Popular Post superal Posted August 13, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted August 13, 2020 I hope this remains in the General topic as it is not only a medical issue . OK I am 73 years old and have been visiting Thailand for 10 years mostly with holiday insurance , however now staying here for longer periods without insurance as are many others in my age group .Annual Insurance premiums in excess of $100k are not in my reach so my plan has always been to hop on the plane to the UK if taken seriously sick . Well a recent experience of minor illness would not have allowed me to fly and neither was I capable so my main plan is not feasible especially if the illness was more serious . Looks like my alternative is to return to the UK where I have a house and visit Thailand holding a travel insurance which I believe can be had for up to 5 months . If only the Thai Government could introduce an insurance policy for long term visitors . I would imagine there are plenty of others like me in the same position . Is there an alternative solution ? 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldie Posted August 13, 2020 Share Posted August 13, 2020 "Is there an alternative solution ?" You can use Google and try to treat yourself. ???? The day might come when you will not be able to get an insurance. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve187 Posted August 13, 2020 Share Posted August 13, 2020 as you get older, the travel insurance length of holiday diminishes also it gets more expensive, my friend who is 76 can only get 3 months, 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post trucking Posted August 13, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted August 13, 2020 14 hours ago, superal said: Is there an alternative solution ? Yes. Make sure you have a good credit card with as high a limit on it as possible. Although a lot of credit cards come with some kind of insurance , medical care won't be one of them. However, if you turn up at a hospital for expensive treatment ( as happened to me , 120,000 bahts worth ) and have a decent credit card with good limit then it can be a life saver. You pay your bill with the card and then you can pay off the credit card installments at your leisure after you recover. When I was admitted , they checked out my card in 5 minutes then straight to my private room , passing half a dozen blokes on deaths door in reception whilst two secretaries tried on the telephone to confirm their insurance policies were up to the mark. 8 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post twocatsmac Posted August 13, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted August 13, 2020 13 minutes ago, trucking said: Yes. Make sure you have a good credit card with as high a limit on it as possible. Although a lot of credit cards come with some kind of insurance , medical care won't be one of them. However, if you turn up at a hospital for expensive treatment ( as happened to me , 120,000 bahts worth ) and have a decent credit card with good limit then it can be a life saver. You pay your bill with the card and then you can pay off the credit card installments at your leisure after you recover. When I was admitted , they checked out my card in 5 minutes then straight to my private room , passing half a dozen blokes on deaths door in reception whilst two secretaries tried on the telephone to confirm their insurance policies were up to the mark. Also, before retirement or while you’re still working increase the limit on your cards to the max, I don’t think it’s as easy without current employment. 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tounge Thaied Posted August 13, 2020 Share Posted August 13, 2020 I am 52 and have thought that I would enroll in this global emergency evacuation flight insurance program so that I could be flown back to my home country when I need a major health care emergency.https://www.globalrescue.com/ 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trucking Posted August 13, 2020 Share Posted August 13, 2020 14 hours ago, twocatsmac said: Also, before retirement or while you’re still working increase the limit on your cards to the max, I don’t think it’s as easy without current employment. Yes....True. I wanted to increase my limit to account for inflation and poor exchange rate but was aware that not being in employment might prove a hurdle. However , I had an online shop selling things and received a regular payment into my account every week of around 100 dollars from the same payer. After a year of this I was due to return to the UK in May and was going to get my limit modestly increased on the strength of these deposits. Then Covid19 arrived , Thailand post suspended services to most places and my online shop crashed completely. Sods law that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post OneMoreFarang Posted August 13, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted August 13, 2020 1 hour ago, superal said: Annual Insurance premiums in excess of $100k are not in my reach 1 hour ago, superal said: If only the Thai Government could introduce an insurance policy for long term visitors What do you have in mind? Full coverage for 1000THB? Get real! Why should the Thailand take the risk? If you can't afford it then you can't afford it. You are not the only person who wants something he can't afford. That's life, get used to it! 4 2 14 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post richard_smith237 Posted August 13, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted August 13, 2020 29 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said: What do you have in mind? Full coverage for 1000THB? Get real! Why should the Thailand take the risk? If you can't afford it then you can't afford it. You are not the only person who wants something he can't afford. That's life, get used to it! I do think it quite atrocious that someone can pay into an insurance policy for decades, not using it. Then once they are over 70 years old they are either kicked off the policy or priced out of it. I’m quids in so to speak.. I’m in insurance ‘deficit’... having been medi-vacced to Singapore from an Island some years back, with a follow up 10 days in hospital there. It’s an extremely difficult situation to be in. Wanting to have cover, but being priced out of options. Insurance companies simply do not want to insure older people - its bad for business. The whole system is wrong and desperately needs overhauling. 30 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post simon43 Posted August 13, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted August 13, 2020 Annual Insurance premiums in excess of $100k are not in my reach... Hmm, you must have a hell of a lot of pre-existing medical conditions. More than $8,000 in premiums every month? I'm almost 62 and pay $200 per month for a $1 million+ annual coverage. Or perhaps you mean 100,000 Thai baht? 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post OneMoreFarang Posted August 13, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted August 13, 2020 17 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said: I do think it quite atrocious that someone can pay into an insurance policy for decades, not using it. Then once they are over 70 years old they are either kicked off the policy or priced out of it. I’m quids in so to speak.. I’m in insurance ‘deficit’... having been medi-vacced to Singapore from an Island some years back, with a follow up 10 days in hospital there. It’s an extremely difficult situation to be in. Wanting to have cover, but being priced out of options. Insurance companies simply do not want to insure older people - its bad for business. The whole system is wrong and desperately needs overhauling. Most of us can get medical service in our home countries. Often free when we are old. Is that not fair and good enough? Do we all have a right to live wherever we want in this world and get medical cover for cheap or free? What next? 3 10 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Speedo1968 Posted August 13, 2020 Share Posted August 13, 2020 If you are from the UK and are classed there as non-resident my understanding is, that you are not entitled to free NHS treatment and care for three months, should you decide to return there. This is irrespective of the time you may have worked in the UK. One of the requirements for retirement visas in Thailand is the 800K bank deposit, no doubt this is to ensure you could, if necessary pay off your hospital bill. Traveling back to the UK could be very expensive depending on your condition and of course flight regulations could ban you from traveling anyway. Not sure what will happen once UK leaves the EU, no doubt reciprocal health care agreements will stop. Yes, it may not be fair that having paid private medical insurance for years and then no longer covered because of age but that's the way it is. No doubt as the world gets more sick insurance premiums will rise. "OP original comment " - Annual Insurance premiums in excess of $100k are not in my reach so my plan has always been to hop on the plane to the UK if taken seriously sick . Do you mean insurance premium or cover ? Do you mean dollar or baht ? Just hop on a plane ... the airlines do not have to let you travel if they see you are sick. A global rescue insurance may help but if you can't afford the 100k premium then it is probably out of reach. What happens if there is another pandemic or similar that bars flights between certain countries, how would you hop on a plane then ? It's an overall irresponsible attitude towards family, airlines, it's passengers and those concerned. 2 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scammed Posted August 13, 2020 Share Posted August 13, 2020 3 hours ago, Tounge Thaied said: I am 52 and have thought that I would enroll in this global emergency evacuation flight insurance program so that I could be flown back to my home country when I need a major health care emergency.https://www.globalrescue.com/ i would also be interested in such an insurance 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post CanadaSam Posted August 13, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted August 13, 2020 I have done extensive research into this issue, and the best I have found is this company: https://www.trawickinternational.com/ 200 quid a month for a guy your age (73) from the UK, the plan covers you for just about everything (medical, repatriation, even trip cancellation, etc.) for a year at a time. 4 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ben2talk Posted August 13, 2020 Share Posted August 13, 2020 4 hours ago, Tounge Thaied said: I am 52 and have thought that I would enroll in this global emergency evacuation flight insurance program so that I could be flown back to my home country when I need a major health care emergency.https://www.globalrescue.com/ I guess that depends on the home country - for me, having stents after a heart attack, I couldn't have afforded to do it anywhere else and you can't get NHS treatment unless you're a UK resident anyway... that plan is for people travelling outside the UK, not living outside. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post DogNo1 Posted August 13, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted August 13, 2020 This topic has been much discussed with pages and pages written. I am an American and, if my condition is not too bad, could fly back to California for treatment. If my condition is too bad to allow me on a plane, I will self-insure, charging everything to my credit cards and paying them off over time. I think that Sheryl recommends a policy for those over 70. At 77, I may not even qualify for that. Good luck to us oldsters! 8 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Kwasaki Posted August 13, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted August 13, 2020 I feel kinda lucky and use a local main govt hospital clinic to see a doctor for Ashma treatment every 3 months. Every 6 months they check everything else which let's the doctor keep check on all my health. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post richard_smith237 Posted August 13, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted August 13, 2020 3 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said: Most of us can get medical service in our home countries. Often free when we are old. Is that not fair and good enough? Do we all have a right to live wherever we want in this world and get medical cover for cheap or free? What next? For those of us who live overseas, returning to the UK as a non-UK-resident adds some complications. Thus: the choice is either live in the UK and receive full medical care. OR pay though the nose for Insurance while overseas. It is the ‘paying through the nose’ which I find unfair. In 25 years I to will face the difficult conundrum of what to do with medical insurance if I’m still living in Thailand. I will have spend 50 years paying into Insurance just to be ‘forced out of a policy’ I think we ‘should’ all have a right to live wherever we want in this world and we should have the right for medical care. The EU had this (I expect it will continue after the full brexit debacle) - so why can’t their be reciprocal agreements elsewhere, or at least an agreement. The system as it stands is unfair for those who’ve been paying insurance for years. 6 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Kwasaki Posted August 13, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted August 13, 2020 9 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said: For those of us who live overseas, returning to the UK as a non-UK-resident adds some complications. Thus: the choice is either live in the UK and receive full medical care. OR pay though the nose for Insurance while overseas. It is the ‘paying through the nose’ which I find unfair. In 25 years I to will face the difficult conundrum of what to do with medical insurance if I’m still living in Thailand. I will have spend 50 years paying into Insurance just to be ‘forced out of a policy’ I think we ‘should’ all have a right to live wherever we want in this world and we should have the right for medical care. The EU had this (I expect it will continue after the full brexit debacle) - so why can’t their be reciprocal agreements elsewhere, or at least an agreement. The system as it stands is unfair for those who’ve been paying insurance for years. Yeah you right but insurance companies don't care, the Thai ins company I was with for 3 years said they would insure me to 85 which I thought wasn't such a bad deal. At 72 they said they had changed their policy and my annual renewal was refused. Our local govt hospital is better than any govt UK hospital, I pay for treatment yeah but its cheaper than seeing a UK doctor and getting a prescription from the pharmacy. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puchaiyank Posted August 13, 2020 Share Posted August 13, 2020 The question you posed is one I had to answer...reluctantly...now have government healthcare safety net in US which costs very little...Family doctor, specialists, and pharmaceuticals are easy on the budget and the peace of mind worth considering. I may return for a visit...but returning and retiring there now is out of the question. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tounge Thaied Posted August 13, 2020 Share Posted August 13, 2020 (edited) 3 hours ago, Puchaiyank said: The question you posed is one I had to answer...reluctantly...now have government healthcare safety net in US which costs very little...Family doctor, specialists, and pharmaceuticals are easy on the budget and the peace of mind worth considering. I may return for a visit...but returning and retiring there now is out of the question. Are you talking about Medicare? If so... please share your experience with that, your enrollment, current costs, projected future costs etc. Edited August 13, 2020 by Tounge Thaied 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tounge Thaied Posted August 13, 2020 Share Posted August 13, 2020 7 hours ago, ben2talk said: that plan is for people travelling outside the UK, not living outside. "that plan" are you referring to the global rescue plan? If you are, it looks like they have a 365 day annual renewal plan for $639.00 and will fly you to any home country. Would it matter if you are traveling or living in Thailand?https://www.globalrescue.com/personal/travelservices.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron jeremy Posted August 13, 2020 Share Posted August 13, 2020 12 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said: Most of us can get medical service in our home countries. Often free when we are old. Is that not fair and good enough? Do we all have a right to live wherever we want in this world and get medical cover for cheap or free? What next? At his age , it is a matter of time before he needs medical attention, Thailand is no place to be without sufficient insurance coverage. or anywhere for that matter, my parents have ended their winter getaways to the southern US because of high premiums. They don't want to drop any burden or sudden bills on the family. It was the proper thing to do. there comes a time for everyone to throw in the towel so to speak. Its bad enough reading the go fund me pages of backpackers injured in moto accidents, crying for money, never mind some old man on his death bed that new it was cling and thought the world owed him one. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puchaiyank Posted August 13, 2020 Share Posted August 13, 2020 2 hours ago, Tounge Thaied said: Are you talking about Medicare? If so... please share your experience with that, your enrollment, current costs, projected future costs etc. I have both Medicare and VA. I believe about $130 per month is taken out of my SS check. VA is basically free with a small Dr. visit and drugs copay. Can not predict the future of these healthcare systems in these most peculiar times. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bangkok Basha Posted August 14, 2020 Share Posted August 14, 2020 As I understand it, the Thai government is now requiring incoming non-citizens to have an insurance policy with at least $100,000 (USDs) in coverage, that must include (not exclude) COVID. Pacific Cross Insurance will sell policies providing that to applicants under the age of 75, but those over 65 have to get a complete medical check-up which could result in exclusions for any pre-existing conditions. The premiums are expensive but it meets Thai Immigration requirements for Extensions of Stay on a Non-OA retirement visa. I recently renewed for another year and will be applying for my annual renewal next week. The only alternative is the Thailand Elite Visa (THB 500,000 for 5 years) which I am considering for next year. Check it out. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post thailand49 Posted August 14, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted August 14, 2020 (edited) 19 hours ago, simon43 said: Hmm, you must have a hell of a lot of pre-existing medical conditions. More than $8,000 in premiums every month? I'm almost 62 and pay $200 per month for a $1 million+ annual coverage. Or perhaps you mean 100,000 Thai baht? I think the quote was a mistake? the amount I believe is in Baht? you are 62, like me I had insurance policy here since 55 years old never used it once 1 million to 1.5 million 60-65 it is still reasonable once you get into the next bracket 65-70 70-75 it becomes a new ball game. No matter how much it is advertised here T.V. in regards to insurance the coverage starts to drop with premium starting to rise. Edited August 14, 2020 by thailand49 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itsallmine68 Posted August 14, 2020 Share Posted August 14, 2020 "Annual Insurance premiums in excess of $100k " I certainly hope you dont mean 100,000 Dollars ($100K)yearly premiums Even at 100,000 baht that is 205 pounds a month which aint bad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post vandeventer Posted August 14, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted August 14, 2020 Insurance is always a problem when you get older,and there's not much we can do about it. But some countries like people retiring in there country and they offer very low insurance rates helped by the government of the country. As a example the Philippines offer a policy of around 350 usd yearly. I guess we are wanted more in some countries than others. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knocker33 Posted August 14, 2020 Share Posted August 14, 2020 21 hours ago, Oldie said: "Is there an alternative solution ?" You can use Google and try to treat yourself. ???? The day might come when you will not be able to get an insurance. What do you think a forum targeted at expats is for? I always thought it was for asking questions like this. Obviously not this forum thou said its full of....Feel free to finish the sentence 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post gwynt Posted August 14, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted August 14, 2020 21 hours ago, steve187 said: as you get older, the travel insurance length of holiday diminishes also it gets more expensive, my friend who is 76 can only get 3 months, Having experienced government hospitals, not personally, I would be happy to have insurance that gave me medical cover via those. My wife has a number of serious conditions, which initionally dhe was treated at privat hospitals, who were only interested in extracting money not treating the illness we moved her from one such place, 700.000bt to Tonburi hospital in BKK where she recieved eccellent treatment including her chest opened by the best heart sergeon in Thailand at quater the cost, they were actually interested in fixing her not how much money they could make. I would be happy to recieve such treatment. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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