Medical Insurance Companies & Costs

[papaya]

Thanks guys.

I suspect getting a policy in Holland may not be the best option for us  but noted your comments re exclusions.  Another thing we discovered when Mr P turned 60 is that the premiums really rocket skyward.  His policy doubled in price here in Phuket and we had to tell the agent where he could stick it (the policy).  With all the exclusions too, it wasn't worth paying for.

Just printed off the Kurnia brochure and will take a look at that.

Any more ideas, please keep them coming.  cheers.

[papaya]

Just found this guide on the internet which gives some brief notes on all(?) medical insurances available in Malaysia, and seems to be fairly up to date.  It mentions age limitations on some of them, which is very useful for us retirees, and notes on whether there's a high claim limit or low claim limit on certain conditions - difficult to predict what illness/condition you may or may not get in the future, but I guess that may be useful if you are aware of any past family conditions.

http://www.malaysiainsuranceguide.com/HS013.htm

[BB]

I also recall that bb posted about AIA in Penang.  Their website is thoroughly annoying and they don't seem to publish prices online 

Hi Papaya, totally agree AIA website is so annoying. I have the 'spouse' program with a compulsory life ins. the premium goes with the younger of the two, renewable 5yrly term according to their listed schedule (eg age 51-56; 57-62;... ) plus extra premium for any med conditions and guaranteed insure till I'm 70 which means longer for my spouse.

BB

[scott]

hi,

I initially took out AIG Ringit Net policy.

For mm2h renewal I obtained a letter from Kurnia regretting that they were unable to accept the application due to a pre-existing medical condition.

I'll just have to pay the foreigners fees at the local hospital for emergencies, or for pre-meditated illness get a Air-Asia flight back to the UK. Part of the FD can be used for medical expenses.

[BB]

I'll just have to pay the foreigners fees at the local hospital for emergencies, or for pre-meditated illness get a Air-Asia flight back to the UK. Part of the FD can be used for medical expenses.

Hi Scott,

What's this foreigners fees at the local hosp?

That's very nice and a big Plus that UKians can just fly back and get medical treatment. Unfortunately where I came from one has to apply and register again and there's a waiting period of 2-3 mths before one gets covered by the provincial health care. Plus the airfare is too expensive and flight too long - if any thing serious, might not get treatment on time...to be seen by a GP and then wait for referrals to specialist and if they think it's not an immediate life threatening case, can even wait for mths to yrs!

BB

[scott]

hi,

What's this foreigners fees at the local hosp?

Foreigners pay more than Malaysians at government hospitals. For example, Malaysians may pay RM10 or RM20 for seeing a doctor and medication, whereas a foreigner will pay, say, RM50 for the same item. All government hospitals have a payment section and there's fee tables displayed on the wall. It's in Bahasa Melayu, of course, but the cashier will translate if you ask.

My next door neighbour, the boozer, fell down the stairs and fractured his wrist. I drove him to the A&E at the government hospital. Despite being 3 sheets to the wind he insisted on first visiting his own doctor which happened to be next to the "off-license" and once he'd gotten an X-ray, and still with blood on a open head wound, he popped into the shop to buy a bottle which he clutched in the good hand (clever). 

I then drove him to the government hospital as his doctor didn't do casts, or even clean up and sew wounds.   

Foreigners need to pay a deposit of RM50. My neighbour did and I think that the total bill came to about RM150. He saw a doctor at the A&E, had the fracture set in plaster from fingers to elbow, stitches in the head wound, and received medication for 3 weeks.

He had 2 subsequent check-ups, and each time the fracture was newly plastered to match the rest of him. And no more to pay. The hospital was fast, efficient, and pleasant.

[Davita]

Perhaps slightly off topic but still about MM2H Medical Insurance.

My wife and I plan to pick-up our MM2H visa in KL next month. We already have International Travel Medical Insurance issued in Canada for a year. Will this qualify for Medical Insurance for the MM2H requirement?

Also, I am over 72 and believe that I cannot qualify for ANY Malaysian Insurance...has anyone found a Company that does cover septuagenarians?

How long does it normally take, once we walk into an Insurance Office, before we can get the required Policy to comply with the MM2H program?

Scott....'glad' to hear about your friends unfortunate experience...not for him poor chap...but it confirms that simply paying for treatment can be cheaper than Insurance. At my age the cost is outrageous (4 X my 52 year old wife...and she is often more sick than me). I've already told my wife that before we get anywhere near losing our savings she should give me some pills...I believe Michael Jackson's father sells them!

Thanks for any help on this.

David

[scott]

hi,

Yep, Davita, age is a problem for the insurance companies. Earlier on this thread stevesco posted about getting insurance from Kurnia.

I asked Kurnia, and a general agent, and both said that they wouldn't offer cover as I was 62. Up to 60, Ok. I know that it depends who you speak with etc. However, it meant a Kurnia letter of refusal for me and that was accepted by Immigration without any question at all.

Treatment in a government hospital is good and it's not expensive. Treatment in a private hospital is expensive and you'll need insurance.

[BB]

Thanks Scott for the insight to an alternate med venue for foreigners. I always thought it was for locals.
I took a local to Pg GH A&E a few mths back and a follow up 2 wks later. Both times the depts were so packed. Each was more than a half day affair. Though I must say the Drs and Interns are very dedicated. They asked me to leave and come back later to pick up the person. I think it's the only govt hosp on the island that could be reason for the big crowd of patients.
Haha, your neighbor needed that lifeline to ease the pain 

BB

[papaya]

Hi Papaya, totally agree AIA website is so annoying. I have the 'spouse' program with a compulsory life ins. the premium goes with the younger of the two, renewable 5yrly term according to their listed schedule (eg age 51-56; 57-62;... ) plus extra premium for any med conditions and guaranteed insure till I'm 70 which means longer for my spouse.

BB

AIA don't seem to publish their rates on their website.  I don't suppose you have an email address for them do you?  I've found details of where they are and telephone number in Penang, but I really want to compare their policy/rates with some others first.

[papaya]

Davita - I wonder if AIA would accept you.  Is there a limit on the age of the older one on entry point?  As BB said, if you do a joint policy, they take the younger of you and that goes up to 70 years of age for the younger one.  So, if my maths is correct (and that's not my best feature) you could be covered until AGE 90 !! 

Though, thinking about that again, what happens when the younger one gets to 70?  Down to the government hospital I guess.

It's difficult isn't it.  At least you have the option of the government hospital if it all gets too expensive.  This system is much the same in Thailand.

[BB]

AIA don't seem to publish their rates on their website.  I don't suppose you have an email address for them do you?  I've found details of where they are and telephone number in Penang, but I really want to compare their policy/rates with some others first.

I've been having connection problems these 2 days so can't access my email addy to get you the addy of my agent whereby you can ask him directly.
If you can get to an AIA office and take the booklet "ExcelCare Medical Comprehensive Cover" it has all the rates of the different age grps and levels of coverage (EC100,150,200,250,300,350 - these coincide with the cost of hosp room per day), male, female, insured & spouse, etc. They have a new one that covers up to age 100! But, my agent looked at it this year before renewal for the next 5 yr rates, he said not worth it for me as it'd mean I've to discontinue the present one and reapply with an older age and exclusions. So advised me to stick with my present one till age 70 (and 75 for spouse). Yes, the rates follow the age of the younger (principal) applicant.
Too many to type out here ...eg EC200 Insured & Spouse for age 51-55 was RM4,171(incl Life) and  56-60 is RM5,040 and total of Rm5,629.50 incl the Life component....(what I'm paying now).
Last yr was admitted for day surgery at a Pg private hosp, had a semi private room and 2 meals post op, covered my pre admission tests and post op followup, all came to almost RM3,000. I used the Medi Card and only paid RM6 stamp Duty.
If without any med conditions according to the list EC200 age 51-55 is Rm2866, 56-60 RM4,032 61-65 RM6,320 and 66-70 Rm12,640 (but this could be revised as my booklet is 4 yrs old).

BB

[papaya]

Thanks BB, that gives us a good idea of the costs at least.

yeh we're having  intermittent internet and tv problems too.  I don't know if it's to do with the storms or I think there are sun outtages at the moment.  Does that affect internet? <duh> 

Back on medical, I've been wondering what this nursie smiley is supposed to portray?     Scott? Anyone?

[scott]

hi,

    Nurse taking temperature under armpit ? nurse injecting blue stuff ? must be H1N1. It looks like something that I don't want insurance for.

[papaya]

Looks to me like she's poking something in his ear, and then his ears fall off.