Do we need health insurance?

[Dannie Boy]

A friend of mine was treated in the Hua Hin Hospital's new wing. He stayed for a few days and was actually sad to leave! The room, service and food was excellent. When he got the bill, he couldn't believe how cheap it was!

So are you advocating no need for insurance? Not a good move IMHO.

Whilst as a general statement BB, having health insurance may be a very wise move, but age and health history would also have to be taken into account. I sure there is a correlation between ageing and increasing medical requirements, but at least it's good to hear that if you don't have insurance (for whatever reason) that the HH Hospital has a new wing offering good service at reasonable rates.

[Big Boy]

Of course, and the capability of HH Hospital is something that sargeant has been telling us for many years. However, the question is, 'Do we need health insurance?'

[MajorBloodnok]

Hi Big Boy,

thanks for giving me that useful advice.

I shall contact Matt. Is this AA insurance preferable to BUPA?

"Mike the Fritz"

[Big Boy]

Matt is a broker. BUPA will sell you their product, while Matt will find the best product for you and your personal circumstances from many vendors. He also has experience of which vendors are good, and which are not.

[Dannie Boy]

Of course, and the capability of HH Hospital is something that sargeant has been telling us for many years. However, the question is, 'Do we need health insurance?'

And the answer is almost certainly yes for the majority, but not necessarily all. If you have a history of regular visits to the doctor/hospital then insurance would almost certainly be a wise investment. For those people who are fortunate not to require medical help more than say once every 2 or 3 years, they might decide to "self-insure" and only pay when the need arises.

Heartofmidlothian was commenting that a friend of his had recently received good treatment at HH Hospital at low prices, so to me that was useful information - maybe Sargents comments were based on treatment received some time back and the hospital is now improved? Maybe sarge or others could comment on any recent experience of using the HH Hospital?

[Big Boy]

In response to that, I will tell you of our recent episode. My son is 21 years old and very fit, to the extent that he represented England in the World Championships. We've only lived in Thailand 4 months, yet it was him who was taken seriously ill - who would have thought it? Having him insured (and I admit that I had second thoughts before signing him up, thinking he's young and fit - what a waste of money). When the illness struck, I was very grateful that I could get him the treatment he needed, when he needed it, and I didn't have to worry how much it would cost.

I have no doubt that Hua Hin Hospital has a nice new wing, and the food is good. However, it would be more useful to know what diagnostic equipment they have etc compared with other modern hospitals. Anyway, the capability of Hua Hin Hospital is getting away from the question. We need to get this thread back to topic, and I suggest a new topic be started if you wish to discuss the capabilities of Hua Hin Hospital.

[Dannie Boy]

In response to that, I will tell you of our recent episode. My son is 21 years old and very fit, to the extent that he represented England in the World Championships. We've only lived in Thailand 4 months, yet it was him who was taken seriously ill - who would have thought it? Having him insured (and I admit that I had second thoughts before signing him up, thinking he's young and fit - what a waste of money). When the illness struck, I was very grateful that I could get him the treatment he needed, when he needed it, and I didn't have to worry how much it would cost.

I have no doubt that Hua Hin Hospital has a nice new wing, and the food is good. However, it would be more useful to know what diagnostic equipment they have etc compared with other modern hospitals. Anyway, the capability of Hua Hin Hospital is getting away from the question. We need to get this thread back to topic, and I suggest a new topic be started if you wish to discuss the capabilities of Hua Hin Hospital.

Not sure why you seem to be taking me to task BB, my response was concentrating on insurance, but as the decision has to be weighed up by comparison to getting treatment at one of the many hospitals in HH, it doesn't seem unreasonable (or way off topic) to include a reference to treatment provided by one of them - whether it be the HH hospital or one of the others?

Anyway, your example does highlight the fact that previous medical history doesn't necessarily have any correlation to future needs, so a point well made that insurance can be more than just peace of mind.

[Big Boy]

Please accept my apologies Dannie Boy, I mistook you as heartofmidlothian continuing his earlier post.

[heartofmidlothian]

Sorry Big Boy, if I have upset you so much! I am not advocating anything and I think it is up to the individual whether they have insurance or not. Before you make the decision, you should find out where the best place to go for treatment is and roughly how much it costs. Just thought it might be interesting for others to know how good the new wing in Hua Hin Hospital is. It was built because the King was living nearby and they obviously want to use the facilities for people that can afford them.
I must say though, that if someone does make the decision to not have full medical insurance then you should buy accident insurance, which you can get for about 3000 baht or thereabouts.
So Big Boy, just settle down and let others make their own decisions, once they have all the information at hand.

[MajorBloodnok]

Thanks again BIG BOY!

"Mike the Fritz"