Ask Tony Dabbs (Our Health Insurance Expert) - Page 3 - Ajarn Forum

tonyd · 16th January 2006, 17:09

[quote="tonyd"]

Quote:

Originally Posted by raycarey

let's say that the insurance from my uni doesn't cover a private room....will THI major medical pay for that? :chug:

Yes, it will. But Major Medical is designed to supplement "basic" hospital coverage. You most likely are being covered by Thai Social Security Insurance.

Thai Social Security Insurance pays a maximum of 700 baht per day for Room and Board. That's very basic. BUT, according to SSO, they will also pay 100% for everything else. There is nothing basic about that. You have to use a hospital "registered" with SSI, though, normally the one nearest your home.

- Would you like to be able to cover the additional cost of a private room at the SSI "registered" hospital? If so, tell us what hospital it is and we will help you determine which THI plan you need to cover the difference in cost.
- Or, would you prefer to have an insurance plan that will cover the cost of a private room in a much broader selection of "expat friendly" hospitals? In that case, I would recommend you go with either of THI's WH3000 or WH4000 plans.

Quote:

Originally Posted by raycarey

what chiang mai hospitals are within your 'network'?
:chug:

Chang Puek, Chiangmai Klaimor, Chiang Mai Ram 1, Mc.Cormick, Rajavej, Lanna, Special Medical Service Center, and Siam Rad Chiangmai.

Mr Mister · 17th January 2006, 18:15

In a bit of a quandary as I was planning to start a thread regards Health Insurance.
The reason this may not be appropriate here is, whilst not disputing Tony's credentials, I would be keen to be made aware of other companies.
But since I am here, Tony I am looking for Health Insurance, wouldn't say basic, but not OTT either. Do you have a price tariff i.e what it costs and what it covers? If so could I be sent a copy?
I am British and have no need for Thai partner cover.

tonyd · 17th January 2006, 21:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Mister

In a bit of a quandary as I was planning to start a thread regards Health Insurance.
The reason this may not be appropriate here is, whilst not disputing Tony's credentials, I would be keen to be made aware of other companies.

I hate to leave anyone "in a bit of a quandary", so I'll try to help you out a bit:

The Thai government has all insurance companies in Thailand separated into two separate categories for regulation, "Life Insurance" and "Other Insurance". Life insurance, of course, falls under "Life Insurance" for regulation, while all other insurance companies authorized to sell in Thailand are regulated as "Other Insurance".

There are about 25 legally authorized life insurance companies operating in Thailand. Most of them also offer health insurance, but it must be purchased as a rider (attachment) to a life insurance policy. Also, expats need to have a Work Permit to buy it (an "O" visa might be okay). The best known life insurance company is AIA. We represent Siam Commercial New York Life Insurance, another popular company.

There are about 3 companies in Thailand that sell only health insurance. They come under the "Other Insurance" category. Expats can purchase health insurance through them without having to show a Work Permit or having to buy life insurance. The names of these companies are BUPA, NSi and Thai Health Insurance (THI).

There are also many health insurance companies outside of Thailand that cater to expats around the world. They tend to be more expensive, though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Mister

But since I am here, Tony I am looking for Health Insurance, wouldn't say basic, but not OTT either. Do you have a price tariff i.e what it costs and what it covers? If so could I be sent a copy?
I am British and have no need for Thai partner cover.

Since I don't know how to send you the info through the Forum, you can go to my website www.e-insurethailand.com . Everything you need to know should be right there. Click on "Health Insurance" Then click on "Wealthy Healthy" and then click on the blue colored plan numbers at the bottom. I recommend you look at "2000", "3000" and "4000".

mrsquirrel · 18th January 2006, 14:13

Thanks for the update Tony.

My local private is my first nominated and the next nearest private is my second. Both are ok. I needed to take the same province though.

Mr Mister · 19th January 2006, 13:18

Hi tony

I did actually look at that but did not see the cost. Do you have the list of prices?

tonyd · 19th January 2006, 15:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Mister

Hi tony
I did actually look at that but did not see the cost. Do you have the list of prices?

Hi Mr Mister,
Sorry that you had that problem, it does seem to be a little confusing to people. I'll try to make it a little more user friendly. In the meantime, go back to "Wealthy Healthy" again. Look at the bottom of the page and you should see:

"This plan offers 5 choices of Daily Room rates (baht per day) to choose from:
1,200 - 2,000 - 3,000 - 4,000 - 6,000. In addition to the ...." Click on one of the numbers and you will see a description the plan coverage and next to it the annual premium charge. If that doesn't work for you, ask Phil to send me your e-mail address and I will attach the information on an e-mail letter back to you.

Bangkok Phil · 5th February 2006, 19:01

I hear some people talking about “5 Star” hospitals here in Thailand, how are they rated? Which hospitals are considered to be “5 Star” hospitals? How much do they charge per day to stay in a private room? Which hospital do you recommend?

Unwell · 5th February 2006, 20:22

bumrungrad is one of them, right?

tonyd · 5th February 2006, 20:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bangkok Phil

I hear some people talking about “5 Star” hospitals here in Thailand, how are they rated?

Although there are a wide variety of ratings and recommendations a hospital can receive from various sources, there is no industry standard for rating hospitals in Thailand. Those hospitals most often considered to be “5 Star” are the ones that meet or exceed international standards and have been the most successful in attracting patients from around the world.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bangkok Phil

Which hospitals are considered to be “5 Star” hospitals?

The Samitivej Hospital, Bumrungrad Hospital, Bangkok Nursing Home Hospital (BNH) and Bangkok General Hospital (BGH) are the ones most often considered to be in the “5 Star” category. BGH also has satellite hospitals in the popular tourist areas throughout Thailand. I’m sure that there are a few other hospitals worthy of being in this category also, but these are the ones mentioned the most often.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bangkok Phil

How much do they charge per day to stay in a private room?

Their current lowest private room rates are: Samitivej – 6,900 Baht, Bumrungrad - 5,030 Baht, BNH – 7,900 Baht and Bangkok General (BGH) – 8,625 Baht. (BGH’s heart care hospital charges 5,900 per day). Keep in mind that these are the high end hospitals. Most private hospitals in Thailand are also striving hard to meet international standards and they charge much less. For example, St. Louis Hospital charges about 2, 300 baht a day. The Phyathai group of hospitals charge about 3,700 baht a day. These are all considered to offer high quality hospital care and have English speaking staff.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bangkok Phil

Which hospital do you recommend?

I most definitely recommend Bumrungrad Hospital. Bumrungrad is the hospital I see recommended most often when I read about medical-tourism in Thailand. The American TV news program “60 Minutes” even did a segment on the quality of care they provide. Beyond the high quality of their medical care, I’m also impressed by their reasonably low room rates. They offer the choice of a four bed room (2,070 baht per day), a two bed room (2,800 baht per day) a private room (5,030 baht per day), a bigger room, better view, micro wave oven and VCR (6,565 baht per day). Frankly, I’m not too proud to sleep in a four bed room, if I have to, in order to receive the quality of care Bumrungrad provides. The truth is, though, if I ever do have to go the hospital, I still plan to use my local hospital, Mongkutwattana (1,900 baht per day). But if I see the doctors and nurses whispering a lot and avoiding eye contact with me, I’m quickly in a taxi and on my way to Bumrungrad – if I can just learn to pronounce it.

Unwell · 5th February 2006, 20:48

thanks for all the wonderful, well-presented advice tony!

Quote:

Their current lowest private room rates are: Samitivej – 6,900 Baht, Bumrungrad - 5,030 Baht, BNH – 7,900 Baht and Bangkok General (BGH) – 8,625 Baht.

damn, i need to stay out of hospital...

Bangkok Phil · 6th February 2006, 07:32

What happens if the Daily Room and Board coverage provided by my health policy isn't enough to cover the cost of the hospital room, wilI I still be admitted without any hassle?

tonyd · 6th February 2006, 19:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bangkok Phil

What happens if the Daily Room and Board coverage provided by my health policy isn't enough to cover the cost of the hospital room, wilI I still be admitted without any hassle?

Yes, you will! But, of course, you will have to settle with the hospital for the difference at the time of discharge. Both Bumrungard Hospital and Bangkok General Hospital (BGH) verified this process for us. This is one of the advantages of purchasing medical insurance through a locally based insurance company that has a large selection of participating hospitals. You just show the hospital your card and you get admitted without any delay. That is, as long as you have a doctor certified need to be admitted.

Bangkok Phil · 7th February 2006, 09:22

Other than helping me to pay for a better room, is there any other advantage to purchasing a health plan with high room and board coverage?

tonyd · 7th February 2006, 11:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bangkok Phil

Other than helping me to pay for a better room, is there any other advantage to purchasing a health plan with high room and board coverage?

The room and board rate that you choose determines the premium charge and defines the overall level of your coverage. Each plan has built in limits for each area of coverage, for example, surgery or outpatient accident care. Increasing the daily R & B benefit increases those limits as well.

Bangkok Phil · 9th February 2006, 18:45

As I understand it, THI has 2 types of personal health care coverage, one is called "Simply Healthy" and the other is called "Wealthy Healthy". What are the major differences between the two? Which of the two do you think most people should purchase? Why?