How did they know?

When hospitals sharing information can prove costly

7th September 2011

Recently, someone sent me an e-mail asking me if health insurance companies and hospitals in Thailand share information among themselves without permission from the patient.

Tell it to the OIC

There's a new sheriff in town

4th July 2011

Being a stranger in a strange land causes many expats to become a bit paranoid at times. This can be especially true when considering the purchase of health and accident insurance in Thailand. Whom can you trust? What are the "hidden" exclusions that health insurers can use to get out of paying your claim?

Buying hospital inpatient (IPD) coverage in Thailand

The 5 areas of health insurance coverage that you should be aware of

15th May 2011

Most medical insurance plans sold in Thailand, including those packaged with life insurance policies, focus on providing basic hospital Inpatient (IPD) coverage.

Health cover for existing medical problems

Is it possible to get insurance to cover treatment of an existing problem?

21st February 2011

Iit still bothers me that many people with existing medical problems can't get insurance to help cover the treatment of medical problems. But, there are some options.

What about high blood pressure?

Always be 'up front' with your health insurer about high blood pressure

17th January 2011

Last year we had a couple of fairly recent applicants get hospitalized. Their hospitalization had something to do with their history of hypertension.

Life insurance for savings or family protection

A detailed look at what life insurance is all about

21st October 2010

I strongly believe that life insurance should primarily be purchased to guarantee financial security for loved ones, to cover payment of a debt (house purchase) or guarantee continuation of a business should an owner/partner die unexpectedly.

More on ‘ajarn healthy’ for healthy ajarns

Are the ajarn.com health insurance policies truly for you?

14th September 2010

The medical insurance plans being offered through the Ajarn.com Group were selected because they provide good adequate medical coverage for most medical needs in Thailand at an affordable cost for teachers (under age 60).

Getting claims paid

Three types of health insurance buyer

26th July 2010

As a rule, there really are no good or bad companies when it comes to paying claims, although some are a little better than others. It’s mainly a matter of timing and situation.

Please help me,. I have Crohn’s Disease!

Will group health insurance cover a pre-existing condition?

31st May 2010

I suggest that the letter writer check with his doctor to see if another more readily available form of medication would be just as acceptable for his needs. If not, then he should forget about coming to Thailand.

The dangers of self-diagnosis

Being your own doctor can be unhealthy

10th April 2010

I fully understood why this person's claim had been rejected and his coverage cancelled. And, after having read his reply to them, I realized that he had absolutely no understanding of high blood pressure and how it could have been the cause of his heart attack.

Three potentially dangerous medical conditions

Hypertension, hyperlipidemia and diabetes

3rd March 2010

Ajarn.com's health insurance expert, Tony Dabbs, looks at three medical problems that can't be cured but can certainly be controlled.

Welcome into the year 2010 / 2553

Hopefully the year of the tiger will be a roaring success

2nd January 2010

The year 2009 was fine, as our business kept growing. But it was also a bit crazy.

Health insurance in Thailand

A reality check

2nd November 2009

There are basically 2 types of health insurance coverage available in Thailand, government Social Security Insurance (SSI) and non-government, privately funded health insurance.

Ajarn group health insurance

What exactly do you get?

1st October 2009

On the 15th of October the Ajarn.com Teachers Group is renewing for another year. Anyone wanting to join or renew, should do so now. There is a choice of 3 plans.

Clarifying OPD and IPD

There's no need to be confused

1st September 2009

I really hate sending out claim rejection notices to clients. Lately, though, we have had to send out quite a few. Looking through them to see why, I discovered that most of the claims had one thing in common.

We get letters

A selection of letters from ajarn readers

1st August 2009

Two years ago I was in a bad motorcycle accident and spent three months in the hospital including three weeks in an induced coma. I am doing ok now, however, I need powerful pain medications to be comfortable enough to get around.

Understanding medical insurance

What does the small print all mean?

1st July 2009

Most medical insurance sold in Thailand, including medical insurance riders found on life insurance, is formed around Basic Hospital Inpatient Coverage, which is broken down into four areas of coverage: 1) Daily Room and Board, 2) Hospital General Expenses, 3) Surgery and 4) Inpatient Doctor Visits.

What are you getting?

Understanding health and accident insurance

1st June 2009

In order to help you understand “health and accident” insurance in Thailand a little better, I am going to tear down the Ajarn.com Group policy for you and then put it back together.

Keeping the money jar filled

A breakdown of health insurance costs

1st May 2009

Buying health insurance, as well as any other type of insurance, is much like everyone putting money together into one big jar for use in the event of a medical emergency.

Where’s Santa Claus

Remember - health insurance is a business

1st April 2009

Taxpayer supported health care is not a yet a reality for most of us. Now, we have no other choice but to rely on private health insurers for our medical care needs.

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Ajarn Guests

Fear of change?

In Thailand the government has set 2012 as English Speaking Year with a goal of encouraging students to converse in English every Monday. Such policies are useful but the major leap of enacting legislation to make English an official language for Thailand is also needed

Software for student tests

The integration of internet and computers with education and English learning is something students find normal, and classrooms without some access to educational software may seem quaint. Some students may even feel they can get more ‘professional' teaching from the numerous online ELT sites if a school is behind in IT.

Whatever happened to the shopping mall teacher?

They are the shopping mall English teachers - gliding like pale, undernourished phantoms amid the hordes of weekend Thai shoppers. The main reason I empathize with the shopping mall teacher is because I was once one myself. I know how desperate and soul-destroying it can be.

About Ajarn.com

Ajarn.com was started as a small hobby website in 1999 by Ian McNamara. It was a simple way for one Bangkok teacher to share his Thailand experiences and pass on advice. The website developed a loyal and enthusiastic following. In 2004, Ian handed over the reins to Phil Williams and 'Bangkok Phil' has run the ajarn website ever since.

Ajarn.com has grown enormously and is now the most popular TEFL site in Thailand - possibly even South East Asia. Although best-known for its vibrant jobs page, Ajarn has a wealth of articles, blogs, features and help and advice. But one principle has always remained at Ajarn's core - to tell things like they are and to do it with a sense of humor. Thailand can be Heaven or Hell for an English teacher. It's always been Ajarn.com's duty to present both sides of the equation. Thanks for stopping by.