Health Insurance For Over 65

[paco]

I am living in Chiang Mai on a retirement visa. I will be 66 in December and have no health insurance. I'm in perfect health. Recently had a complete checkup at CM Ram. No problems. I just need medical coverage for accident or major unforseen problem. I checked Bupa and Thaihealth and they do not cover over 65. I have medicare in th US, but really do not want to go back there for any reason!

Any ideas??

[MyPenRye]

I am living in Chiang Mai on a retirement visa. I will be 66 in December and have no health insurance. I'm in perfect health. Recently had a complete checkup at CM Ram. No problems. I just need medical coverage for accident or major unforseen problem. I checked Bupa and Thaihealth and they do not cover over 65. I have medicare in th US, but really do not want to go back there for any reason!

Any ideas??

Check this thread: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?ac...=23&t=82463

Not sure if LMG has something for you, but contact Tony Dabb for more info.

Edited September 16, 2006 by MyPenRye

[Sulaphat]

It will be difficult to find an insurer domiciled in Thailand willing to grant medical insurance for a new policyholder older than 60. Some will continue cover until 65 or possibly later if you were their policyholder prior to age 60.

It would probably be easier to find an insurer in the US willing to grant some for of coverage, There are insurers in the US that specialize in coverage for expatriates, but I'm not sure about age limits. I suspect they would be more liberal in this regard than insurers here.

[popshirt]

Paco, there are many of us in the same leaky boat. I discovered that there are not any companies in Thailand that will insure those over 60 as Sulaphat says. My MediGap (supplement to Medicare) policy covers me for the first 60 days I am outside the US but that is not much help.

I have a friend in Bkk, over 65, who budgets what he reckons would be the monthly premium in a savings account and uses it to pay for medical costs. He has a chronic illness, uses Bumrungrad, and so far this method had worked for him. Of course, as a last resort, we can always fly away to the U.S. even though I dislike the place. Let us know if you fnd anything.

[chuckd]

I got BUPA just before I turned 66 and have had no problem renewing it. I am now nearing 69.

Having said that, I have filed no claims against the policy and do not know what will happen when I reach my 70th birthday.

I don't know any company in Thailand that will insure you after age 65 unless you started with them before that magic number came up on your CV.

[Jerome]

I am living in Chiang Mai on a retirement visa. I will be 66 in December and have no health insurance. I'm in perfect health. Recently had a complete checkup at CM Ram. No problems. I just need medical coverage for accident or major unforseen problem. I checked Bupa and Thaihealth and they do not cover over 65. I have medicare in th US, but really do not want to go back there for any reason!

Any ideas??

Check this thread: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?ac...=23&t=82463

Not sure if LMG has something for you, but contact Tony Dabb for more info.

Actually I work with Steve Bell he works at LawtonAsia an Insurance Brokerage which specialises in Medical Insurance call him on 02 654 1150 and I am sure he can help.

[guyinthailand]

You might be interested to know that Thai health insurance companies are not required to automatically renew your health insurance even if you pay your premiums on time. (And this may hold for other types of insurance here, too.) So, you may make some claims on your policy which may then be paid by the Thai insurance company but the next time (next year) you try and renew they ‘decline’ your renewal. This is in contrast to policies issued by, for example, U.S. companies, where the companies are required to renew your policy if you pay your premiums on time. So having Thai health insurance is no guarantee that you will actually have health insurance. “Now you see it—now you don’t!”

[ProThaiExpat]

Paco, I am in CNX as well and found the only insurer who offered to over 65 was the British company we see advertising some in the BKK post. The name escapes me at the moment.

They quoted me 12k a month. The problem with their coverage is that it is worldwide and thus expensive jurisdictions must be accounted for in their rate structure.

Self insurance was my answer. Its been four years and at 12k a month in savings, you can do the math as to how much I have saved.

Unexpected and expensive events like a heart attack can usually be handled for 400K or less, even at Brumregard.

Accidents rarely are expensive to treat.

We who grew up in western countries with their pricey medical care do live in fear of medical emergencies, but keep in mind, in the U.S. 40 million people are uninsured for medical.

I would make it clear to Rama when admitted there, hopefully not in a coma, that you will be paying for your hospital expenses and want a daily "bin" for your treatment and related costs.

They are a profit making institutions and prone to "add on" items like any other institution, ie. tooth brush etc. I go there for outpatient treatment and the prescriptions seem to always include paracetamol at ten times the pharmacy cost.

Good luck and stop worrying. The reason accident insurance is so cheap compared to health insurance is that the accident rate among most is so low. If you riding a motorcycle, that statement doesn't apply.

[egeefay]

If and when I retire to Thailand I plan to self insure.

Insurance companies have many restrictions and if you don't keep reading the fine print you might think you are covered when you actually aren't

Let's face it, Insurance companies like to insure those that are young and healthy...people who pay premiums but don't file claims. If the insurance companies could get away with it, they’d dump anyone over 60 like a lead weight.

Besides, medical care in Thailand is a fraction of the cost in the west. And that makes insurance less of a necessity.

My 84 year old mother in law spent a little over a week in intensive care in a private Bangkok hospital and the total bill for hospital, doctors and medication came to around $3000 US!!

That’s a lot for Thais but a bargain for US citizens. I hate to think what a week in intensive care in the US would cost.

My plan is to save the money I would have spent on premiums in the US. Put it in a savings account and use it when I need it in Thailand.

With cash I'm guaranteed to get treatment.

With insurance...you pay the premiums, you pay the deductible and then there’s no guarantee that your medical problem is covered.

[lotus eater]

If and when I retire to Thailand I plan to self insure.

Insurance companies have many restrictions and if you don't keep reading the fine print you might think you are covered when you actually aren't

Let's face it, Insurance companies like to insure those that are young and healthy...people who pay premiums but don't file claims. If the insurance companies could get away with it, they’d dump anyone over 60 like a lead weight.

Besides, medical care in Thailand is a fraction of the cost in the west. And that makes insurance less of a necessity.

My 84 year old mother in law spent a little over a week in intensive care in a private Bangkok hospital and the total bill for hospital, doctors and medication came to around $3000 US!!

That’s a lot for Thais but a bargain for US citizens. I hate to think what a week in intensive care in the US would cost.

My plan is to save the money I would have spent on premiums in the US. Put it in a savings account and use it when I need it in Thailand.

With cash I'm guaranteed to get treatment.

With insurance...you pay the premiums, you pay the deductible and then there’s no guarantee that your medical problem is covered.

Although I do have mild diabetic symptoms, I am otherwize healthy in day to day life. My visits to a doctor over the last 15 years hav been probably once in 8 months on average.

I'm also minded to self insure. Starting at age 57 what would be reasonable ball park figures to put aside each month - marginal, conservative, generous - in people's opinions? What might one add to cover expenses for a thai partner who's rather younger?

[egeefay]

Starting at age 57 what would be reasonable ball park figures to put aside each month - marginal, conservative, generous - in people's opinions? What might one add to cover expenses for a thai partner who's rather younger?

Here's what I might do.

If you are single and in very good health you might want to check how much a health insurer would want you to pay for a policy that appeals to you. I think BUPA or someone like that can give you an estimate.

Just put that much aside each month in a bank account as self insurance

How much to set aside would also depend on how much savings you already have. If you don't have much in the bank you might want to start putting aside a larger installments each month. In any case, if you self insure make sure that you have built enough money and credit to take care of any large bill...say up to $10,000???

Thai private hospitals expect to get paid right after they deliver service. They'll assess your ability to pay beforehand. They won't let you go past due like in the US. They'll make you pay cash, credit card or insurance right away. I've even heard of them trying to hold the patient or a passport hostage until the bill gets paid.

It sounds a little harsh but Thai hospitals are run just like a business. If you can't afford to pay for the service they'll point you in the direction of a government hospital.

Edited October 1, 2006 by egeefay

[flacko]

Actually a government Hospital may be a good option.I have had no problems at Police Hospital in bangkok.Cost is about one forth that of Bumrungrad,you only pay for medical procedures ,lab fee's and tests,no charge for Doctor.Many of the Doctors there work at bumrungrad part time.The only drawback is you have to wait longer to be served

Starting at age 57 what would be reasonable ball park figures to put aside each month - marginal, conservative, generous - in people's opinions? What might one add to cover expenses for a thai partner who's rather younger?

Here's what I might do.

If you are single and in very good health you might want to check how much a health insurer would want you to pay for a policy that appeals to you. I think BUPA or someone like that can give you an estimate.

Just put that much aside each month in a bank account as self insurance

How much to set aside would also depend on how much savings you already have. If you don't have much in the bank you might want to start putting aside a larger installments each month. In any case, if you self insure make sure that you have built enough money and credit to take care of any large bill...say up to $10,000???

Thai private hospitals expect to get paid right after they deliver service. They'll assess your ability to pay beforehand. They won't let you go past due like in the US. They'll make you pay cash, credit card or insurance right away. I've even heard of them trying to hold the patient or a passport hostage until the bill gets paid.

It sounds a little harsh but Thai hospitals are run just like a business. If you can't afford to pay for the service they'll point you in the direction of a government hospital.

[lotus eater]

Starting at age 57 what would be reasonable ball park figures to put aside each month - marginal, conservative, generous - in people's opinions? What might one add to cover expenses for a thai partner who's rather younger?

Here's what I might do.

If you are single and in very good health you might want to check how much a health insurer would want you to pay for a policy that appeals to you. I think BUPA or someone like that can give you an estimate.

Just put that much aside each month in a bank account as self insurance

How much to set aside would also depend on how much savings you already have. If you don't have much in the bank you might want to start putting aside a larger installments each month. In any case, if you self insure make sure that you have built enough money and credit to take care of any large bill...say up to $10,000???

Thai private hospitals expect to get paid right after they deliver service. They'll assess your ability to pay beforehand. They won't let you go past due like in the US. They'll make you pay cash, credit card or insurance right away. I've even heard of them trying to hold the patient or a passport hostage until the bill gets paid.

It sounds a little harsh but Thai hospitals are run just like a business. If you can't afford to pay for the service they'll point you in the direction of a government hospital.

Is $10 000 a sufficient fund for serious hospital fees? I'm extremely new to Thailand and have zero experience of hospitals, so my question is to be taken as that. What would be a safe or even generous fund to aim for? Or maybe it would be more realistic to simply never stop saving - in the manner of perpetual premiums to an isurance company?

[egeefay]

Is $10 000 a sufficient fund for serious hospital fees? I'm extremely new to Thailand and have zero experience of hospitals, so my question is to be taken as that. What would be a safe or even generous fund to aim for? Or maybe it would be more realistic to simply never stop saving - in the manner of perpetual premiums to an isurance company?

Hard to say what you might need in future.

I think I heard that a heart bypass operation at Bumrungrad Hospital (most renown, most expensive)

runs around $12000. A lot of money for Thais but not nearly the over $100,000 you'd expect to pay in the States.

You are banking your own money in an interest bearing account so The more money you can set aside the better.

So I would agree, there's no harm in continually adding to a self insured program.

One other thing you might save for down the road is nursing home care.

If you plan on living in Thailand permanently, there's a good chance you'll find yourself needing 24 hour nursing care if you live to a ripe old age.

Currently Nursing home care in the US runs about 200 dollars a day or about $6000 per month. Compare that to the $1000 per month you would pay at Golden Years nursing home in Thailand.

Thailand is hard to beat when it comes to retiring

[rak sa_ngop]

the US would cost.

My plan is to save the money I would have spent on premiums in the US. Put it in a savings account and use it when I need it in Thailand.

With cash I'm guaranteed to get treatment.

With insurance...you pay the premiums, you pay the deductible and then there’s no guarantee that your medical problem is covered.

I considered the same approach, but there always remains the nagging worry that when you have a big medical problem, paying the bills yourself will drain your savings (and you might scimp on the treatments required)

Another option is to select a health care plan that will cover you for hospital in-patient emergencies but leaves you to cover the more common out-patient problems yourself.

I recently switched to a plan that predominantly provides only in-patient benefits. In conjunction with this I elected for the 1000 GBP excess limit per claim. This reduced my yearly premium from about 1400 GBP (PPP - Axa, UK) to 600 GBP per year, effectively giving me about 800 GBP to cover my doctors visits myself, which obviously goes a long way in Thailand.

The William Russell UK, Global Health - Select Care - Plan is available to the age of below 70, but can be renewed after that. It as a world-wide plan, but has very limited benefits in the US and Canada.

They have also just reduced the discount for the 1000 GBP excess, but as they say, medical treatment costs are rising around the world disproportionately to living costs.

This plan suits me (as opposed to a local Thai policy) as I travel overseas frequently, saves me money and hopefully will pay for those big bills if they come. Life's all a gamble anyway.

Hope this helps.

[lotus eater]

the US would cost.

My plan is to save the money I would have spent on premiums in the US. Put it in a savings account and use it when I need it in Thailand.

With cash I'm guaranteed to get treatment.

With insurance...you pay the premiums, you pay the deductible and then there’s no guarantee that your medical problem is covered.

I considered the same approach, but there always remains the nagging worry that when you have a big medical problem, paying the bills yourself will drain your savings (and you might scimp on the treatments required)

Another option is to select a health care plan that will cover you for hospital in-patient emergencies but leaves you to cover the more common out-patient problems yourself.

I recently switched to a plan that predominantly provides only in-patient benefits. In conjunction with this I elected for the 1000 GBP excess limit per claim. This reduced my yearly premium from about 1400 GBP (PPP - Axa, UK) to 600 GBP per year, effectively giving me about 800 GBP to cover my doctors visits myself, which obviously goes a long way in Thailand.

The William Russell UK, Global Health - Select Care - Plan is available to the age of below 70, but can be renewed after that. It as a world-wide plan, but has very limited benefits in the US and Canada.

They have also just reduced the discount for the 1000 GBP excess, but as they say, medical treatment costs are rising around the world disproportionately to living costs.

This plan suits me (as opposed to a local Thai policy) as I travel overseas frequently, saves me money and hopefully will pay for those big bills if they come. Life's all a gamble anyway.

Hope this helps.

Yes, helpful info. Thanks.

I too would like cover when travelling abroad. Are the paperwork & formalities straightforward when applied to in-patient care that may arize abroad (other than US and Canada)?

[barryofthailand]

I have a friend who just had angioplati on three artaries, and three stents put in. They offered him two different prices. He has insurance.

The first offer for what they called number one stent was one million baht for three.

His insurance would not pay that. The second offer for the number 2 material ( which I don't understand because they are supposedly steel)

was 400,000 baht for everything including the room for five days. His insurance paid that.

What I don't understand is if you have three artaries clogged, wouldn't you need a tripple bypass rather than just clearing the artaries with a baloon, and putting in stents so they don't close?

Barry

[rak sa_ngop]

I considered the same approach, but there always remains the nagging worry that when you have a big medical problem, paying the bills yourself will drain your savings (and you might scimp on the treatments required)

Another option is to select a health care plan that will cover you for hospital in-patient emergencies but leaves you to cover the more common out-patient problems yourself.

I recently switched to a plan that predominantly provides only in-patient benefits. In conjunction with this I elected for the 1000 GBP excess limit per claim. This reduced my yearly premium from about 1400 GBP (PPP - Axa, UK) to 600 GBP per year, effectively giving me about 800 GBP to cover my doctors visits myself, which obviously goes a long way in Thailand.

The William Russell UK, Global Health - Select Care - Plan is available to the age of below 70, but can be renewed after that. It as a world-wide plan, but has very limited benefits in the US and Canada.

They have also just reduced the discount for the 1000 GBP excess, but as they say, medical treatment costs are rising around the world disproportionately to living costs.

This plan suits me (as opposed to a local Thai policy) as I travel overseas frequently, saves me money and hopefully will pay for those big bills if they come. Life's all a gamble anyway.

Hope this helps.

Yes, helpful info. Thanks.

I too would like cover when travelling abroad. Are the paperwork & formalities straightforward when applied to in-patient care that may arize abroad (other than US and Canada)?

The William Russell (www.william-russell.co.uk) plan I have requires pre-authorisation for in-patient hospital treatment. I cannot make any comments on how readily they will pay up for hospital treatment as it unlikely I will be making many claims above my 1000 GBP excess. (In addition, the policy has a no claims benefit: if you do not make a claim you will remain in the same age-band for annual premium calculations). As I explained, I view this policy as an insurance against major hospital costs (up to 500,000 GBP) which hopefully I will never need to claim.

I strongly advise discussing your needs with a good insurance broker, some recommendations for which have appeared in other threads. They should be able to review the different insurance companies and policies available, and answer your questions

The broker I used was Patrick Lorentz at

AG Service,

Thai Wah Tower II (Banyan Tree Hotel) 12th Floor

21/99 South Sathorn Road

Bangkojk 10120

Tel 02 677 3101

[email protected]

AG Service will also supply you with a local emergency contact number so that they can provide further assistance in the event you require it (ie they do more than just selling you a policy).

[egeefay]

I would have to agree that self insuring isn't for everyone.

It works better for folks who have enough savings in the bank to feel comfortable taking the risk of a major medical bill. The longer you stay healthy, the more sense it makes.

Just remember that insurance companies stay in business by taking more money from you than they dole out. So if you have insurance and start making big claims some insurance companies will either raise your premiums or find ways to drop you.