Health Insurance Thailand

Preparation is key. Where you expecting some touristy things to do?  You have most probably done many of the activities that the tourists who come to Thailand are doing. Discovering new places and attractions, trying out the many delicious Thai foods and fruits and enjoying the slow pace of life. I am sorry, but this is not that type of list. There is more serious tone to this. For many expats who have retired, planning to retire, or are retiring in Thailand and are living in Thailand, many of us will die in Thailand. Thai funeral in Thailand A grim heading!  I agree, yet for many of us Expats, these are most neglected actions we take. I know it will happen. I will most probably be one of the expats who will die in Thailand. I just do not know when. That’s life. We will all die one day. Until then, to ease the difficulty of your loved ones, you need to prepare for the inevitable and I mean documentation wise. I am sure that there are many Expats in Thailand who have not even considered the complications that would occur when they die here in Thailand.

Do you smoke or vape, in Thailand?  Maybe a change in habit and lifestyle is on the cards. All my life, I have grown up with people smoking around me, whether it be cigarettes, cigars or pipe and tobacco. When one is young of course, we are going to try it out. Yes, some members of my family and friends have resumed that “habit” and others have not. Back in the day, it was the norm in movies and various adverts to show people smoking. Remember the Marlboro man adverts?                     The Marlboro brand was the top-selling cigarette brand in the country throughout the 70’s decade, known for its iconic “Marlboro Man” advertising campaign. The Camel brand was another popular choice among smokers in the 1970s, with its iconic camel mascot and the slogan “I’d walk a mile for a Camel” As I grew older and frequented bars etc, it was part of the atmosphere and it sure disguised the smell of spilt alcohol on the bar carpeted floor. Those were the “good ol’ days”!   Group of young people having fun at the nightclub, at the bar counter. What was not so pleasant was coming home after spending time in the company of smokers, whether at work or a bar, and having to wash your clothes and have a bath before going to bed. The smell of your clothes was a bit too much.

Take care of yourself ! Being involved as well as interested in the health industry and related, I want to share some invaluable "It's Good to Know" advice to help you understand the importance of taking care of your different body parts. As we journey through life, particularly as an expat in Thailand, we encounter a diverse array of individuals, each with their own unique ways of living, varied life experiences, distinctive personalities, habits, and rich tapestry of customs and cultures. Numerous individuals have established a self-care routine, while, on the other hand, some have a couch that bears a consistent body contour due to continuous use. We don't have the luxury of heading to a supermarket to purchase a vital organ crucial for our survival. While technology is advancing, there are artificial organs and devices that can partially replicate some of our body's essential functions. Though, nothings beats having the original, does it! Prevention is always better than the cure.                                                                     Stomach: Your stomach appreciates a good breakfast, as it sets the tone for the day. Skipping breakfast can leave it anxious and uneasy, impacting your overall digestion. Kidneys: Hydration is key! Ensure you drink at least 10 glasses of water in 24 hours to keep your kidneys happy and functioning optimally. Unfortunately, alcohol does not fit into this category though it does consist a high percentage of water! Gallbladder: Give your gallbladder a break by maintaining a regular sleep schedule. Going to sleep before 23:00 and waking up at sunrise helps

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.