Your biggest investments are your life, legacy and health. With poor health, we have little chance to prosper or give successors a legacy that makes a difference for them. Have you gone to a hospital in Europe or America? How big was your bill?
I recently went to the Chiang Mai Rajavej Hospital for a 100-point check-up. It only took 4 hours from the start to complete feedback with a doctor on all findings. I received all excellent and the price was close to $100.
How much would you expect to pay out of your own pocket in the West for a 100-point health check-up, including a CT scan, chest/lung X-ray, blood and urine testing, specialist visit, and full report with all results? I am sure it would be considerably more even with insurance.
Private health insurance in Thailand is necessary for foreigners without social fund contributions, residency, or citizenship. All other visa types in the Kingdom require some level of financial protection against injury or illness.
We can use any Bangkok/Pattaya, Bumrungrad, or public hospitals and pay cash or use our insurance. The quality of medical care in Thailand is such that certain sectors are led by Thailand or within the top three nations. If you have low coverage, the public hospitals still have great care, they are just busier, a lot busier.
No matter what insurance company you use, look for one with good communication and quick claims service. How to prepare your claim is something you need to be cognizant of at the beginning of the process, at the accident. Initial police/accident/injury reports and details are needed.
Be clear about who your contact people are and how to reach them at 2 am on a holiday weekend. That is when accidents occur and you don’t need to leave voicemails while in the emergency room. You need accurate help.
The company you retired from may have follow-on insurance with a strong Western insurance group. If they are eight time zones away, reaching them when it matters is nigh-on impossible. Local expat or supplementary insurance can bridge the gap in cash, so there is no gap in medical care.
The language barrier can be massive when attempting to relate bodily injury or disease. If you can clearly order breakfast in Thai, how can you tell someone about your pain or symptoms? You are more likely to find clear communication in English at private hospitals. In private hospitals, the waiting is shorter. However, clear communication and quicker service comes with a cost. Will you be pulling out your credit card or medical insurance card?
After landing here and our driver was leaving the Suvarnibum departure area we had a head-on collision at +90kph. We were all belted in but we all went to the emergency room. I literally laid on a backboard and in a neck brace until our insurance could be confirmed. It took hours before I could get an X-ray.
No one plans to have an accident. We can all be ready when they happen.
