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What is the best health insurance for expats over 70 living in Thailand?
health insuranceexpat adviceThailandinsurance companiesretirement visasenior citizensmedical careexpat insuranceinternational insuranceself insurance
Nov 22, 2024
a year ago
Michel ************
ORIGINAL POSTERWhat it the best insurance for who be older than 70
TLDR : Answer Summary
Choosing the right health insurance can be challenging for expats over 70 living in Thailand. Many commenters suggest that finding a reputable insurance company willing to cover older individuals is crucial, as premiums tend to be high and some insurers may deny coverage based on age. Several recommend international insurers and brokers, like Pacific Prime or Tenzing Pacific, for broader coverage options. However, a sentiment persists that self-insurance might be a viable alternative, where savers maintain sufficient funds for medical emergencies instead of relying on insurance. Some also assert skepticism about insurance effectiveness, citing issues with claims and hidden loopholes. Additionally, comments touch on the necessity of insurance depending on the type of Thai visa held, particularly around the OA visa requiring specific coverage.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
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- Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
- Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
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Trevor ************
Get up early ... do downward dog into cobra 5 times correct breathing technique then childs pose and baby hugging toe pose roll over and a few hip hamstring and lower back stretches lie on mat for deep breaths for 1 min ... 1 hour later swim 50m again correct breathing... drink only water for first 2 hours then breakfast... best insurance you ever had ... costs nothing (oh also put $10โ$20 into a jar every day to say thank you to the Gods, keep for a rainy (accident) day) and that should cover you after 1 to 2 years you'll feel great and have some saved up should you have any emergency
Antony **********
Insurance is a scam. Except for the insurer. For him insurance is the best policy!
William **********
Don't get good to go,i lost over ยฃ800 because i did not phone them when i was unconscious in a hospital in Cameroon
Janin ******
All are good, all are bad, everything depends on what you want to pay!
Jarek ************
Maybe now that they want us to pay income tax they will offer medical coverage? ๐๐๐
Bill ********
Comprehensive.
Gregory ********
Rick ***********
I have AIA Hospitalization insurance. It has paid for a TURP, a hip replacement and cataract surgery. Only deductions were for a Western menu and cost of a private room. Never gone to Bemrungrad Hospital in BKK but it has paid Bangkok Hospital in CNX.
Only problem is the policy won't renew after 80 years of age
Only problem is the policy won't renew after 80 years of age
Roger ********
Is a medical insurance mandatory for a retirement visa. ?
Mike ********
@Roger *******
O visa exempt from insurance, OA visa you need cover,.Mike ********
@Roger *******
Just the compulsory medical insurance on the OA visa I think,.Stephen **********
@Mike *******
Does the compulsory have to be Thai insurance? I have full health insurance from US. So was planning on self insuring for any thailand "emergency" that i could not get back to the US to take care of...Mike ********
@Stephen *********
I donโt think it matters if itโs Thai insurance or European / American insurance, but it must cover you for this amount,, Coverage: The policy must cover the entire duration of the applicant's stay in Thailand and have a minimum coverage of 3,000,000 Thai Baht or $100,000 per policy yearReply to
Mike ********
Reply
Roger ********
@Mike *******
What downsides if any to an O visa compared to OA ?Reply to
Roger ********
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Albert *******
The best insurance for the elderly is to first exercise and eat properly. After that check out Cigna..
Michael ******
Well after reading all these comments its quite clear health insurance in Thailand is a very debatable topic, self insurance seems the best way forward, of course you should always look after you own individual health.
Restrict you beer and crap food intake, also exercise regularly,
When l move permanently to Thailand ๐น๐ญ l will have 0ne Million baht in my Bangkok bank for self insurance, plus a credit card with a ยฃ8000 credit limit, which should l hope cover most medical emergencies, and yes l know people will say you need more but it's a chance you take. All insurance agents are on a very nice commission to get you monies.
Restrict you beer and crap food intake, also exercise regularly,
When l move permanently to Thailand ๐น๐ญ l will have 0ne Million baht in my Bangkok bank for self insurance, plus a credit card with a ยฃ8000 credit limit, which should l hope cover most medical emergencies, and yes l know people will say you need more but it's a chance you take. All insurance agents are on a very nice commission to get you monies.
Chris ******
@Michael *****
also Pay the equivalent of the typical insurance policy premium into your account with a million baht in it .. with a bit of luck ,in a few years you will have 1.5 million as a buffer and so on .Michael ******
@Chris *****
One problem with this- is there are no accessible interest paying accounts in Thailand at all that l know of, anybody got any suggestions?Accessible means barcode money to payee instantly by the way.
Chris ******
@Michael *****
I use wise and Revolute .I can transfer from a high interest account into either of these almost instantly and then onto.my Thai bank account in seconds. Or in an emergency use a credit card and transfer later .Reply to
Chris ******
Reply
Ludwig ***********
Selfinsurance
Julane *******
Most of my friends living here in Thailand (age 61-80) have insurance. And most prefer a reputable international company, as it covers you when you travel too. Ours has an allowance for annual routine checkup too. And yes, pre-existing isn't covered so you need to "self insure" for that. No one has had an issue reimbursements either and often the insurance company pays the hospital directly.
Rod *********
@Julane ******
insurance companies are only interested in healthy people and certainly not people with pre existing. Older is very expensive but if claimed will probably say it was pre existing anyway, Accident insurance is ok.Julane *******
@Rod ********
yes, important to start early with insurance...before getting any ore-existing conditions. We compared many policies before choosing. We don't intend to ever switch. Our choice allows us to live anywhere excl USA. We don't intend to always live in Thailand and we travel abroad alot too. After many years with the same insurer, they know our history.Peter *******
@Julane ******
it will get very expensive in 70s and 80s, most people then cancel as it becomes unaffordableJulane *******
@Peter ******
Our friends are 79 and 80. They have the same insurance as we do. They are quite okay. Price went up but the insurance always paid for hospitalization and even out patient procedures like skin cancer biopsy and recent cataracts surgery too.Peter *******
@Julane ******
will be 300k+ baht a year for good insurance for most people, it's not all about youReply to
Peter *******
Reply
Robert **********
Self insurance works well. ๏ฟผ
Mike ********
@Robert *********
Untill your faced with a few million baht bill, bye bye savings,.Reply to
Mike ********
Reply
David *********
don't get it like me when my time comes to kick the bucket so be it, the price, they want from me because i have a pacemaker is so high i cannot afford to live in Thailand so i just canceled it and got funeral insurance, I get free medical if i make it back to Australia 5 hour 30 minute flight back to Perth if i don't make it bad luck , my kids have been told my excess money has already in my daughter's name ,so all the government can do is take my pension lol
Nigel **************
Buddhist Amulet
Erick ******************
@Nigel *************
just as good...Reply to
Erick ******************
Reply
Steve ***********
What a lot of expats don't realise is they eventually become uninsurable in Thailand due to age. Insurance companies are businesses.
Danny *******
@Steve **********
Being a business is one thing, being a scam is entirely different thing.Steve ***********
@Danny ******
that's why I maintain a footprint in my home country, especially considering we have universal healthcare.Reply to
Steve ***********
Reply
Tim ******
Are there payable Thai insurances who assure foreigners? I don't need repatriation.
Peter *******
@Tim *****
Yes many available, the problem is will they pay your claim? *****
at bestKlaus ***********
@Tim *****
I am with thaihealth.co since 5 years insurance sum is not high but for me itโs ok and the premium is not bad. Slipped and fell my left leg was in pain and went to hospital they did x-ray,MRI scan and kept me overnight. Insurance paid the bill without problems and all the private hospitals are on the approved hospital list. if you have no claim, they deduct 10% of the premium the next year.
*************************************************
Tim ******
Reply to
Tim ******
Reply
Onne ***********
i do that 7 years and every insurance not pay for old people i pay goverment hospital 50 bath for visit the dockter
Chris **********
If I am over 70 or 75 years old I will save every month the money. If get sick or have an accident I will go in a government hospital and pay the bill
George *******
@Chris *********
At last someone sensible on this subject. If I was in Thailand and had plenty of money, or had a health insurance plan, I'd want to go to a Government hospital purely on moral grounds. Also I wonder if insurance companies would even entertain paying for Government hospital bills? ๐ค ๐ค ๐ค. The plot thickens ๐ค๐ค๐คMike ********
@Chris *********
Thatโs actually a good idea,.Chris **********
@Mike *******
I had 2 years ago an arm surgery and was 11 days in the hospital. All together with single room, all meals and medicine about 45.000 BahtReply to
Chris **********
Reply
Daniel ************
"NONE!" ๐
Dave *****
Get a good funeral insurance.
Richard ********
The best is TEMPLE BBQ SOON Insurance co Ltd
George *******
@Richard *******
๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ true.Reply to
George *******
Reply
Joseph *********
Try Pacific Prime a broker in health insurance.
They can find a policy that suits yiur needs
They can find a policy that suits yiur needs
George *******
@Joseph ********
Unless your over 70 and stinking rich.Joseph *********
@George ******
???????Reply to
Joseph *********
Reply
Nigel **********
Self insurance
Johnny ********
Yes, I want to find out also ๏ฟผ
Vera **************
At this age it is not a question of which is the best but which will accept you and is a genuine insurance company , keeping in mind premiums would be sky high
Norbert **********
Dont take a national insurance they dont pay very often the foreigner.
Take a internatonal.
Take a internatonal.
Carl *********
Huh?
Shane ********
Talk to the experts at
@Tenzing ********
they are the leading expat health insurance broker in Thailand with offices in Bangkok, Hua Hin and Pattaya *************************************************
and contact them at ****************************************
Steve *********
@Shane *******
was following this. Thank you for only sensible responseReply to
Steve *********
Reply
Andrew *******
I love the pirate talk!
Daniel ******
Have a chat with Expatcompares.com
Speak with Jamie. you can chat via WhatsApp or leave a contact us form and he will get back to you within the day.
Speak with Jamie. you can chat via WhatsApp or leave a contact us form and he will get back to you within the day.
Jay *******
God
Jacob ********
I will NEVER pay for insurance here NEVER a total waste of $$$ they will find any excuse possible that is just the reality here in Thailand and about anywhere.
George *******
@Jacob *******
Very true. If people are paranoid about their health and having health insurance they'd be better staying in their own country if it has universal health cover.Janin ******
@Jacob *******
, hope you have enough funds when you get sick!George *******
@Janin *****
Majority of people who get sick, it's a progressive illness, so as long as your fit enough to travel get in a plane home. Accident insurance is a different beast. If you intend driving either a car or motorbike make sure your licence is valid with the insurance companies and only take out first class insurance.Janin ******
@George ******
, I donโt want to give people to eat, who canโt go home after an accident or sudden sickness. Every week you see go fund meโฆReply to
Janin ******
Reply
Carlos *********
@Jacob *******
insurance is a scam! A gamble against yourself, and you're saying you're gonna lose!Laurie ******
@Jacob *******
I was told the sameReply to
Laurie ******
Reply
Scott **********************
@Napawadee *************
from all about @All ***************************************
ance can help answer questions for you. Lived in Australia for 14 years and has excellent EnglishPeter *******
What insurance?
Heath ***********
They all the best until you need to make a claim
George *******
@Heath **********
That's pretty much the same with all insurance claims. An insurance claim assessors job is to try and pay out as little as possible, if anything when someone makes a claim.Gregory ***********
@George ******
you use your American health insurance policy in Thailand?Heath ***********
@George ******
A lot better chance right now if policy is in United States. At least for me it was. Kinda nice to have our laws here for things like insurance.Reply to
Heath ***********
Reply
Charles *********
@Heath **********
tell themPeter *********
@Heath **********
100 % correctReply to
Peter *********
Reply
Kevin ********
Wherever you purchase make sure it covers all possibilities because they love their loopholes.
Henrik *****
How long time.
Probably from the insurance compagny where you have other insurances.
From homecountry to include repatriation, if severly ill or dead.
Probably from the insurance compagny where you have other insurances.
From homecountry to include repatriation, if severly ill or dead.
George *******
@Henrik ****
Who'd be bothered about repatriation if you die. I certainly wouldn't. Can't understand why people would want their dead carcass returning to where they were born.Henrik *****
It can be important for the family, but can ruin them if no insurance.
The same with hospitals, and sometimes family can come to the hospital for support etc.
The same with hospitals, and sometimes family can come to the hospital for support etc.
Reply to
Henrik *****
Reply
John *********
@Henrik ****
I told family not to repatriate me if I am dead. It is like spending money to ship the beat up, broken down car I used to drive. Then when it is home you bury it or burn it.
Reply to
John *********
Reply
Danny *******
I can tell you one of the worst. DM me.
Peter *******
@Danny ******
do a review on trustpilotDanny *******
@Peter ******
What's that?Peter *******
@Danny ******
a website to review companiesReply to
Peter *******
Reply
Craig ********
Back in own country
Rando ******
@Craig *******
Dr. Oz is taking over Medicare, Iโm sure most Americans are very comforted by the fact. 555Stephen **********
@Rando *****
No kidding... what a clown show.Reply to
Stephen **********
Reply
Steve ******
@Craig *******
differently not AmericaReply to
Steve ******
Reply
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