What are the best health insurance options for expats in Thailand on an O type Visa?

@John ********

u must be in excellent shape to have been 69 with no pre existing conditions-- congratulations on that-- unfortunately, most of us are not so lucky, do few in their 50's, 60's, and especially 70's, would never qualify for a plan like yours. Some plans I have seen offered excluded the very coverage I actually need, so they are of no use.

@Sammy ******

I checked the site given by Thai immigration about Thai health insurance plans that would cover the health coverage requirements for the Non O visa. Pacific Cross seemed to be the only one based in Thailand that would offer me cover at my age. There are many local agents you can contact, easy to find by searching the internet. They can give someone specific information. If you are younger, you have lots more choices.

@John ********

Pacific Cross Limited (PCL) is a well thought of carrier and offers some things others often dont -- for example, various deductibles one can choose to lower premiums and I think its 10% discount on renewal if u had no claims in the year.

in Thailand, I would not recommend paying for " outpatient" insurance, get the necessary "inpatient" that will protect u in an emergency. most carriers know u will use outpatient, dr visits, check up, minor injury or illness, usually limited visits and relatively inexpensive. save ur money to make sure u have adequate inpatient coverage.

Cigna is another u might want to investigate.

of course, insurance companies love to collect premiums from the young and healthy, and those far less likely to ever actually use their insurance.

also, explore what hospital you prefer in cm-- or where are the doctors u like working? cm ram, bkk cm, lovely places but pretty expensive-- there are great doctors at other cm hospitals and ur insurance money will go further. if an ambulance comes to take u, you want to be able quickly, or have someone tell them where to take you.

@Sammy ******

I only got the 40,000 outpatient cover because that is one of the requirements for the Non O-A Visa. The insurance agent even told me it was cheaper to just pay out of pocket for outpatient visits, but I wanted to apply for a Non O-A Visa, so needed that coverage.

again, to all my advice is, having worked in insurance in the past, every situation is different. some tout great coverage for incredibly cheap prices-- just not possible unless you are very young and very healthy.

u should examine carefully exactly what ur plan benefits are in the areas, especially, you might utilize. what deductibles apply, what pre existing conditions are excluded? for example, had a friend just have a medical situation for which he was in the ICU at cm ram for 2 days and regular room for another day, then released, he always had touted his med insurance paid a million, well that was a bit deceptive, as that is often a conglomerate cost, most plans have a limit on "hospital expenses", which is a broad category of most everything outside specific dr visits, daily room rate, like that -- his cap of 50,000 baht on " hospital expenses" was reached damn fast, especially at a place like cm ram, and while his insurance still paid the majority of his hospital bill, he had a hefty chunk of " hospital expenses" to pay himself when he checked out. the devil is in the details-- analyze carefully what ur plan will actually pay.

@Sammy ******

, will rates go down after there is a Covid-19 vaccine available?

@Rick ******

very doubtful, with insurance, ur in a "damned if u do, and damned if you don't" situation. u really do need it. my company keeps saying "medical inflation" as an excuse for increased premiums. but never offer any detailed reasons.

@Sammy ******

,that is one of the main reasons I am not trying to go back to Thailand right now. That and the quarantine. I am now trying to talk my wife into coming to the US and bringing our son since he has a US passport. It is an uphill battle I am afraid.

@John ********

also, if one has any pre-existing prior to age 65, and doesn't reveal them, its likely previous medical records will reveal that and any coverage would be denied. many older guys have hbp and often all cardiac related issues are excluded, or there is a significant surcharge for them.