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Is it cheaper to get health insurance from providers in Thailand or in the UK for someone over 50?

health insurance international health insurance Thailand expat health insurance visa type NON-O visa UK health insurance medical expenses insurance providers in Thailand

May 23, 2024

6 months ago

Maryann ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Would anyone be able to advise on international health insurance? I’m 50 and in the UK, trying to get health insurance and am getting quotes of around £200/month. It feels very expensive, is it cheaper to get health insurance from providers once in Thailand? Or is this just what I need to expect at my age :(

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user is investigating international health insurance options at age 50 and finds UK quotes around £200/month, which seem high. Commenters provide various insights suggesting that it may be better to get insurance after moving to Thailand, citing differences in pricing based on visa types, and recommending certain providers like AXA, BDAE, and WRLife. Some suggest creating a personal medical fund instead of purchasing high-cost insurance, while others share experiences with specific companies. User responses vary widely, with important notes on age and prior health conditions influencing insurance costs and coverage.

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Neil *********

Hi maryann it does depend vastly on the company and a lot of other factors. Funny thing is that this group as soon as I say I can help my comments get removed as I’m advertising

And yet for me it’s about giving the right advice and helping people even if I can’t help help them and isn’t this the name of the group. The admin need to understand that this is a potential minefield for people and they can get ripped off so easily it’s unacceptable

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Nick **********

I have researched this for several weeks and rarely have i ever seen such a minefield of so many confusing options, scammy companies with fake reviews, that can choose to pay out or not without consequence. No consensus on anything, everybody recommending wildly different things for unclear reasons. I think people just give up and go with whatever at high cost, little idea what they are really buying and are rarely happy if they ever really need it.

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Tony **********

I USE A COMPANY CALLED INSURE AND GO

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Hazel *********************

Try staysure

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Brittany ********

Search up Genki, it's very affordable and can do it all online. Good provider too, have had friends have accidents in Asia and were completely covered

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Wyn **********

True Traveller it's travel insurance you can buy while your abroad.

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Roy ******

Up to you but I would save your money

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Andre *********

Try safety wings

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Rachel *******

100% speak with

s. Fully qualified financial advisor dealing with health insurance in Thailand.

Has access to 100's of providers rather than just one or two so can find you the best prices and cover.

Totally free consultation

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Brian ***********

There is a guy works for

wr life in phuket if you want the number they are based all over the world

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Maryann ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Brian **********

yes please!

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Brian ***********

@Maryann **********

pm me

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Brian ***********

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Brian ***********

WR life brilliant

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John ********

@Brian **********

As long as your not over 70

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Brian ***********

I'm not

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Brian ***********

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Phil ********

This is for 3 months.

************************

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Vanessa **********

Try WRLife. Good coverage options and reasonable. All the best.

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Robert ************

@Vanessa *********

do they cover preexisting conditions

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Vanessa **********

@Robert ***********

The other agent at WRLife is Mark Levitan,

***********************

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Vanessa **********

@Robert ***********

They will consider pre-existing conditions. If under 65yrs, there is an option to have a medical exam or wait a year for review. You will need to consult as it depends on the health condition. Check with the broker: Alex Lekse,

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.

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Vanessa **********

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Mike ********

Heard good reports on the “post office” insurance policies,.

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Anne *******

There is a expat health insurance, its valid for 5 years. Its in and out patient with no limits. Even the dentist will be paid. Its about 4000 bht a month. After five years it will be much more expensive but if you dont need it for more then five years its perfect. I can totaly recommend it. The name is BDAE expat infinity.

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Maryann ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

that sounds great thank you!

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Anne *******

@Maryann **********

, they always paid, never had any hussle.

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Anne *******

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Janin ******

Take a look at BDAE, you choose your premium with the advantage that they also insure you in your home or other country of preference.

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Heath ***********

I had 2 insurance companies and both were worthless. I would of been better off putting that money in separate account saving it for my medical emergency. I won't buy insurance again. You do what you want.

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Lynnette *******

@Heath **********

perhaps the companies you chose weren't good or they didn't cover your condition.

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Heath ***********

@Lynnette ******

popular companies. Go ahead and justify all you want. I'm just sharing my story. I will never buy from them again.

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Lynnette *******

@Heath **********

you don't have to have insurance. I was merely suggesting why they didn't pay out. The hospital here handled my son's recent claim with the insurers. 125,000 tbht.

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Lynnette *******

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Jeffrey ************

You pay for what you get. Be cautious of Thai companies not paying out.

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Ian ********

Have a look on Checkdi (Was Mr Prakan)for all your Thailand insurance requirements

You can compare policies and prices in it from the leading providers

*****************************

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Maryann ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

thank you!

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Maryann ***********

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Neil *********

Hi maryann dm me. I’m a 25 year uk trained and qualified independent financial adviser who lives and works here.

Dm me and I’ll source the whole marketplace for you no problem at all.

Don’t fall for the tied advisers here who can only offer a few policies.

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Maryann ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

thanks so much! I will do that!

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Maryann ***********

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Nathan ***********

This popped up just before

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Nathan ***********

I don’t know if this applies to you.

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Maryann ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Nathan **********

so much cheaper!! Thank you!

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Mel ******

@Maryann **********

I would check into whether they actually pay claims. Some insurance companies are great about taking money with no intention to pay large claims

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Mel ******

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Pete *******

Age 55 and I pay £125 per month so yes it sounds expensive

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Maryann ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

oh great thank you! Could I ask who you’re with?

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Pete *******

@Maryann **********

April Insurance a French multinational and very well respected in Thailand. All the high end hospitals accept this company.

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Maryann ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

thank you so much! I’ll look into this one ☺️

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Pete *******

@Maryann **********

AA Insurance in Pattaya sorted me out. Could be worth an email.

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Pete *******

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James *******

Following

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Peter *******

Best to get in UK, with big deductible, no outpatients, premium will be less, alternatively self insure as you will have to self insure for exclusions anyway, BUT premiums will most likely get unaffordable when you need it the most 70s 80s

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Maryann ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

ok thank you :)

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Maryann ***********

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Nathan ***********

How long will you be outside the UK?

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Maryann ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Nathan **********

starting with a trial of one year

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Nathan ***********

@Maryann **********

cheaper to take out 12months travel health insurance at home.

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Mel ******

@Nathan **********

make sure no small print about not being out of the home country for too many consecutive days.

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Maryann ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Nathan **********

thank you!

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Maryann ***********

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Stephen ********

Save that £200 a Month. In 10 years you will have a medical fund of over 1 million baht. Pay for small medical stuff as you go meantime. Cigna tripled my premium after my birthday despite no claims. Why pay sales commission, director salaries, dividends, company cars, fancy offices etc etc by buying health insurance that will price you out when you need it? Just save now

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Julane *******

@Stephen *******

tripled? My silver Cigna premium stayed the same even though I turned 60. And this year I get 6 routine health screening tests fully paid (capped at $325 each test). That makes my annual premium very low. And zero deductible for In-patient and emergency global coverage.

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Stephen ********

yeah 60 is fine!

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Julane *******

@Stephen *******

I've heard from friends who are late 70s that it gets higher.

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Stephen ********

sooner than that!

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Stephen ********

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Lynnette *******

@Stephen *******

and if you have a hospitalisation or medical emergency before that 10 years? My son had a £3,000 hospital bill for surgery one year before taking out insurance. Then in 4 years has had 2 emergency admissions totalling £5,500. . All covered by insurance.

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Stephen ********

@Lynnette ******

yes, not for everyone. I too have had costly surgery here which I happily paid for. I am pleased insurance worked so well for your son.

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Lynnette *******

@Stephen *******

he was lucky. A dog attack left him seriously injured and hospitalised for several days. Cost of ambulance. Plus 4 weeks of daily treatment for the damage to his arm. Rabies jabs. Antibiotics. All paid out quickly.

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Linhof *********

@Lynnette ******

what insurance company?

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Lynnette *******

@Linhof ********

AXA for my son and mine is a UK company for travel insurance.

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Lynnette *******

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Paul *******

Try AXA insurance … price can depend a bit on the type of visa you are using. Eg non-OA over 50 will cost more than a non-O retirement visa …. I think! I’m sure more knowledgeable people will reply shortly!

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Heath ***********

worthless for me when I needed it.

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Janin ******

I don’t see why one visa compared with an other should be different prices! Everything depends on how much you want to be insured and your age.

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Paul *******

my understanding is that different visa need different levels of cover. Non-OA also needed covid cover. This may have changed in the last 18 months.

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Janin ******

, cover is still the same as before, nothing changed. You need 40/

*****

*********

for O.A. and O in /outpatiënt. They don’t ask for Covid (maybe soon again….)

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Janin ******

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Maryann ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

thank you, it was AXA that gave me this quote although they didn’t ask about my visa. I’m planning to get a guardian visa.

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Paul *******

@Maryann **********

not sure about that visa. Pacific Cross could be another to look at. I use an agent normally. It's not cheap sadly but not 200 a month!

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Paul *******

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