Ajarn Forum - Living and Teaching In Thailand - View Single Post - Ask Tony Dabbs (Our Health Insurance Expert)

tonyd · 25th July 2008, 11:34

HEALTH INSURANCE IN ACTION - This is taken from an e-mail I received this week from a client whose policy is due to renew for the third year. When he enrolled, he had a few pre-existing conditions which were excluded. They are still excluded. This year his premium was increased, although he had no claims. He is not happy.

Dear long-term client,

The things that you are concerned about are standard poicy with most private (not taxpayer supported) health insurers.

The cost of this policy has risen by 17% but nothing has changed

Yes, it has. Your age has changed. Health insurance premiums are determined by age band. This year you have moved into a higher age band.

nothing has changed in the exclusions.

Health insurance doesn’t work that way. Unless they stated a certain time period when an exclusion will be removed, the exclusion stays with you for life. BUT…if you feel that a certain exclusion is no longer justified, you can have it removed by getting a doctor to certify that the problem no longer a danger to your health.

The two-year period is up

That is why you might want to consider keeping the coverage. Now, they can’t refuse to pay for treatment that has not already been excluded, no mater what. If you get another health insurance, the two year period for discovering pre-existing conditions begins all over again.

in the instance of (the problem with) my leg, three years has gone.

See answer # 2.

25th July 2008, 11:34	#196 (permalink)
tonyd tonyd is..... The insurance guy Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Nontaburi Posts: 126 vCash: 500 Rep Power: 29	Re: Ask Tony Dabbs (Our Health Insurance Expert) HEALTH INSURANCE IN ACTION - This is taken from an e-mail I received this week from a client whose policy is due to renew for the third year. When he enrolled, he had a few pre-existing conditions which were excluded. They are still excluded. This year his premium was increased, although he had no claims. He is not happy. Dear long-term client, The things that you are concerned about are standard poicy with most private (not taxpayer supported) health insurers. The cost of this policy has risen by 17% but nothing has changed Yes, it has. Your age has changed. Health insurance premiums are determined by age band. This year you have moved into a higher age band. nothing has changed in the exclusions. Health insurance doesn’t work that way. Unless they stated a certain time period when an exclusion will be removed, the exclusion stays with you for life. BUT…if you feel that a certain exclusion is no longer justified, you can have it removed by getting a doctor to certify that the problem no longer a danger to your health. The two-year period is up That is why you might want to consider keeping the coverage. Now, they can’t refuse to pay for treatment that has not already been excluded, no mater what. If you get another health insurance, the two year period for discovering pre-existing conditions begins all over again. in the instance of (the problem with) my leg, three years has gone. See answer # 2.