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Ensuring Comprehensive Medical Insurance Coverage While Living in Thailand When it comes to your health and well-being in a foreign country like Thailand, the question of how much medical insurance coverage you need is of paramount importance. Determining the right amount involves considering various factors, including your budget, healthcare needs, and peace of mind. Medical treatment in Thailand exhibits a wide spectrum of costs, varying from relatively affordable to quite expensive. The expenses you might incur depend on the type of treatment required and the hospital you choose.

I suppose that many of us work on similar principles when shopping for a new Health Insurance policy. We look first at the premium, then look at the benefits. That’s if the Insurance company meets with our expected approval. Is that wise? The phrase “penny wise, pound foolish” generally refers to the act of being excessively careful or thrifty with small amounts of money while disregarding or being careless with larger amounts. When it comes to choosing medical insurance for expats in Thailand, it is important to consider this concept.

The right Health Insurance cover in today’s world, is no longer a luxury, but is a necessity. When we move to a new country like Thailand, we do not have the support system we had in our home countries This should be an interesting question. Were I to ask you to give me $1.00 every month and I will give you $10,000.00 when you crash your car, you would most probably agree. It’s about being in the pound seat and getting the money and of course, low risk to you. Should I suggest that you apply and pay for your own Health Insurance cover, you would very possibly decline. Why is that? Do you feel that you: Are very healthy and do not need Health Insurance Not a risky person Can’t afford the premium Think that it is a waste of money   People often think at Health Insurance can be put at the back of the queue with the thought of “It’s not going to happen to me”! Unfortunately, even the healthiest of athlete’s get injured or worse, die. Death and illnesses do not discriminate who gets effected.  Of recent global pandemic, COVID effected millions of people, directly or indirectly. Were the deaths attributed to the vaccine? I think that the jury is still out with that one. Yet still the people that got ill, were treated at a medical institution and their treatment was covered by a Health Insurance policy. I do not know how many people were not treated due to financial issues. Covid was just one Global incident. We have vehicle or motorcycle accidents, sports injuries or even fall down the stairs and suffer serious injuries, this is where the Medical

Whenever you leave your home, whether going to work or holiday, you could have an accident and suffer from an unfortunate injury. In the UK, you can rely on the NHS for medical attention and consultation. However, no matter your age, sex or activity, you are taking risks in a foreign country when going abroad. A holiday is when you relax and enjoy yourself away from home, maybe in a new country. Couple relax on the beach on Koh Samui Fun in the sun with friends                         Many travelers leave the country of the holiday with a lot of great memories, new friends, experiences, photos and the odd souvenir or two. Some travelers are less fortunate.

How much do you need is a good question. Many people base their decision on their budget, how much they can afford either monthly or annually. Medical treatment in Thailand can be both relatively cheap or very expensive. This also comes down to what treatment is required and to which hospital you go to. In Bangkok, Most of the Expat community go to one of the following hospitals: Bumrungrad Hospital  Sukhumvit Soi 3, Sametivej Hospital in Sukhumvit Soi 49, BNH Hospital  in Convent Road, Silom, Bangkok Hospital in Petchaburi Road, and Bangkok Hospital in Pattaya       Some of the hospitals mentioned, generally can treat all ailments, and some are more specialized eg, Bangkok Hospital, Petchaburi Road is more cardio orientated. One can go to the Thai Government Hospitals and get cheaper treatment there, but then there is the long wait. Here one would have to pay oneself. Out patient treatment is relatively inexpensive in Thailand and most people tend to forgo this option. Most of the people that I interact with are concerned about major hospital bills when admitted into a hospital for a medical procedure. It is not unheard of when some hospitals place additional services and costs in the bill that are not actually required or related to the medical condition or treatment. Having an Insurance policy in hand, does assist in the scrutinization of medical bills before they are settled by the insurance company and are not paying for unnecessary items. Going for the cheapest and lowest cover available, can come and bite you in the rear when not expected.  When you need it, you want the best and quickest medical treatment that is available.   A Medical Insurance Policy

HOW MUCH MEDICAL INSURANCE COVER DO I NEED WHEN LIVING IN THAILAND ?   How much do you need is a good question. Many people base their decision on their budget, how much they can afford either monthly or annually. Medical treatment in Thailand can be both relatively cheap or very expensive. This also comes down to what treatment is required and to which hospital you go to. In Bangkok, Most of the Expat community go to one of the following hospitals: Bumrungrad Hospital  Sukhumvit Soi 3, Sametivej Hospital in Sukhumvit Soi 49, BNH Hospital  in Convent Road, Silom, Bangkok Hospital in Petchaburi Road, and Bangkok Hospital in Pattaya   Some of the hospitals mentioned, generally can treat all ailments, and some are more specialized eg, Bangkok Hospital, Petchaburi Road is more cardio orientated. One can go to the Thai Government Hospitals and get cheaper treatment there, but then there is the long wait. Here one would have to pay oneself. Out patient treatment is relatively inexpensive in Thailand and most people tend to forgo this option. Most of the people that I interact with are concerned about major hospital bills when admitted into a hospital for a medical procedure. It is not unheard of when some hospitals place additional services and costs in the bill that are not actually required or related to the medical condition or treatment. Having an Insurance policy in hand, does assist in the scrutinization of medical bills before they are settled by the insurance company and are not paying for unnecessary items. Going for the cheapest and lowest cover available, can come and bite you in the rear when not expected.  When you need it, you want the best

Grandad’s gone to work Around eight million workers are likely not to have enough money to retire when they reach state pension age, a report reveals. Age UK an established charity organisation found that half the current UK workforce aged 40 to 64 expects to have to work into their late-60s and beyond, The findings highlighted that only 17 per cent of the age group believe they will be financially secure enough to stop work. Now the charity is calling on the Government to help people plan for later life by offering a financial review at the age of 50 – while there is still time to do something about it. 

I came across this article  in my Inbox this morning and it indicated how much of a worldwide problem this is. It’s sad to see elderly parents still working to provide for their adult children, or have dipped into their savings or pension and now have to put their dream retirement plans ON HOLD! When I was young, should I desire anything, it was, “there is no money, too expensive, not a priority” and similar responses. Nothing was “for free”! You either went and helped to milk the cows, feed the chickens, clean your room, or, you did not get that “chocolate / record’ you had set your eyes on. It is amazing as to how many people, or should I say adult kids, are still living with Mom and Dad, or had moved back in, as they could not “survive” out in the big world on their own. Did these people expect to have everything given to them on a plate, live on easy street and have no worries? Some tend to live in Lalaland. It all starts at home, from as young as you want to teach your children, RESPONSIBILITY, INDEPENDENCE, FINANCIAL COMMON SENSE and of course, RESPECT!

Just imagine: “On your last day on earth, the person you became will meet the person you could have become.” — Anonymous Sometimes success comes when you shed some bad habits rather than gaining new better ones.. Remember: Everyone’s idea of success is different and very relative to where they are at that moment in their own journey. It can be a Ferrari to a European business person or a glass of clean water to an African tribesman. So here are the habits we recommend to give up on starting from now: 1. Give Up On the Unhealthy Lifestyle None of your material values will mean anything at all if your body fails. It amazes me how quickly we change our priorities when we feel poorly. Nothing else matters until we are well again. In Asia we need to think of three things

Exercise !! who needs it ? Actually, we all do. Whether it be physical or mental exercises, our bodies react in a positive rewarding and powerful manner. There are a lot of positive benefits of doing physical exercise; easier breathing, healthier skin, more energy, improved health, feel good feeling, amongst the few. Not all of us like to get out and do it. With all the excuses out there not to do, we are putting our lives at risk. Obesity is one of the worlds biggest problems. Obesity is more than just being overweight. People are considered to be obese if they have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater. (Those who are overweight have a BMI of 25 to 29.9) Obesity increases the risk of diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, some types of cancer, and even dementia later in life. The most common problems that I come across are people who have High Blood Pressure and High Cholesterol. For those already overweight, “Weight loss will lower risk of diabetes, heart disease and stroke as well as cancer, so there are many good reasons to get back into shape, balance the food we eat with sufficient exercise, and avoid more weight gain or get some pounds off.”