re: russell william, health insurance ..cost

once upon a time, because all the best stories start that way, well, except the ones that start 'a long long time ago in a galaxy far far away', a handsome young British chap, who was as sexy as he was wonderful, was in a shopping mall in Jakarta.
A lady walked up to him, something he was used to because he was so handsome and sexy, but this one turned out to be the wicked witch of the insurance world, an evil crone with lovely legs and really very nice breasts but, like a prostitute, she was only after my wallet.
Some Insurance companies that aim at expats are legalised thieves, con artists that have about the same right to exist on earth as Gary Glitter had to work with children, and about the same predatory intent as the afore mentioned sick sex pest.
She walked up and asked me how much I wanted to spend on insurance, totally ignoring anything interesting like what I actually got for my hard earned cash. Her premium costs went up to stupid, more than I was actually earning at the time, so I very politely told her she had the wrong person because I wasn't a total moron and she should bog off out of my life.
Shop around, but ignoring the vast majority of companies that advertise expat insurance is a good move.

For non-Indonesian speakers, Google translate will do the job

https://www.bca.co.id/id/Individu/Produ … dical-care

Health insurance is useful if you are older like myself, but also if you or your family have an emergency that requires a huge expenditure. Some medical insurance policies will cover you for a limited period of time while you are overseas, but I have no idea about six months. And yes, there are small clinics and doctors in Bali that are relatively inexpensive that will treat you for minor ailments like colds, infections and general illnesses like that. In fact, you can sometimes find doctors that practice at pharmacies, sometimes specialists for skin, eyes, ENT etc. I have visited doctors in small clinics in Kuta, Sanur and also in Denpasar.

If you are staying here long term, then you could check with AXA or Prudential and such companies. Sometimes the banks work with and promote the services of these insurance companies. Personally, I find that the insurance premiums are far more expensive here than when I lived in Malaysia, but they are still reasonable, and cheaper for you than me due to your younger age.

no we are not younger we are in our 60's. okay so I look into the 6 month visa  we can come back to the states  for Christmas than start it over this way I can see my doc here and go to local clinics. 2k  a month is too much. Feeling better that there are clinics though. Ok smile back on my face..geez....lol....Can you clarify what is Century or Guardian  people talk about it but dont explain what it is?  Thank you , you have been helpful.

Marianeto1962 wrote:

no we are not younger we are in our 60's. okay so I look into the 6 month visa  we can come back to the states  for Christmas than start it over this way I can see my doc here and go to local clinics. 2k  a month is too much. Feeling better that there are clinics though. Ok smile back on my face..geez....lol....Can you clarify what is Century or Guardian  people talk about it but dont explain what it is?  Thank you , you have been helpful.

The older you are, the more insurance costs.
The more gullible you are, the more insurance costs.

Local doctors for minor bits and bobs, and even local hospitals for medium illnesses, can be ridiculously cheap but still get the job sorted. A notable injury to my leg that required minor surgery and a fair bit of aftercare over 3 months cost so little I couldn't be bothered to claim. My wife had an operation to remove a non-malignant tumour, the whole lot was 12 million IDR including the tests and follow up work. Again, not worth the hassle of claiming.

Century and Guardian are pharmacies - very professional and western in approach and appearance.

Century and Guardian are pharmacy chains. Other popular pharmacies are Watsons and Kimia Farma. The first three can also be found in many other countries in Southeast Asia and the Far East but I've only seen Kimia Farma in Indonesia. Kimia Farma often have general and specialist doctors in adjoining clinics at certain hours.

Totally agree with you, I would never pay $2,000.

This link will tell you a lot.

https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.p … =2#4335170

I' m looking to go for a shorter time  to stay in Bali as not to pay for the astronomical health care, most likely because of our age.

Marianeto1962 wrote:

I' m looking to go for a shorter time  to stay in Bali as not to pay for the astronomical health care, most likely because of our age.

Looks like you're down to travel insurance - However, your status as a US citizen doesn't mean you have to buy in the US. You might well find options from other countries, even trying companies that were intended for students.
When I travelled, I used a company in Leeds, UK that was really aimed at gap year students, but had some very nice deals that suited me perfectly. I used them for years.

I have no clue if the linked company is any good or not, but it demonstrates possibilities

https://internationallife360.com/travelinsurance.html

If I were in your position and if my partners and my own health were pretty good, I would use travel insurance. When I first joined HSBC bank I paid a reasonable premium and got covered for travel insurance for a year. I have no idea if those sort of insurance deals exist with banks in your own country. But whatever, travel insurance is probably the way to go.

I am also in the same age category as you and I even sometimes don't bother with insurance since the majority of illnesses don't require hospitalization are are therefore just a small cost. I did once get dengue fever in Bali and the symptoms came out after I returned to Malaysia where I happened to be living at the time. I had a test for the dengue but didn't hospitalize myself but was mostly bedridden for the next two weeks. I just drank tons of water and guava juice and took lots of panadol. I even traveled back to Indonesia while still having dengue but most stayed in bed.

The key to making health insurance costs more affordable (at any age) is to select a plan with a high deductible.  Medical insurance plans should be viewed more as insurance against financial catastrophe and not as reimbursement for typical medical issues. 

With William Russell you can custom make your plan which best suits your financial situation.

The problem here  is the quality and fidelity of the health system .

I know members of my extended family whom have had nightmares with the health system , misdiagnosis ,doctors wishing to do procedures for pecuniary benefit ,  etc etc .

So one must do some careful research before making selections for any procedures using your insurance ,unfortunately.

“The problem here is the quality and fidelity of the health system .”

And that depends on where “here” is. 

Bali, for example, has a very good international wing at its major hospital, RS Sanglah in Denpasar.  Moreover, a surprisingly large number of MD’s who practice here in Bali are either members of the Royal College of Surgeons, or are board certified in the US. 

That said, virtually every long time expat I know in Bali will opt for either Singapore (Mount Elizabeth) or Bangkok (Bumrungrad) for major procedures.  In order to have this flexibility and choice of options, it is essential to have a first rate medical insurance carrier.

Bali , Im sure there is some very good doctors here, but who they are and which hospital and shift they are working in the "hour of need", its a lottery imho.
My extended family had some unfortunate experiences to ,say the least. Singapore is of course good quality , but ya useless at the moment ,

"Bali , Im sure there is some very good doctors here, but who they are and which hospital and shift they are working in the "hour of need", its a lottery imho."

That's the reality of hospitals all over the world.  Emergency care physicians are not meant to be specialists in all fields...nor could they ever be. 

In Bali, like anywhere else, the specialists are called in as needed.

Sorry to hear you had bad luck/experiences in the past.

"Bali , Im sure there is some very good doctors here, but who they are and which hospital and shift they are working in the "hour of need", its a lottery imho."

That's the reality of hospitals all over the world.  Emergency care physicians are not meant to be specialists in all fields...nor could they ever be. 

In Bali, like anywhere else, the specialists are called in as needed.

Sorry to hear you had bad luck/experiences in the past.

Thanks for that , ya we live in a developing country including the health system , that is the risk we all face here ,one of the negatives .

For sure in developed countries doctors make errors ,but the general standard of training and equipment of course is far superior, also the Hippocratic oath is more studiously followed ,with no thoughts of pecuniary gain in europe  at least .