Health Insurance ?

[rockyryan 2]

I have lived in Pattaya nearly 6 years and been insured through AA Insurance, (as a group member with Pattaya ex pats.) This year i had to go back to UK for a few months and unfortunately let my policy lapse. On my return the AA have refused to renew my policy as I was diagnosed with Prostate cancer 3 years ago. As you may know most men have it but dont die cos of it and my PSA is stable. I drive a bike here, so fear having an accident more than anything. Can anyone advise on a company that cater for ex-pats. By the way I never put a claim into AA and paid 25,000 plus a year. Many Thanks.

[4niceight 32]

Hi Rocky,

I've just been doing some research on this very subject because I wanted to change from my current insurer. I suppose it depends on your age as to what is best for you. I am 63 and found what appears to be a good policy through a French company called April Mobilite (you'll find them on the internet. Google April Mobilite Asia Expat.). It was recommended by a broker in UK through contact I had made on the internet. Very competitive premiums. I had him send me a pdf file and it looked good. I then thought that I would go to my broker who had set up my present policy to see if he knew about April Mobilite. My broker is Cyril, a Frenchman, at Global Solidor on Naklua Road. Indeed he had heard of them and apparently since early this year he says he has been the sole agent in Thailand. The policy is designed exclusively for expats in Asia and is called, funnily enough, Asia Expat. There is no excess and I've checked with Bangkok Pattaya Hospital, who say that they allow direct billing and say that they seem to be a good company. As I am over 60 I had to have a medical check up and Global Solidor gave me the April Mobilite medical questionnaire which I took to Dr. Olivier and had him check me and a urine sample at a cost of 800 baht. Result was that I am now accepted although they put an exclusion on a problem for which I had to have an operation on in 2004. I start the new policy on 1st. Jan 2011. Hope this helps. Regards.

[Dr Mick 111]

I am now 57 years old ,been with Bupa for 2 years

 

I change my policy with Bupa this year ,due to cost being 55000 bhts year ,Platium cover for a 3 million bht cover.

 

I changed to LMG Pacific health care costing me 35000 bhts year ,but I said I would pay for first 40000 bhts ,

 

The only issue was due to reported to them I have slight high blood presue.

I was requested to have full medical check up,this included 5 different blood test and a chest/heart xray.

All results had to be sent to insurance company

This was carried out at the Khon Kaen Ram hospital,cost about 1500 bhts

As I was accepted for cover a refund of the check ups will be made to me

 

The cover with LMG Pacific is for 5 million Bhts ,however with some Riders

Will not pay for any treatment relating to blood pressure.This was same with my Bupa cover

Also a month waiting period for other cover except accidents/emergency

4 months waiting period for tumors ,cancer,hemorrhoids,hernia,Tonsillectomy,Varicose vains

 

So with all insurances pre existing conditions

the company shall not cover any medical treatment resulting from any chronic diseases,injury or illness that have not been fully cured.

 

In summary the insurance companies got us by our balls ,but I do think some insurance is better than none ,whilst I can still afford insurance i will still renew every year ,as not being insured before 60 years old ,some companies will not give you any insurance

[bratpack 91]

I am now 57 years old ,been with Bupa for 2 years

 

I change my policy with Bupa this year ,due to cost being 55000 bhts year ,Platium cover for a 3 million bht cover.

 

I changed to LMG Pacific health care costing me 35000 bhts year ,but I said I would pay for first 40000 bhts ,

 

The only issue was due to reported to them I have slight high blood presue.

I was requested to have full medical check up,this included 5 different blood test and a chest/heart xray.

All results had to be sent to insurance company

This was carried out at the Khon Kaen Ram hospital,cost about 1500 bhts

As I was accepted for cover a refund of the check ups will be made to me

 

The cover with LMG Pacific is for 5 million Bhts ,however with some Riders

Will not pay for any treatment relating to blood pressure.This was same with my Bupa cover

Also a month waiting period for other cover except accidents/emergency

4 months waiting period for tumors ,cancer,hemorrhoids,hernia,Tonsillectomy,Varicose vains

 

So with all insurances pre existing conditions

the company shall not cover any medical treatment resulting from any chronic diseases,injury or illness that have not been fully cured.

 

In summary the insurance companies got us by our balls ,but I do think some insurance is better than none ,whilst I can still afford insurance i will still renew every year ,as not being insured before 60 years old ,some companies will not give you any insurance

 

 

Hi mick,i use Axa and find the price very good(16000 per annum and cover for 1 million baht).No medical required and i told them about my rupture,which was operated on in 2003 so thats excluded,left side.There are more expensive ones and bigger cover but 1 milion baht aint too bad

[MM 6,562]

I am now 57 years old ,been with Bupa for 2 years

 

I changed to LMG Pacific health care costing me 35000 bhts year ,but I said I would pay for first 40000 bhts ,

 

I did a search for LMG Pacific information and found this http://www.lmgpacific.com/download/Downloa...GA%20Series.pdf

 

I don't know how current or accurate it is, but it appears that, unless you have a lot of discount options, your insurance annual premium would be 71,500 or 112,000 depending on whether you chose Maxi or Ultra.

 

How did you get a 35K annual premium?

[Bazle 1,449]

The cover with LMG Pacific is for 5 million Bhts ,

There are more expensive ones and bigger cover but 1 milion baht aint too bad

Is it usual to have a cap on the cover?

 

My BUPA UK insurance has an excess, and a limit on what they are willing to pay in respect of certain treatment - e.g. osteopathy. It also has limits for various operations (usually not a problem except for the anaesthetic). However, apart from that, there is no limit on the cover, so an extended stay in hospital should not be a problem.

 

I don't like the sound of Mick's reference to "4 months waiting period for tumors, cancer, hemorrhoids, hernia, Tonsillectomy, Varicose vains". Does that mean that if you are diagnosed with cancer, the insurance company will not pay for treatment for 4 months? If that is the case, I'd be telling them what they can do with their policy - the treatment for which is probably not covered!

[Tanaki 0]

Just an idea would be to get an insurance from a european company.

I know that Swedish insurance agencies are not as hard as others, i don´t think you would have any trouble getting insured in sweden that works in LoS.

 

Just an idea :)

 

Cheers

[Dr Mick 111]

I did a search for LMG Pacific information and found this http://www.lmgpacific.com/download/Downloa...GA%20Series.pdf

 

I don't know how current or accurate it is, but it appears that, unless you have a lot of discount options, your insurance annual premium would be 71,500 or 112,000 depending on whether you chose Maxi or Ultra.

 

How did you get a 35K annual premium?

 

I took out Maxi Care sorry the full cost to me including all Tax was 36500 bhts

This was with 45% discount

Discount for the following

20% Outpatient Exclusion

25% 40000 bhts Deductible Option

 

You can even get more discount up to a total of 60% but thats paying 200000 bhts your self before making any claims ,I think this is to much.

 

I think the AA insurance office in Pattaya can arrange insurance with LMG Pacific

[Dr Mick 111]

Is it usual to have a cap on the cover?

 

My BUPA UK insurance has an excess, and a limit on what they are willing to pay in respect of certain treatment - e.g. osteopathy. It also has limits for various operations (usually not a problem except for the anaesthetic). However, apart from that, there is no limit on the cover, so an extended stay in hospital should not be a problem.

 

I don't like the sound of Mick's reference to "4 months waiting period for tumors, cancer, hemorrhoids, hernia, Tonsillectomy, Varicose vains". Does that mean that if you are diagnosed with cancer, the insurance company will not pay for treatment for 4 months? If that is the case, I'd be telling them what they can do with their policy - the treatment for which is probably not covered!

 

No for the first year only when you are a new customer ,these are the waiting periods ,so if you get ill with the above mention after 4 months in which you have taken new policy out ,payment will be made straight away

[Dr Mick 111]

Just an idea would be to get an insurance from a european company.

I know that Swedish insurance agencies are not as hard as others, i don´t think you would have any trouble getting insured in sweden that works in LoS.

 

Just an idea :)

 

Cheers

 

As living full time in LOS ,could not get insurance in UK ,

But you can if your stay is less than 6 months

[nam-thip 1]

As living full time in LOS ,could not get insurance in UK ,

But you can if your stay is less than 6 months

 

 

What happens these days when you inform a UK medical health insurance company you have 'high blood pressure' will they refuse you or load it accirdingly?

 

When i was a tourist to LOS i could only get cover for 90 days at a time and not a full six months.

Maybe things have changed as i'm talking 15 years ago?

 

I'm with BUPA Thailand, no OPD, this year at aged 63 it cost me 34,000 baht.

[BBB 3]

Dr Mick do you have a policy covering your family as well

[JohnIrish 9]

Has anyone actually used any of the insurance policies for a major operation or illness? Experience the treatment of the doctors and hospitals?

 

I am married to a Thai and I may end up living in Thailand so I am also interested in Insurance costs. I live in the US now and I do have medical through my company if I retire but it would be equal to 250,000 THB a year! Also, this is the minimum since any cost increases will cause this number to go up. I would like to live in Thailand for 6 months a year and then the US for 6 months.

 

It looks like I could get great insurance for significantly less in Thailand. I guess if I get sick in the US I would have to travel quickly back to Thailand to get treated.

 

How good are the hospitals and doctors?

 

JohnIrish

[joekicker 53]

How good are the hospitals and doctors?

 

Generally quite good so long as you pay them. Figure 10 to 25 per cent of the US costs for what amounts to better treament, really - more personal and "nicer" - and equivalent medical professionalism. Heart and brain surgery, cancer treatment, all top class. There are already US insurance companies that allow US patients to travel to Thailand for certain operations/procedures because it is excellent and so much cheaper.

 

You can get decent medical insurance but all in all you might want to consider just having the money. In my observation, paying is better than depending on the insurance company. I may be wrong, I've never really looked hard at it; it's just my observation. The exception is if you work in Thailand and have a "gold card" for the so-called 30-baht care (now generally free).

 

.

[Emil 0]

Here's another option that you might look into. I've never looked into the option but a neighbor who's an Aussie told me that he's planning on getting travel insurance. He said that one must go home twice a year and not stay away longer than 6 months. Another friend of mine who is also an Aussie and about 70 years old got kidney stones a little over a year ago. Stayed in a private room at PIH for over a week and his travel insurance picked up the bill. He also only stays here for about 5 months and then goes back to Austrailia for a month.