Can you use your foreign health insurance policy to cover you in Thailand?

PCEC’s guest speaker for October 16th was Danny Quaeyhaegens, director of the International Insurance Department at Bangkok Hospital Pattaya (BHP).

Can you use your foreign health insurance policy to cover you in Thailand? If so, how do you go about it? These were the questions answered at the Pattaya City Expats Club meeting on Sunday, October 16. Master of Ceremonies Richard Silverberg introduced the Club’s guest speaker, Danny Quaeyhaegens, director, International Insurance Department, from Bangkok Hospital Pattaya (BHP).

Danny first gave some background information on BHP. Since it was founded in 1990 it has grown to become a JCI-accredited 400 bed facility. He noted that within BHP, there is an International Service Division. One department provides translation services and assists their international patients. The other provides assistance in arranging for BHP to direct bill your international insurance companies for inpatient care.

PCEC member Sig (aka Harry Sigworth) provides members with an update of health news from the ‘net, both mainstream and alternative.

His department will help you by contacting your international health insurance company, provide medical reports, and send them all documents necessary to arrange for direct billing by the hospital. If the patient chooses to pay the bill and file a claim (or the patient’s insurance will not provide for direct billing), they will assist the patient in obtaining all documents needed to file a claim. Danny emphasized that his topic was for international health insurance coverage and was not related to Thailand health insurance companies. Danny pointed out that BHP’s International Department provides this health insurance assistance free of charge.

Bangkok Hospital Pattaya also provided free blood pressure checks for PCECs more health conscious members.

The first thing to remember he said is that the contract of insurance is between you and your insurance company. BHP only works to help you obtain coverage for treatment at BHP from your insurance company. Thus, the type of coverage, if any, the treatment authorized, and the documents that are needed will be dictated by your insurance company. In many cases, they will want a copy of your passport with visa stamp and maybe copies of your flight ticket coupon. This is because some foreign insurance companies provide international coverage if you are traveling for short periods on holiday; not if your are residing or working in another country. They will also need a copy of your insurance identity card.

Also, in order to provide a Guarantee of Payment (GoP) to BHP, your insurance company will want a price estimate and a medical report for the condition you are seeking treatment. BHP will send these documents by mail or fax to your insurance company’s alarm center to request a GoP. Once your insurance company or an assistance company they use receive this information, they will check many things: (1) medical issues such as appropriate treatment, urgent treatment needed, etc.; (2) financial issues such as reasonable price for the treatment needed; and (3) personal issues such as it involves a paid up policy valid for your travel period and/or purpose of travel, etc. If they determine that they can provide coverage, they will usually send a GoP to BHP, but Danny emphasized that a GoP is not a blank check. It will usually be limited in time, valid for certain diagnoses and/or treatment, and limited to a certain amount.

But, as Danny pointed out, obtaining a GoP from your insurance is the first step and does not always equal a happy ending. This is because there are additional documents and determinations to be made by your insurance company before they approve a final GoP. On the day of discharge, the doctor may tell you that you can be discharged and prescribe home medication to be delivered to your room by the pharmacy; but there is paperwork that will need to be done before you can leave. The ward nurse will send the “chart” to the cashier’s department where they will prepare a final invoice and detail record of charges to be sent to your insurance company. Your insurance company will check the final medical details and final invoice. If it meets their requirements, they will send a final GoP.

Danny said that there are some insurance companies they deal with, where they are allowed to do the assessment of coverage which speeds up the process, but they still have to check the ID, insurance card, travel dates, diagnosis, etc.; but they don’t have to send it to the insurance provider for confirmation. Also, although you may have health insurance coverage, BHP may choose not to deal with your company. This is usually because of past experience involving problems or very slow claims handling. In those cases, your option is to pay the bill and file the claim yourself. BHP will help by providing the documents you need. Other options are for your insurance or their assistance company to pay a deposit up front or they can arrange to have the GoP sent via a local Thai assistance company.

Danny concluded by noting that in most cases, they only process GoP cases for inpatient care. They do have some exceptions to this policy, e.g., a specific contract with the insurance/assistance company, the insurance/assistance company has a local office in Thailand, it is for follow-up after an in-patient episode, or the investigation/treatment involves costly outpatient procedures, e.g. being greater than 15,000 baht.

He then advised that their division is open M-F from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and on weekends from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. They can be contacted by email at BPHintserv @bph.co.th or by telephone at 038-256-999. Danny then answered several questions from the audience and a few members that had used their services provided favorable comments.

Richard Silverberg then called on David Meador to conduct the always informative and sometime humorous Open Forum where questions are asked and answered about expat living in Thailand, recommendations for restaurants and movies are made, an and perhaps a joke or two are told.

Dusit Thani employees jump through hoops for sports days

A green team member sprints across the floor in the balloon race.

Manoon Makpol

Jumping through hoops took on a new meaning for employees of the Dusit Thani Hotel who put aside hard work for a couple of days to enjoy the annual sports days and staff party.

The Oct. 12-13 celebration at the Pattaya resort saw four teams of staffers engage in balloon races, relays, bull-herding and jumping through hula hoops.

General Manager Chatchawan Supachayanont said the activities are held each year to enhanced the staff’s physical and mental health in a relaxed, social environment. It leads to a better work and social environment, he added.

‘’Competing in sports is another way to help the staff utilize their free time and reduce health problems by building a stronger immune system while also relieving stress,” Chatchawan said.

Some of the members of the purple team perform traditional Thai dance.

The relay race can’t continue until the balloon is sat on and popped.

General Manager Chatchawan Supachayanont (6th left) along with executives and employees gear up for a fun event.

Cheerleaders prepare to lead their teams in cheers.

Everyone’s German for Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest at Amari Orchid has four chambers of commerce as guests

A true Austrian-Bavarian, Elfi Seitz interviews Preben Hensen for PMTV as Eberhard Podleska looks on.

Elfi Seitz

The Australian, British and Irish chambers of commerce proved that everyone is German during Oktoberfest as they came together at the Amari Orchid Resort for a joint celebration.

The Oct. 14 party sported the traditional long wooden dining tables with a Royal Thai Navy band decked out in lederhosen there to entertain. Guests enjoyed a buffet of bratwurst and other sausages.

Rain threatened to dampen spirits, but waiters quickly moved everyone inside and the buffet relocated to under the terrace before the Paulaner draft got warm.

Bavarian or not, the guests got into full Oktoberfest mode, wearing dirndl dresses and lederhosen. Only the gamsbart hats were missing.

Beer drinking, the staple of any decent Oktoberfest, was the prime activity, but not one reserved for men alone. Cordi Schlไpfer, a Swiss woman, won the contest to see who could drink a half-liter of beer fastest.

Not to be outdone by Europeans, the Singaporean chamber of commerce tackled Oktoberfest the next day, downing as much beer and sausage as any festive German.

Paulaner beer can make people do funny things.

The Thai Navy ‘Bavarian’ band had the crowd stomping their feet
and yodeling at the top of their lungs.

Lovely frauleins in their colourful Dirndls. (l-r) Cordi, Simone, Frederika, Marliese, Jolanda and Meike.

International Food Fair for Flood Victims

Saturday November 5th at School Number 8, Pattaya Tai and Second Road

All proceeds from the International Food Fair for Flood Victims will be used to provide essential care packages for the victims of the devastating floods that are ravaging Thailand.

School Number 8 at the corner of Second Road and South Pattaya Road, across from Wat Chaimongkol, will be the place to find a wide selection of international food for sale on Saturday, November 5th. All proceeds from the International Food Fair for Flood Victims will be used to provide essential care packages for the victims of the devastating floods that are ravaging Thailand.

In addition to the Food Fair, a huge used clothing sale will be held at the same time in the same location. The festival is being organized by the Pattaya International Ladies Club (PILC) and the Rotary Club of Jomtien-Pattaya, in conjunction with the Foundation for the Education and Well-Being of Young Women from Northern Thailand. The fair will run from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

Food Fair organizer, Alvi Sinthuvanik, who is also the Hospitality Chair for PILC and a representative of the Foundation says, “Many local restaurants and hotels are donating food and/or funds to help make the festival a success. Members of the Pattaya Ladies Club and the Rotary Club have donated used clothing and hours of their time, and alumni and students from St. Paul’s Convent School, Assumption College Sriracha, and MTT Thammasart University have also collected and donated clothing. We hope that the funds raised from this event will be able to help people who have lost everything due to the floods. We urge all Pattaya residents, Thai and foreign, to stop by the festival and sample some delicious food and help make this event a success.”

For more information on this event or to make a donation, please contact Alvi Sinthuvanik alvi_sinthuvanik @hotmail.com or Anne Winfield at [email protected].

Sattahip Lions donate books to navy prisoners

Sattahip Lions Club members donate spiritual books to officials to give to prisoners at the Sattahip Naval Base Penitentiary.

Patcharapol Panrak

Sattahip Lions Club members donated spiritual books to prisoners in Sattahip’s Naval Base Penitentiary.

President Aphinata Saimai presented the books and cash Oct. 8 to Lt. Commander Suthichok Thaweewong, commander of the naval prison, to spur spiritual growth among inmates.

Suthichok said the jail opened in 1933 with 200 prisoners. Today it houses a variety of offenders, both monitoring them and offering moral training and rehabilitation.

Major Pattaya developer acknowledges Real Estate Agents

Alan Bolton Property Consultants are awarded “Best Agent 2011 Central Pattaya Office” by Matrix Developments at an awards ceremony held Saturday, October 22.

On Saturday 22nd October Matrix Developments held an awards night at Centara Grand Wong Amat for the Pattaya Real Estate industry. Recently voted “Best Developer South East Asia” at the prestigious Overseas Property Professional (OPP) Awards in London, Matrix took it upon themselves to “Give Back” and share in their success.

Alan Bolton Property Consultants (ABPC) were among the many agents present on the night and walked away with “Best Agent 2011 Central Pattaya Office”. MD Alan Bolton was not able to receive the presentation personally on the night however he was prompt to offer his gratitude for the award.

“Matrix have certainly raised the bar and are understandably leading the way with their completed and pre-construction projects,” said Alan. “Reasons are tenfold why my company represents Matrix Developments. They are just about to launch their tenth project into the Pattaya real estate market. That, in itself brings confidence, certainty and reliability which have all the main attributes required in this current economic climate. They also know the importance of liaising with the local real estate brokers who offer assistance on the way forward for their next projects.

“Working in conjunction with Miki Haim and Rony Fest over the past 5-6 years has been a very positive experience for both my agency and our clients,” continued Alan. “Indeed most of our clients who purchased through us have returned to buy in other projects constructed by Matrix. All in all we are very pleased to be a part of their success.

“Obviously, I could not conclude this interview without mentioning all my colleagues at ABPC whom this award goes to. I am very fortunate to be able to work with such dedicated professionals on a daily basis. From administration, IT, accounting to our property consultants who really know the meaning of Team Spirit.

“We suffered a traumatic experience in 2009 with the loss of our friend and colleague Stephen Carleton. In early 2010 we had a turnaround of staff and mixed experience with the new and have never looked back. This is our second award (2008, 2011) voted by our peers. Being recognized in this manner makes it all worthwhile.

“Once again, congratulations to Matrix Developments. A big pat on the back and well done for Team ABPC.”

Chateau Leoville Poyferre wines served at Pullman Pattaya dinner

Parapa Teerasoontornkul

Clinton Lovell, general manager of Pullman Pattaya Aisawan hotel along with renowned chef, Sylvain Royer, Thananan Vilailuck, president of Samart I-Mobile and the winemakers of Chateau Le Crock and Chateau Loeville Poyfere hosted an unforgettable wine dinner on Wednesday October 5 at the Beach Club Restaurant of Pullman Pattaya Aisawan.

Great meals paired with the outstanding wines from Chateau Le Crock and Chateau Leoville Poyferre are always a winning combination. The menu included foie gras, Norwegian wild smoked salmon, saut้ed sea scallops, Maine lobster, and more.