Health Insurance considerations - Retiring in Thailand

[PacificCrossInsurance]

Health Insurance considerations - Retiring in Thailand

Retiring abroad is becoming increasingly popular and the prospect of retiring in a new country can be extremely exciting for many people. After years of hard work it makes sense to seek out new experiences, and moving to a different country can offer a valuable opportunity to pursue new interests and an exciting lifestyle. Experiencing life as an expatriate living in a new environment amoungst different people can help people to see retirement as the start of a new and exciting phase of their lives as opposed to being the end of their productive existence.

Thailand as an expatriate destination

Living in Thailand offers expats a life in a beautiful country that has amazing natural landscapes, exotic beach islands, national parks, nature reserves and historical cities. The people of Thailand are well known for their friendly nature and they are extremely proud of their rich cultural heritage. There are a multitude of colorful festivals and events held throughout the year, which means that there's always something happening for expats to enjoy.

Medical insurance, peace of mind when abroad

When planning retirement abroad there is one critical area that should be addressed in order to make sure your new life gets off to the best possible start and your retirement is as enjoyable as it should be - healthcare. There are many factors that need to be considered with regards to medical issues. Firstly, it is vital that you have adequate insurance which will cover you abroad for all eventualities, including repatriation. Whilst many retirees live long, healthy lives overseas, the likelihood of a requirement for medical attention is much higher and of course people can expect to encounter many more health problems in their post-retirement years. It is therefore crucial that you ensure that you have excellent health insurance that is valid for retirees.

A further key consideration when you are planning retirement abroad should pertain to the quality and availability of health services in the retirement destination. You should thoroughly research the medical facilities that are on offer and, in the event that you have an existing medical condition, ensure that they have suitable facilities with which to provide you with adequate treatment. Thailand boasts top-class hospitals, internationally trained staff and offer treatment generally cheaper than the prices found elsewhere in the world, but impact on your retirement budget can be substantial if you do fall sick without cover, as you will not be covered by any public funded medical care.

You need to be aware of procedures such as who to call in an emergency and which hospitals will be the most suitable for your needs in the event of a crisis. Make sure that you register with a hospital as soon as possible and undergo a full examination so that they have your records. Find out which is the preferred hospital for expats and register there. Always carry your insurance and hospital registration cards with you. Many hospitals may not give treatment without proof of insurance or evidence of payment ability and this could be the difference between life and death. Take out adequate medical insurance and fully research and understand the policy. Benefits may vary according to the insurance provider and it is crucial that you are covered for all your needs. Also note, in the case of hospital admission you could be asked to pay upfront for treatment. Expats are advised to carry cash with them or a credit card to the hospital in the event of an emergency as you may for some reason be asked to pay the expense and claim back from your insurer.

Unlike most health insurers Pacific Cross Health don’t set an arbitrary maximum age for new application or renewal. Also recently they have increased the age limit to 65 years old or over for the need to undergo a physical examination and submit their medical records when applying for health insurance. Previously this was required for all those of age 60 years old or more.

We treat each application on its own merits, welcome applications from people at any age and advise our customers on how to structure their policy to gain best value to suit their budget and circumstances. If your circumstances change, we can adjust your policy, meaning total flexibility when starting a policy and during the policy.

It is always advisable to apply for your insurance sooner rather than later because the longer you leave it the more illnesses you accumulate and these potentially become "pre-existing" conditions on your health insurance plan.

Pacific Cross is a strong supporter of the Thai registered insurance broker community, and you can obtain advice and access to our products from any Thai licensed broker. Alternatively we have native English speaking staff able to assist you and have made it a high priority to ensure all of our literature is available in English as well as Thai.

Please use the Pacific Cross Health team to discuss what coverage most suites you, and how to manage your premium by selecting what you are covered for. Opting for an annual deductible amount can substantially reduce your premium.

Speak to an insurance consultant today. They are there to help you.

Call +66 2 401 9189, or email [email protected]

Website: www.pacificcrosshealth.com

[xylophone]

Will try to contact again as original email address from the website seems to be a problem.

When I try the one given above: [email protected]

the contact email address which comes up in my email is: [email protected] which doesn't work????

Not a good start.

[stevenl]

Will try to contact again as original email address from the website seems to be a problem.

When I try the one given above: [email protected]

the contact email address which comes up in my email is: [email protected] which doesn't work????

Not a good start.

Probably a mistake in the link from the OP. Try [email protected]

[PacificCrossInsurance]

Will try to contact again as original email address from the website seems to be a problem.

When I try the one given above: [email protected]

the contact email address which comes up in my email is: [email protected] which doesn't work????

Not a good start.

Apologies for that. It seems the hyperlink has a typo. the correct linked email address is as stated. [email protected]