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[vagabond48]

Does anyone know about or use HealthCare International Global Limited who is underwritten by Sagicor?

Their premiums are so inexpensive, I wonder how they can be profitable. Sagicor is rated A (excellent) by A.M. BEST but it is a fairly small insurance company at about $250 million out of Barbados.

The premium for a 56 - 60 age group is $526/year with a $2000 deductible per new event or $1179/year with a $1000 deductible per new event. I don't know what defines a "new event" yet.

[ThaivisaInsurance]

Quote :

Team, as we've said before use the Thai Visa insurance service - they can offer premiums lower on their Members plans than anyone in Thailand - including BUPA !

[worldfun]

I kinda like the 'self insurance' concept. It can build up to a lot of money in the long run. Lets take 2 examples of a youngish 30yo & an older 55yo both reaching say 70years of age(above average) paying typical annual premiums of 25k:

30yo paying 40years * 25k = 1M
55yo paying 15years * 25k = 375k

Actually it doesn't sound of too much even if assuming some growth in the savings on top.

Not sure what major operations would run up to perhaps 1M could be reached before too long while more standard minor stays of a couple of days or 5 usually run below 100k even at premium hospitals.

Anyway why would anyone say TV broker is is unofficial or was it unregistered/unlicensed?

It seems like few have anything positive to say about it even on this forum - bit hilarious actually

[ThaivisaInsurance]

Worldfun

If I may attempt to answer your question re. costs.
To take your first example of a young person saving 25k Baht per year (after 40 years a 1m baht ‘pot’ saved), is it a good idea ?
Unfortunately 1m Baht does not go very far these days if you are expecting to be treated in one of Thailand’s ‘International’ private hospitals. We have just helped a person to move from a well know International hospital where he was being charged between 70 and 80k baht per day (we have the invoices to prove that) to a Government hospital where his bill is ‘only’ 10k baht a day (keep in mind that was without any surgical operations). He was in the International hospital for nearly 2 weeks and his savings were disappearing fast before he called us in to help. As you can see from this one example 1m Baht is not necessarily very much in today’s terms, what will it be like in 5/10 years. Note : the reason he was running out of money was that he was not insured – he was not a client of ours, but we try and help anyone, insured or not.
One other small but very important point, medical inflation is running between 10 and 15% year on year !

[worldfun]

thaivisa,

thank you for your reply.

I have no problems believing medical bills can run sky high quickly thus I also said above the savings of 1M does NOT sound like a lot!

So that's why the choice of insurance is a very tricky one, but also overall good & steady business for the providers, underwriters, brokers & what not ;-)

This fact & a bit of statistical knowledge coupled yields that although medical costs may go up so must premiums unless the insurance business intends to cover looses?

Anyone have any stats for the 'average person's lifetime medical bill - whether paid by himself, social security or insurance policies? I suppose stats for Thailand or similar priced countries would be more interesting than say US

Maybe 1M will be above average - quite sure it will given this a 3rd world poor country with very low GDP still.
So the ultimate interesting average more interesting would be for the upper middle class up including foreign residents?

Anyone?

My final question is how high cover is really needed? 500k, 1M, 5M, 10M, 50M, 100M - yes even higher does exist!
This is for only 1 year not lifetime!

Take care out there in the traffic & everywhere all weekend!
Cheers!

[ThaivisaInsurance]

MisterMan, on 2008-04-25 23:20:36, said:

YEs I sent a quote request a while ago when the THai Visa insurance was launched and received no reply.
Has anyone on this forum used THai Visa and have some good feedback ?

Khun George are you saying your rates are lower then the posted rates for Thai Health?

I had good health uk before and never used it but a friend of mine used it and was very happy with it.

The http://www.thaihealth.co.th has a small linnk to English in the right corner.

Please compare the Thai Visa Insurance rates with the Thai health ‘individual’ rates

[SweatySock]

In reply to MisterMan, I sent a request for quotation to ThaiVisaInsurance on Friday and had the quote within 10 minutes. I am currently reviewing the contents but if this is an example of their service levels then I'm impressed.

[Firefan]

I also had a fast reply from TV insurance broker. Also; I compared the TV rates with going directly to Thaihealth and even though I get 10% discount on their listed prices when I go direct (I stated that I was my OWN broker so wanted part of their "cut" ) the TV broker rate is still better and also give more cover(1.5M) than the 1.2M my Wealthly Healthy 6000 insurance do.

I used Thaihealth (WH6000) for 2 years and have only had 1 small claim (2k or so ) but that claim went smoothly through at Bumringrad.

One of the advantages I see with the higher end Thai insurance companies (BUPA, THaihealth Etc.) is that no need to put out the cash first and later claim from an overseas/international insurance company. Also; insurance card Etc. is in both Thai and English meaning easier for emergency people/hospital staff Etc. to quickly understand/accept your cover - and get to the point of fixing you! In addition; Thaihealth/BUPA (and probably others) are well recognized/accepted by all hospitals in Thailand - so again; no lost time in getting to fixing you up which in an emergency can mean the diff. between life and death.

Imagine a smaller hospital(or even a bigger/international one) somewhere having you there unable to communicate and with your Bermuda based insurance card in your pocket.....oh my!

Cheers!

[bangsaenguy]

george, on 2007-12-22 00:15:19, said:

NALAK, on 2007-12-20 19:26:00, said:

i have just taken out TV (Thai visa) insurance price was very good and covers hospitals in Samui. would be interested in others users comments on it, i think it is relative to OPs question as well. hope its seen that way anyway

In use http://insurance.thaivisa.com

I filled in a query for the Thiavisa insurance but they never responded

[jumnien]

I self-insure, and I'm very happy. I get up early, exercise, eat right, don't drink or smoke and pursue happiness. If I need to go to the hospital, I pay for it.

[Firefan]

Sunrise; will you eating right stop that drunken bus driver from hitting you?

Cheers!

[skytraining]

So, from the replies here can i take it that no-one has claimed on Thai Visa Insurance yet?

I think the price they offer looks great: but my wife insists in Thailand you have to have the insurance rep on your side or you are in no-man's land...

[ThaivisaInsurance]

skytraining, on 2008-05-15 18:00:53, said:

So, from the replies here can i take it that no-one has claimed on Thai Visa Insurance yet?

I think the price they offer looks great: but my wife insists in Thailand you have to have the insurance rep on your side or you are in no-man's land...

Sorry but that is not quite true. The insurance ‘rep’ works for the insurance company and therefore will have their interests at heart.
Again, may we say go via a reputable Broker – they will help you if the insurance company is in the wrong.

Thai Visa Medical Plans ‘claims’ – yes clients have claimed and all are happy.

[tonydabbs]

CaptHaddock, on 2007-12-23 21:44:22, said:

In addition to premiums and likelihood of paying off, one of the considerations in choosing health insurance is how long you can retain it. I have read that if you insure with BUPA before age sixty, they guarantee your right to renew for the rest of your life. Has anyone here got this coverage? I am not sure what it means if there is not also a restriction on the increase in premiums.

We may resettle in Thailand after I retire and I am thinking of buying insurance from BUPA while still here in the US and under sixty, so that I can be sure to be able to renew later in Thailand. Anyone have any advice on this strategy?

In terms of very high claims, BUPA assures me that they won't incease the premium by more than 25% per year (related to claims). That's respectable - others don't have that limit. With or without claims, though, the premium will automatically increases by 10% per year after age 65. Also, there are across the board rate increases for all insureds. But, BUPA will refund 10% of your premium by check if you haven't had any claims during the previous year.

If you are talking about buying from BUPA in the States and then renewing with BUPA Thailand - No! No! No! You can't do that. But, if you know a way to buy from BUPA Thailand while in the States, it might be a good idea to do so. That's because BUPA has been telling me that they are dropping the maxium age for lifetime renewal down to age 56. They told me me that 7 months ago, though, and still haven't done it.

[taxin]

ThailandKathy, on 2008-05-20 23:22:49, said:

BUPA is the worst insurance I've ever had! I have a 17 month old and a 4 month old and their stupid policy won't even cover their immunization shots. All they will cover is the OPD maximum.

I have since switched over to TieCare, and they cover everything. The premium is a bit more, but it's worth it when I don't have to shell out 10,000Baht every other month for shots. My parents are with TieCare and they both agree that TieCare saved my dad's life. Two years ago, he has to have major major major heart surgery and the docs at Bumrungrad gave him less than 5% to live. My mother called TieCare to make sure they would cover the operation. Not only did they cover the operation 100%, the rep even had a medical evacuation plane ready for Dad should Mom decide he would be better off getting treatment in the USA. She decided to have the surgery in Thailand because of the urgency, and after 12 days in CICU and another 33 days in a private room, the bill was about 1.4 million baht. TieCare paid for everything. They also have a great prescription coverage. The rep is reachable 24/7!!

They also have other types of insurance, so if I were you I'l check out their website www.tiecare.com

I find it very odd that Tiecare will pay out 1.5 million for a heart operaton without thinking about it, but wont spare any more to ensure that they have a proffesional website

[junkofdavid2]

taxin, on 2008-06-02 21:49:52, said:

ThailandKathy, on 2008-05-20 23:22:49, said:

BUPA is the worst insurance I've ever had! I have a 17 month old and a 4 month old and their stupid policy won't even cover their immunization shots. All they will cover is the OPD maximum.

I have since switched over to TieCare, and they cover everything. The premium is a bit more, but it's worth it when I don't have to shell out 10,000Baht every other month for shots. My parents are with TieCare and they both agree that TieCare saved my dad's life. Two years ago, he has to have major major major heart surgery and the docs at Bumrungrad gave him less than 5% to live. My mother called TieCare to make sure they would cover the operation. Not only did they cover the operation 100%, the rep even had a medical evacuation plane ready for Dad should Mom decide he would be better off getting treatment in the USA. She decided to have the surgery in Thailand because of the urgency, and after 12 days in CICU and another 33 days in a private room, the bill was about 1.4 million baht. TieCare paid for everything. They also have a great prescription coverage. The rep is reachable 24/7!!

They also have other types of insurance, so if I were you I'l check out their website www.tiecare.com

I find it very odd that Tiecare will pay out 1.5 million for a heart operaton without thinking about it, but wont spare any more to ensure that they have a proffesional website

Website ain't cheap. Maybe 1000 dollars or so...

[BSJ]

As I will be spending the year (2009) in LOS I too am looking for a good insurer at a reasonable price. Being over 50 now I don't consider self insurance as an option. Where that idea fails is if you have a major trauma event in the first year or 2! Major surgery costs a lot where ever you are.

And it would be foolish for anyone not to look at TVI, as long as the exclusion list is sensible. Some Thai companies tend to exclude almost everything, as has been mentioned back a page or 2!

And the point made about having a English/Thai card could just save your life!

[BSJ]

Hi ThailandKathy, With a $500 annual deductible and Gold costing nearly US$7000 a year I think I will pass on that offer from Global Benefits Group! Ouch!

But after having a read of the exclusions list re: TVI medical coverage, lets just say I will continue looking for the right cover!

Edited by BSJ, 2008-07-19 21:01:48.

[JimSiam]

ThailandKathy, on 2008-07-20 01:01:23, said:

BSJ, on 2008-07-19 21:00:08, said:

Hi ThailandKathy, With a $500 annual deductible and Gold costing nearly US$7000 a year I think I will pass on that offer from Global Benefits Group! Ouch!

But after having a read of the exclusions list re: TVI medical coverage, lets just say I will continue looking for the right cover!

No way! My policy is for my two children and me and I pay a heck of a lot less than that, and I have a $100 deductable. I also got their Worldwide coverage, so that I can opt to use medical services in the USA and Canada without it having to be an emergency. I think you need to give them a call again. Here's the number 080-246-0440. Comparitively (again, read the fine prints), they were 10% cheaper than the others. I don't know about you, but I think it is so important to have the right coverage from the start b/c when time comes and you need to implement it, you need to be sure that the policy will actually pay. It's harder to get coverage after the fact. That's only my opinion, of course. Good luck with your search. :-)

I called the number but get a message its unavailable

[BSJ]

Hi ThailandKathy, I pulled that info from their web site. I will call them to ask, they can fax me a quote as soon as I clarify the number. Thanks

Hi JimSiam, from Australia I dial 0011 for International, then + 66 which is country code, then area codes ie for Bangkok + 2 or for Chiang Mai + 53 or for Hat Yai + 74, but the highest # is for Ratchaburi + 76! Maybe ThailandKathy can tell us which country the number she was quoting is in? 080-246-0440

In the meantime I will try and find a link on the web site.

Edited by BSJ, 2008-07-20 17:42:07.

[BSJ]

Hi folks, no luck but the web site did give me the following

Chiangmai,THAILAND
Address: RimPing Condo #1105;

Attention: Stephen Boush;
201/48 Charoenrat Rd; Tumbol Watket,

Muang District; Chiangmai, 50000 Thailand

[JimSiam]

BSJ, on 2008-07-20 17:41:33, said:

Hi ThailandKathy, I pulled that info from their web site. I will call them to ask, they can fax me a quote as soon as I clarify the number. Thanks

Hi JimSiam, from Australia I dial 0011 for International, then + 66 which is country code, then area codes ie for Bangkok + 2 or for Chiang Mai + 53 or for Hat Yai + 74, but the highest # is for Ratchaburi + 76! Maybe ThailandKathy can tell us which country the number she was quoting is in? 080-246-0440

In the meantime I will try and find a link on the web site.

08 is a mobile number in thailand

[marshbags]

Has anyone got any experiences with ING please, positive or otherwise.

Any insight into the " Thailand " side of things also .

I appreciate they are an international company dealing in life insurance among other related ares, but wonder how it effects the locality here.

Thank you

marshbags

[BSJ]

Thanks Jim, never thought of that!

Hi marshbags, I have money invested with ING Direct (Aust) and funnily enough I was on their web site, saw the insurance link and clicked through. I looked at their Accident Cover Plus. It was the only cover that came close to what I wanted but not close enough for me to sign-up! I need cover for non-accident medical emergencies too! But if your after extra cover for death or injury it maybe OK.

Maybe ING offer other plans in LOS, so I will search the web for that.

[BSJ]

I checked ING in LOS. It's complex and I will need to read it again! Didn't see a price so I am guessing you would need to talk to an agent to figure out the cost.