If you are an American join our fight for FULL Medicare globally: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-2kfJXs1_pQI.html. And here is a video about some Medicare loophole benefits you can use now: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-aNu4-RWQ91I.html. I hope you will subscribe and visit my channel again: www.youtube.com/@RetiredGlobalLife?sub_confirmation=1
We just discoverd your video's, they are very nice and good information, thank you! We will travel to Thailand next Saturday and be in Chiang Mai from January 27 untill the beginning of March. We love the place and are looking forward to be there again! Els and Ben from the Netherlands
Thank you. I am married to a Thai citizen, married 25 years. We live in the USA. Retirement is in the future, so I'm planning now. Spent countless times watching subjective highlights of RU-vid videos that provide no meat-on-the-bone usable information. This is where you shine; videos like this one. I do enjoy your fun videos, but having a well-thought-out, put-into-practice sustainable things to think about is critical to success in planning on retirement in Thailand. Kudos!
Very thorough analysis of what admittedly is not the most exciting topic in the world. Combined with Randy's other videos, you should have a pretty good idea of what things cost and what kind of budget you will need. Certainly, these videos save a lot of time since they do a lot of the research you'd have to do yourself. Bravo, Randy!
I appreciate your useful information presented in a very factual manner. No hype - No baiting - just quality & helpful information combined with very useful links. Keep up the good work and Thank You.
Thank you Randy for your very thorough and detailed video on health coverage. I know this as I was a health agent at one time. For three years I've been watching similar videos on living in Mexico, Costa Rica, Spain, Portugal and Bali. Your videos are easily the most comprehensive and pleasant to watch. I am 71 years old, so I better get over to Thailand and get good coverage before I turn 80, so that I can be covered right up until age 99. 😂 Wishing you and your girlfriend good health.
Wow, what a nice comment coming from someone who was a healthcare agent. Big thanks. I actually have some more videos planned on related issues so I hope they are a well-received as this one has been. Sounds like you have a lot of fun choices... hmmm Bali? Spain? Portugal?... Maybe Thailand too?... Lots of cool places. Best wishes and say hello if you make it to Chiang Mai.
I appreciate a channel for more mature men planning on retiring to Thailand. Although I will not be retiring early for 5 more years (58 years old now). I will retire early at age 63 and my full social security will not start until 67. I will be bringing $400,000 USD to Thailand and predict on spending half of it until my social security starts. I have been to Thailand 4 times in the last 2 years and it is my #1 country for me to want to reside. I still have to consider whether to buy a condo or rent after being there for 6 to 12 months. I hope you have a video that can get me to lean one way or another. My monthly will only be $2,300 USD a month, but it makes me very happy that I can live very comfortable with my cash and pension for the rest of my life in Thailand.
First off, you are smart to say you will wait until you have been in Thailand for 6-12 months to buy or rent long term. It takes a while to chose what region in a city you like. Most expats rent, not buy, simply because it is so, so cheap. Buying is cheap compared to many parts of the world, but relatively, rent is less relative to the property value. Plus some condos have high monthly fees, and the nicer ones can turn into giant AirB&Bs, not really a community feel. So renting gives flexibility to move, and keeps your $ free.
Another great and informative video! You explain what can be fairly complex very well but that being said, it's important to do your homework. Thanks for doing all the heavy lifting on the costs.
To expand on my referencing on the non-O, it is normally applied for in Thailand, so no health insurance requirement as I said. It is only if you apply for it in your home country, which is rare, that the insurance requirement may be applied to you for the initial period of the visa. To watch Cost of Living in Thailand (Chiang Mai): ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-epIhlkDtKzQ.htmlsi=x8zLEXaHFfWtWDZ1 and to subscribe and get more Thailand info: www.youtube.com/@RetiredGlobalLife?sub_confirmation=1
Just wanted to say thank you so much. I am moving to Chiang Mai on July 17th 2024 and I have learned more from your videos than all the other you tubers put together. You provided real life information that is invaluable. Thank you again!
Thank you Randy for this informative video. I was very upset when I researched insurance on my own. The prices I found were outrageous, which led me to believe I could not afford to live inThailand, hence my dream became a nightmare. Luckily you made this video and restored my dream..THANK YOU!!
I hope you get a good quote. The insurance company will give you an "offer letter" clearly outlining coverage, such as what pre-existing conditions are excluded, etc, so you know where you stand. Best wishes!
I watched other videos on the visa requirements. But, this was the first to point out the insurance requirement and the deductible catch. Others are talking up the fact that they are so cheap. But missed the simple truth of "what if i actually need to use it"? Really eye opening. Instant sub from me. And I've already shared it with a friend. I haven't even gotten to the end yet.
Can I clone you... since you are both subscribing and sharing? (: Thanks for the nice comments and I hope you find the rest of the video as helpful as the start. Best wishes and have a great day.
Thank you for the video. My husband has hypertension and was told by Pacific Cross that they would not cover any investigation or treatment related to the entire cardiovascular system. He also sprained his ankle 10 years ago and was to that they also wouldn’t cover anything related to any part of the musculoskeletal system unless he waited 5 years and was evaluated at that time. I was wondering if anyone knows of any companies that are not so crazy strict about preexisting conditions?
I thought I replied earlier but I don't see it. One thing I stressed in the video is asking your agent for straight talk about each company's rep on things like how they view pre-existing conditions. Some insurer's are super rigit. Sorry that I don't know the best company in that regard. Maybe someone will have some input here, or go online with the Facebook expat groups.
First time viewer here and i thought this video was really informative and very helpful. Great job putting this together. Looking forward to watching your other videos as well. Subscribed and thumbs up!
Hi Randy. Sorry for the late reply to this video . This video was just excellent all around . So much really good information for those of us thinking of moving to Thailand. Your info on health insurance is the best I've seen on the internet to date. Most others say they'll talk about everything, but just end up pushing a single provider that's probably sponsoring their video. Thanks Again 🙂🙏🙏 for all your hard work . Your information about everything Thailand, and especially Chiang Mai, is greatly appreciated. 👍👌
Thanks, Brian. Yes, that video was A LOT of work, as I had to do a ton of research to supplement what I knew. Glad it was helpful. A good agent here is still essential thought to get the best info as health insurance can be quite important.
No , Thank You Randy . As soon as I watched this video, I recognized the amount of work that was put in . As someone planning to move to Thailand and more specifically Chaing Mai , all of the information you are supplying with your videos , Is truly invaluable to a person like me . I love all the videos you guys have put out so far . They are informative and fun to watch . Getting this information from boots on the ground there , is so important. When I finally move there , and your in town , dinners on me . Thanks Again.
I’m coming to Bang Saray in October from England on a non immigrant OA visa and looking for medical insurance and found your video excellent. I have emailed a couple of companies due to your advice. Thank you for such clear information
Thanks! In my hospital video I give the contact info for a great ins agent, Natt. Sorry I don't have his contact info in front of me. Contact him. Good advice and totally fluent.
The effort is worth it when I get such nice comments and to know it is being helpful and alerting people to cautions they may not otherwise know about. Thanks again.
Sorry to hear that. The problem with Safety Wing is you buy directly with them. If you have a problem, you have little recourse. I suggest next time you use Squaremouth.com or InsureMyTrip.com. I once bought a travel policy through them. When the insurer gave me a hard time and ignored me, I complained to Squaremouth. Within one day they had the insurance literally calling me to get it done. Those insurance companies rely on the brokers so need them to keep selling their policies.
Most types of visas don't require insurance, but for those that do it is working with Thai immigraion (which is not customs at the airport) or the Thai embassy, to get the visa and verify requirement like health insurance.
You are welcom. Sounds pricey. If you check out my hospital video I give the number of Natt, a great insurance agent for health care. Chat with him. He is really good and tell him I sent you.
Great video. Thx. Thai Elite 20-year visa holder. I'm looking for health insurance as I do have a few preconditions - heart stent. Money no issue as simply want great coverage - only for Thailand. Any suggestions?
The company I mentioned, I think AIA it is called, has a good rep. I suggest you go with a Thai company and not one of the "offshore" ones. Pacific Cross has a rep for not cancelling people with conditions, but they do sometimes raise the premium. I'm sure you can find an in-country agent who can give you much better advice than me. Congrats on the 20 year visa, btw.
Thank you so much, these videos are so helpful. I do have a question though in australia we do not have deductible on our heath insurance. How is it applied if i ever have to go into a hospital in thailand.
A deductible just means you have to show you paid that amount before the insurance kicks in to start covering. Some policies will pay the hospital directly, others you pay then get reimbursed.
Hey Randy - fellow attorney and pickleball player from California here. Now that I’m physically in Thailand - Pattaya for a few months to start - I’ve been watching this excellent video of yours on health insurance a few times over. Can you recommend an insurance agent, or maybe a better question is - is misterprakon an agent through which one can obtain either Pacific Cross or AIA? I’m interested in one of the Pacific Cross plans or the AIA Happy Health plan. Thanks for the information!
Hey great to hear from a fellow SoCal attorney pickelballer! Okay, I'm your guy for your answers: A very good health insurance agent in Thailand is Natt Tassana, Tenzing Pacific Services, +66 0 955749640. He does not sell AIS but Robert Jackson does. Here is his Facebook business page: facebook.com/tihservices. I know them both and and spoke to them both in research for various videos, so tell them Randy from Retired Global Life sent you. I know Natt more than Robert but I'm sure either will treat you well.
@@RetiredGlobalLife Thanks for the info Randy. And a slight correction, I was Nor Cal - Sacramento. I’ll reach out to you when we are headed to Chiang Mai for some pickleball!
@@KeilikoGreg I was recently in the US and left my paddle there. So annoying. Just ordered another one and awaiting it any day. The good thing is I can blame all my (many) missed shots on my new paddle... 555.
@@RetiredGlobalLife your paddle was pretty unique as I recall! I brought a few paddles over so if anyone needs a paddle or wants to demo one, I’ve got ‘em covered! I played PB in Bangkok last week three times at Benjakitti Park. 10 covered courts there and everyone was so welcoming!
@@KeilikoGreg Yeah my paddle is oval not rectangular, a Pro Kennex. My tennis racquets were the same company. Sounds like you play a lot. Good for you. When I visit CA I play 4 times a week, then I'm here (Thailand) and get busy with life with Joy and videos and I play once or twice a month. I need to organize my priorities better. Plus here they play with those damn softer balls. I don't know why they do. I hate them and much prefer the standard Franklin X-40s.
I agree completely on everything except your food costs. A nice western breakfast = 150 baht, lunch #1 = 100 baht, lunch #2 = 100 baht, and dinner = 350 baht. That's 700 baht per day, or 21,000 baht per month. If you do not budget on the higher end, then you'll never be able to afford an occasional treat (ice cream, smoothy ...).
Agreed. I think I said at the higher end not 3 western meals a day, but eating out 1-2 times a day, and including Western food at the high end, and a bit in the medium. But is is so subjective... a nice restaurant to me may not be nice to you. Thanks for the input. Take care.
Great video thanks I’m working with your daughters company. You both do a great job. I’m kind of in the same situation with you of traveling back-and-forth. Have you found any good airfares?
Thanks for the nice comment about Hailey. Yes, she and her team are hard workers and smart and ethical. I fly EVA Air. Not always the cheapest but the best planes for me although their website and phone service is the worst. No great solution with air fare, but at least LAX to Taiwan to Chiang Mai is only two flights. That's the main benefit. Not three flights like most.
THERE IS A THIRD PARTY CLINIC IN PATTAYA THAT WORKS WITH VA ON YOUR BENIFIT AND BANGKOK HOSPITAL Can work for treatment through VA BY WITH SOME PAPERWORK PAPERWORK
Hi Randy, wow ,you worked so hard to produce this excellent video. For an international audience it's best just to do all in baht, I got exhausted converting as you quoted some costs. I'm afraid ,especially regarding visas, you'll have to do a second edition soon. The Elite visas are being completely revamped as we speak . The retirement visas will probably change soon as well ,making them more stringent . With regard to insurances, if they're part of a visa requirement those have to be assessed as visa costs . When you get into the questionairs of insurance companies and preexisting conditions are excluded you may find you paid a premium to get your visa but have difficulty claiming. The Non-O visa is the best option to be on without insurance requirement. In any case all visas will be revised soon which will make it a new ballgame .I think you'll be busy making more videos ..the only constant in life is change . One more remark, if you're over 75 and even if you can find an insurer the cost will probably be say around 140,000 baht with such deductibles and preexisting conditions that claiming will be a miracle, so purely an added visa cost. If over 80 , don't even mention it. There was some talk that you're allowed a visa if you park 3 million baht in a thai bank account as a self insured sum for medical emergencies . Certainly for US expats Thailand is still a viable option to retire in especially if youre reasonably healthy and you don't access claims more than the two times you quoted .Even if you do it's still a bargain compared to US medical costs. The issue for me is more about claims because that's when you find out if you can actually be reinbursed . That's why I said,reasonably healthy good,sickly and knocked back on a claim is purely a visa cost . I think if you're permanently retired in Thailand,not FIFO,which the adds to your budget for airfares, a nice lifestyle for an expat, say in Chiang mai where I live, can be had for about 60,000 baht a month. In Bangkok where rents are higher I would say maybe 80,000. This could include a couple of short holidays by the seaside unless that's where you're based. Now as a last remark, if you're on a retirement visa you're not retired in Thailand permanently, your security of tenure is a year at a time . Even on a marriage visa . On a long term Elite or LTR you got much more tenure depending which Elite you paid for( new products (October 1st,) Anyway, great video as always, keep up the good work!
Thank you so much for that comprehensive comment. Yes, no one knows what the new Elite prices will be when announced next month, in late September, except that they will be higher. I am told a lot higher, and fewer benefits, but who knows. I keep hearing rumors of changes to the retirement visas but nothing concrete seems to be coming, so maybe you know something I don't. If I had to guess I think they will stay about the same, as no big continuing problems are coming from the expat retirement community causing problems to the Thai government to necessitate a change. We shall see...
The guy making waves has a nickname Big Joke,a very high ranked policeman who plans to lobby the upcoming government to tighten retirement visa rules. Too many unsavoury people on both sides. Many people too who are also on a tight budget, can't prove the money required and pay under the counter to agents. This corruption needs to be cleaned up. It reflects badly on people like us.. The down and outs Pattaya way..I had actually seen Farangs shoplifting in supermarkets. One old guy here in Chiang mai was caught and he was illegal already and got deported.
Yes, I've heard of Big Joke. He makes a of noise and his statements always get reported. You are one in-the-know guy! You should have a channel!!@@consulthai
@@RetiredGlobalLifeyes rumours on visas but I think you right cannot surely be any big changes , maybe age 55-60 & 1mb. Whatever visa you have it’s madness not to have any insurance. I have some. I pay excess 40,000 , cover for 3m baht .. may also get some smaller 2nd cover too ..
Thanks for making your videos. I’ve learned a lot from your content and in particular this one on medical insurance in Thailand. I am turning 74 years old this year. I do have a policy for the past eight years withAXA within $8000 US deductible. I just got notified of what my renewal premium will be this year and it went up $500 in one year. My new premium will be $3,850 . I have never made a claim on this insurance policy during the past eight years. Rather if I need to have some medical attention done, I do so in the United States where I’m fully covered by Medicare and supplemental. I pay for part B and supplemental in the US which comes to a total of approximately US$7000 a year. So my question is what happens when you start to get into your 80s and if you make it into your 90s? If rate increases are going up $500 a year for me at 74 years old, I can anticipate even if I stay in good health that my insurance rates will skyrocket in my 80s and 90s It would be very helpful if you could do a subsequent medical video which looks into medical insurance cost when you’re in your 80s or 90s living in Thailand. Again, my insurance went up $500 just because I increased in age by one year. So the obvious question is with increasing age and if you have to start making claims against your insurance in thailand, what is the overall impact for your plan? Thanks again for the work that you and your wife are doing is very helpful, but I’m sure other expats must have the same concern that I have going forward with retirement in Thailand.
Thanks for the nice comment and question. Much of what you ask is outside my realm. My understanding is carriers vary a lot on how much they increase a premium based on age and prior claims or both. Sounds like a bum deal for you. That's why may just self-insure, e.g. put the premium money in the bank instead and pay the bills yourself. Did you see my hospital video about how to find a good but cheap hospital? Sadly at your age you likely can't change carriers to one that might have a senior friendly view. In my hospital video I give the contact info for a Thai agent named Natt, who might have some advice for you if you contact him directly. He is the expert, not me. Best wishes and good luck.
Is it a problem to find a heath insurance for a lady +80 yrs old (Europeen) . Actually in very good health. Thaï insurance is OK. No need the luxurious private hospital 5 stars. Some companies said NO after 75 yrs old. Khob khun kha ! 🙏
Thank you for the insurance information. Absolutely first class. I'm just in the process of looking at all my options. Retirement and living in Thailand versus vacating regularly from Australia.
great info-The LTR insurance requirement is waived if you can show at least $100,000 in the bank-stocks etc.with a year (month to month) statement! Also do you realize if your a single man at 65 in the 🇺🇸 with a high pension your part B can be as high as $300-$500 per month not including part D or other supplementals! So in that scenario it can be cheaper just to buy insurance in 🇹🇭 when you turn 65 (if you live here)!
Yes, I didn't want to go into too much detail on the visas. Plus, so few people get the LTR, as the requirements are tough for many to meet, like the OX. And yes, I know all about high earners paying a big price for Medicare. It can even go over $500.
Hi thanks for this video. I’m planning to retire soon to Phuket from America and this video has answered many questions that I’ve been thinking about. I have a O visa. Cheers 🍻
Hi, as you go to Thailand for 2 months and then back to USA which visa do you use?. I'm looking at 5-6 months in Thailand and the rest in Australia, which visa do you suggest?. As I'm getting close to 70 I've noticed that the medical insurance in Thailand starts getting expensive, still cheaper to buy travel insurance in Australia.
For that length of time you might way to look at the non-OA or non-O. Or if you have big money to burn, the Elite. You would not want to copy me. I have been going on a 30 day tourist exemption, then getting a 30 day extension there. Since I fly in, rather than by land (stricter) and because I am not doing a quick 1-3 day turnaround like border runners, they have never given me any grief about it. Maybe they would look at me differently if I was a backpacker, but my age group is usually in the higher spending category so likely considered good for the economy. Good strategy if you can get travel insurance at a great rate.
Randy, Excellent and informative,...as usual. ...especially on medical insurance. I also live in Southern Calif , am retired recently . I was wondering if you knew anything about how our RHA (retirement health accounts ) would work (if at all ) in Thailand. I have quite a large amount of money that I saved in my RHA....and would not want to lose access to that should I need it for anything . Thanks John .
I was actually reading something about that recently although I don't recall the details as it does not apply to me. But I remember thinking that it sounded like it could be used for overseas coverage based on how at least some companies wrote up their policies. So a lot will depend on your insurer. Thanks for the nice words.
Hello hope all is well with you. I am 75 years old want to come to Thailand and the Philippines and possibly Indonesia this November or December i don't know how long i would be staying in each country. My question is how to go about immigration and showing the airline tickets regarding the leaving the particular country please advice. Also the health insurance for my age category to cover both countries. Thank you so much for the tremendous information pretty much about everything. Joe
You can check insuremytrip.com and see if they have policies for your age for travel insurance. If not and you are American check out this video of mine: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-aNu4-RWQ91I.html Sorry your question about tickets is too broad. I don't understand your question.
Everyone's situation is so different. A non-O is the most common way to go. But if you come and go every 3 months, you could actually just get the visa waiver and extend (assuming the new initial 60 days to finally start I hope any day) assuming you are from one of the 93 countries that can do that, which I assume you are. As long as someone is not just doing border runs, there is little problem with someone coming for a few months, leaving for a few, then repeat. You can do the 6 month reentry visa, but there is the annoying requirement to leave/re-enter every 60 days. A silly requirement. If you have $ go for the LTR, but it is not easy to qualify for. Elite is great but very, very costly. So most just go for the non-O. If you are going to study Thai even part time, an ED visa is also a great option. It just has a max number of years you can do it.
Thanks for a brilliant video, perhaps you can help me. My son lives in Chiang Mai and wants me to move there with him I went to see an reputable agent in Thailand only to be very disappointed. I am 81 years old, English and have some pre existing conditions. AXA was recommended to me but they will not cover me because I am 81 years old. Do you know anyone that will cover me at my age, preferably coving pre existing conditions also. My son and I are very disappointed and would greatly appreciate your advice. The alternative is to use Public hospitals in Chiang Mai but I am unsure of the treatment I would receive in these hospitals Regards, Michael
Sorry for your difficult situation. Getting health insurance with a new company at age 81 may be impossible and they will all exclude pre-existing conditions but some may get covered if there is a look back period and you did not treatment for it in that period. Likely you will need to self-insure and just self pay. Check out my video on Thailand hospitals. The best deal is at university hospitals (the best of "public" usually) , or university hospitals that have private clinics there geared toward foreigners, with English spoken by most everyone and high end standards. Even private hospitals, like Bangkok Hospital, or Ram in Chiang Mai, are cheap compared to the US, but not as cheap as the former options I mentioned.
Depends on the company and your condition. Some will be excluded and some will be covered after a waiting period. The underwriting will be clear before you pay.
Is there any way to find any insurance for an 81 yr old in excellent health? Married to Thai lady 24 years, I own 3 condos in Thailand & wife ownes home we just completed on 2 Rai near Nong Rong. I used the Non Im O 1 yr visa with 90 day multiple entery for many years but now they reduced the stay to 60 days which makes it a bit more troublesome. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you. PS We also Own a home free n clear on a couple of acres North of Reno Nv but neither of us are willing to sell that quite yet.
It is super hard to get new insurance at 81. Best to see if you have an existing company if they have an option to extend to coverage in Thailand, or all of Asia. I give the name of an excellent Thai insurance agent and his contact info in my hospital video so you could get his info from that and call him. He'd know more than me. Sorry about your visa and I'm not an expert in that field. Depends on what you want. Would the 6-month multi-entry visa work for you?
Disingenuous to say the least. Barely mention the 800 pound gorilla in the room. Almost every Thai insurance company company WILL NOT cover pre-existing conditions so go ahead and give them your money but don’t expect coverage for one of the likeliest causes to put you in the hospital
Well you have watched just one video of mine. I can't cover everything in one and I do talk about that a bit in this video. I tell people what they should already know - that most pre-existing conditions are not covered. As you likely know, Thai doctors and regular care is so cheap, you don't need insurance. Insurance is for big things. And for some, no coverage and people might need to return home for a huge illness covered by their gov coverage, or have assets to pay for the care in Thailand, often doable at the super low prices at government hospitals. The more costly policies (not just to get a visa) can be quite good, so you need to check with a good agent to find who will not drop you, or raise rates too much. But you are completely right. it is a risk if serious disease comes your way. Best wishes.
Interesting and comprehensive. Having just arranged cover for my wife and I, discovered something many may be unaware of but can be very significant. Arranged for two Pacific Cross Maxima plans, I am 64, she’s 60. Very fit and active, no pre- conditions. Then the underwriter unexpectedly delivered the curveball. No cover for me whatsoever for Prostrate conditions, for a “Waiting period” of two years. They were initially reluctant to tell me why, but it’s age related and it’s standard 65+ to include that exclusion. They will “consider” “reviewing it” should you have a PSA test. Since Insurance is really about mitigating risk, I switched to a Luma plan, significantly more expensive but good cover. Be aware that Pacific Cross in particular have a reputation for underwriting just about anything and everything.
Thanks so much for the input. Yes, Luma has a very good reputation, but as you said, costs more. There is a huge difference in buying a policy to satisfy visa requirements and getting solid coverage. Best wishes.
My wife is Filipino but loves Thailand and its food. I like the fact that some of the insurances cover you in other countries. Which includes the Philippines. I don’t care for medical in the Philippines and Thailand would be my choice because of the quality. The Philippines has about 5 accredited hospitals and Thailand has about 60. Wow if you think drinking increases your budget Bar Girls puts you in a completely different universe. Speaking from experience hahaha. But I was much younger then than now!
I am British pensioner 81 years old and cannot find anyHealth policy that will cover me at that age. Can I obtain a visa without needing Health insurance and simply use government/ Public hospitals when I need treatment and pay the fees required at these hospitals. If so what visa should I apply for?
Many visas do not require health insurance. The Non-O, unless your local embassy adds it as a requirement, but it is not a requirement. LTR, DTV, Elite, there are many with no health insurance requirement. You need a good visa agent in the city you plan to go to to assist you. Best wishes.
I am a 71 year old Gay living in Hillcrest in a Senior apt; how is it for expat gays in Thailand? I am not a partier or bar person just a homebody. You place here looks like a North County Estate. Can you get social security check monthly? Thanks, Jim
Yes, no problem for US citizens to get their SS checks while living out of the country. You arrange a bank transfer or can arrange direct deposit overseas. But Medicare is a separate issue and no coverage for original Medicare, but see my new video on the loophole of Type C Advantage plans that have limited coverage for emergencies at least. Many of them anyway.
Great information, thanks so much. Do you have any advice for how one obtains insurance in order to comply with visa application requirements but can then cancel without penalty if the visa is not approved? I may have missed something but it feels like a potential Catch-22?
I don't know if there is an opt-out, sorry. May depend on the policy. But the best thing is to get a good licensed insurance agent in Thailand and ask them. Best wishes.
What insurance options are available for 81+ year olds that want do like u do meaning travel every 2 months or so back to the US plus trips to VN PI etc. as well as a quick trip to Paris with the girlfriend . Any suggestions
If you have an Advantage plan or Medigap G or N you can get a policy for emergency coverage at hospitals out of the US, but very hard to get a traditional health policy at age 81 unfortunately to my knowledge. Best wishes.
Hi Randy Thankyou for your show on Health insurance My wife & I currently live in Australia and are selling up to move to Hua Hun to live we recently visited there for a couple of weeks and like the laid back way of life there , we have discussed all the necessary items for visa bank acc. etc etc and also the very informative episode on health which is so much cheaper and offering more than the companies I have contacted. All the Best Ian & Pauline
I like Hua Hin. Enjoy it. Joy and I did a video on out trip there. You might want to check out my vid about hospitals in Thailand. In that one I give the name of a great agent, Natt, and his contact info. Great English and very straight-forward IMO.
Hi Randy, Thanks for the info. I wasn't aware of the insurance plans that provide worldwide coverage. That's an intriguing idea. I lived in San Diego County for 20 years ( you've got a nice place) and now I live in Oregon. Currently, I spend about 5 months a year in Thailand. Would love to meet up with you and Joy for coffee in CM this fall!
Hello Randy, I started watching your (and Joy)'s videos recently and they inspired me to visit Chiang Mai from Boston in July, loved the city, just wanted to say "thank you"!
Great. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do. When you come message me again and I'll try to point you to the right things if you are not sure where to focus your time.
And of course following your other videos I will be joining the expat club so will surely get lots of local knowledge. Also definitely interested in the Pickleball club
Great, Andrew. Lots of nice people and good activities at teh local expat club. You likely won't see me there solely because Joy keeps me too busy with local activities... Otherwise I'd be involved.
Looks like I may not be eligible for the Pacific Cross plan due to my age of 77. Are the alternative plans available that have similiar coverages as the Ultima Plan?? Plan to relcate to Thailand later on this year...joe nappi
I've heard some companies will go to 79 depending on health although likely lots of pre-existing conditions. Do you want just coverage to get a certain visa? Or do you want actual quality health insurance. Check out my video on how to find the best hospital and I give an agent's name and number, not a broker but an actual agent, and he maybe can help you. His name is Natt but I don't have his info handy. But it is in the video. Best wishes.
Thank you so much for this video. My son lives in Bangkok and now that I am retired I am seriously considering moving there and just visiting my home country. If I am not a resident more than six months of the year I will lose my government health care so the cost of healthcare care in Thailand is something I am researching to figure out if I can actually afford to do this. Thanks so much for your detailed breakdown and what one needs to consider.
Hi! Have found your channel 3 days ago and have watched about 5 presentations that are so well organized and presented. I must tell you !! Have been diving in many channels trying to find as much as possible info, recommendations, advises etc but yours are superb. Planning 1 st trip to Thailand in mid of December with first stop on Koh Samui. Prepping this trip gives me headache especially for solo traveler. Im retired and this trip is sort of trial. Was thinking of LTV that would allowed me to stay longer than 90 days. Than got to part of health insurance required for longer stay and now I’ve just stopped!! Truly not sure what I need for trial trip have a lot of questions ! Thinking about agent to make sure I don’t have spend too much time trying to figure it out.From what you’ve mentioned your daughter works I guess in Visas Agency. Would like to contact her. What’s the best way to reach her?Hope she would help in picking type of visa I could apply for with no possible rejection. Plus would you recommend , if you familiar with Koh Samui, any hotels, Airbnb for first week to settle there? Went through Medicare loopholes you presented. I’m on reg Medicare . Not big fun of Advantage plans due to assigned providers and referrals needed for in patients services. Unless they made some changes since I was in Advantage and switched to reg. Great job Randy.!! 🙏🙏for all you doing here to help firstimers👍👍🖐️
I have been to Samui and like it but it is a bit limited for full time life for me. Great for a vacation although I likely prefer Koh Phangan right next to it. Visas are tough but entering for 60 days and extending in country for 30 then leaving and repeating (border runs) are easy and can merge with planned trips elsewhere. So that's 6 months with one trip out of the country. The DTV is another option but still fuzzy. Could you sign up for one cultural class and then renew it even though the class was short and done? Not known yet. My daughter's office deals with Elite Visas for those all around the world and retirement visas for those in, or coming to, Chiang Mai. I don't think she has general advice type consultations. But you can check: HHPremium.com. Good luck!
Thank you for everything you do, your video is very informatic and usefu. T am retired wanted to make a move to Thailan. I will ask you for information regarding everything and have great time now and Joyce
Hello Randy, this is Glenn Elliott. I elected to chat with you about the possibility of speaking with someone that seems to know the ropes on Thailand. I am planning on coming to Thailand in November. I would like to get a six month visa and in that six months, I want to look around and find a home to purchase if I find that Thailand is for me that is, I’m 77 and I’m having getting all my ducks in a row. It seems like it take two steps forward and three steps back and I just can’t get things under control to do things in the right order and I don’t want. Don’t want to get there and find out that I should’ve done this and should’ve done that so I’m hoping I can find someone. I’m hoping that someone is you that I can chat with that can get me through step-by-step what I need to do to get into Thailand and to stay for six months and if I decide to, re-up for another six months someone that can tell me how I go about doing that. Are you someone that I that I would need to speak with I would be glad to pay you, but I just I need some direction and you seem to be in the videos that I’ve watched. You seem to be the man in the know, hope you will reply to let me know if you are not interested. Thank you so much and I will wait to hear from you again. My name is Glenn Elliott.
Thanks, Glenn. I really can't get into one-on-one counseling. Videos, life with Joy and my day job keep me busy. I see the Chiang Mai guy who has the channel Narrow Gate, his name is Tony, he offers that, so you can find his channel and contact him. Tell him I said hello. I'm not sure his cost but I'm sure it is reasonable and he appears to be a nice guy. One advice I'll give you is don't buy. Just rent. So cheap, more options, saves you cash, no bureaucracy to worry about. It is unlike the west where rents are so high. Proportionally, houses rent cheaper than you'd think compared to buying one.
Medicare does not cover out of the US, but if you have an advantage plan with a private carrier, then you might be covered under the terms of that private carrier, which can get around the Medicare ban on out of US care. But this would be just for trips, as I don't think you could make it work if you actually moved here.
Thank you for the best coverage in costs anywhere I have found on RU-vid in particular unraveling the mystery of health insurance. You mentioned you shared your time between the US and Thailand. I am curious which Thai visa you are on and if you have to do the 90 day report to immigration. Thanks again
Don't copy me because I am not a good example. I go back anf forth about every two months. So I go on the visa exemption for the auto 30 days then extend 30 days in country. So no 90 day reporting for me. It works for me but who knows, in theory one day I could be denied entry, but since I am out of the country 2 months and clearly not doing border runs and leaving for 2 days only to come back, and because I'm in my age group - no a backpacker - I think I'm seen as a financial boon. Soon though my time in Thailand will tip past 50% and I'll go with the non-O or non-OA.
Thank you for sharing an excellent budget of living in Thailand I am a Thai woman who has been living and retired in the united States for 55 years now in the beginning I did think about moving back to Thailand , then I heard about the Thai new tax laws and visa after that I'm kind of hold back while I living here I worked and saved my money but think it to much to have to pay double tax. If I have to take my investment out .
IMO the double tax treaty will protect all of us and only UNTAXED BY YOUR HOME COUNTRY revenue brought in will be subject to Thai tax residents. I'm not worried.
265 USD a month for inshurance ???????????? holy COWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW , there is no way in HELL i would pay that , that has to be a total SCAM , thats the most insane ting i have ever ever heard in my life
It is all relative. In the USA my monthly premium was $1,300 a month. Yes, that's right. Some countries it's all free, but not for others. So for some, that's a bargain, especially as you get older and rates rise. Best wishes.
Your review of costs is good 😊.. I live in northern bkk , using my bank pension and have lump Sum in background. Drink little , eat mainly 200b per day , go restaurants 2x pw , electric is about 1200b, water 100b , visa / insurance 5000b. All is ok
@@RetiredGlobalLife so far … yes 👍 thanks. We all have a budget. I’m sensible & level headed. My gf works. Never asks me for one baht. If I want to buy things sometimes I do. Safe travels to you 🙏. Just been to Krabi, was gf birthday. So hot 🥵 no rain ☔️. Will go Chiang Mai next trip
Chiang Mai is about as inland as you can get. Strong sun everywhere. I came with 6 straw hats, no joke. I wear one in the vids sometime. I rarely go outside without it and am good about my sunscreen.
Excellent information! Are these Thai insurance companies? If they are, are there any non-Thai insurance ("international") companies you would recommend that would still cover while in Thailand or other S.E. Asian countries? I'm thinking of also being a 50/50 expat...I plan on spending time in Thailand and in Malaysia, so would a Malaysian insurance company be competitive?
You can get a Thai company or what the call off-shore companies. The latter tend to be cheaper, international, but not seen as reliable in tough times like maybe dropping a sick insured at the end of the term. Depends on the company. I'm not an expert in it. You need to ask the agent you speak to. The better companies do tend to cost more, like in anything.
@@RetiredGlobalLife Thank you for your quick response and for not just saying "I don't know." You have provide MUCH more detailed information than any of the other people I follow (I subscribed to you yesterday!). I look forward to watching more of your videos!
I am unable to download the foreign health insurance certificate to satisfy the Thailand health insurance requirement. Does anyone know another way of getting access to it? I keep getting a warning message that it is a restricted website.
Great video on the cost of Health Insurance. One down side to Health Insurance in Thailand is if you have a pre-existing condition high blood pressure or high cholesterol you are not covered for any incidence brought on by those conditions…..as you would expect. But you cannot opt out of coverage for them. So you end up paying the same premium as someone without those conditions but you get no coverage for them. The premium should be less because you are not getting any coverage.
So I heard that you are taxed on the money that you bring into the country ? Can you explain this ,so we are taxed on us income tax and the Thai tax . And what if you want to buy a condo ,because you can’t buy a house with property
Tax is a new big issue with questions still based on the new 2024 law. My understanding is the double tax treaty eliminates tax for almost all foreigners unless a certain income is not taxed at home under home laws Iike capital gains not taxed in some countries but are in Thailand. I don't think the Thai gov is after foreigners' pensions. They are after rich Thais dodging taxes.
I like your site. Just saw the one about insurance, which is my big stumbling block. I am a very young 81. Just finding a company to insure me is a problem. Keep up the good work.
Yes, past 80 is almost impossible in Thailand. Your only option might be to investigate medical insurance costs and see if self-insuring (paying yourself out of pocket) is suitable for you based on your savings. But I can see it as an issue keeping some people from retiring here, sadly.
If I were you, I'd look at accident insurance policies. They'll cover older people. It would cover breaking your hip, or knee, for example. Then look at buying hospital membership. These are discount programs, where you pay an annual fee. Doctors often work at multiple hospitals, so you're just paying for expensive air at the more expensive ones. You'll have to self insure the rest. There are some very good government hospitals that are affordable.
Yes, it was a lot of work. But it is rewarding to see people react well to it and I hope it is helpful. Most videos on the subject are so vague, really no benefit. So I wanted to put out something definitive. Thanks again.
@@RetiredGlobalLife selling a policy is one thing but the customer then has to maintain payments. The customer cannot commit because he or she cannot make a budget
Sorry, Peter, not sure what you mean. I don't sell policies. And of course, whatever health insurance you get, where ever you live, you have to pay for it - unless you are lucky and live in a country with free universal health care, then good for you if you do. Perhaps a good reason to stay where you are if that's the case. All I can do is answer the questions that come in about health insurance in Thailand. I don't make the situation, I just report on it. Take care and best wishes.@@petercape2331
Thank you. I (Swiss) recently got quotes from a broker in Bangkok. Except for one all are 4000-7000 dollars per person and year for 63 old. Pre ex cond cost extra. Accident extra. Deductibles can be added. Anyways, I need to check out your resource as the difference is huge. Sure, my quotes include mostly covers of above a million dollars. But still, seems all too much.
I can highly recommend an ins agent I know named Natt. Nice guy and super helpful. Tell him Randy from RU-vid sent you and he will take good care of you. Natt Tassana Tenzing Pacific Services +66 0 955749640 ten-pac.com/referral/retired-global-life/ Best wishes, Randy
Wanted to thank you for the video. I used the Mister Prakan LTR referral link. Worked beautifully. Got my LTR visa and used the health insurance policy from Mister Prakan (I think now it’s called Check Di). Anyways, very helpful content. Thank you for doing the ground work on this!! Likely saved me a lot of $$$.😊 👍🏻
Hey, Mark, thanks. Good to know when people are helped. Take care and contrats on the LTR visa, That is a great visa with even tax benefits with the tax questions looming.
@@RetiredGlobalLife Thanks Randy. I have been following your channel for awhile (in the lead up to my move from LA to Chiang Mai). Lots of good info. We successfully relocated last month and are enjoying CM so far…. The LTR does seem to be a good one. I liked it for the lack of 90 day reporting, and the tax benefit was secondary, but perhaps it will now become a primary benefit!
This was brilliant! I have a question. I’m from the uk and I use the NHS (don’t pay for private healthcare). Is the deductible thing something you have in the US aswell? I have never heard of this obviously. I would think that health insurance would be used to claim for everything so if you hurt your foot and needed an X-ray, you would claim on your health insurance. So what would happen to the deductible? Do you only use health insurance to pay for big things and pay for little things yourself? I don’t like the idea of deductibles at all. I’d rather go with pacific cross. Sorry, a few questions there!
So with a deductible it could be you can't use your insurance until you spend over a certain amount then everything is covered, or a pre-appointment deductible, where you pay the first X amount. All plans are different. Some people are just worried aobut big health costs so don't mind paying for regular doctor appointmesnt and small injuries but they want coverage for disasters that would be very expensive.
Pretty complete and good information. HOWEVER, what is NOT mentioned and could lead to what I consider as being misleading to many viewers is failing to mention how companies will provide certain levels of coverage - with exceptions. A person who purchases a particular "higher coverage" policy may be paying a lot of extra money, then find out they are not covered because of a PRE-EXISTING CONDITION. If you are 60 + there is a very hight probabilty that you will have several of them listed on your policy when the application process is completed. If you are hospitalized or need treatment for any of those things listed you will not be covered. Therefore, that huge amount of increased premium you had been paying (thinking you were covered with "peace of mind") is wasted. Then you find out you are screwed. Failure to discuss this fact is misleading, distorted and insincere.
Good comment and you are right about pre-existing conditions. But I did address it in the video, either verbally or title cards or both, I don't recall. But it is there. Thanks for commenting.
Thank you for clarification. I do feel that more information related to managing and understanding how to balance issues related to pre-existing conditions would be extremely helpful in the future. Helping the viewers understand and learn how to navigate with this in mind would be great. I feel that this is where many are shocked and/or really find themselves "up a river", especially when shelling out big money on a more expensive policy. This is the nitty gritty related to health related insurance, and why many get stung or just don't bother to purchase (and get stung in that regard). Addressing these concerns are what could really help those who are doing their best to comply, take care of themselves and not get burned.
The conundrum. Go to Thailand or any other country of your choice to retire. Do you want to stay long term? Jump through numerous hoops to get one of the various visas. Then you must(?) provide proof of health insurance. If you are 75 or older, most insurance companies will not provide coverage. And if they do the premiums are outrageous, often equaling 50% or more of your monthly budget. 75? That's a good retirement age these days. People don't live longer, they just don't die as young as before. There are no 130 year old people out there and very few that are even 100+ y.o. So yea...go to country X to retire because the cost of living is lower than your country of residence. BUT just don't go there if you get old enough to actually retire.
You are right about health insurance being an issue. Luckily many visas here don't require it, or you can get a worthless policy inexpensively just to cover the requirement. Many self-insure (cash pay) as med care here is so cheap. But yes, it is a concern.
@@RetiredGlobalLife I haven't had health insurance since my mid twenties, 75 now. Had one surgery, hernia. Did operation in the Philippines at a private hospital. Total cost was less than a two day stay alone in a US hospital. Depending on circumstances I may relocate to Thailand in the next 12 months or less. I definitely want to contact you if I am ready to pull the trigger, so to speak.
Good morning, next year I will leave my job, 4 years before retirement age. I am a 60 year old Italian. I had already made my decision but I was very inspired by your videos. For this I thank you very much. I will have a limited budget so I will have to be careful with expenses. I have already traveled throughout Southeast Asia, so I know what to expect. The idea is to travel between Vietnam / Cambodia / Laos / Thailand / Malaysia / Indonesia / India and Sri Lanka, following the rhythms of the duration of the visas. A very important thing, which I still have not understood well, and that I would like to ask you concerns international medical insurance that is valid in the countries indicated above. The coverages that I need are hospitalization in case of accidents or illnesses. Without any advance payment on my part. The question I ask you is: which insurance company do you recommend?? Also, is it better to do it once you arrive in Asia by looking for a broker or an agency that inspires trust? Or is it better to do it before departure, or maybe online? Waiting for your answer, I thank you and wish you a good journey. Antonino
I think in the video I mention a few policies that do not require you to pay in advance, rather it is covered if you are in their network hospital. I don't recall them but it is many Thai companies. For me, a key is going with a Thai company not an offshore one. In one of my videos, I think the hospital one, I list the name of who I think is a good ins agent, Natt, and you can work with him from within or outside of Thailand. He'd know much more than me. Best wishes.
