ex-pats who could get a good policy with them but they might be put off by my post. I had them for a year and they only time I went for treatment for something minor, they paid a very small amount and I had to pay for the rest, which I found very cheesy when I was paying over $1000/year. I have a terrible opinion of insurance companies but perhaps I shouldn't paint them all with the same brush. Maybe BUPA is a better one for Thai expats. Anyway, your point is well taken and I take back my "scam" statement.

[nongsangcity]

..........go to your local hospital with your wife...have your passport, your yellow house book, one photograph...have a blood test, urine test and a chest x ray....you pay 2800 bht....they take your photo off you and they add your photo to a card with your name your hospital number on it...they seal the card with plastic and away you go...no need to fill any forms....this scheme you have to go to your local hospital first if you need treatment if they carnt provide the treatment for you they will send you to a better hospital in your local area....my area is sakhon nakhon so any hospital in that area I can be sent to.....plus its only for use in your local area...you cannot live in Bangkok and go to Phuket on holiday and fall ill or have an accident you are not covered...your local area only....

Apparently this may still be possible in a few areas, but it will be interesting to hear how Nongsangcity gets on when he tries to renew. Also I am not sure how reliable a referral to tertiary care will be.

...I just renewed a couple of weeks ago and I had no problem....and 2 of my friends in the past month have just joined the scheme for the first time..

[cooked]

I would suggest Thai Life Insurance Company, they sell medical insurance, we have been here 8 months, 6 of those months without insurance, we found this insurance though our relatives Thai people, but they have a few expats that have been happy with the price and service. We decided to just get hospital and emergency care only, we are 62 years old and we paid 1400.00 a year US money, it will also pay for travel insurance, but no prescription, doctor opp. blood test, or dental. But all of those things are cheap by American Standards. We just had our teeth cleaned for 30.00 US, ear doctor opp for 15.00 US. prescription are cheap 5.00-10.00 usually. If you want more information about this coverage I can give you there phone number and name of the person, who handled us. They will insure you till you are 90 years old, and they can never cancel you. Good Luck Patrick [email protected]

http://www.thaihealth.co.th/product_simply_eng.php is the insurance referred to.

I use the cheapest option available (about ฿10 000 a year at age 66. However I can combine this with self insurance and 'free' treatment if I go back home to Switzerland.

[citizen33]

..........go to your local hospital with your wife...have your passport, your yellow house book, one photograph...have a blood test, urine test and a chest x ray....you pay 2800 bht....they take your photo off you and they add your photo to a card with your name your hospital number on it...they seal the card with plastic and away you go...no need to fill any forms....this scheme you have to go to your local hospital first if you need treatment if they carnt provide the treatment for you they will send you to a better hospital in your local area....my area is sakhon nakhon so any hospital in that area I can be sent to.....plus its only for use in your local area...you cannot live in Bangkok and go to Phuket on holiday and fall ill or have an accident you are not covered...your local area only....

Apparently this may still be possible in a few areas, but it will be interesting to hear how Nongsangcity gets on when he tries to renew. Also I am not sure how reliable a referral to tertiary care will be.

...I just renewed a couple of weeks ago and I had no problem....and 2 of my friends in the past month have just joined the scheme for the first time..

Are you able to say which hospitals are involved? There is a lot of official confusion about this scheme.

The other thing that I find confusing is that I didn't think we were 12 months into the foreign card scheme yet.

Edited June 20, 2014 by citizen33

[Shazdeb]

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just register on the thai health service.....everything 30 bht......I get my blood pressure tabs every 2 months 30 baht........my friend on the scheme fell off ladders in January.,.smashed his ankle to pieces....4 operations...pins in his ankle etc.........went to leave the hospital a bill for 58000 bht....his wife presented his thai health service card...,..,the bill came down to 30 bht.......simple if you are married to a thai national and have a yellow house book, just go to your local hospital, have a blood test, urine test and a chest x ray.....pay 2800 bht and you are on the thai health service rate......simple...........you will find bupa and the likes will let you down in the long run, I have friends who have paid out 1000s in bupa cover.......not worth the paper its wrote on when push comes to shove.....

Lucky you but if not married to a Thai ???? Can you still join under no marriage conditions ??

[Sheryl]

The system he is referring to has nothing to do with whether you are married to a Thai. But as has been noted, most hospitals do not issue these cards to expats, period. The main exceptions seem to be in Issan and central provinces.

[Swadaz]

I'm in the health insurance industry in Thailand and have direct access to all health insurance agency's globally at reduced rates, would be happy to get you a free quote using my resources , drop me a pm if you want some details.

[WinterGael]

I'm curious about this question, but still confused. 

 

I'm 60 now, live here with my wife as. U have as possible, looking to stay 'for good' next year (if baht gets back to a normal exchange rate). 

 

Health insurance is a big issue. One make inpatient stay and my time in Thailand could come to an abrupt end. I've looked at expat medical insurance, and at my age it is highway robbery. The cheapest available for me at 61, would take up almost 1/6th of my monthly income and go up every year. Not going to happen. 

 

Are there no cheaper options for some one living in Thailand? I'm curious about the gentleman's statement on being covered under his wife's medical; mine is covered by the universal care coverage.  She seems to think I have the same rights to it as I am her husband.  Is this so? 

 

 

[Sheryl]

2 hours ago, WinterGael said:

I'm curious about this question, but still confused. 

 

I'm 60 now, live here with my wife as. U have as possible, looking to stay 'for good' next year (if baht gets back to a normal exchange rate). 

 

Health insurance is a big issue. One make inpatient stay and my time in Thailand could come to an abrupt end. I've looked at expat medical insurance, and at my age it is highway robbery. The cheapest available for me at 61, would take up almost 1/6th of my monthly income and go up every year. Not going to happen. 

 

Are there no cheaper options for some one living in Thailand? I'm curious about the gentleman's statement on being covered under his wife's medical; mine is covered by the universal care coverage.  She seems to think I have the same rights to it as I am her husband.  Is this so? 

 

 

No, it is not.

 

You can get care in government hospitals but will have to pay full fee.

 

The only case where a foreign spouse can get coverage through their Thai spouse is if the spouse is a civil servant.

 

The least expensive options for you are:

 

1. Insure but with a large deductible and/or copays. This will reduce premiums. Obviously need to have the amount of the deductible set aside.

 

2. Self-insure: this means having at least  1 million baht set aside (if willing to only use government hospitals - 5 million if you want the option of using private hospitals) and readily available for medical costs and a plan for how to replenish it as soon as used.

 

 

[WinterGael]

Self insure not an option.  High premiums could be an issue, too.  Maybe teach English for minimum money but with medical?

 

[Sheryl]

7 minutes ago, WinterGael said:

Self insure not an option.  High premiums could be an issue, too.  Maybe teach English for minimum money but with medical?

 

Private schools are exempt from Social Security, unfortunately. They schools all offeer some sort of insurance but often ridiculously low level of cover - I have seen many people teaching in private schools who ended up with massive debt from medical bills or stuck in hospital unable to pay. There was one a few years back, healthy guy hit by a car, his insurance maximum weas exhausted in just 24 hours of emergency care...

 

If you were younger, getting a job (other than private school) and thus getting enrolled in social security would be the best solution, as after 13 months you can continue the cover for life and it is very affordable. However you must be under 60 for this, at 61 to my understanding you cannot be newly enrolled in SS.

 

I am sorry to say that it really sounds like you cannot afford to retire here safely.  The only last thing to check, and it is a long shot, would be whether you could afford the insurance premiums for the group insurance plans available through either the Pattaya Expat club or Chinag Mai Expat Club - contact those 2 entities to find out the rates as I don't know them.

 

A number of  resident expats on this board have had to return to their home countries due to this problem (medical costs) and others have come to grief and ended up begging for assistance on crowdfunding sites or becoming a burg=den to their relations back home, or both.

 

There is definitely an untapped market for a lower end private insurance, such as a policy limited to government hospitals with modest copays per visit and hence much lower rates. Unfortunately no company now offers this. Perhaps the market just isn't large enough. One of the problems with medical insurance in Thailand is that, due to universal cover for Thai citizens, the demand is low and pool of insured peopel very small so no economies of scale.