Medical insurance for retirees in Chiang Mai....any help?

[uptheos]

Check out April-international.com, French Company, accepts up to 71years, regulated by French law, i. e.cannot terminate policy one sided, cannot increase price for individual policy, several different schemes.

Only up to age 60 for medical insurance

Age 71 repatriation cover only.......terminates at 71

https://tarif-expat.april-international.com/aie-public/souscription.jsf?cid=4

[AAInsuranceBrokers]

There seems to be quite a lot of confusion about Medical Insurance but may I say (depending on the severity of pre-existing conditions) we can insure people of any age? There are several companies who will take people on a case by case basis. For example we can arrange April (European company) to offer cover up to 70 years and BUPA at any age.

[bazza40]

The cheapest quote for an over-70 I could find online was AUD 9000 a year. I'd agree if someone has signed off on a policy written in Thai without being able to understand it, they could be in for a rude shock when it comes to getting a refund for hospital treatment.

My preference is to have a Thai bank account with a minimum of 500,000 baht available for hospital treatment if necessary. That's on top of the 800,000 baht for the retirement visa.

I go back to Australia for medical checks every six months, and carry top-level private cover there. I bring back 6 months' worth of PBS medications, along with a cover letter from my GP in Australia. In six years, never been questioned or searched.

Not sure why anyone in their 60's or 70's wants life insurance - it's only going to a beneficiary, not yourself.

[Tecumseh]

How much is Lyrica here?

I'm guessing around 3,000 baht for 28 or thereabouts.

Just short of 5,000 for a box of 56 x 150mg which lasts me a month . 1,000 baht in Australia, and I've just found out that 300mg are available there (not here so far), so I would only need to take one a day and the box would last 2 months. Huge difference.

OUCH!

[kanchajohan]

I have insurance at Kasikorn bank, one accident and 1 helth. I am 60 and paid 2000 b accident and 12.000 b for health. Been in hospital and have no problem with paying from Kasikorn.

when you 61 and up it will costt about 18500 b for healthinsurance.

[socksy01]

I've just been sent my renewal notice from BUPA and despite having made no claim it has gone up. It seem's I must be subsidising other client's who have made claims. Why no claim's bonus deduction?

[uptheos]

I've just been sent my renewal notice from BUPA and despite having made no claim it has gone up. It seem's I must be subsidising other client's who have made claims. Why no claim's bonus deduction?

Are you in a group scheme, that often happens when one person in the group goes into hospital a lot or for one biggie.

[sawadee1947]

I am 70 and I got AIA last year. Health insurance together with life insurance with cash value. Cost according with the plan and age, starting 32000/year (2680/month) for my age.. No health exam and no problem with pre existing conditions. I used a few times without problems, but is good to have a good agent to help to deal with hospital quotes, coverage, etc, etc. It is good to get an extra accident coverage with it., for 2000/year.

Policy is only in Thai.

Hi, can you give some more information? Who is the "good agent"? Please send privately.

Thank you

[onthedarkside]

I've just been sent my renewal notice from BUPA and despite having made no claim it has gone up. It seem's I must be subsidising other client's who have made claims. Why no claim's bonus deduction?

I have BUPA Thailand for the past 6 years. Yes, the premiums do go up every year, and not just the increases for each 5 year older step (ouch). I've asked BUPA why, and they just say inflation/increased medical cost ??

But there is a 10% deduction if pay premium renewal on time, and a further 10% rebate cheque after 6 month if no claim.

[beau thai]

I've just been sent my renewal notice from BUPA and despite having made no claim it has gone up. It seem's I must be subsidising other client's who have made claims. Why no claim's bonus deduction?

I have BUPA Thailand for the past 6 years. Yes, the premiums do go up every year, and not just the increases for each 5 year older step (ouch). I've asked BUPA why, and they just say inflation/increased medical cost ??

But there is a 10% deduction if pay premium renewal on time, and a further 10% rebate cheque after 6 month if no claim.

BUPA are gold standard I think- but not a charity, just a provident association.

They have 70000 employees worldwide. Their wages come from customer's premia. And they go up each year.

That's why I choose to self insure here but not everyone is comfortable with that risk or feels that is sensible.

I sleep nights but if you cant without insurance, then I guess it is worth paying.

[onthedarkside]

<snip>

That's why I choose to self insure here but not everyone is comfortable with that risk or feels that is sensible.

Exactly, it's a personal choice. I myself have had 'private' insurance for the past 30+ years, I often wonder at why I pay the annual premiums given that I have only had 2 claims here in Thailand, one m/bike accident (stitches and clean up = 8,000 baht) and a minor personal injury (500 baht claim). My wife has claimed more, the m/bike accident was more severe for her, 90,000 baht for operation and another minor op for an older problem, about 30,000 baht. The way we look at it that we are glad we seem to be in good health and mostly accident free, but we never know what lurks round the corner that could wipe us out financially. My worry is that BUPA decide not to pay up on a claim, but so far no problems.

[Balance]

I have a high option AIA policy but there are problems with it, and with the mandatory life policy, the premiums are TB 6,580 that will increase to almost TB 9,000 in four years. At age 80, AIA cuts you off at the knees.

I have Medicare in the U.S. and pay $110 a month with very low deductibles and an annual max out of pocket of $4,400. I have a TB 100,000 accident insurance policy with no deductible. Since I can make two trips to Los Angeles per year for what I pay AIA and so will probably drop it and self insure for the rest.

[Mousehound]

A friend, who is a doctor, visited me in CM. he was blown away by how cheap many drugs in CM. He stocked up - told me to check that expiry dates were OK and that some drugs were being kept under a counter that should be kept in a fridge. He is Australian. he also advised me that before going back to OZ to get a complete blood workout from one of the path labs as it was a fraction of Oz cost. So some things may be a lot cheaper in Thailand. I always find it interesting that insurance companies don't want to insure you unless you really are a no risk client. A bit like casino's banning a punter because he wins. The biggest buildings in most cities are either owned by banks or insurance companies. They will dom anything rather than pay out. if you really are very ill you most likely aren't going to make it in any case so I think that provided you put your premiums away for a time you might need them you are better off self insuring. Travel insurance and good car/bike insurance are another thing however. Those I always get.

[NancyL]

A friend, who is a doctor, visited me in CM. he was blown away by how cheap many drugs in CM. He stocked up - told me to check that expiry dates were OK and that some drugs were being kept under a counter that should be kept in a fridge. He is Australian. he also advised me that before going back to OZ to get a complete blood workout from one of the path labs as it was a fraction of Oz cost. So some things may be a lot cheaper in Thailand. I always find it interesting that insurance companies don't want to insure you unless you really are a no risk client. A bit like casino's banning a punter because he wins. The biggest buildings in most cities are either owned by banks or insurance companies. They will dom anything rather than pay out. if you really are very ill you most likely aren't going to make it in any case so I think that provided you put your premiums away for a time you might need them you are better off self insuring. Travel insurance and good car/bike insurance are another thing however. Those I always get.

A couple of fallacies here:

Insurance companies don't want to pay for pre-existing conditions. They are in the business of assuming risk and will write policies for less-than-totally healthy people with exclusions for pre-existing conditions.

It's totally wrong that if you are "very ill" you most likely aren't going to make it. You can easily run up bills in excess of 5 million baht after a major accident and eventually resume a normal life. Also, you can beat cancer, running up major bills in the process. I've even known people over age 65 who recovered nicely after a stroke or heart attack, but ran up bills in excess of 2 million baht in the process.

I also know dozens of foreigners who have died here in Thailand of treatable diseases or conditions because they lacked the financial resources to obtain appropriate treatment and/or early detection. For many, there was a big element of denial, but finances were a big reason for the denial.

Edited May 18, 2015 by NancyL

[rethaier]

Google Pattaya Expats club. join their Group Health plan. Cheaper than most options at our age.

[Mapguy]

A friend, who is a doctor, visited me in CM. he was blown away by how cheap many drugs in CM. He stocked up - told me to check that expiry dates were OK and that some drugs were being kept under a counter that should be kept in a fridge. He is Australian. he also advised me that before going back to OZ to get a complete blood workout from one of the path labs as it was a fraction of Oz cost. So some things may be a lot cheaper in Thailand. I always find it interesting that insurance companies don't want to insure you unless you really are a no risk client. A bit like casino's banning a punter because he wins. The biggest buildings in most cities are either owned by banks or insurance companies. They will dom anything rather than pay out. if you really are very ill you most likely aren't going to make it in any case so I think that provided you put your premiums away for a time you might need them you are better off self insuring. Travel insurance and good car/bike insurance are another thing however. Those I always get.

Insurance is fundamenatlly based upon actuarial analysis, and, in a commercial system, companies are not in business except to make a profit, some more than others, but that is the free enterprise way. Government-financed insurance is obviously different; the coverage will be based on what the government --- in most situations (Not talking Brunei or some such sultanate here) finds the electorate is willing to pay in taxes.

Pharmaceuticals? That is a somewhat different and quite complex story.

Edited May 18, 2015 by Mapguy

[beau thai]

Google Pattaya Expats club. join their Group Health plan. Cheaper than most options at our age.

If the Chiang mai expat club doesnt offer group Health may be worth considering the same company that Pattaya Expats Club uses - if they are happy with it??

[JoePai]

Google Pattaya Expats club. join their Group Health plan. Cheaper than most options at our age.

If the Chiang mai expat club doesnt offer group Health may be worth considering the same company that Pattaya Expats Club uses - if they are happy with it??

Have found the HH Expats Club Medical is better than Pattaya.

[Lizard2010]

Google Pattaya Expats club. join their Group Health plan. Cheaper than most options at our age.

If the Chiang mai expat club doesnt offer group Health may be worth considering the same company that Pattaya Expats Club uses - if they are happy with it??

That would be a good idea

If Nancy can link up with the Insurance Companys

There are a lot of Expats in Chiang Mai

[NancyL]

The Chiang Mai Expats Club has a sponsor who offers health insurance. It doesn't have a specific plan that's offered as a "group plan" for members of CEC. I would encourage anyone interested in health insurance to contact them and several other independent agents in town who offer policies from international companies -- not just Thai insurance companies that will cut you off once you reach a certain age.

We've explored establishing a "group" for insurance discounts within CEC and the problem we have is the age distribution of the members interested in participating. In order for a group to be of interest to an insurer, you need to have a range of ages. Perhaps they have more young people in the Pattaya City Expats Club than we have here in Chiang Mai. Insurers aren't especially interested in offering discounts to a group, when the youngest members are in their fifties and the average age is in the seventies.

Edited May 19, 2015 by NancyL

[masuk]

A friend, who is a doctor, visited me in CM. he was blown away by how cheap many drugs in CM. He stocked up - told me to check that expiry dates were OK and that some drugs were being kept under a counter that should be kept in a fridge. He is Australian. he also advised me that before going back to OZ to get a complete blood workout from one of the path labs as it was a fraction of Oz cost. So some things may be a lot cheaper in Thailand. I always find it interesting that insurance companies don't want to insure you unless you really are a no risk client. A bit like casino's banning a punter because he wins. The biggest buildings in most cities are either owned by banks or insurance companies. They will dom anything rather than pay out. if you really are very ill you most likely aren't going to make it in any case so I think that provided you put your premiums away for a time you might need them you are better off self insuring. Travel insurance and good car/bike insurance are another thing however. Those I always get.

I've tried to get travel insurance for my trips back to Australia. AirAsia used to insure its passengers, but not those of us over 75.

I checked with a couple of companies in Australia, and they will not insure anyone not resident there. This includes 'Nomads'.

One the subject of prescription drugs, it seems Thailand is dependent to some extent on other ASEAN countries. Indonesia has a huge govt pharmacy system, and I've noticed a few of my medicines have come from there.

They should be cheap if they're generics, but there are some which are a lot more expensive here than in Australia.

Pathology is also heaps cheaper here: I just had a 4-monthly test for a number of possible problems, but all-clear and the total was 2000baht including the Dr's consultation.

[jcnbkk]

I am 70 and I got AIA last year. Health insurance together with life insurance with cash value. Cost according with the plan and age, starting 32000/year (2680/month) for my age.. No health exam and no problem with pre existing conditions. I used a few times without problems, but is good to have a good agent to help to deal with hospital quotes, coverage, etc, etc. It is good to get an extra accident coverage with it., for 2000/year.

Policy is only in Thai.

Sounds like an exceptional deal.

Very surprising that no medical was required at age 70 or pre-existing conditions declared......in fact very unusual.

I have the same basic policy, with minimum coverage, and I was surprised too when I got it. I used recently in a expensive private hospital, and I was also surprised that covered for most expenses, even if the Hospital overcharged in everything its can. Good service too. I recommend it, but like the OP said, the policy is in Thai and better to take somebody to help in every case, and look in every details before getting into hospital or treatment.

I bought it in Chiang Rai and I used also in Phayao and Lampang hospitals without any problems. If hospitals are affiliated with the policy, AIA pays directly, if not, returning the money in about 2 weeks. Getting the policy before 70 years old is valid until 80 years old, and with cash value.

Send me a message if you need more details.

I'll try to find this through AIS myself first. Thanks to both for lead.

[uptheos]

I am 70 and I got AIA last year. Health insurance together with life insurance with cash value. Cost according with the plan and age, starting 32000/year (2680/month) for my age.. No health exam and no problem with pre existing conditions. I used a few times without problems, but is good to have a good agent to help to deal with hospital quotes, coverage, etc, etc. It is good to get an extra accident coverage with it., for 2000/year.

Policy is only in Thai.

Sounds like an exceptional deal.

Very surprising that no medical was required at age 70 or pre-existing conditions declared......in fact very unusual.

I have the same basic policy, with minimum coverage, and I was surprised too when I got it. I used recently in a expensive private hospital, and I was also surprised that covered for most expenses, even if the Hospital overcharged in everything its can. Good service too. I recommend it, but like the OP said, the policy is in Thai and better to take somebody to help in every case, and look in every details before getting into hospital or treatment.

I bought it in Chiang Rai and I used also in Phayao and Lampang hospitals without any problems. If hospitals are affiliated with the policy, AIA pays directly, if not, returning the money in about 2 weeks. Getting the policy before 70 years old is valid until 80 years old, and with cash value.

Send me a message if you need more details.

I'll try to find this through AIS myself first. Thanks to both for lead.

Sounds good and you've tested it.

If they need to pay out large claims I don't get the 'cash value ' part.

[bangmai]

it's expensive, but you are also getting repatriation and term life coverage.HCC covers 80 yo...perhaps no age restriction, but that should help some of you. http://www.hccmis.com/atlas-travel-insurance-quote/

[uptheos]

it's expensive, but you are also getting repatriation and term life coverage.HCC covers 80 yo...perhaps no age restriction, but that should help some of you. http://www.hccmis.com/atlas-travel-insurance-quote/

I hate these company's that won't do a quote online, but insist on calling you back

[bangmai]

it's expensive, but you are also getting repatriation and term life coverage.HCC covers 80 yo...perhaps no age restriction, but that should help some of you. http://www.hccmis.com/atlas-travel-insurance-quote/

I hate these company's that won't do a quote online, but insist on calling you back

I do to, AND HCC IS NOT ONE OF THEM....most can do online quote in less than three minutes, but not if your head is UPTHE you know what.

[socksy01]

I've just been sent my renewal notice from BUPA and despite having made no claim it has gone up. It seem's I must be subsidising other client's who have made claims. Why no claim's bonus deduction?

Are you in a group scheme, that often happens when one person in the group goes into hospital a lot or for one biggie.

No only me on the policy. I've subsequently been informed by BUPA that I will receive 10% discount six month's into the policy renewal. Beggars belief.

[socksy01]

I've just been sent my renewal notice from BUPA and despite having made no claim it has gone up. It seem's I must be subsidising other client's who have made claims. Why no claim's bonus deduction?

Are you in a group scheme, that often happens when one person in the group goes into hospital a lot or for one biggie.

No only me on the policy. I've subsequently been informed by BUPA that I will receive 10% discount six month's into the policy renewal. Beggars belief.

[bangmai]

One of the main international hospitals in Udon Thani (AEK) had a sign in the lobby stating that Blue Cross customers needed to pay when services were rendered. They have the name, but I wouldn't call it the gold standard.

[jingjoke]

I've just been sent my renewal notice from BUPA and despite having made no claim it has gone up. It seem's I must be subsidising other client's who have made claims. Why no claim's bonus deduction?

Are you in a group scheme, that often happens when one person in the group goes into hospital a lot or for one biggie.

No only me on the policy. I've subsequently been informed by BUPA that I will receive 10% discount six month's into the policy renewal. Beggars belief.

Insurance companies need the six months to be certain all your possible billings are routed to their office for clearance prior to issuing a new policy; some may have had hospitalization weeks or even days before their policies ended.