Guest Hedda Posted August 30, 2009 Posted August 30, 2009 Last week I had a foot injury. I went to Bumregrad in Bangkok... I think the total cost around 5k baht. There's been very little talk in this thread about the cost and need for carrying insurance with no deductible. You are paying through the nose for that kind of coverage and I don't think it's good finances to be insuring against 5000 baht emergency room visits in relatively low-cost countries like Thailand, an amount that most farangs can easily afford to pay. My own view is that it's better to self-insure yourself for out-of-pocket type medical costs with a significant deductible and use your insurance to protect yourself against a major or catastrophic illness, the kind that can bankrupt you before it kills you. By raising the deductible, you can achieve discounts up to 40% over the cover price, no matter your age.What you save on premiums could be a multiple of what you might have to pay in petty cash for the occasional emergency or routine medical bill, especially if you are reasonably healthy. I'd also be wary of policies that stress some astronomical amount in the millions for "lifetime coverage." The important coverage is what they provide for each "event", illness or disease, and how they're defined in the policy. Quote
Guest Astrrro Posted August 30, 2009 Posted August 30, 2009 My own view is that it's better to self-insure yourself for out-of-pocket type medical costs with a significant deductible and use your insurance to protect yourself against a major or catastrophic illness, the kind that can bankrupt you before it kills you. By raising the deductible, you can achieve discounts up to 40% over the cover price, no matter your age.What you save on premiums could be a multiple of what you might have to pay in petty cash for the occasional emergency or routine medical bill, especially if you are reasonably healthy. I agree. Extremely low deductibles are priced relatively high since it incurs higher administrative expense and also encourages people to not give a damn about medical costs. Crunching the numbers, the deductibles for IMG below $1000 don't make sense even for people who know they will be using the coverage since the premium differential between deductibles is greater than the maximum benefit differential for most age groups. I chose the $2500 deductible since I hate the claim game and am reasonably healthy. The 10K deductible puts me at too much risk given my meager net worth. I was told the IMG plan is not HSA compatible which is disapointing. HSA is a great tax break but you must be covered by an eligible high deductible health plan to qualify. I chose the Gold Plan which is significantly cheaper than the Platinum plan. I don't view the approx 250 million baht lifetime maximum of the Platinum to be materially different than the gold plan's approx 150 million baht maximum. There are some other differences though. IMG *seems* to be a better deal than other high end international plans such as LMG, NZI, and Pacific Cross. And I can verify that underwriting is liberal. But the real test is whether claims are handled in a fair and efficient manner. I'm very interested in personal experiences re the handling of clams for any of the high end plans. By the way the difference between premiums for IMG Gold vs most BUPA plans at most age groups is less than one beer per day at a gogo. Quote
firecat69 Posted August 31, 2009 Posted August 31, 2009 Jim 3 days and no replies to my PM or emails I hope IMG is better at response Quote
Gaybutton Posted August 31, 2009 Posted August 31, 2009 3 days and no replies to my PM or emails A few days ago Jim told me he needs to have some surgery himself. Maybe that's why he's not responding. Quote
Guest travelerjim Posted August 31, 2009 Posted August 31, 2009 Jim 3 days and no replies to my PM or emails I hope IMG is better at response Thank you firecat69, Please see your pm and e-mail... I have sent a reply to both.. Sorry, but I was sick Saturday and Sunday...from food poisoning.. and in Bangkok Pattaya Hospital one night Saturday/Sunday. But much better today, Monday and replying to all as soon as I can.. My apology for the delay. And, may I add, IMG is very prompt with their responses ... and claims services! Take goods care, Thanks again for your inquiry... tj Quote
Guest travelerjim Posted August 31, 2009 Posted August 31, 2009 A few days ago Jim told me he needs to have some surgery himself. Maybe that's why he's not responding. Thanks GB... You are right, I will need some surgery done ...hopefully I can have it done in year 2010... (I am putting it off...hoping it will get better..or better with meds) for the sciatic nerve problem I have on my left side... That is why I am favoring it...with cane and carefully trying not to put pressure on left foot when walking... or standing up from siting position...etc... Such problems when one grows older... :-) Some friends have said I had too much hip action during my early years.. that is why both of my hips had to be replaced... (yeah - such luck..I can only wish!) But I will endure..and thankfully, I have a great doctor at Bangkok Pattaya Hospital...Dr. Suradej...a fine Orthopedic Specialist. tj Quote
Guest travelerjim Posted August 31, 2009 Posted August 31, 2009 Good questions GT; I'm also interested in the response. One additional quetion Jim, is the deductible on a calendar year or policy year basis? Astrrro, The deductible is on a "Policy year" basis.. contrary to the usual calendar year basis one finds under both individual and group employer issued policies. tj Quote
Guest travelerjim Posted August 31, 2009 Posted August 31, 2009 Jim, The plan you recommended for me is a bit more than 500 a month for the 8,000,000 lifetime with no deductible. I don't think a bad price. Do you have to get permission before a visit to a doctor or a hospital? Last week I had a foot injury. I went to Bumregrad in Bangkok. I went to Emergency room and then they took X-Ray and then met with a foot doctor. I think the total cost around 5k baht. If I had this insurance plan, 1. Would I have had to have preapproval? 2. Would I have to pay at the hospital and then get reimbursed or would the hospital take the coverage? 3. Would they deny any part of my expenses? Lastly, I travel a great deal to Brazil as you know. Is this plan the same for all countries? And, if I am visiting family in the USA would the answers to the 3 questions above be the same? Thanks. GT, Thanks for your good questions. I will reply in detail tomorrow... Tuesday, Sept 1st..to each one asked. Chat soon, tj Quote
Guest lvdkeyes Posted August 31, 2009 Posted August 31, 2009 For what it is worth, Jim, I had a case of sciatica and the doc put me on arcoxia 120 mg. It cleared up in about 2-3 weeks. Quote
Guest travelerjim Posted September 4, 2009 Posted September 4, 2009 Jim, The plan you recommended for me is a bit more than 500 a month for the 8,000,000 lifetime with no deductible. I don't think a bad price. Do you have to get permission before a visit to a doctor or a hospital? Last week I had a foot injury. I went to Bumregrad in Bangkok. I went to Emergency room and then they took X-Ray and then met with a foot doctor. I think the total cost around 5k baht. If I had this insurance plan, 1. Would I have had to have preapproval? 2. Would I have to pay at the hospital and then get reimbursed or would the hospital take the coverage? 3. Would they deny any part of my expenses? Lastly, I travel a great deal to Brazil as you know. Is this plan the same for all countries? And, if I am visiting family in the USA would the answers to the 3 questions above be the same? Thanks. GT...In reply to your good questions: Last week I had a foot injury. I went to Bumregrad in Bangkok. I went to Emergency room and then they took X-Ray and then met with a foot doctor. I think the total cost around 5k baht. GT...IF YOU HAD THIS POLICY, IT WOULD HAVE COVERED UP TO US$500.00 FOR EACH "ACCIDENT RELATED MEDICAL EXPENSE"...WITHOUT DEDUCTIBLE...THAT MEANS YOUR BILL FOR ABOUT 5,000 BAHT FOR THE INJURY TO YOUR FOOT WOULD HAVE BEEN 100% REIMBURSED TO YOU BY IMG. "$500 per occurrence - not subject to deductible or coinsurance" If I had this insurance plan, 1. Would I have had to have pre-approval? NO - IN EMERGENCY, ALWAYS GO TO NEAREST MEDICAL CARE ..AND CALL IMG WITHIN 3 DAYS OR AS SOON AS PRACTICAL. IF FOR OUTPATIENT SURGERY OR INPATIENT HOSPITALIZATION..THEN CALL IMG BEFORE SURGERY OR ADMISSION... 2. Would I have to pay at the hospital and then get reimbursed or would the hospital take the coverage? YES, UNLESS THE HOSPITAL PROVIDER IS PART OF THE WORLDWIDE IMG NETWORK...I WILL RESPOND MORE SOON ...DOING RESEARCH NOW FOR YOU ABOUT THAI HOSPITALS...AND IN BRAZIL...IN USA THERE IS A HUGE NETWORK OF PPO AND HOSPTALS FOR YOU TO CHOOSE FROM, IF YOU LIKE. 3. Would they deny any part of my expenses? NOT LIKELY, UNLESS FOR MEDICAL EXPENSES NOT COVERED, SEE POLICY FOR ADDED INFORMATION GLOBAL MEDICAL PLAN: https://www.imglobal.com//travelinsurance/plan_info/GMIP3/benefits.cfm?hideproducer=0&IMGAC=231894 Lastly, I travel a great deal to Brazil as you know. Is this plan the same for all countries? YES! And, if I am visiting family in the USA would the answers to the 3 questions above be the same? YES! Also note that the Platinum Global Medical Plan included DENTAL and VISION plan benefits...worldwide coverages! Dental: Calendar year maximum - $750 Individual deductible - $50 Schedule of benefits - Class I: 90% Class II: 70% Class III: 50% Ortho 0% (6 month waiting period) Vision: Exams - up to $100 per 24 months Materials - up to $150 per 24 months And, has coverages, without deductible, for annual physical exams - each year - after 12 months in force. "$500 per period of coverage - not subject to deductible or coinsurance Available for those 18 years of age and over after 12 months of continuous coverage" May I suggest you look at the $2500.00 deductible? By having that deductible, you save over $2,000 in annual premium savings...a great trade off.... the cost savings are in your pocket (rather than the insurance company's pocket) when you have a good year in claims experience and still have excellent coverages for medical, dental and vision care worldwide! https://www.imglobal.com//travelinsurance/plan_info/GMIP3/premiums.cfm?fuseaction=premiums&sort=worldwide#Platinum Thanks again GT... more soon regarding IMG's worldwide network. tj ps... This Global Medical Plan is also available to your bf - Thai living in Thailand and will cover him for Thailand medical expenses and worldwide too! "Non-U.S. citizens may reside anywhere, including their country of citizenship, although certain eligibility restrictions may apply to non-U.S. citizens residing in the U.S." See premiums here for the Global Medical Plan... for your by, may I recommend the Gold Plan? Great benefits - in Thailand and worldwide... and very affordable too!! https://www.imglobal.com//travelinsurance/plan_info/GMIP3/premiums.cfm?fuseaction=premiums&sort=worldwide Quote
Guest travelerjim Posted September 4, 2009 Posted September 4, 2009 GT... Here is current listing of hospitals in Bangkok with IMG: (note that several do "direct billing" which means they will file your claim with IMG... International Provider AccessSM Name Specialty *Direct Billing What is Direct Billing? Bangkok Adventist Mission Hospital Multi-Specialty Clinic *This provider has a direct billing agreement with IMG Bangkok Hospital Medical Center Multi-Specialty Clinic *This provider has a direct billing agreement with IMG Bumrungrad International Hospital Multi-Specialty Clinic *This provider has a direct billing agreement with IMG Kasemrad Prachachuen Hospital Multi-Specialty Hospital *This provider has a direct billing agreement with IMG Phyathai Hospital One Stop Center Multi-Specialty Clinic *This provider has a direct billing agreement with IMG Bang Pai Hospital Multi-Specialty Hospital Bangkok Christian Hospital Multi-Specialty Hospital Bangkok Nursing Home Hospital (BNH Hosp) Multi-Specialty Clinic Chaophya Hospital Multi-Specialty Hospital Krungdhon Hospital Multi-Specialty Hospital 1 2 3 Name Specialty Mongkutwattana General Hospital Multi-Specialty Hospital Nawabutra Women & Children Medical Center Womens' Hospital Paolo Memorial Hospital Multi-Specialty Hospital Piyavate Hospital Multi-Specialty Hospital Praram 9 Hospital Multi-Specialty Hospital Ramkhamhaeng Hospital Multi-Specialty Clinic Rutnin Eye Hospital Ophthalmology Clinic Saint Louis Hospital Bangkok Multi-Specialty Clinic Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital Multi-Specialty Hospital Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital Multi-Specialty Clinic Name Specialty Sanam Chan Hospital Multi-Specialty Hospital Sikarin Hospital Multi-Specialty Hospital Siriraj Hospital Multi-Specialty Clinic Thai Nakarin Hospital Multi-Specialty Clinic Thai Travel Clinic - Mahidol University Multi-Specialty Hospital Theptarin Hospital Multi-Specialty Hospital Thonburi Hospital Multi-Specialty Hospital Vibhavadi Hospital Multi-Specialty Clinic Vichaiyut Hospital Multi-Specialty Clinic Yanhee International Hospital Multi-Specialty Hospital IN BRAZIL: Rio De Janeiro Name Specialty *Direct Billing What is Direct Billing? Clinica Sao Vicente Multi-Specialty Clinic *This provider has a direct billing agreement with IMG AMIL Total Care - Botafogo Multi-Specialty Hospital Casa de Saude Clinica Santa Lucia Multi-Specialty Hospital Centro Adventista De Vida Saud Quote
Guest Astrrro Posted September 4, 2009 Posted September 4, 2009 Here is current listing of hospitals in Bangkok with IMG: (note that several do "direct billing" which means they will file your claim with IMG... Jim, Is there a website where existing policyholders can get this info? I'd like to browse thru it at my leisure. A friend back home looking through my mail said that IMG sent me some sort of welcome packetbut alas it's all back home. I'd rather know my options before I get sick or before I travel. I'm especially interested in Pattaya and Bali. Cheers, Astro Quote
Guest travelerjim Posted September 4, 2009 Posted September 4, 2009 Jim, Is there a website where existing policyholders can get this info? I'd like to browse thru it at my leisure. A friend back home looking through my mail said that IMG sent me some sort of welcome packetbut alas it's all back home. I'd rather know my options before I get sick or before I travel. I'm especially interested in Pattaya and Bali. Cheers, Astro Astro, Go to IMG's home page... Select "Current Clients" On the left side - select "International Provider Access" "https://www.imglobal.com/clients/ipa/Authenticate.aspx" A webpage will pop up ...enter your personal policy data and another page will pop up where you can choose the Country, City for worldwide providers - Hospitals, Doctors, and Dentists. International Provider AccessSM Welcome to IMG's International Provider Access database. We have created this database to help our customers find a hospital or doctor while traveling outside their home country. Customers can search by facility, physician, specialty, or dentist. The following page contains a listing of care providers throughout the world. By logging in below and proceeding into the system, you acknowledge that all information presented or developed in the system is the property of IMG and may only be used with the services provided by IMG. No other use or reproduction is permitted. Use of this site signifies your agreement to the terms of use. Please review before continuing. Please enter your Client ID Number or Certificate Number as found on your Identification Card. Certificate Number: Date of Birth: -- Enter information requested and... you will have the roster of IMG providers. https://www.imglobal.com/clients/ipa/Authenticate.aspx ALSO...look on the left side of the page and see ALL the information you may need to know someday about your policy and benefits...etc. Click on the information desired and the info will be yours :-) International Provider AccessSM bb PPO Network Search bb Plan Descriptions / Policy Wordings bb Printable I.D. Cards bb Initiate Precertification bb Precertification Brochure bb Claims Information bb Renewal Information bb Claims Fraud Information bb Update Client Information bb Request Information Hope this helps... Thank You, tj Quote
Guest fountainhall Posted September 5, 2009 Posted September 5, 2009 I chose the $2500 deductible since I hate the claim game and am reasonably healthy This is all extremely interesting and we owe travelerjim our gratitude for his professional expertise. I have one further question. I always understood that "deductible" means per illness. Is this correct? If not, then you could find yourself out of pocket for quite a tidy sum if you end up with more than a couple of major 'conditions'. Quote
Gaybutton Posted September 5, 2009 Posted September 5, 2009 we owe travelerjim our gratitude for his professional expertise. Just as an aside, I think we owe Travelerjim gratitude for a lot more too. He does quite a bit that many of us know about and quite a bit that only a few know about. He is a great asset to the gay community in Thailand and he takes quite a bit of totally uncalled for abuse on some message boards, but is rarely thanked or praised for all he does. Quote
Guest travelerjim Posted September 5, 2009 Posted September 5, 2009 This is all extremely interesting and we owe travelerjim our gratitude for his professional expertise. I have one further question. I always understood that "deductible" means per illness. Is this correct? If not, then you could find yourself out of pocket for quite a tidy sum if you end up with more than a couple of major 'conditions'. fountainhall, The policies we have discussed here from IMG - the Global Medical Plan, Patriot Travel Medical Insurance , and Patriot Platinum Travel Medical Insurance all have a "policy year" deductible.. NOT per accident or illness... and NOT "calendar year"...as most commonly found in employer group insurance. The Global Medical Plans - Gold and Platinum series also have a "first dollar , without deductible" - benefit for accident (no waiting period) and physical exams (eligible after 12 months of coverage). In GT's case cited above in other thread, his accident injury of his foot would have been paid 100% by the insurance company as he would have had the Platinum policy which has "first dollar coverage" for accident medical expense up to US$500.00 each incident. The Gold series has a "first dollar" accident benefit of US$300.00 per incident/accident..again without deductible. tj Quote
Guest Posted September 5, 2009 Posted September 5, 2009 Jim, Thanks so much for all your input on this tread. It has been very beneficial to me! Quote
Guest Astrrro Posted September 6, 2009 Posted September 6, 2009 Thanks for the link and info TJ! So it seems that there's 1) hospitals that do direct billing 2) hospitals in the IMG database that don't do direct billing 3) hospitals not in the database In Pattaya there are no direct billers. Bangkok Pattaya and Pattaya Memorial are in the database Pattaya International is not. My question is if I go to Paytaya International what differences can I expect with regard to my IMG claims coverage than if I went to Bangkok Pattaya or Pattaya Memorial? Quote
Guest travelerjim Posted September 7, 2009 Posted September 7, 2009 Thanks for the link and info TJ! So it seems that there's 1) hospitals that do direct billing 2) hospitals in the IMG database that don't do direct billing 3) hospitals not in the database In Pattaya there are no direct billers. Bangkok Pattaya and Pattaya Memorial are in the database Pattaya International is not. My question is if I go to Paytaya International what differences can I expect with regard to my IMG claims coverage than if I went to Bangkok Pattaya or Pattaya Memorial? Hi, NO difference in coverages... you pay the bill then apply with claim for reimbursement. I will be at BKK Pattaya this week and will ask for update re: IMG. This past year they did direct bill IMG for a client's hospital stay... he paid the hospital in full ...then hospital reimbursed him when payment from insurance company was received. tj Quote
Guest Astrrro Posted September 7, 2009 Posted September 7, 2009 NO difference in coverages... you pay the bill then apply with claim for reimbursement. Thanks Jim. But is there any difference? Is a hospital in the database more likely to accept an emergency patient without a credit card backup if it's in the database? Is a claim more likely to be actually paid using a let's say the overpriced Pattaya hospital pharmacy than a less expensive street pharmacy? If there's no difference whatsoever between a non-database hospital and database hospital what's the point of being listed in the database? Is it informational only so tourists can find a hospital? Sorry about the multitude of questions but want to fully understand my coverage before I actually have to use it. Quote
Gaybutton Posted September 7, 2009 Posted September 7, 2009 I don't understand why many insurance companies don't have some sort of set-up that allows for giving the hospital the insurance card and you either pay the deductible or a co-payment, or whatever up front and the hospital then deals directly with the insurance company. Not everyone has the money to be able to pay everything up front and then wait for a reimbursement. For what it's worth, I recently spoke to a representative from the Muang Thai insurance company. I was told that for the first month after taking out the insurance policy, they pay nothing. The second month, you have to lay out the money and then they reimburse. They also told me that after the third month you don't have to pay anything up front and the hospital will bill them directly. That sounds good to me and I'm going to investigate that further with a friend who is Thai, but speaks fluent English. I'll let you know what I find out. Quote
Guest Astrrro Posted September 7, 2009 Posted September 7, 2009 Muang Thai insurance company. The second month, you have to lay out the money and then they reimburse. They also told me that after the third month you don't have to pay anything up front and the hospital will bill them directly. That sounds good to me and I'm going to investigate that further with a friend who is Thai, but speaks fluent English. I'll let you know what I find out. This is the type of policy that'd be good for my teerak. Please let me know what u find out. Quote
