Then it might be good to know that we are broker for Cigna now also. Three of the biggest benefits of Cigna are:
1. No age limit for applying (even 95 year olds can apply).
2. Possibility to take an annual deductible which results in affordable premiums.
3. Good coverage.
And to give an overview of the insurance companies we work with now (for health care insurance):
Thai companies:
AXA
Thai Health
LMG Pacific Healthcare
Bupa
International insurers:
April International Expat
ACS
MSH
Cigna
BDAE
Pacific Cross
William Russell
A+
Blue Cross
And to avoid misunderstandings: Premiums are the same no matter where you take out the insurance, directly from the company or through us.
Health insurance.
Re: Health insurance.
Mat,3. Good coverage.
What is their "pre-existing condition" rule. I ask because some companies will cover anything after a period of time insured while some will never cover anything that you saw a doctor for before you took out the policy.
My brain is like an Internet browser; 12 tabs are open and 5 of them are not responding, there's a GIF playing in an endless loop,... and where is that annoying music coming from?
Re: Health insurance.
HHfarang: It is a medical questionnaire underwritten policy (and not moratorium type underwriting). We just started working with them, but we asked them already about a lot of pre-existing conditions that are quite common. Some examples of the Q&A about pre-existing conditions:
High BMI
Cigna: By itself, high BMI seldom creates an underwriting problem. The only problem will be, if a client is old with high BMI and yet declare everything as healthy, underwriters may get suspicious – either client is not disclosing or client is unaware of their own health condition as they haven’t been doing medical tests. So on a case by case basis, underwriters may ask for more information.
BMI will be an important factor when considering other pre-existing conditions. E.g. Hypertension or Diabetes II
Hypertension
Cigna: Generally, what the underwriters look out for will be how well the condition is maintained. If the readings have been healthy and BMI is not too extreme, we may be able to cover the hypertension without exclusions. So there are a few possibilities that can happen for hypertensions that are NOT EXCLUDED.
a. It can be a clean underwriting term with no loading, no exclusion for all modules.
b. It can be a no exclusion for core module only (i.e. hospitalization) but with an exclusion for outpatient.
c. It can be a loading and cover for the pre-existing condition.
High Cholesterol
Cigna: Same as hypertension.
Diabetes II
Cigna: Similar to hypertension. If client is able to prove that his condition is well maintained with healthy lifestyle and healthy BMI, we may cover them.
Heart attack/stroke in the past
Cigna: Heart conditions are generally not liked by underwriters. A previous heart attack places the client as very high risk group. There is no blanket answer for this. If the client is able to prove that his heart and overall health condition is very good with doctor’s report, I would say, do apply and try. If the heart attack took place like 10 years ago and the client is healthy enough to run a marathon now, I would think that’s a very good story to convince underwriters.
Smoking
Cigna: This is usually viewed in connection with other pre-existing conditions like asthma or other breathing/chest/lung related conditions. Being a smoker itself doesn’t exactly make a difference to premiums or underwriting.
Back surgery in the past
Cigna: Depends on what kind of back surgery. But generally, back/spinal conditions are also things underwriters don’t like. Provide as much evidence as you can, and we can assess and see how best we can underwrite. Some back issues could be due to accidents and may not be recurring, the chances for these to be covered are better.
Hopefully this gives an idea.
High BMI
Cigna: By itself, high BMI seldom creates an underwriting problem. The only problem will be, if a client is old with high BMI and yet declare everything as healthy, underwriters may get suspicious – either client is not disclosing or client is unaware of their own health condition as they haven’t been doing medical tests. So on a case by case basis, underwriters may ask for more information.
BMI will be an important factor when considering other pre-existing conditions. E.g. Hypertension or Diabetes II
Hypertension
Cigna: Generally, what the underwriters look out for will be how well the condition is maintained. If the readings have been healthy and BMI is not too extreme, we may be able to cover the hypertension without exclusions. So there are a few possibilities that can happen for hypertensions that are NOT EXCLUDED.
a. It can be a clean underwriting term with no loading, no exclusion for all modules.
b. It can be a no exclusion for core module only (i.e. hospitalization) but with an exclusion for outpatient.
c. It can be a loading and cover for the pre-existing condition.
High Cholesterol
Cigna: Same as hypertension.
Diabetes II
Cigna: Similar to hypertension. If client is able to prove that his condition is well maintained with healthy lifestyle and healthy BMI, we may cover them.
Heart attack/stroke in the past
Cigna: Heart conditions are generally not liked by underwriters. A previous heart attack places the client as very high risk group. There is no blanket answer for this. If the client is able to prove that his heart and overall health condition is very good with doctor’s report, I would say, do apply and try. If the heart attack took place like 10 years ago and the client is healthy enough to run a marathon now, I would think that’s a very good story to convince underwriters.
Smoking
Cigna: This is usually viewed in connection with other pre-existing conditions like asthma or other breathing/chest/lung related conditions. Being a smoker itself doesn’t exactly make a difference to premiums or underwriting.
Back surgery in the past
Cigna: Depends on what kind of back surgery. But generally, back/spinal conditions are also things underwriters don’t like. Provide as much evidence as you can, and we can assess and see how best we can underwrite. Some back issues could be due to accidents and may not be recurring, the chances for these to be covered are better.
Hopefully this gives an idea.
Re: Health insurance.
Thanks for the detailed explanation Mat! I'm definitely excluded... 
My brain is like an Internet browser; 12 tabs are open and 5 of them are not responding, there's a GIF playing in an endless loop,... and where is that annoying music coming from?