Help! I am planning to retire in CNX, my children worried about medical emergencies.

[SinCityGr8One]

I am above 72 and have medical insurance worldwide except US and that includes Thailand. In Patient and Out Patient. Costs: $ US 5,788 per year. No out of pocket expenses. Limit Maximum per year $2.6 M Maybe worth considering.

A reasonable cost for your age and having the no deductible. Care to share the Companies name?

[Just1Voice]

A little off topic, but some of you people crack me up talking about "Don't ride a bike! Too dangerous, especially at your age!". Horse hockey! A year ago next month I had to sell my CBR 250 due to having a stroke. Prior to the stroke, I'd been taking a trip once a month from CNX to other cities all over the north for 2-4 day rides. Chiang Rai, Arunothai, Phayao, Lampang, Phitsanulok, Chum Phat, Udon Thani, Khon Kaen, Tak, Nakon Sawan, Sariburi, just to name a few. How many accidents have I had on my 250cc, or the CBR 150cc prior to that. ONE, and that was coming back from 7-11 and in the bike lane when an idiot in a truck suddenly made a sharp left turn into a drive way and I had to put the bike in the ditch. And guess what. I'm 66!. Now I'm driving a 300cc Honda Forza, but you can bet your a$$ that in another year I'll be back on a 300cc CBR or Ninja. One difference is that I've been riding bikes since I was 10 and doing dirt track racing, so I'm definitely not a novice. The year prior to moving to Thailand in 2008, I took my Ninja 650 and hit most of the Continental US. I was 59 then.

I do agree that if you're not an experienced rider, it's best to stay off of them. But they can come in handy for a quick trip to 7-ll or the market, as long as you are an observant rider. My advice, use your own judgment. Oh, and by the way Chiang Mai is a hell of a lot safer city to drive in than a lot of others I've been to on my trips.

Ok, I'll get off my soap box now so the Chicken Little Brigade can be heard.

Edited September 15, 2014 by Just1Voice

[laolover88]

I don't have 'Insurance'. $5000 a year? Good grief. I would not go to a private hospital. McCormick and Lanna are good but the government hospitals are just as good. I have made all the provisions one should..wills..houses..pensions..for wife and children. I do hope I wont get 'incapacitated'..strokes etc.......I am very aged. I can remember World War 2. I ride a motorbike every day; except I don't ride at night and I don't ride during any inebriated Thai festival..Loy Kratong, New Year, Songkhran. If of course you are a Thai youth under the age of 20 and pissed you should never be let near a bike. Oh And when you ride your bike remember to have all of your 8 eyes permanently open; that includes he two above your ears on each side of your head And I DO go to McCormick every 3 months for ECGs, Blood Pressure and Blood Tests..prevention and advance warning being naturally preferable! You have to live. Go for it

Edited September 15, 2014 by laolover88

[mesquite]

I am 64 and here in Thailand alone also. I decided to stop worrying about what may happen and enjoy my life here. That having been said my experiences with the hospitals have been very positive. I pay an exorbitant amount for my meds because all of them are non generic and they cost more for me because in the states I have BCBS. I keep hearing about unbelievable low prices in some pharmacies. Haven't found that in Chaing Mai yet. Apparently in Bangkok there is a drug warehouse that is the distribution site for the country, but it's uncertain where these meds are made. Personally I wouldn't take the chance. If I take all my prescriptions back to the states in Nov. I can submit them to BCBS for reimbursements.

Try Peera pharmacy near Hotel M.

[pchansmorn]

I would suggest you to check out Thai Life Insurance, they have medical insurance & travel insurance & save some extra money for long stays in the hospital, but my wife pays 2,000 a year she is 66 and healthy. Good Luck, And Please don't ride a motor scooter, they are only for controlling the population.

[rijb]

Hell, have fun! But, make sure your will is in order.

[RBOP]

In 2009, my Mother travelled here to Thailand and stayed with me for 2 months. She was 80 years young at the time and got travel insurance through International SOS. It did not cover pre-existing but did cover accidents. She fell out of bed and received 7 stiches. Insurance covered all of it.

[debrakfurlow]

1voice. I've been riding for 45 yrs. Last 40 yrs on harleys. I've laid it down 3 times so I've been very very lucky. You've been very lucky here and I hope that holds out. I plan on either buying a Harley here or shipping mine, but I will use it for trips with other bikes. These drivers scare the hell out of me. They are racking up 29,000 motor bike wrecks a year and 7 children die everyday. Rubber side down. I'm 64 today. Debbie

[Chicog]

I think the trick is not to get any of the medical conditions that cost money, just stick to the cheap ones like ingrowing toenails and you'll be fine.

And then try to find a licensed podiatrist or chiropodist in Chiang Mai.

Seriously? That's bad news, mine grow like fricking weeds.

[ggt]

Tell your children not to worry about illnesses...you will get run over trying to cross the road before you become ill...

[northernjohn]

As the poster does not state his age then saying "First of all, it will not be possible for you to get medical insurance at your age in Thailand." might not be true.

Insurance can be bought up to 60, 65 in some cases. With BUPA is you sign up before your 60 birthday then they will extend cover as long as you live - and can pay the premiums.

Actually insurance can be bought up until you are 71.

The cost is high and there are more stringent health requirements to be met. Also there will be a certain amount you must pay before it kicks in. check with an insurance agent they have a better handle on it than just searching the internet.

As for Medicare I believe that is available when a person retires. If he retires at 62 it is available to them then at a price of course.

Medical insurance can be bought at any age - not just 71. Only probelm are the premiums !! Talk to the sponsors, AA Insurance Brokers as they can offer - suggest Peter as he speaks English

Agreed he was the one I had spoken with. The restrictions are high at that age. He told mere I could buy it at up to age and including 70 but not 71. As you say the premiums were very high. I do how ever have accident insurance. Not sure of what the upper age limit is on it. I did not shop around for it just got it at my bank. Cheap cheap. Believe 75 is the upper age limit for their policy.

[elektrified]

Bangkok Hospital recently opened a new facility here in Chiang Mai... a full service hospital. The facility offers a first class trauma center and a large number of specialized clinics. The service is efficient and certainly less costly than anything in the USA. I was recently treated there for a sinus infection. I called the Ear-Nose-Throat clinic and got a same day appointment.

My total cost for the visit was 1900 baht including doctors fee, lab tests for a culture, and three types of medication. My follow up visit a week later cost 900 baht. Each time I went to the clinic I was in and out in less than 45 minutes.

If you have a primary care doc in the US you have to make an appointment, wait for days, then go the next step if a specialist is required often waiting for days to get in. If you need to go to the ER in the USA to see a doctor you pay hundreds of dollars and spend endless hours of your time feeling miserable in the ER waiting room.

I support the suggestions of having a small nest egg set aside for emergencies. Considering that a million baht will buy just about anything you might need in the way of major medical expenses here...it's a good plan to follow.

You might consider visiting Bangkok Hospital in Chiang Mai on your next visit to Thailand and have a routine physical. It will cost about 11,000 baht for a male over 40 ( You can check out their website for more details) then determine for yourself how the facility stands up to your local facility in the USA.

2800 Baht for a sinus infection? About 6 months ago I went to see Dr. Rat (ENT Professor at CMU) because I also had a bad sinus infection. Total cost: 260 Baht including medicine. Didn't bother with a culture this time but last time I believe he charged me 380 Baht for the culture. Also same day appointment. Sounds like you may have been a victim of overcharging.

I don't understand what you are saying about seeing a doctor in the USA. I always go and see a doctor the same day - ever since I was a child. O.K. there may be a wait for certain specialists.

Am I reading that right...11,000 THB for a physical exam in C.M.? I think I will pass on this new facility (and by the looks of how deserted it is, I imagine many other patients are as well). I thought RAM was expensive. This takes 'expensive' to a whole other level!

[Sheryl]

As others have said, the big issue is not the availability of good care (as long as you live in the city) and getting caretakers if needed is also not that hard.

The big issue is cost. It is a long flight to the US and you won't be able to make it if seriously injured/critically ill.

You can look into getting insurance but it will be hard at 65 (and of course exclude any and all pre-existing conditions).

Self-insuring is the other option but I have to disagree with those who think 1 million is enough. It is not unless you are willing to get care solely in government hospitals (and even then it is possible for costs to reach 2 mill...I have seen it happen, several times. Prolonged ICU/CCU stay and multiple complex surgeries, or multiple stents etc.)

I would say 2 million is absolute minimum if you want the option of care in private hospitals in CNX. Twice that if in Bkk.

The other thing to consider in self-insuring is your ability to replenish that fund after expending.

So basically it comes down to how much $ you have. US Medicare will be of use only for elective procedures (hip replacements and the like) or say cancer which gives you enough lead time to travel back for prolonged course of treatment.. Worth keeping for that, of course, but of no use if you have a serious accident, stroke, heart attack etc.

[HUAHIN62]

You say that you will fly back a couple of times each year. If you plan your visits well you could get coverage for the whole year with an annual travel insurance policy. For example if you space your home visits 3 months apart and you stay a month in the US you will have the 90 day cover each time when you are in Thailand and get away with 3 trips per year. You should be able to get a good policy for around $ 500 to $ 1000 per year, which will be much cheaper than a full medical cover policy. Some travel insurers also provide extended insurance past the normal 90 days at an addisional cost.

[uptheos]

Bangkok Hospital recently opened a new facility here in Chiang Mai... a full service hospital. The facility offers a first class trauma center and a large number of specialized clinics. The service is efficient and certainly less costly than anything in the USA. I was recently treated there for a sinus infection. I called the Ear-Nose-Throat clinic and got a same day appointment.

My total cost for the visit was 1900 baht including doctors fee, lab tests for a culture, and three types of medication. My follow up visit a week later cost 900 baht. Each time I went to the clinic I was in and out in less than 45 minutes.

If you have a primary care doc in the US you have to make an appointment, wait for days, then go the next step if a specialist is required often waiting for days to get in. If you need to go to the ER in the USA to see a doctor you pay hundreds of dollars and spend endless hours of your time feeling miserable in the ER waiting room.

I support the suggestions of having a small nest egg set aside for emergencies. Considering that a million baht will buy just about anything you might need in the way of major medical expenses here...it's a good plan to follow.

You might consider visiting Bangkok Hospital in Chiang Mai on your next visit to Thailand and have a routine physical. It will cost about 11,000 baht for a male over 40 ( You can check out their website for more details) then determine for yourself how the facility stands up to your local facility in the USA.

2800 Baht for a sinus infection? About 6 months ago I went to see Dr. Rat (ENT Professor at CMU) because I also had a bad sinus infection. Total cost: 260 Baht including medicine. Didn't bother with a culture this time but last time I believe he charged me 380 Baht for the culture. Also same day appointment. Sounds like you may have been a victim of overcharging.

I don't understand what you are saying about seeing a doctor in the USA. I always go and see a doctor the same day - ever since I was a child. O.K. there may be a wait for certain specialists.

Am I reading that right...11,000 THB for a physical exam in C.M.? I think I will pass on this new facility (and by the looks of how deserted it is, I imagine many other patients are as well). I thought RAM was expensive. This takes 'expensive' to a whole other level!

I was speaking with someone the other day who said 'how lucky we are to have Bangkok Hospital here'. I asked why and was simply told, 'brand new facilities and the best doctors'. Yeah, right what did they do bring all the doctors with them from Bangkok Hospital in Bangkok? I asked the person to name three doctors with a good reputation at BH Chiang Mai, which of course he couldn't do because you really have to struggle to find any doctors on their website, though I noticed the orthopaedic surgeon is Dr Chuksopharn from Rajavej. He may or may not be good, but I think if you had elected surgery by him you would certainly pay a heck of a lot less by seeing him at Rajavej! There were one or two others I found with insignificant backgrounds and it's obvious that they will use doctors from other hospitals. The old adage stands, research the doctor you want and go where he/she practices. Don't be taken in by OTT prices thinking you are getting some specialist that you can't find elsewhere at a much lower price.

[guzzi850m2]

I agree with the bike riders, the amount of freedom it gives you is enormous and can't be replaced by anything.

When I still rode Harley here I sometimes rode with a US guy that was 74 (4 years ago) and he loved the touring trips on it, he-he.

You don't have to ride a HD to enjoy it, a little local made auto125cc is enough for most and they are very cheap to buy and run and you can pop to BigC for shopping or go for a ride up in the mountains whenever you fell for it.

Just get some kind of accident insurance just in case.

It's better to live your life as best as possible and get out and about, not much fun sitting in a rocking chair all day long.

[wwest5829]

OP will be joining a limited number of American retirees here but the support here has been great. As forewarned, driving a motorbike is not for the faint hearted. However, just a word in addition. I had never driven a motorbike before retirement here in CNX (at age 64). For sure, I have learned to look in 10 directions, including up and down! One never knows here! One thing for sure, up cannot have "Old Timers" and survive driving here. If your mind is not moving continuously, you will not survive without having an accident, even then, well, I have taken two dives off the bike, one broken collar bone, one sand papering in Cambodia. One "rainy season" and I decided to add a used auto but still enjoy the motorbike

Do, absolutely, take your time in finding friends you can count on. No different than home, I think. Chiang Mai Expats, Chiang Mai Friends, Lanna Care Net, etc., have been a good start for me. Tell the kids to stop worrying about medical emergencies, as recommended bring a credit card from home (your U.S. address at the kids) all bills can be paid from your U.S. account at home over the internet. CNX has excellent hospitals. Bring your medical history and establish a relationship with a GP. Lanna Care Net has good info on Medical Care Advocates (Representatives). Also, let the children know that Chaing Mai University has a Medical School (Sirphat Medical Center).

Jump in, the water's fine!!!

[elektrified]

I am 64 and here in Thailand alone also. I decided to stop worrying about what may happen and enjoy my life here. That having been said my experiences with the hospitals have been very positive. I pay an exorbitant amount for my meds because all of them are non generic and they cost more for me because in the states I have BCBS. I keep hearing about unbelievable low prices in some pharmacies. Haven't found that in Chaing Mai yet. Apparently in Bangkok there is a drug warehouse that is the distribution site for the country, but it's uncertain where these meds are made. Personally I wouldn't take the chance. If I take all my prescriptions back to the states in Nov. I can submit them to BCBS for reimbursements.

There is no "central distribution center" for medicines in Thailand located in BKK. There are dozens of name brand and generic pharmaceutical companies in Thailand. It is a huge industry here and there are many large factories. Most are rated very, very highly. The factories offering lower quality products almost all contract with the government. Thailand's pharmaceutical market is worth more than US $5 billion annually.

Altogether, there are 714 pharmaceutical companies with operations in Thailand. Almost 80 percent are Thai companies. Leading Thai drug manufacturers include Greater Pharma, Siam Pharmaceutical, Biolab, Thai Meiji, and GPO. Leading foreign companies doing business in Thailand include Pfizer, Sanofi, Glaxo Smith Kline, Merck and Novartis.

You should have no fear buying medicine here.

And yes there are wholesale pharmacies here in Thailand but they won't do business with you.

[Ozziepat]

Bangkok Bank offers reasonable accident insurance in multiple tiers. Be sure, if you do decide to ride a motorbike in CM, that they are covered for your age range and specific coverage set. Thai insurance can have some odd exclusions, such as excluding a very common form of accident from accident insurance coverage. But hey, death benefits probably ARE included.

[Tony125]

Thai life Insurance CO has add on Health policy you can buy if over 65

[NancyL]

Be sure to register on-line with the S.T.E.P. program with the American consulate so they know how to contact your children overseas if/when you're brought into hospital unable to communicate and they're asked to contact family members.

I'm not joking. I see this as the most serious problem for an older guy over here by himself. It seems that otherwise the OP has good resources to take care of himself from a health/medical standpoint, but all the advice being given assumes he's able to communicate and think for himself. All it takes is one little thunk to the head (maybe a fall from that motorbike?) and he won't be able to make any decisions or even tell anyone his name.

That's the real danger for someone taking up retirement living here late in life. It seems that many of the posters have been here for a while and already have a network in place -- family, friends, children -- to help them. People who know who they are and can explain their background to medical professionals. Who will do this for the OP if he's brought to hospital unable to communicate?

Maybe that's some of what's concerning his children.

The morgue at Suan Dok hospital has unidentified foreigners at all times.or

I'm sorry, but there are limits to what Lanna Care Net can do. We can't convince Korean Airline to accept a un-escorted semi-paralyzed stroke victim for return to the U.S. and we can't figure out the nationality of an old unconscious, white man in ICU whom we've never seen before, when he doesn't have anything noteworthy in his wallet.

I think there is some wisdom to what this man's children are saying. It's very, very important that he keeps a good relationship with his children and return to the U.S. at least once a year. (Plus keep all parts of Medicare active). That way when he gets something like cancer he'll be able to return (end-of-life and hospice care is at least two generations behind the U.S. here) I wonder why it's so important for him to retire in Chiang Mai. And it's very important that he build a network in the expat community. Not Thai lady friends, but good solid expat friends. Those are the ones who will help when he has health problems.

Edited September 15, 2014 by NancyL

[DogNo1]

A couple of points:

1. The accident insurance from Bangkok Bank is not worth buying if you analyze the maximum amount that it will pay for various accidents. Perhaps many posters have not read the fine print but the payout per accident is quite small.

2. Many posters have been lucky while riding bikes or scooters. I have not. In Chiang Mai, I laid my bike down by braking quickly on gravel at the side of the road and shattered my left collarbone. Its repair required surgery and the insertion of a steel plate. Later, in Japan, I ran my scooter at night into the side of a car which ran a stop sign and didn't have its headlights on. I crushed my right shoulder, broke my right tibia and suffered a concussion. Partly due to a medical mistake which severed the ligament in my right arm, it took me two years to recover. The cost to the Japanese health care system was about $1,000,000!

3. US Social Security recipients automatically receive Medicare Part A when they turn 65. They can then buy Part B for a fixed monthly charge. You don't have to buy Part B in special circumstances, ie., living overseas.

4. Travel insurance assumes that you are a resident of the country where you buy it. If you are living in another country and buy travel insurance on your trips home, you may find that your claims are denied if the insurance company discovers that you are not living in the country where you bought coverage. Believe me, insurance companies are very interested in denying claims if they can.

The amount of risk that one wants to take is a personal decision but at the age of 65+, how much risk can one bear? One mistake and your life is destroyed. There are enough natural risks at this age without incurring ones that can be avoided. My advice to the OP is to have 1.5 to 2 million set aside for medical purposes only and to drive only a car if he is going to drive. When riding a motorcycle or a scooter, you can be "dead right." It's often the other driver's mistake that gets you injured.

[Nolster]

OP, you can go to the Bumrungrad and other hospital websites and look at representative costs for the various procedures to see if you could afford them. Bear in mind costs in CM would be less, so you could check out RAM to get an idea. If you have the funds to fly back to the US 2x per year, my guess is you have the funds to afford a serious emergency procedure if needed.

I personally keep a credit card and my insurance card in my wallet to cover an admission into a hospital should that become necessary. I also have a network of friends that would assist me, and I would assist them as well. We older expats tend to look out for each other over here. Sounds like you have made a very good start on all that.

NancyL is involved with one or more organizations that assist expats in need of care. Hopefully she can add to this discussion.

I noticed in one of your other posts that you are planning to ride a scooter and have no previous experience doing so. This greatly increases your odds of needing emergency medical care. Wear a helmet and go slow. Be careful, very careful. Age 65+ is not a good time to start learning.

You are right about the scooter, I rented one for a day and returned it before I got into any accidents! Really speaking I am having trouble with the right hand accelerator coordination when braking and slowly taking off again. I thought I'd feel much safer if I buy my own scooter and insurance in Thailand when I 'retire' in CNX. I saw ads for a three wheeler Yamaha on billboards with two wheels in front. I wonder if that will be more stable and safer.

I do bike (bicycle) a lot but that is not the same as taking off on a bike and the relative speeds are very slow compared to the rest of the motorbike traffic.

[Nolster]

"I can also fly back to the US if needed".

Not if you're bed ridden from stroke, heart attack or major accident.

Yeah you right!

[Nolster]

Accident insurance readily available at very reasonable prices, if you are going to ride a motorcycle I highly recommend it. Never, never be a passenger on a motorbike, not even accident insurance will cover you then.

Thanks, I did not know that.

[Nolster]

OP, you can go to the Bumrungrad and other hospital websites and look at representative costs for the various procedures to see if you could afford them. Bear in mind costs in CM would be less, so you could check out RAM to get an idea. If you have the funds to fly back to the US 2x per year, my guess is you have the funds to afford a serious emergency procedure if needed.

I personally keep a credit card and my insurance card in my wallet to cover an admission into a hospital should that become necessary. I also have a network of friends that would assist me, and I would assist them as well. We older expats tend to look out for each other over here. Sounds like you have made a very good start on all that.

NancyL is involved with one or more organizations that assist expats in need of care. Hopefully she can add to this discussion.

I noticed in one of your other posts that you are planning to ride a scooter and have no previous experience doing so. This greatly increases your odds of needing emergency medical care. Wear a helmet and go slow. Be careful, very careful. Age 65+ is not a good time to start learning.

Agree with above, keep million in the bank and you should be OK. I was doing that unfortunately this year I had to use it but it still worked out cheaper than returning to UK for treatment taking into account flights, accommodation, transport etc. There are adequate hospitals in Chang Mai and most of the consultants have trained in the USA or UK.

Forget about insurance other than for accident, yes you can get it for an absolute fortune but when you look at the deductibles and exclusions what is left just about covers you for minor ops. Some hospitals are more expensive than others, particularly in Bangkok where the top three are way above any other and almost double the Chiang Mai costs.

Riding a scooter, forget it at you age, the risk is way too high stick to a peddle cycle and even then beware.

What if I buy my own Tuk Tuk! I think I might end up buying a small car and a good bicycle. And 'at your age?' when did I become THIS age?

[Nolster]

.

I may be mistaken but I believe if you receive Social Security payments you have no choice regarding Medicare. I think it's an automatic deduction and if your income exceeds a certain threshold, there's an additional premium deducted.

Yes it is an automatic deduction for Part A and B(?), but one can buy supplemental plans (Enhanced??) to cover what traditional Medicare does not cover and Part D for drug coverage. I am quite new at this. I bought Part F that allows me to go to any doctor or hospital anywhere in the US and from what I understand the Plan F covers everything i.e. I should have to make no payments to either the doctors and hospitals.

[Mapguy]

Be sure to register on-line with the S.T.E.P. program with the American consulate so they know how to contact your children overseas if/when you're brought into hospital unable to communicate and they're asked to contact family members.

I'm not joking. I see this as the most serious problem for an older guy over here by himself. It seems that otherwise the OP has good resources to take care of himself from a health/medical standpoint, but all the advice being given assumes he's able to communicate and think for himself. All it takes is one little thunk to the head (maybe a fall from that motorbike?) and he won't be able to make any decisions or even tell anyone his name.

That's the real danger for someone taking up retirement living here late in life. It seems that many of the posters have been here for a while and already have a network in place -- family, friends, children -- to help them. People who know who they are and can explain their background to medical professionals. Who will do this for the OP if he's brought to hospital unable to communicate?

Maybe that's some of what's concerning his children.

The morgue at Suan Dok hospital has unidentified foreigners at all times.or

I'm sorry, but there are limits to what Lanna Care Net can do. We can't convince Korean Airline to accept a un-escorted semi-paralyzed stroke victim for return to the U.S. and we can't figure out the nationality of an old unconscious, white man in ICU whom we've never seen before, when he doesn't have anything noteworthy in his wallet.

I think there is some wisdom to what this man's children are saying. It's very, very important that he keeps a good relationship with his children and return to the U.S. at least once a year. (Plus keep all parts of Medicare active). That way when he gets something like cancer he'll be able to return (end-of-life and hospice care is at least two generations behind the U.S. here) I wonder why it's so important for him to retire in Chiang Mai. And it's very important that he build a network in the expat community. Not Thai lady friends, but good solid expat friends. Those are the ones who will help when he has health problems.

I gather from NancyL's post that she deals mainly with Americans. Her comment is focused that way, but anyone of any nationality (especially alone) should make their presence known to their relatives and to their country's representatives in Thailand.

What you read above is important. Not everyone has children or offspring upon whom they can rely, of course, but contact still should be sustained with them or someone "back home" (basically kin, by law) who can speak in their behalf.

Perhaps NancyL had a hard day today, but the message is borne out by her long-standing practical concern and frustration. Regretably, what NancyL says above will get lost in the abyss of so many TV Chiang Mai comments.

One wonders especially about those who need to understand what problems they create for themselves and for others. Unfortunately, many are "deniers" of the realities of growing old, or, if young or old, "breaking free" into some imagined Thai blissfulness --- and then boasting on how they survive on 100 bhat a day or tempt bodily harm on motorcycles or cardiac arrest from overdosing on cheap beer or Viagra.

In the end, who would like to end up for weeks as a cold corpse in a hospital morgue with no one to deal with it. Pauper's grave, I suppose. Sad.

Edited September 15, 2014 by Mapguy

[landtrout]

I'm retired and living in Chiang Mai.

One reason we decided to retire here is the excellent medical care we get at McCormick Hospital. The quality of care is much better

than we got in the Philippines or Japan. At McCormick the medical care is provided by professionals who take the time to treat you

like a human, which is better than my experience in the U.S.

I have a GEHA health plan which covers me here for all major medical issues. If you don't have your own medical insurance coverage

when you come here you're very likely "out of business" as in many other countries including the U.S.

If you are over 60, you can buy health insurance here, I recently checked -- the cost increases with your age -- for over 60 the cost is

astronomically high -- if I remember correctly it was about $1,000 per month.

Bottom line is -- if you don't have a health insurance plan you will need to be moderately wealthy and be to ready to self-cover all your

expenses for major medical. Seems to me a rather daunting prospect and probably a game-stopper for most folks.

Just curious, BradinAsia.

Does McCormick bill your GEHA plan directly, or are you required (as I have been, using the same plan at Sriphat, Rajavej and Maharaj...) to pay all incurred expenses out of pocket? I've never had any problem being reimbursed by GEHA for claims filed for services rendered in Thailand, but the process is cumbersome, and could potentially be an issue if the bill was totaled in the millions of baht.

[Postmaster]

CNX? Is that Chiang Mai? Mistake choice of retirement area. All that smoke from the burning fields for 3 months of each year will kill your chest.

I do like to be beside the seaside, I do like to be beside the sea ! Change your retirement area to a coastal destination. Do it now before you regret your decision.