Barebones Health Insurance

[JLCrab]

OK -- many international coverage plans offered to US citizens are a bit the opposite as they require you be ex-USA for a minimum of 6 months per year. That's because they are underwritten by a Lloyd's syndicate not domiciles in the USA.

[GOLDBUGGY]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

Sorry to go off topic, but a question to all who "self insure"

How much do you put aside? Say 3000 baht per month?

1 year that's 36000 baht

10 years 360000

20 years 720000

That's not nearly enough in case of heart attack or some major surgery.

In my opinion , health insurance is a must, especially after 40 years old. Self insuring simply does not add up and as shown would take 30 years of savings to cover 1 major incident.

It works when you put the money aside that you would have used to pay your insurance premiums with but didn't need,

Try putting 70,000 Baht aside per year, and what you would pay for private insurance. .

[konying]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

Sorry to go off topic, but a question to all who "self insure"

How much do you put aside? Say 3000 baht per month?

1 year that's 36000 baht

10 years 360000

20 years 720000

That's not nearly enough in case of heart attack or some major surgery.

In my opinion , health insurance is a must, especially after 40 years old. Self insuring simply does not add up and as shown would take 30 years of savings to cover 1 major incident.

It works when you put the money aside that you would have used to pay your insurance premiums with but didn't need,

Try putting 70,000 Baht aside per year, and what you would pay for private insurance. .

70 000 per year is almost 6000 per month.

6000 per month, gets you one of the best covers even when you over 60.

70 000 per year, will take you 15 years to pay for a heart attack or any major surgery.

I had rotator cuff surgery, 1 night in the hospital, 375 000 baht.

[gk10002000]

Looking at the BUPA medical plans, I thought the costs were very low, certainly below what I pay here now in the USA. I am 57. Granted, not sure what happens when I hit that magical 65 age. I guess my plan would be to then get on US Medicare at that time. Frankly, some of the medical care I have seen in Thailand is pretty good and depending on the issue I might prefer to stay in Thailand for treatment.

[JLCrab]

You pay a health insurance premium to be covered for a possible major event that year. The fact that you did not have a major claim that year does not mean that you lost your money and would have been better off without the coverage.

A very few who purchase health insurance will have a major medical event in any given year but you never know when that very few will include yourself.

[colinneil]

Major incident for me hit by pickup.7 months in hospital ,first 43 days in i.c.u. No problem for me Thai government paid.My wife is a school director, i am covered with her spouse insurance.Not many insurance companies would have paid. 6 operations, broke 4th5th vertabrae ,broken ribs , collaspsed lung , torn diaphram, broken hip, pelvis ,leg. Believe me a was happy with treatment at the hospital. I still go once a month for check ups medicines , dressings for a very large bed sore, everything paid, no worries about will insurance pay. My advice to anybody worried about insurance , marry a government official.

[cooked]

With major events like heart attack, stroke, aneurysm, etc. one doesn't always have the luxury to 'hop on a plane' and return home for treatment.

You can get repatriation insurance, but this also has to be done before the age of 65. Travelling business class is possibly a solution. The main problem, for me anyway, is that I have to go to my embassy to announce my departure from Thailand to get 'free' treatment back home.

[JLCrab]

Thank you. Per insurance-via-marriage, private insurance (at millions of baht per incident) and not being married in Thailand is for me a bargain.

Edited August 27, 2014 by JLCrab

[JLCrab]

With major events like heart attack, stroke, aneurysm, etc. one doesn't always have the luxury to 'hop on a plane' and return home for treatment.

You can get repatriation insurance, but this also has to be done before the age of 65. Travelling business class is possibly a solution. The main problem, for me anyway, is that I have to go to my embassy to announce my departure from Thailand to get 'free' treatment back home.

Your doctor here in Thailand may tell you that you are not well enough to travel to Swampy let alone back home.

[paulhen]

With major events like heart attack, stroke, aneurysm, etc. one doesn't always have the luxury to 'hop on a plane' and return home for treatment.

You can get repatriation insurance, but this also has to be done before the age of 65. Travelling business class is possibly a solution. The main problem, for me anyway, is that I have to go to my embassy to announce my departure from Thailand to get 'free' treatment back home.

What country are you from that allows you as an expat to tap back into your home country's medical? I ask because I am from Canada and am disqualified upon my return for the first 3 months before I have access to the "free" healthcare again. But no one says what choices you have and what you have to pay there - there is no private health care system. Immigrants are granted immediate access.

HCI had an optional rider for repatriation that I did not opt for, as I best recall on both points.

Edited August 27, 2014 by paulhen

[spidermike007]

I was in the same situation as you and I went for http://www.thaihealth.co.th/product_simply_eng.php

You have to enrol at least 3 months before 65th birthday. After 65 you can't change the policy. I went for this as I went to a local hospital (not government hospital) and asked them which insurance they would recommend. The rep turned up fast, of course, but he seems like a decent guy you can trust and has helped me out with other stuff last year. Important is the rep that you have to do with I think.

He also told me that this would be good for one serious incident only, I'm sure you know what I mean. My plan B is to be able to go home for treatment as well as plan C, 'self insuring'.

As with most policies in Thailand, it excludes pre-existing conditions - and the rates are relatively hefty compared to what you get. I decided a long time ago that it was just better to roll the dice and be self-insured.

Me too. Instead of paying 62,000 baht per year (what I was paying with pacific health previously) I just put that money away each year. I add 15% each time, as that was how much they were increasing my premium annually! Figure if I can go ten years without an issue, I will have saved up 750,000 baht or so. I realize there is a risk. But, health care is reasonable here, so willing to take that chance, rather than pay the insurance whores all that cash.

[jpinx]

I was in the same situation as you and I went for http://www.thaihealth.co.th/product_simply_eng.php

You have to enrol at least 3 months before 65th birthday. After 65 you can't change the policy. I went for this as I went to a local hospital (not government hospital) and asked them which insurance they would recommend. The rep turned up fast, of course, but he seems like a decent guy you can trust and has helped me out with other stuff last year. Important is the rep that you have to do with I think.

He also told me that this would be good for one serious incident only, I'm sure you know what I mean. My plan B is to be able to go home for treatment as well as plan C, 'self insuring'.

As with most policies in Thailand, it excludes pre-existing conditions - and the rates are relatively hefty compared to what you get. I decided a long time ago that it was just better to roll the dice and be self-insured.

Me too. Instead of paying 62,000 baht per year (what I was paying with pacific health previously) I just put that money away each year. I add 15% each time, as that was how much they were increasing my premium annually! Figure if I can go ten years without an issue, I will have saved up 750,000 baht or so. I realize there is a risk. But, health care is reasonable here, so willing to take that chance, rather than pay the insurance whores all that cash.

The nice thing about that is that you can invest your "insurance" meantime,,,,,,,

[JLCrab]

Figure if I can go ten years without an issue ... Go to an ICU any Hospital any day and there will be people who figured the same thing.

[cooked]

With major events like heart attack, stroke, aneurysm, etc. one doesn't always have the luxury to 'hop on a plane' and return home for treatment.

You can get repatriation insurance, but this also has to be done before the age of 65. Travelling business class is possibly a solution. The main problem, for me anyway, is that I have to go to my embassy to announce my departure from Thailand to get 'free' treatment back home.

What country are you from that allows you as an expat to tap back into your home country's medical? I ask because I am from Canada and am disqualified upon my return for the first 3 months before I have access to the "free" healthcare again. But no one says what choices you have and what you have to pay there - there is no private health care system. Immigrants are granted immediate access.

HCI had an optional rider for repatriation that I did not opt for, as I best recall on both points.

I took Swiss nationality long ago.

[konying]

Figure if I can go ten years without an issue ... Go to an ICU any Hospital any day and there will be people who figured the same thing.

Totally agree, does not even have to be ICU.

Lift something heavy and hernia will set you back 70-90k.

Break a leg or a hand, almost 200000.

Self insuring simply does not add up.

May be if you start when you 20 years old it might be worth it when you 65+, but to start at 40years old, simply not enough time to save sufficient money , unless willing to put aside double if not triple the insurance premiums, in which case might as well either take out insurance or do not bother saving at all

[JLCrab]

There is an attitude of many on this forum that if you pay e.g. $2000 per year health insurance premium for 10 years and you don't get at least that $20,000 back in claims then you have been played as a chump. Most persons would probably not get even a fraction of that amount back because they didn't get sick enough -- the 'lucky' ones are the ones who would suffer some severe event and maybe get $200,000 back or more in claims.

... and one never knows when one will be the 'lucky' one who made a good bet, do one?

[jpinx]

Setting aside the equivalent of premiums is obviously not going to provide enough "policy" - but if you have a surplus lump of cash - over and above what you need to earn your "pension" - then it's not unreasonable to hold maybe 1 million as your "health reserve", and top it up with the premiums you save plus interest, maybe 100,000 per year on top. That provides an ever increasing pot of money for health issues with the advantage that you don't lose it if you don't use it

The alternative appears to be a difficult to find policy with chunky premiums and lots of exclusions and "get-out" clauses for the insurer.

Edited August 27, 2014 by jpinx

[JLCrab]

So then the odds are that you will keep your 1 million plus baht reserve and not lose it as most likely you will not experience until a much later age any severe event. But 1 or 2 severe events could wipe out that reserve.

You hear stories on here of claims being denied. But you only on here hear one side of the story.

[jpinx]

So then the odds are that you will keep your 1 million plus baht reserve and not lose it as most likely you will not experience until a much later age any severe event. But 1 or 2 severe events could wipe out that reserve.

You hear stories on here of claims being denied. But you only on here hear one side of the story.

Anyone with insurance who has a repitition of a pre-existing condition (e.g. heart problem ) will be faced with the hospital bill "AND" the loss of prior premiums. "lose - Lose"

At least my suggestion will leave the person with something.......

[JLCrab]

If someone ever applied for individual health insurance in Thailand or with one of the international policies offered with a previous heart condition they would never get the policy in the first place so then of course your reserve suggestion makes sense.

Edited August 27, 2014 by JLCrab

[JLCrab]

Maybe apropos hospital visit for the self-insured from Clear and Present Danger -- Harrison Ford as Jack Ryan:

[Jack needs a helicopter]

Jack Ryan: I'm here to rent the Huey.

Helicopter owner: We don't rent it anymore, but it is for sale.

Jack Ryan: How much?

Helicopter owner: Two million dollars.

Jack Ryan: Uh, my pilot and I will have to take it for a test drive.

Helicopter owner: Of course, you just have to leave a deposit.

Jack Ryan: How much is that?

Helicopter owner: Two million dollars.

[sfokevin]

With major events like heart attack, stroke, aneurysm, etc. one doesn't always have the luxury to 'hop on a plane' and return home for treatment.

I agree - But as I stated I have a couple "pre-existing conditions" - When I had Thai Health Insurance thru BUPA a few years ago and I told them I take Lipitor (which I have taken for over 10 years as a standard preventative of high cholesterol) BUPA came back and said they would cover me but would not cover ANY illness related to a coronary or heart related disorder... Now a few years later I also take Tamsulosin to control frequent urination... I would assume BUPA would also exclude any illness related to my d**k also...

So for me health insurance here does not really work...

Edited August 28, 2014 by sfokevin

[JLCrab]

If at the time you started the policy you did not have any urological problems, and those only occurred several years subsequent to your policy, there should be no reason for them to exclude such coverage.

I assume here that a person in Thailand is making a choice between coverage through an insurance policy or establishing some sort of reserve to coverage medical costs if any. If one cannot qualify for health insurance in the first place because of pre-existing conditions that makes it all a moot point.

[nglodnig]

Check for BUPA, the amalgamation of the earlier BLUE CROSS and BLUE SHIELD. This insurance company does not have shareholders to satisfy.

https://www.bupa.co.th/en/individuals.aspx

They appear to stop at age 65

I'm not touting for BUPA in the slightest but when I rang them up they promised to cover you to the bitter end. Do you mean they won't give new cover after 65?

[fxe1200]

Check for BUPA, the amalgamation of the earlier BLUE CROSS and BLUE SHIELD. This insurance company does not have shareholders to satisfy.

https://www.bupa.co.th/en/individuals.aspx

They appear to stop at age 65

I'm not touting for BUPA in the slightest but when I rang them up they promised to cover you to the bitter end. Do you mean they won't give new cover after 65?

The entry date is limited, but when you not cancel the contract, they will escort you to the coffin. You just can't cancel, you have to stick with them.

[jpinx]

Here's something I hadn't seen before --

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/756098-thailand-travel-insurance-scheme-success-or-flop/

Looks like it's available for annual cover and would go well with the Bangkok Banks offering maybe.

Anyone got any experience of this ?

[jpinx]

Also I noticed Bangkok Bank has health insurance up to age 65 which looks pretty basic

http://www.bangkokbank.com/BangkokBank/PersonalBanking/BuildYourWealth/Bancassurance/NonLifeInsurance/Pages/BualuangRakKhun.aspx

[citizen33]

Also I noticed Bangkok Bank has health insurance up to age 65 which looks pretty basic

http://www.bangkokbank.com/BangkokBank/PersonalBanking/BuildYourWealth/Bancassurance/NonLifeInsurance/Pages/BualuangRakKhun.aspx

This looks like accident insurance, albeit with only a low benefit payable, plus coverage for four diseases that you are unlikely to contract. It is a bit of a stretch to call it health insurance.

[jpinx]

I agree that it's hard to know what to call this style of insurance, but it appears to be an accident policy with limited health coverage for specific diseases which are not covered in the usual accident policy here...

http://www.bangkokbank.com/BangkokBank/PersonalBanking/BuildYourWealth/Bancassurance/NonLifeInsurance/Pages/PA1st.aspx

[stevenl]

Yes, accident policy plus payment of 10-20 K Baht in case of contracting

• • Leptospirosis

10,000

20,000

• • Anthrax

• • Avian Influenza

• • Meningococcal Meningitis

Since it is a 1-time, very limited payment in case of contracting these diseases I would not call it a health cover, not even for these diseases. Looks much more like a sales trick to me: promise something for which you're very likely not have to pay, and if you have to pay pay peanuts. But it looks nice.