Health insurance

Steinwaylover wrote:

Hi,
What are the health insurances are available for expat?  I am looking for health insurance which will cover to see any specialists.  i had a talk with one of the health insurance agents and according to them, you can only claim your insurance if you are admitted to hospital. Other then that, no insurance to cover to see any specialists.  Any suggestion on this?

The agent is incorrect. There are medical insurance policies which will cover everything including repatriation to your home country but they are expensive.
A Google search will give you many policies to choose from

The difference is those policies are not easily available from Malaysian companies and need to bought from international insurers. I did some research and could not find a single local company offering to cover primary health care and/or dentistry. The Medical Card system is the prevailing one and as it can cost as little as RM7 to see a doctor, I guess people don't bother and companies don't offer. If a person has a chronic disease, it is also managed by a doctor at a hospital and the insurance will pay.

Thank you for your reply.  I don't think I can find a similar insurance as I had back in the states.  Although my university provide me (quite unrealistic one though), hope i won't get sick in here!

Hi your employer has to offer health insurance anyway - although most work on "you claim then claim back basis"

I use AXA that gives me 100% cover and cashless entry to many hospitals with a card. Seeing GPs is cheap and just pay. Basically you need "wipe out" insurance that is cover for large expenses. An appendicitis is RM 20,000 and a lot to absorb!

It is also wise to have local credit cards. I keep one clear with 34k limit just for a medical emergency as well as cards from home etc.

stumpy wrote:

Steinwaylover wrote:

Hi,
What are the health insurances are available for expat?  I am looking for health insurance which will cover to see any specialists.  i had a talk with one of the health insurance agents and according to them, you can only claim your insurance if you are admitted to hospital. Other then that, no insurance to cover to see any specialists.  Any suggestion on this?

There are medical insurance policies which will cover everything including repatriation to your home country but they are expensive.
A Google search will give you many policies to choose from

Check out international health insurance providers like A+ International and William Russell. They cover both inpatient and outpatient costs, and as suggested, repatriation, and some other additional covers of your choice.

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Hello there. I used to use Pacific Insurance as they are known to pay fast and their premium is not as high as many others. But the premium depends on ages, sex and the coverage and the least expensive is if you cover yourself for hospitalization and a ward bed as opposed to a private or semi-private room. Also, if you have any pre-existing conditions then often insurance companies will not cover it, which I am assuming that you have (apologies if I am wrong).

If your policy covers a room for RM200 then you can still choose a private room that costs more and pay the difference yourself. Last year I had a slipped disc operation and the RM20,000 bill was totally paid for by Pacific Insurance.

If you want better coverage to include everything, I mean visiting the dentist or a GP for say dermatological problems or flu, then the premium will be a lot higher.

Hi there, I will be soon offered to sign an employment contract in Kuala Lumpur as a local Expat (for a intern. Company) My question is, must the company pay (by Law) for the health insurance - like in Europe or do I have to buy my own health insurance in Malaysia?

Many thanks in advance for your answers, John

They have to provide health insurance by law, but dont have to pay for it and can deduct monthly contribution to the scheme. The coverage may be low, so topping it up could be an option. In Malaysia medical insurance refers to Hospitalization Coverage and no general health management.

hai..

im working in a hospital. actually there is some insurance policy that cover for both but there is some also that covers only if you admit into hospital. you have to discuss more further for the policy that you want to take with the Insurance agent and try to search from google

This would be my advise for an expat who has healthcare here.

1. Make sure your healthcare can cover all fees incurred and no hidden cost.

2. Please make it a point to call the nearest hospital to you and check if they do accept your healthcare plan. Most people don't do this unless when an emergency happens.

3. In case of emergency and you are unable to physically move, who you need to call? Ambulance?

Usually I would get all this done and prepare the individual for an emergency, so that in case it happens they do not panic so much.

Last, please make sure all your family member knows regards to the above. It would really help a lot to get their fast help in time of emergency. 

I would say it's like a fire drill, when the real thing happen everyone know what next to do instead of making assumptions.

Hi, Am Sandeep recently moved to kuala lumpur for work yet to join, I too have a lot of questions regarding insurance.

Hi Sandeep
I actually work in this field. If you would like a more in depth conversation and some direction please inbox me or provide me with your number.

Kind regards

Jules

Hello everyone,

It is recommended that you post your queries on the forum itself so that members can benefit from your inputs.

All the best,
Bhavna

xxx. Send me the details to the above mail id please ..will go through once

I'm considering to get an insurance too. Which insurance company do you guys prefer? As long as it's affordable I think it's fine.

did you ever buy any insurance before?

No i didnt. That's why i need some suggestions.
Any recommendation?

As I know there are few type of insurance such as whole life and term life

Whole life policies have a living benefit, and a tax-sheltered cash account that builds up inside. Clients don't pay taxes on the gain each year, and that money can be used in retirement to supplement retirement planning. No such benefit is available with term insurance. Term insurance only has the actual life insurance coverage; there is nothing but a death benefit. In order for the benefit to be paid, somebody has to pass.

Term life policies are sometimes referred to as temporary life. There is a fixed period of time when the premium is level, but after that time, either the premium increases yearly to the point where it becomes unaffordable or the policy terminates. The premium can eventually get so high that people have to terminate it, so the product may not be around at the very time it is needed — death.

i heard before that some insurance company's medical card with co-insurance
it is something like you still have to pay about 10% of your medical fees
so better buy the medical card is without co-insurance

but first you need to find a good agent
if you purchase from irresponsible agent, good luck for your future then
my neighbor had bad experience regarding this

oh my.. but where can i find a good agent?
it's hard to find

why must be so troublesome? you can purchase without agent what..

are you sure? is it possible to buy insurance without agent?
i never heard about it before, buy insurance without agent is sounds convenience
but the problem is i dont know too much about insurance

sykang wrote:

are you sure? is it possible to buy insurance without agent?
i never heard about it before, buy insurance without agent is sounds convenience
but the problem is i dont know too much about insurance

Well, so far as I know
UforLife offers life insurance without going through any agent
you can online purchase insurance
it is very convenient

thanks for your recommendation
at least i wont encounter any bad experience from agent side if i purchasing online
i will google it and consider about it
millions of thanks

Be careful when buying online without advice, statistically 4/5 life insurances purchased in a home country won't cover you if something happens overseas.

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sykang wrote:

are you sure? is it possible to buy insurance without agent?
i never heard about it before, buy insurance without agent is sounds convenience
but the problem is i dont know too much about insurance

Neither do malaysian insurance agents.

They only care about commissions.