Pattaya Expats Club health insurance

[bart 0]

Sorry, health insurance time again

 

What is the experience of BMs with the Pattaya Expats Club health insurance?

 

As a Brit (51) in pretty good health who so far has just used the British NHS (National Health Service) I am not used to thinking about health insurance.

 

I know a little about this policy. If I’m correct it is basically like getting a policy direct with Thai Health except that there is a good discount on the price. I know pre-existing conditions are not covered.

 

Bottomline: when you need it, does it pay up?

[Gonzo 419]

Sorry, health insurance time again

 

What is the experience of BMs with the Pattaya Expats Club health insurance?

 

As a Brit (51) in pretty good health who so far has just used the British NHS (National Health Service) I am not used to thinking about health insurance.

 

I know a little about this policy. If I’m correct it is basically like getting a policy direct with Thai Health except that there is a good discount on the price. I know pre-existing conditions are not covered.

 

Bottomline: when you need it, does it pay up?

 

The group insurance through the Expatsclub with Thai Health is a very good deal. Unfortunately, all insurance companies will try to screw you with the pre-existing condition clause. A friend had a not-so-good experience with BUPA a short while ago.

 

Nevertheless, health insurance should be a priority and Thai Health is one of the better insurance companies. I will sign up with Thai Health through the Expatsclub very shortly. The insurance brokers are at the meetings on most Sundays.

[monsterman 0]

I wanted to sign up for the Expat club insurance scheme but with Diabetes type 2 nearly everything was excluded except accident cover.Spoke to several insurance agent and companies and when pressed for detail of cover due to pe existing illness such as Diabetes type 2 it was the same as this disease can be cause of almost any serious medical event.

So I am effectivly uninsurable. only covered for accidents.

 

Monstorman CEO Pattaya Industrial Fucking Corporation

[Eneukman 1]

I signed up to the Ex-Pats Scheme last year but it only covers you until you're 65. I think they will cover you afer 65 but you have to pay a higher premium NOW.

 

When the renewal premium is due (May), I'll enquire about whether they would be willing to set up a scheme that would cover pre-existing conditions, subject to a minimum number of people signing up. The cover would obvuiously be considerably more expensive but for those with diabetes or who like me have high blood pressure, it might be worth while.

 

Alan

[jm49er1 0]

I signed up to the Ex-Pats Scheme last year but it only covers you until you're 65. I think they will cover you afer 65 but you have to pay a higher premium NOW.

 

When the renewal premium is due (May), I'll enquire about whether they would be willing to set up a scheme that would cover pre-existing conditions, subject to a minimum number of people signing up. The cover would obvuiously be considerably more expensive but for those with diabetes or who like me have high blood pressure, it might be worth while.

 

Alan

 

 

I also was diagnosed with High Blood Pressure last year at Bangkok Pattaya Hospital and am currently taking medicine to control - Out of curiosity, what does the insurance not cover for this pre-existing condition?

[Eneukman 1]

I also was diagnosed with High Blood Pressure last year at Bangkok Pattaya Hospital and am currently taking medicine to control - Out of curiosity, what does the insurance not cover for this pre-existing condition?

 

Not totally sure about this but any coronary disease is likely to be ruled out unless you can prove that the blood pressure wasn't to blame.

 

My blood pressure was 200/150 when I was diagnosed (had to ask the doc to check it) but was quickly brought under control and is now normal. I have a wrist monitor that I bought in Boots and earlier this afternoon it was something like 117/78 with a pulse rate of 61. It's not a good idea to check it after having a hot shower though or immediately after coming back up from an hour's swim.

 

Alan

[Owen` 2]

This is another matter that is early retirement focused even more than Pattaya, though certainly the Pattaya aspects of it are unique.

 

There is a subtle and devious reality associated with "pre-existing conditions", namely that if you expect to change your work/retirement configuration and seek new insurance then there is a very real issue of choosing not to go to the doctor for a checkup or some pre-existing condition may be found and documented that would prevent getting insurance later.

 

Obviously this risks not finding something serious, but the point is going to a doc is about more than the trade off of finding something serious vs the expense of going to the doc on that particular day. It also involves your future insurability.

 

This blood pressure issue specifically -- it is so common and "normal" that a policy that does not try to extrapolate it to everything else should be out there . . . somewhere. Also, in the US for non group policies (individual health insurance) a standard is excluding pre-existing conditions for only a period of time. Meaning, if you have a bp problem documented, take their insurance, and do not have a heart attack for 5 years, then they WILL cover it if 5 yrs is beyond the specified period of time.

[Jantrevor 31]

Has anybody tried to get health coverage through a US medicare HMO on a vacation basis?

[Badtz 0]

I just renewed my Thai Health through the expats club group plan. Last year I just had a single policy with Thai health. I originally had a policy with NSI but after registering at all the hospitals I found that the only Insurance they ALL except is Thai health. That changes year to year depending on what aggreements they have with different Insurance companies.

 

If you ride a motorbike you will need sublimental insurance as Thai Health, Bupa and NSI don't cover motorbike accidents. My motorbike insurance is through QBE and is 4,500B a year.

[bart 0]

If you ride a motorbike you will need sublimental insurance as Thai Health, Bupa and NSI don't cover motorbike accidents. My motorbike insurance is through QBE and is 4,500B a year.

And that includes fixing damage to you as well as the bike?

[Badtz 0]

Just for your body. Health insurance to fix damage to your body from a motor bike accident.

They sell it here. Same place that does the expat clubs insurance.

 

I got 1 million (Loss of Life, Hearing or Speech or Permanant Disability), Medical expense per accident 100,000, Temporaray Disabilty 1,000 per week

 

It's not much and it's only for an accident but better than nothing.

Edited December 18, 2006 by Badtz