Bupa Thailand health and accident insurance

[buksida]

I'm rapidly spiraling towards 40 so it seems like a good time to investigate health insurance for myself and family since we've never bothered before. I've looked into premiums from the forum sponsors and got a few quotes but these companies are way beyond my budget for this.

Currently investigating the health insurance offered by some of the banks such as SCB, and Bupa which has a plan that seems reasonable for around 500 baht per month.

Does anyone else use Bupa or any other Thai health/accident insurance companies that doesn't break the bank?

[buksida]

Nobody has insurance from Bupa then? Just as well - the woman phoned me up within minutes of filling in the web form to tell me that the 500 baht per month package was only available to Thais and farangs had to take the platinum one at 6 times the price. Looks like the human anatomy differs with nationality ... bye bye Bupa.

Time to hit the banks to see what they offer ...

[Dannie Boy]

Nobody has insurance from Bupa then? Just as well - the woman phoned me up within minutes of filling in the web form to tell me that the 500 baht per month package was only available to Thais and farangs had to take the platinum one at 6 times the price. Looks like the human anatomy differs with nationality ... bye bye Bupa.

Time to hit the banks to see what they offer ...

Have you tried Mat at AA insurance?

[Nereus]

Bangkok Bank have a basic cover policy for accidents that is cheap. If you come off your big "scooter" at least you can get treated at the first Hospital you get dumped at. May do you until you find something better, but there are not any "cheap" comprehensive policies.

[Lung Per]

Face it: Health insurance with good coverage IS expensive, regardless. You get what you pay for. And then again, many insurance companies have small print exceptions which may leave them off the hook.
Read your policy carefully before you sign anything. Don't believe the salesman's talk or the colorful pamhplets. Demand to see the policy. It's only the policy that counts.

[Bristolian]

Buksida, sorry I missed your original post. I am covered by my employer, with a German Insurance company but my wife and son are covered by BUPA with my employer contributing 50% of the premium. We have the Platinum package that you mention. They have been our insurer for 2 years and are a complete nightmare. They argue over every bill, send me invoices constantly, reclaiming for treatment that should be covered under the policy but mysteriously in their eyes is not. My wife has a precondition that we advised at the outset and it is clear that treatment for this precondition is not covered. They attempt to link any claim against this precondition. They are and administrative nightmare with their accounts department trying to rule the world. You would certainly be well advised to steer well clear of them. When my policy with them ends this year we will move to a new insurer. Please post your findings of how you get on and who you finally select.

[Khundon1975]

I, long ago, gave up on health insurance when travelling to Thailand. I have so many preconditions that are not covered, so I just pay up on the day with cash. They understand that form of payment in Thailand and we don't have any hassle with insurance companies.

Not for everyone but it works for us.

[buksida]

Have you tried Mat at AA insurance?

Yes, I contacted all the sponsors, cant really stretch to 2 thousand dollars per year++ for international policies, looking for something that offers basic accident and in-patient cover for the family, we're relatively young and in good health with no pre-conditions so can't work out why it costs so much. Think I might be better off just putting some money into a savings account every month!

[Big Boy]

I just pay up on the day with cash. They understand that form of payment in Thailand and we don't have any hassle with insurance companies.

Not for everyone but it works for us.

That's what I've just done for my recent operations. I was pleased that when they heard I was paying, as opposed an insurance company, they showed their human side and reduced costs wherever they could.

Think I might be better off just putting some money into a savings account every month!

That's exactly what I decided to do when I realsed the cost of partial cover (pre-conditions). I made a profit in year 1, but year 2 could be a bit shakey, although I'm sure my recent ops would have been excluded from cover anyway.

[Brit Jim]

I just pay up on the day with cash. They understand that form of payment in Thailand and we don't have any hassle with insurance companies.

Not for everyone but it works for us.

That's what I've just done for my recent operations. I was pleased that when they heard I was paying, as opposed an insurance company, they showed their human side and reduced costs wherever they could.

Think I might be better off just putting some money into a savings account every month!

That's exactly what I decided to do when I realsed the cost of partial cover (pre-conditions). I made a profit in year 1, but year 2 could be a bit shakey, although I'm sure my recent ops would have been excluded from cover anyway.

Im the same boat looking for health insurance and agree the costs are high!

Yes agree Matt at AA Insurance is very helpful and knows his stuff.

I take it San Paolo Hospital is the way to go rather than Bangkok Hospital unless you have a large wallet?

[Big Boy]

I don't think there is much difference cost wise. Bangkok Hospital certainly have the better diagnostic equipment (when they use it) and decent San Paulo staff get head hunted to Bangkok Hospital. I could go on, but this is buksi's thread. If you want to discuss further, PM me.

[JimmyGreaves]

That's what I've just done for my recent operations. I was pleased that when they heard I was paying, as opposed an insurance company, they showed their human side and reduced costs wherever they could.

Well that can't have been San Paulo as they have no human side just a greed side!!!!!!

[Big Boy]

No Bangkok Hospital - after 2 serious mis-diagnosis by them in the previous 12 months, I ended up there again more by accident than planned. My 2 recent operations went better than could be expected - I am well pleased with their work and attitude this time. However, can we get back to buksi's question please?

[hhfarang]

Have you tried Mat at AA insurance?

Yes, I contacted all the sponsors, cant really stretch to 2 thousand dollars per year++ for international policies, looking for something that offers basic accident and in-patient cover for the family, we're relatively young and in good health with no pre-conditions so can't work out why it costs so much. Think I might be better off just putting some money into a savings account every month!

That's what I did Buksi. I checked all health insurance packages available here and at my age and with my preexisting conditions none were acceptable either because of price or because they would basically just be accident policies as nearly every system in my body has a preexisting fault.

I just self insured with a separate bank account that I left alone just for that purpose and if it turned out not to be enough I have three high limit credit cards that will work at just about any hospital. If you're healthy, that may be much cheaper here in the long run than paying premiums for something you never use. As long as you ride that two wheeler though, I might look into that cheap accident policy that Nereus mentioned. As they say, "there are only two kinds of bikers, the ones who have been on the ground and the ones that are going to be".

[buksida]

Yes, I think that's the way to go, insurance companies generally suck - they're not cheap for healthy people that don't really need them and won't cover unhealthy people that do need insurance ...