TotallyOz Posted May 15, 2013 Posted May 15, 2013 I found this online today and thought it was a good policy. It was expensive but it seems to cover about everything. Anyone ever had it, heard of it or know about it? Geo Blue Travel Insurance www.geobluetravelinsurance.com/ Quote
kokopelli Posted May 15, 2013 Posted May 15, 2013 Yes, I have heard of it, but that is about all. I am covered by Blue Cross when traveling outside the USA and have seen GeoBlue listed when I access the Blue Cross Worldwide website. Just guessing they may use the same network of health care providers? For my coverage in Thailand the preferred hospital in Pattaya is Bangkok-Pattaya; In Bangkok the preferred hospitals are Bumrungrad, Bangkok, Bnh and Samitivej although other hospitals are listed. Quote
Bob Posted May 15, 2013 Posted May 15, 2013 No, don't know anything about it. I'd recommend, Michael, that you touch base with Traveler Jim before you select any policy or any company. He's an expert in the health insurance business and knows all or most of the options out there. He'll likely read this post and perhaps will make some comment (or, if you should want his email addy, just send me a PM). Quote
TotallyOz Posted May 25, 2013 Author Posted May 25, 2013 I have looked into it a bit more and the plans they offer are excellent but fairly expensive. They have different levels of coverage but all of the plans offer both full USA Blue Cross / Blue Shield coverage as well as World Wide Blue Cross coverage. They also cover partially other providers. Having researched many different plans, I know that Blue Cross is the plan for anyone living in the USA and who is in the country several months a year. I have Blue Cross right now and I love the network that they offer. I have always worried about traveling overseas as most policies stop coverage if you have been out of the country for a certain period of time (although most don't say that up front). These policies fully cover both. Quote
KhorTose Posted May 25, 2013 Posted May 25, 2013 I have the government bluedcross called Regence blue cross and I have yet to find a better plan or an easier insurance to use. Once in Mexico I was hospitalized and they paid 100%, even after i told them they were charged for things that I did not receive. It turns out it is easier to pay then to fight bad charges, same is true in Thailand. Quote
kokopelli Posted May 25, 2013 Posted May 25, 2013 With the Worldwide Blue coverage (in my case) the preferred hospitals in Thailand can directly bill Worldwide for overnight and extended stays; for outpatient services it is necessary to pay the bill and submit a claim to Worldwide. Quote
TotallyOz Posted July 14, 2013 Author Posted July 14, 2013 I do think a good Blue Cross / Blue Shield policy is the best best for anyone if they are able to get it. I'll be curious as to how the new Obama plan changes things. I did try IMG Global a few years back and it was horrible. It is not something I would recommend to anyone. I much prefer a plan that really does pay out and has direct billing with the hospital. However, those are hard to find as even my Blue Cross / Blue Shield policy covers me here but I have to pay in advance and then get the money from them. At least they do pay up whereas other policies do not. Quote
Guest travelerjim Posted July 14, 2013 Posted July 14, 2013 The late Dr Allen Briggs, The Gay Pattayan, had coverage through Blue Cross as his California Retirement System CALPERS provided it for his retirement. Though Bangkok Hospital and Bumrungrad both accepted Blue Cross, getting a pre-certification from Blue Cross was not a quick nor easy process. Especially if admitted to the hospital outside the normal Monday-Friday work week in USA. I remember being on the phone with their emergency contact number from BHP and pleading with them to allow his admittance. From call rep to supervisor to manager on duty, I finally was able to get Allen admitted. Blue Cross then advised by e-mail/fax the amount Dr Briggs was to pay on admission.... Even though he had already paid out the maximum he was liable for annually. Otherwise, I have found Blue Cross excellent to deal with and recommend it to anyone who can afford it. The devil is in the details...so read carefully any health insurance policy for coverage and any exclusions. Contrary to Michaels comments about IMG, I have found them to be a fine insurer. We respectfully agree to disagree. One of the key questions one needs to answer...is...IF I come down with a major disease or illness, will I return to your home country for medical care? If so, paying much higher premiums when at age 65+, 70+ and 80+ may not be best for you as the premiums for many plans which are annually renewable guaranteed are $$$ costly. Why pay those high premiums when a 3 year renewable policy will suffice and save you... thousands of $$$ each year? Set aside those $$$ as your savings fund for self-insuring yourself in later ages/years. Just my two cents of contribution to this post...from 22 years of experience in health insurance. tj Quote
TotallyOz Posted July 14, 2013 Author Posted July 14, 2013 Contrary to Michaels comments about IMG, I have found them to be a fine insurer. We respectfully agree to disagree. Yes, I guess we will have to respectfully agree to disagree. The devil is in the details...so read carefully any health insurance policy for coverage and any exclusions. I totally agree with you here Jim. IMHO, and I don't mean this toward you or anyone else, but it is just my opinion that the vast majority, if not all, insurance companies are out to screw their customers if they can save a buck. I don't really think any are too different at least for Americans. I don't know what the deal is with other countries but for us at least, they all seem to enjoy sticking it to us if they can. Years ago, I had a friend from France who needed medical care in Thailand. Guess what he did? He just went to hospital and the French government took care of it all. Now, IMHO, that is a good plan! Jim, I am not sure how the new laws will change things but I do think they level the playing field. It makes it illegal for people to be denied coverage based on pre-existing condition and makes it more affordable to all. I guess we will have to wait and see how it transpires. I do hope that it is required that insurance companies that have any USA coverage play by the same rules. IMHO, and remember guys, I am a socialist at heart, I think medical care should be take care of by the government. I know that is not a popular thing in USA but I think it is the only way to truly have equal coverage for all. Jim is most wise and knowledgeable about insurance as he has been in the business for many years and I am sure he knows best about many things. And, I am sure he has more to learn when the new rules come out. As for me, I am happy with my Blue Cross policy and I do not feel I was screwed over by them (Yet). That is not the same as I have felt with other policies in the past. Quote
TotallyOz Posted July 15, 2013 Author Posted July 15, 2013 An interesting discussion of Thai Hospitals and medical care here: http://www.boytoy.com/forums/index.php?/topic/14558-two-days-at-a-thai-hospital-a-totallyoz-special-report/ Quote
TotallyOz Posted July 16, 2013 Author Posted July 16, 2013 For those that are considering expat insurance, please PM me and I'll be happy to share with you my horrendous experience with IMG. Quote
Guest travelerjim Posted July 16, 2013 Posted July 16, 2013 For those that are considering expat insurance, please PM me and I'll be happy to share with you my horrendous experience with IMG. Michael, I am perplexed by this posting of yours. Due to our differing opinions, we have "agreed to disagree" about IMG. I would love to know the real truth about your "horrendous experience" with IMG. Confidentiality regarding health issues being what it is...I am not privy to the details. Nor believe this forum is the place. Maybe we could have a coffee or breakfast together when you are in Pattaya? Indeed, may I add...yours is the exception from my years of experiences with IMG. I wish you well and continued good health. The Blue Cross plan you have seems to be good for you. tj Quote
Guest travelerjim Posted July 16, 2013 Posted July 16, 2013 For those who wish to obtain more information about Michael's Geo Blue travel and international health insurance plan and their other available plans: http://www.geobluetravelinsurance.com/marketing/a_of_blue.cfm https://www.geobluetravelinsurance.com/product_overview.cfm tj Quote
TotallyOz Posted July 16, 2013 Author Posted July 16, 2013 For those who wish to obtain more information about Michael's Geo Blue travel and international health insurance plan and their other available plans: http://www.geobluetravelinsurance.com/marketing/a_of_blue.cfm https://www.geobluetravelinsurance.com/product_overview.cfm tj Thanks for the links Jim. May I ask you, if you know, why a Missionary gets such cheap insurance with this company as opposed to everyone else? I assume that had to be negotiated. But, I plugged in numbers for several states including Cali and a missionary plan costs almost half of the other policies. Quote
Guest jomtien Posted July 16, 2013 Posted July 16, 2013 Thanks for the links Jim. May I ask you, if you know, why a Missionary gets such cheap insurance with this company as opposed to everyone else? I assume that had to be negotiated. But, I plugged in numbers for several states including Cali and a missionary plan costs almost half of the other policies. Is that insurance for injuries sustained while using the missionary position? Quote
TotallyOz Posted July 16, 2013 Author Posted July 16, 2013 Is that insurance for injuries sustained while using the missionary position? Had you even been on a motorcycle before? Was this disclosed in your application for insurance under: Anything else we need to know. List all guys you have done the missionary position with: Have you ever taken any meds for being a missionary? or any other meds at all in your life? Please answer the above honestly, so I can evaluate your claim. Quote
Guest travelerjim Posted July 16, 2013 Posted July 16, 2013 Thanks for the links Jim. May I ask you, if you know, why a Missionary gets such cheap insurance with this company as opposed to everyone else? I assume that had to be negotiated. But, I plugged in numbers for several states including Cali and a missionary plan costs almost half of the other policies. Michael, I can only surmise that being the Missionaries are doing the work of the Lord... they are receiving a "heavenly" discount. . (I will look into this question you have asked in the next few days)... tj Quote
daddydawg Posted July 17, 2013 Posted July 17, 2013 Michael.......... When you have that coffee or breakfast be wary of any pre-existing conditions. I will PM you regarding your experience with IMG. Quote
