Medical Insurance in Thailand

[RichardThailand]

I've just moved here and hope to stay for a long time. Can someone give me some pointers as to what companies most expats here are using for medical insurance. Currently I am here on the visa waiver and my intention is to go for a retirement visa. Would I be able to sign up with an insurance provider while still on visa waiver?

[ukrules]

I use BUPA International, it provides insurance everywhere apart from the USA so you only need additional insurance if you go to the US.

As this is a health insurance policy instead of a travel related policy the visa type and duration of trip doesn't matter.

It's not the cheapest but I believe it's one of the better options. Like all insurance the younger you are when you 'get recruited' the cheaper it is...

Edited September 6, 2014 by ukrules

[RichardThailand]

I use BUPA International, it provides insurance everywhere apart from the USA so you only need additional insurance if you go to the US.

As this is a health insurance policy instead of a travel related policy the visa type and duration of trip doesn't matter.

It's not the cheapest but I believe it's one of the better options. Like all insurance the younger you are when you 'get recruited' the cheaper it is...

Where did you go to get this insurance set up? Was it a web site or some office in BKK ?

Thanks

[inbangkok]

I use BUPA International, it provides insurance everywhere apart from the USA so you only need additional insurance if you go to the US.

As this is a health insurance policy instead of a travel related policy the visa type and duration of trip doesn't matter.

It's not the cheapest but I believe it's one of the better options. Like all insurance the younger you are when you 'get recruited' the cheaper it is...

Where did you go to get this insurance set up? Was it a web site or some office in BKK ?

Thanks

Main BUPA office is on Convent Rd. in Silom.

[inbangkok]

By the way... Get the best plan possible if you can afford it..... If you try to upgrade later, the upgrade will exclude any condition you suffer or get treatment for under the original plan.

[ukrules]

I got my plan directly from them by calling the UK office.

The details are on this page : http://www.bupa-intl.com/for-you

I believe BUPA international is different from anything BUPA Thailand will offer. If you're only looking for Thailand cover then BUPA Thailand might be the best option.

If I were you I'd check both of them and weigh up the options. You might get a lot more cover on the international option.

[Suradit69]

I use BUPA International, it provides insurance everywhere apart from the USA so you only need additional insurance if you go to the US.

As this is a health insurance policy instead of a travel related policy the visa type and duration of trip doesn't matter.

It's not the cheapest but I believe it's one of the better options. Like all insurance the younger you are when you 'get recruited' the cheaper it is...

"As this is a health insurance policy instead ..."

In most cases it would be solely a hospital insurance, not comprehensive "health" insurance. If you opt to add on out-patient coverage, the additional premium will be virtually the same as the maximum coverage you would get if you used the policy to its full out=patient allowance during the year.

To continue BUPA as you enter the golden years, the premium will escalate and, if you don't maintain uninterrupted coverage after a certain age, you would not be eligible to restart it.

[JB300]

I use BUPA International, it provides insurance everywhere apart from the USA so you only need additional insurance if you go to the US.

As this is a health insurance policy instead of a travel related policy the visa type and duration of trip doesn't matter.

It's not the cheapest but I believe it's one of the better options. Like all insurance the younger you are when you 'get recruited' the cheaper it is...

"As this is a health insurance policy instead ..."

In most cases it would be solely a hospital insurance, not comprehensive "health" insurance. If you opt to add on out-patient coverage, the additional premium will be virtually the same as the maximum coverage you would get if you used the policy to its full out=patient allowance during the year.

To continue BUPA as you enter the golden years, the premium will escalate and, if you don't maintain uninterrupted coverage after a certain age, you would not be eligible to restart it.

Any recommendations for an alternative policy?

[swissie]

Go here and forget about the rest:

http://www.aainsure.net/health_insurance_thailand.html

Cheers.

[jacky54]

Go here and forget about the rest:

http://www.aainsure.net/health_insurance_thailand.html

Cheers.

Filled in the quote form in once, never heard from them

[jacky54]

I got my plan directly from them by calling the UK office.

The details are on this page : http://www.bupa-intl.com/for-you

I believe BUPA international is different from anything BUPA Thailand will offer. If you're only looking for Thailand cover then BUPA Thailand might be the best option.

If I were you I'd check both of them and weigh up the options. You might get a lot more cover on the international option.

350 quid a month for me they say, not possible.

[ukrules]

I got my plan directly from them by calling the UK office.

The details are on this page : http://www.bupa-intl.com/for-you

I believe BUPA international is different from anything BUPA Thailand will offer. If you're only looking for Thailand cover then BUPA Thailand might be the best option.

If I were you I'd check both of them and weigh up the options. You might get a lot more cover on the international option.

350 quid a month for me they say, not possible.

I'm paying less than that per quarter.

They do bill quarterly, not monthly from what I remember, are you 100% sure it was a monthly fee and not a quarterly fee ?

[kamalabob2]

I'll be 61 years young during my upcoming BUPA Health Insurance policy Period. For the 2 million baht Platinum plan for in the hospital and accident coverage, but not OPD the annual premium with taxes is 60,097 baht. It costs me 165 baht a day for excellent health cover in Thailand. Last year my premium for the same BUPA Policy was 58,932 baht. So due to being in the age bracket starting at 61 I pay 1164 baht more this year. 03.2 baht a day in additional premium. Eric Dohlon is the bi lingual, licensed Insurance broker, with an office in Phuket that I initially purchased Thai Health Insurance in 2005, 2006 and I have purchased BUPA Platinum Health Insurance since 2007. I have received in patient treatment for myself and my family with no hassles showing a BUPA card in several large Bangkok Private Hospitals, as well as private hospital sin Isaan. If you are under 60, it may be worth looking at the premiums and excellent coverage with BUPA. The right insurance broker may make this experience easier, and not cost you a single baht in additional fees.

I am also in the Thai Health Scheme for Aliens that costs 2800 baht a year. I'll know this coming November if there is a 2nd year in that program also known as the "Health Card for Foreigner" .

[jacky54]

350 quid a month for me they say, not possible.

I'm paying less than that per quarter.

They do bill quarterly, not monthly from what I remember, are you 100% sure it was a monthly fee and not a quarterly fee ?

Did not see quarterly monthly and yearly, over 4k a year, maybe age 63 puts it right up?

[AAInsuranceBrokers]

Go here and forget about the rest:

http://www.aainsure.net/health_insurance_thailand.html

Cheers.

Filled in the quote form in once, never heard from them

Jacky we can only apologise, not sure what went wrong with the quotation form but we shall get the tech chaps to look. In the mean time please feel free to email me direct ; [email protected]

[jacky54]

tried again with bupa , you would have to be rich or stupid

GBP 374.28

a month

Annual total: GBP 4491.32

[jacky54]

Go here and forget about the rest:

http://www.aainsure.net/health_insurance_thailand.html

Cheers.

Filled in the quote form in once, never heard from them

Jacky we can only apologise, not sure what went wrong with the quotation form but we shall get the tech chaps to look. In the mean time please feel free to email me direct ; [email protected]

Ok thanks

[stevenl]

tried again with bupa , you would have to be rich or stupid

GBP 374.28

a month

Annual total: GBP 4491.32

Bupa Thailand and Bupa International are not the same.

[jacky54]

well that from from the link on here

[ukrules]

tried again with bupa , you would have to be rich or stupid

GBP 374.28

a month

Annual total: GBP 4491.32

That's nuts, I guess it helped to keep the price down by starting my policy when I was in my late 30's, a few years ago.

[kamalabob2]

This might be a more appropriate web site to obtain a price quote and coverage information for in hospital cover of the #1 Health Insurance company in Thailand. Why pay for "International Coverage" if you live in Thailand? When I recently spent 24 days in the USA, my insurance broker arranged a comprehensive travel HEALTH insurance plan with BUPA that was very easy to obtain and modest in cost.

http://www.bupa.co.th/en/individuals/health-insurance/individual/index.aspx#.VBjejJSSyJo

[swissie]

I'll be 61 years young during my upcoming BUPA Health Insurance policy Period. For the 2 million baht Platinum plan for in the hospital and accident coverage, but not OPD the annual premium with taxes is 60,097 baht. It costs me 165 baht a day for excellent health cover in Thailand. Last year my premium for the same BUPA Policy was 58,932 baht. So due to being in the age bracket starting at 61 I pay 1164 baht more this year. 03.2 baht a day in additional premium. Eric Dohlon is the bi lingual, licensed Insurance broker, with an office in Phuket that I initially purchased Thai Health Insurance in 2005, 2006 and I have purchased BUPA Platinum Health Insurance since 2007. I have received in patient treatment for myself and my family with no hassles showing a BUPA card in several large Bangkok Private Hospitals, as well as private hospital sin Isaan. If you are under 60, it may be worth looking at the premiums and excellent coverage with BUPA. The right insurance broker may make this experience easier, and not cost you a single baht in additional fees.

I am also in the Thai Health Scheme for Aliens that costs 2800 baht a year. I'll know this coming November if there is a 2nd year in that program also known as the "Health Card for Foreigner" .

The "Health Card for Foreigner" is a dead horse. Was issued by some hospitals in error to "Western-Farangs. This card is only for (legal) migrant workers from Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar.

And most certainly not for "rich western Farangs".

Would not be surprised, if they collect the 2800 Bht from you next time around, but if you have a claim they will smile at you and explain that you are not covered and never have been.

Cheers.

[kamalabob2]

I've used the "Health Card for Foreigner" several times at the main Buriram Government Hospital with zero charges for services and pharmacy medicine. It was OPD and vaccinations, not inpatient services that I used the "Health Card for Foreigner". It might not be possible for a 2nd year, but I certain have received value and benefits for the effort and money I spent to obtain the "Health Card for Foreigner". But T.I.T. and it can be 100% or 75% different in a different office, different province. I'll post what my personal experience is when the coverage period is up for "renewal".

[GinBoy2]

tried again with bupa , you would have to be rich or stupid

GBP 374.28

a month

Annual total: GBP 4491.32

Bupa Thailand and Bupa International are not the same.

This has got to be Bupa in UK, not Thailand. I'm 55 and I pay ฿50,058 a year for the platinum plan, which I think at 52 to the pound = GPP962/year or 80/month

[ukrules]

tried again with bupa , you would have to be rich or stupid

GBP 374.28

a month

Annual total: GBP 4491.32

Bupa Thailand and Bupa International are not the same.

This has got to be Bupa in UK, not Thailand. I'm 55 and I pay ฿50,058 a year for the platinum plan, which I think at 52 to the pound = GPP962/year or 80/month

It's 100% age related, if you sign up in your 30's it always going to be much cheaper than if you're in your 60's for example.

[Suradit69]

I use BUPA International, it provides insurance everywhere apart from the USA so you only need additional insurance if you go to the US.

As this is a health insurance policy instead of a travel related policy the visa type and duration of trip doesn't matter.

It's not the cheapest but I believe it's one of the better options. Like all insurance the younger you are when you 'get recruited' the cheaper it is...

"As this is a health insurance policy instead of a travel related policy the visa type and duration of trip doesn't matter."

Actually in most cases it's hospital insurance. not health insurance, If you're admitted to hospital it may pay some of your costs. Unless you opt for highly uneconomic out-patient coverage, it won't pay for anything outside of inpatient care.

health insurance

Definition

Insurance against loss by illness or bodily injury. Health insurance provides coverage for medicine, visits to the doctor or emergency room, hospital stays and other medical expenses. Policies differ in what they cover, the size of the deductible and/or co-payment, limits of coverage and the options for treatment available to the policy holder

[mogo51]

I use BUPA International, it provides insurance everywhere apart from the USA so you only need additional insurance if you go to the US.

As this is a health insurance policy instead of a travel related policy the visa type and duration of trip doesn't matter.

It's not the cheapest but I believe it's one of the better options. Like all insurance the younger you are when you 'get recruited' the cheaper it is...

/quote]Have

Have you tried making a claim yet. I was ith BUPA a few years ago and they readily accepted the premiums but refused to pay on two genuine claims.

[stevenl]

I use BUPA International, it provides insurance everywhere apart from the USA so you only need additional insurance if you go to the US.

As this is a health insurance policy instead of a travel related policy the visa type and duration of trip doesn't matter.

It's not the cheapest but I believe it's one of the better options. Like all insurance the younger you are when you 'get recruited' the cheaper it is...

"As this is a health insurance policy instead of a travel related policy the visa type and duration of trip doesn't matter."

Actually in most cases it's hospital insurance. not health insurance, If you're admitted to hospital it may pay some of your costs. Unless you opt for highly uneconomic out-patient coverage, it won't pay for anything outside of inpatient care.

health insurance

Definition

Insurance against loss by illness or bodily injury. Health insurance provides coverage for medicine, visits to the doctor or emergency room, hospital stays and other medical expenses. Policies differ in what they cover, the size of the deductible and/or co-payment, limits of coverage and the options for treatment available to the policy holder

And according to other defintions it is health insurance.

If quoting, please provide a source, and IMO, a post like this does not contribute at all to the topic.

[MFW09]

My friend went through a broker in Bangkok, whom was well recommended .

Had been looking around at other similar proposals and this one topped.

He is 62 and now has a USD 1 Million cover ( In-Patient only ) for 32 000 bht pa. He is very happy with the cover and I am looking at it too.

Best to go through a broker as they work with a number of companies and not just one. Better options is my guess.

Not easy finding an Insurance company that will provide good and reasonable cover for seniors.

[ronthai]

I am also looking for the best health insurance and have norrowed it down to BUPA and AXA

BUPA links are already in this topic.

Here is what I found about AXA:

http://www.axa.co.th/553/en/Health-Insurance/Personal-Health/SmartCare-Optimum

SmartCareOptimum Your Ultimate Health Insurance Protection With as charged benefits that pays up to Baht 5 Million a Year.

Pay for your medical Bill with “ As charged” Plan

Most policy set limits on how much you can claim per disability, but SmartCare Optimum is an as-charged* plan that pays you in full for number of days in Hospital Room & Board charged, ICU charges, Surgeon’s fees, Dr.’s Visit, Specialist Consultation and Hospital Miscellaneous Expenses.

Pricing is on the same page as you scroll down.

Edited September 23, 2014 by ronthai