Should I self-insure for medical expenses when moving to Thailand with pre-existing conditions?

Health Insurance Self-Insurance Thailand Medical Care Public Hospitals Private Hospitals Pre-Existing Conditions Visa Options Retirement in Thailand Emergency Medical Services Medical Costs in Thailand

Dec 28, 2022

2 years ago

Linz ************

ORIGINAL POSTER

*EDIT*

Thank You All For Your Invaluable Advice, Decision Pretty Much Made, We will most likely Self Insure

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A few years ago I suffered from something called a spontaneous internal carotid artery dissection, I did not suffer a stroke and I have not had any medical intervention (no stents fitted etc) but as a result of my dissection, I now take multiple prescribed medication to try to control my blood pressure and it has left me with neurological issues (short term memory issues being one example) 

Must say, to look at me, I look perfectly ‘normal’

Within the next 18 months we (myself and my wife) are planning on selling up (from the UK) and moving to Thailand to retire on a permanent basis, I will be 55 and my wife will be 61

Medical Insurance…

I have just read an article that insurance providers will not cover any pre-existing conditions, so with having high blood pressure, if I was to suffer from a stroke/ heart attack etc, I would not be covered as that could be linked to my blood pressure 

I also appreciate, as we age, the premiums will increase substantially 

So, based on the above, if I was to simply put a lump sum of money away and, in the event of a medical emergency, go to a public hospital and pay for any required treatment, would this be a viable option?

Has anyone got any experience on using the public hospitals?

As always, thank you in advance

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The discussion revolves around the decision of an expat planning to move to Thailand regarding medical insurance given pre-existing health conditions. The original poster expresses concerns about not being covered for pre-existing conditions, particularly high blood pressure. Community members provide insights on the quality of medical care in Thailand, differentiate between public and private hospitals, share personal experiences with healthcare costs, and discuss the viability of self-insuring versus obtaining health insurance. Many suggest that with proper cash reserves, self-insuring can be a feasible option, especially given the lower medical costs in Thailand compared to the UK.

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Twiggy ******

I have lived in Thailand for 19 years and always go to the local (not international) hospitals if I need to check or fix anything. The cost is very fair in both private and state run hospitals. But I don’t have serious health problems.