Robert’s story: –
Are you an expat living, or planning to live abroad without health insurance? Have you ever considered getting health insurance but have some reservations? Let me tell you why I, as a retired American expat living in Thailand, decided to bite the bullet and get health insurance at the age of 71.
Although I don’t need insurance for my visa, I am fully aware that my Medicare coverage in the US doesn’t cover me in Thailand, where I live for about 9 months per year. This means that if I were to have an unexpected health crisis here, such as an accident, stroke, or heart attack, I would not be covered. Moreover, I might not be in any condition to travel back to the US and would require treatment at a Thai hospital.
Why I took Inpatient only coverage
To address these concerns, I opted for inpatient-only coverage, which doesn’t include small incidental trips to the hospital that are treated as an outpatient visit. However, I am concerned about big-ticket items such as a heart attack or a stroke, which could ruin my financial stability and impact my retirement lifestyle. Unexpected medical emergencies are the number one cause of bankruptcy in the US, and I don’t want to rely on family members back home to bail me out.
The longer you wait, the more things can pop up on your medical history
As we all age, we can assume that something serious is likely to happen to us in the next 5-15 years. That’s why I suggest shopping around with different companies and comparing prices. It’s also better to get started earlier than I did, perhaps in your sixties. The longer you wait, the more things can pop up on your medical history, resulting in pre-existing conditions and subsequent exclusions on your policy.
Why I took a 40,00 THB (Approx $1,000 USD) deductible
I also decided to take a 40,000 baht deductible, which means that I will pay this amount first before making a claim for inpatient care over the course of one year. This, along with opting for inpatient-only coverage, made a big difference in my yearly premiums.
Be prepared to share your medical history
Lastly, be prepared to share your medical history with the insurance company. Certain providers may also require additional testing if they are concerned about areas of your health. The cost of these tests is sometimes reimbursed once you have paid your premium.
In conclusion, I hope that sharing my story will help you make an informed decision about your health insurance options. Here’s to your health!
➤ Finally, if you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to one of our team here at Thai Expat Club. We offer access to affordable health and medical insurance for foreigners living, visiting, working or retiring in Thailand. We deal almost exclusively with reputable companies such as Aetna, Allianz Ayudhya, April, Cigna, Luma and Pacific Cross for a higher range of benefits at affordable prices. We help clients avoid the confusion which comes from not being able to speak the language or communicate satisfactorily with staff in Thai Insurance Companies. Our service is FREE and we often save people money by offering a plan more closely matched to their lifestyle and budget.
Contact Thai Expat Club today and let us help you with your health insurance requirements.
Tel. 089-897-9435 or visit our website: https://thaiexpathealth.com/