Bupa Health Insurance

[barrys]

I recently received a renewal notice from Bupa for the health insurance for my wife and son.

The combined premium had increased from THB 12,137 for 2006 to THB 18,754 for 2007 - i.e. a rise of over 50%.

I queried this and was told there was a general 10-20% rise across the board depending on age and risk to account for healthcare price increases, etc.

When I pointed out that the proposed increase was far in excess of this figure, I was told that my wife had been subjected to a loading because of a claim last year and that the insurance company was worried about consequential claims - my wife had a quite normal appendectomy.

I then told them that as the operation was 11 months previously, there was just about zero possibility of any related complications.

After several phone calls and weeks of waiting, the new combined premium was reduced to THB 15,435 and finally, following more queries and questions on my part, to a reasonably acceptable figure of THB 13,892 (corresponding to a rise of approx. 15%).

Has anyone else had similar problems?

At any rate, it certainly is worth grilling them about things like this and not simply paying up.

[JimmyGreaves]

Hi Barry,

I assume you are insured via BupaThailand. I have called them three times (BKK) and they have given me 3 different quotes each time for the same coverage. Did you have this problem? Also what hospital/s do they use close to HH?

Cheers

[Digger]

Barry
I am afraid you have broken the chain by claiming on your insurance for your wifes operation and as such your premium has increased.Insurance companies only really like people who make no claims and having made a claim,your premium will always be increased by exorbitant amounts.time to to ask other companies for a quote unfortunately thats how the capitilist world works and if you do private medical care you must be a member I am afraid,sure you know what the option is so will not enlarge.Social medical care

[Nomad]

I bought BUPA insurance from the Observer office and have renewed the insurance 3 times and have used it once. Bumragrad hospital in BKK. I paid the hospital bill about 60,000 baht and BUPA repaid me me about 50,000. I thought that was OK and there was no rate increase but they will not insure for this problem again. I think you can go to any hospital.

[Nereus]

Hi Barry,

I assume you are insured via BupaThailand. I have called them three times (BKK) and they have given me 3 different quotes each time for the same coverage. Did you have this problem? Also what hospital/s do they use close to HH?

Cheers

In my experince you should stay away from Bupa. Just because they are a UK company does not mean that you will get UK service,TIT. In the past there has been limited options for health care insurance in Thailand, but today there are several international players in the market. There is an expat agent in Bangkok that will give you all the options, via email if you want. I have asked him to become a sponsor, or advertise on here, as I feel he gives good service. There are many considerations apart from cost, especialy for retirees and older people.

[barrys]

Hi JG
San Paolo and Petcharat are the 2 listed hospitals - they will settle direct with Bupa.

I believe you can also go to Tanarat Military Hospital in Pran Buri - you have to pay up front there and Bupa then reimburses you as far as I know.

Digger, do I understand this right, i.e. health insurance is only good as long as you don't get sick??!!

Nereus, maybe you could post the details of the guy in Bangkok or if that's not appropriate could you PM me please?

[Digger]

[quote="barrys"]Hi JG
Digger, do I understand this right, i.e. health insurance is only good as long as you don't get sick??!!

Hi Barry
As you say it Health Insurance
Its no different from buildings insurance at the bottom line you make a claim for you collapsed drains and not only does your premium increase next year but another 150 GB pounds will be added to your excess.Its no different with Bupa,private patients or Norwich union,all is great till you start claiming.
Bupa are a company that provides private health care in the form of hospitals in Uk and insurance as well but their prime motive is profit so naturally they preffer clients who make no claims and once you start claiming you become a liability to that end.
It may seem a w
bit bizare but had you thought of opening a small deposit account and banking all the premiums that you pay to Bupa for coverage.You may well find that you are quids in 15 years later.If you run risk assesment on the possibility of illness you may find after you have ticked all the boxes its not worth it.With major illness most people slip home to their countries of origen,Ronnie Biggs being a prime example,thumbed his nose at Uk from Brasil for years,then he got cancer and the rest is history.I think he knocked the door down at Belmarsh trying to get in.