Health insurance

Hello, my Vietnamese wife sells Life Insurance (Chubb Life, USA) but she got me set-up with a decent health insurance plan with a company called "Bao Viet." It is a Vietnamese company but they do speak some English and will cover you when/if you go to hospitals where English is spoken. Of course, they have different plans you can choose from depending on your needs but their prices are much cheaper than the companies advertising for expat health insurance - For example, my plan cost 4 million/year and covers 2 dental check-ups, unlimited doctor visits (including eye doctors), and any hospital stays.

Okay, I hope this helps. If you need a good Life Insurance plan let me know.

You realy knowing what you say?

4 million Dong for the year? That's extremely cheap. I do want to be able to choose private hospitals, etc. I will look into this company but, honestly, I've a hard time believing that one can get good coverage so cheaply. Thanks for your post. I'll take a look. I would like to hear from people who carry private insurance and read some accounts of experiences. The companies say what they will do. But I can't trust that they will really do what they say - especially in places where the regulations are unclear or nonexistent. Unfortunately, people didn't answer this thread last time it was posted. It seems like we should be able to get some recollections here.

VanRoss

Just joined up for Baoviet Intercare policy and it has decent coverage.
I have a copy of the policy and coverage if you are interested can forward

Rgds

Due to our ages and spouse's pre-existing condition (heart attack), every quote we received from every insurance company has been outrageously expensive -- as in very high deductible even when premium is 3X our monthly rent. Bao Viet is inexpensive but their coverage stops at age 65 and we're a bit older than that.

We decided to go with FV Membership Programme. Even with VIP plan, the cost is very affordable.

The good news is they don't raise the premium because of pre-existing condition. The bad news is we can only go to their doctors and hospital, meaning when out of the country, we won't be insured. It's fine with us, at least for the time being.

@ Nexus Six

Or, if they have a policy in English, I can check it. The companies I mentioned gave me quotes also. Before, I was mostly interested in catastrophic coverage: getting covered for any big events. I'm not sure what I want now except something that's reasonably priced that I can rely on for big problems. I am curious if your policy is cheaper for the same benefits...Let me see if there's a website.

Ciambella wrote:

Due to our ages and spouse's pre-existing condition (heart attack), every quote we received from every insurance company has been outrageously expensive -- as in very high deductible even when premium is 3X our monthly rent. Bao Viet is inexpensive but their coverage stops at age 65 and we're a bit older than that.

We decided to go with FV Membership Programme. Even with VIP plan, the cost is very affordable.

The good news is they don't raise the premium because of pre-existing condition. The bad news is we can only go to their doctors and hospital, meaning when out of the country, we won't be insured. It's fine with us, at least for the time being.

This is fantastic information. I will check into this company. Can you go to the private hospitals like Vincom, if you want? This is the question that I have from your quote: So, being that companies tag you with this problem, what happens if I go with one of the companies I mentioned. My fear is, if something happens, will they cancel or raise the coverage to an impossible place? If so, what's the use of buying it. If they won't make you coverage reasonable, why would the big companies KEEP my coverage reasonable should I need it. They say they have lifetime policies too, however, can they just raise the premiums as they like?I think I asked them this question and got a vague answer.

FV (Franco-Vietnamese Hospital) is a private hospital, located in D7. They issue the insurance so naturally they have to honour it. The problem is you have to go to their hospital and use their doctors.

Excerpt from their site:

"FV Hospital is a private hospital, 100% foreign-owned by a Hong-Kong parent company, the ownership of which is composed of the holding company of the 10 Founders (who conceived and developed the hospital project), including Dr Jean-Marcel Guillon, CEO, Legal Representative and Board member, and of another holding company based in Luxembourg regrouping almost 500 shareholders, essentially doctors, from France, Belgium and Switzerland."

"Patient well-being and rigorous high standards of care are central to FV Hospital's mission: to provide world-class healthcare in Vietnam.  In 2007, FV Hospital was the first hospital in Vietnam to be accredited by the Haute Autorité de Santé, the world-renowned French quality accreditation authority.  Following this, the hospital has been working to achieve recognition from the global leader of accreditation, the JCI (Joint Commission International)."

Our main concern is cardiology. Their 6 cardiologists are Vietnamese, all graduated from medical school in Saigon, which I'm not overly happy about, but at least 4 out of the 6 had their fellowships at hospitals in France.

Check out Liberty Insurance Vietnam - many option.

Ciambella wrote:

FV (Franco-Vietnamese Hospital) is a private hospital, located in D7. They issue the insurance so naturally they have to honour it. The problem is you have to go to their hospital and use their doctors.

Excerpt from their site:

"FV Hospital is a private hospital, 100% foreign-owned by a Hong-Kong parent company, the ownership of which is composed of the holding company of the 10 Founders (who conceived and developed the hospital project), including Dr Jean-Marcel Guillon, CEO, Legal Representative and Board member, and of another holding company based in Luxembourg regrouping almost 500 shareholders, essentially doctors, from France, Belgium and Switzerland."

"Patient well-being and rigorous high standards of care are central to FV Hospital's mission: to provide world-class healthcare in Vietnam.  In 2007, FV Hospital was the first hospital in Vietnam to be accredited by the Haute Autorité de Santé, the world-renowned French quality accreditation authority.  Following this, the hospital has been working to achieve recognition from the global leader of accreditation, the JCI (Joint Commission International)."

Our main concern is cardiology. Their 6 cardiologists are Vietnamese, all graduated from medical school in Saigon, which I'm not overly happy about, but at least 4 out of the 6 had their fellowships at hospitals in France.

OK. There's one I remember in D7. Yes. Well, this looks like something to really look into. I think, if I remember, they have a good reputation. I mean, my thinking is: at least if they are not charging you for pre-existing then it means they're not liable to raise rates or price people out. I have to check what is the premium. I heard from one of the providers I mentioned that rates go up 8-9% every year. That sounds like a lot. Is this what your does too?

The rate only goes up when you enters the next age group, at least that's what the consultants told me. My niece (who manages her husband's -- a German surgeon -- practice in Saigon) often refers their patients to FV. FWIW, she did not oppose to our enrollment in FV membership insurance.

Yes. That is what the website shows. I think it is much more trustworthy since it is resting on the ability, reputation and skill of the hospital - whereas these private insurance companies probably couldn't care less about their reputations as long as they still make money. Actually, I don't understand how insurance insurance really functions. I mean if they are not trustworthy or accountable. FV can probably afford to be more reliable since they are a well-known institution.

And also because when you buy into FV programme, you go to their doctors and hospital, so the premium stays in-house.

Just to be fair, I should say I received an email from ACS saying that once your accepted, they guarantee that your rates will never be raised, more than the normal yearly raise, nor your policy cancelled. So, there's that. I really do think this thread is very useful. Thanks for the responses. It'd be nice to hear from some more people who have actually had to use one of these plans for impatient care or something.

I am seriously considering ASC policy in addition to FV. But, FV SEEMS more reliable. I don't know who ASC is. It's a company. Anyone use it? I can trust FV. It's a big hospital that's...that's right there. Not going anywhere. ASC is someone sending me an email. How do I know they are what they say they are and will do what they say they will do?

VanRoss wrote:

How do I know they are what they say they are and will do what they say they will do?

The question one ponders at the beginning of *every* relationship.

Ciambella wrote:

VanRoss wrote:

How do I know they are what they say they are and will do what they say they will do?

The question one ponders at the beginning of *every* relationship.

I would be very appreciative if you would forward us a copy of your policy and coverage of your Baoviet Intercare policy.

Best regards

I would like to see a copy of the insurance plan if possible

Can you forward a copy o the Bao Viet policy to [email protected]    tks

Forget boaviet. I went to their offices and asked many questions. There is a MASSIVE list of things they dont cover the first year. Basically they only cover accidents in the first year of their hospital plan, ypu need to read the fine print . I decided not to sign up with them, there is a reason they are so cheap...

My policy has covered everything since day one. My premium is 450 usd a year, just for hospital cover, no outpatients or dental.

I just read the exclusions, there are 35 of them. Many are just common sense exclusions like, being treated at a non-authorised centre, eg a day spa.

colinoscapee wrote:

My policy ...

Boaviet?

So your experiences are good?
In Vietnamese and/or international hospitals?

Andy Passenger wrote:

colinoscapee wrote:

My policy ...

Boaviet?

So your experiences are good?
In Vietnamese and/or international hospitals?

Both.

Looking for Medical Insurance myself now that I have retired. Can anyone point me in the right direction for Bao Viet. Preferably in English

Just stumbled across this as I search for another insurance company here in vietnam. I have pacific and their absolutely horrific when it comes to PAYING. I obtained 6 months coverage, direct billing, no có pay, outpatient and inpatient, medical checkup as well.

So I figured I'd use the full medical check up which says 2 million VND ON THE CARD. I go do set it up and then try to pay with my insurance (insurance said sorry for direct billing, you must pay in advance and then file a claim to try and get this back) I said but it says right on my insurance card I am covered for this.. It's been a week now and no re payment or word back

End up trying to use it yesterday due to waking up with an exreamly fast heart beat. Stayed in the hospital for like 7hr, emergency room and then seem a cardiologist. PACIFIC MADE ME PAY FOR EVERYTHING TODAY! 280USD out of pocket

Right after buying protection with pacific in Dec 2018 I felt something was wrong when I said let's upgrade to you're highest plan (it's not to expensive) and the responses. So I started to look at a company called Tenzing so finds you what you need, and Tenzing told me straight-up. Many of our clients came from pacific and have had NOTHING But problems with direct billing and being paid back. And then I got to witness it twice for myself. So next month once paid I'll go with another company. I know this post is old as hell but someone in 2019 will see it as I did also.

Since this thread is revived, I want to add a disclaimer to my previous recommendation of FV Hospital VIP Membership insurance. 

After months of scrutinizing every line on every page of the policy, after more than a dozen meetings with FV personnel and their newest cardiologist, we decided not to go through with the program.  That decision was made more than a year ago. 

Since then, my husband has become a cash patient.  We chose the physicians and the hospitals (at one of the latter, we happened to watch a FV doctor coming in for a consultation with the doctor my husband were seeing!)

The care is decent and the cost is very insignificant.

Curtshome wrote:

absolutely horrific when it comes to PAYING.

Get a bit cheeky and do as I did.
I popped into a couple of local hospitals and asked the staff which companies they recommend because the hospital has no problems with them (The company pays its bills).
Nobody recommended the big expensive expat companies, all suggesting not using them because getting the cash back is a pain.

Curtshome wrote:

Just stumbled across this as I search for another insurance company here in vietnam. I have pacific and their absolutely horrific when it comes to PAYING. I obtained 6 months coverage, direct billing, no có pay, outpatient and inpatient, medical checkup as well.

So I figured I'd use the full medical check up which says 2 million VND ON THE CARD. I go do set it up and then try to pay with my insurance (insurance said sorry for direct billing, you must pay in advance and then file a claim to try and get this back) I said but it says right on my insurance card I am covered for this.. It's been a week now and no re payment or word back

End up trying to use it yesterday due to waking up with an exreamly fast heart beat. Stayed in the hospital for like 7hr, emergency room and then seem a cardiologist. PACIFIC MADE ME PAY FOR EVERYTHING TODAY! 280USD out of pocket

Right after buying protection with pacific in Dec 2018 I felt something was wrong when I said let's upgrade to you're highest plan (it's not to expensive) and the responses. So I started to look at a company called Tenzing so finds you what you need, and Tenzing told me straight-up. Many of our clients came from pacific and have had NOTHING But problems with direct billing and being paid back. And then I got to witness it twice for myself. So next month once paid I'll go with another company. I know this post is old as hell but someone in 2019 will see it as I did also.

I'm always skeptical when someone signs up at Expat.com to advertise a health insurance as first post.

I also think that you can't expect any health insurance company to refund the money after a week. This is utopia, because insurers first have to check the justification of the payment and you are probably not the only customer.

Personally, I will certainly never register with a much too expensive international health insurance company.

Lol yes because I just joined this site in regards to a possible move to nhà Trang and nothing more. And as I was searching sites for insurance information it brought me to this (noticed wheh I seen my user name pop up) so yes my first post was about insurance and WROOONNGGG, my agent had a text waiting for me as I woke up and I'll be heading to her office to pick up the cash, as you said it's been a week it's not possible etc. Guess things have changed a bit for larger companies. Still not happy with their direct billing though. But I am glad to see a little cash back!

Ciambella wrote:

Since this thread is revived, I want to add a disclaimer to my previous recommendation of FV Hospital VIP Membership insurance. 

After months of scrutinizing every line on every page of the policy, after more than a dozen meetings with FV personnel and their newest cardiologist, we decided not to go through with the program.  That decision was made more than a year ago. 

Since then, my husband has become a cash patient.  We chose the physicians and the hospitals (at one of the latter, we happened to watch an FV doctor coming in for a consultation with the doctor my husband were seeing!)

The care is decent and the cost is very insignificant.

I found the hard way that cash is not the way to go. I am healthy and generally have no problems whatsoever. But right before Christmas, I developed a sore on my back that I disregarded. By January it was beyond disregard. I went to a hospital downtown and was given some antibiotics. Two days later it was getting worse and I went back. The doctor recommended I check into a hospital.
My daughter-in-law took me to FV Hospital in dist 7. More antibiotics and the problem got worse. A specialist was called in. It was cultured and was determined to be a drug-resistant staph infection. I needed surgery right away before it got into my bloodstream.  The infection had eaten through my skin and into the muscle beneath. The surgeon cleaned out the wound, packed it with antibiotics, and installed a tube to vacuum out the abscess and the infection.
Now, three weeks later I am sufficiently recovered to leave the hospital. They removed the tube and repacked to wound. I can't leave Saigon for another two weeks because of the need for continuing care. So far it has cost me three weeks, seven grand, and a bunch of suffering.
I really can't gripe about the cost of the hospital care. The service I received was exceptional and the staff was really great. They gave me a battery of tests that would cost a bundle in Texas, and I get to cart all the results back to my doctor in Dallas.
Had I had insurance, I would've been far more inclined to seek help sooner. As it was, I had to rely on the advice of a housekeeper. She told me to apply early-morning saliva to the wound and it would be better right away. I'd bet that FV sanctioned insurance would have saved me $5 to $6 grand.

Jim-Minh wrote:

Had I had insurance, I would've been far more inclined to seek help sooner.  I'd bet that FV sanctioned insurance would have saved me $5 to $6 grand.

What an awful experience.  I hope you'll be well enough to enjoy Tet in Dalat.

Everyone in my extended family, including a German surgeon who has been practicing in Saigon for the last 10 years, goes to Hoàn Mỹ Hospital for treatments.  Its appearance can't be compared to FV but the talents are more or less the same.  The cost is only a tiny fraction of FV or any international hospital.

For catastrophe, FV VIP program is good, but for routine exam, tests, and outpatient treatments, it's an expensive option because as FV doesn't do everything cardio-related in-house, my husband would have to pay out of pocket for those service.

For absolute certainty, the membership with FV would be a total waste on me.  Since we moved here, my medical expenses has cost me $25 at Hoàn Mỹ -- exam, general anesthesia, mini-surgery, and meds for one week.

I found I can get good coverage with FV PRIVILEGE MEMBERSHIP
for $600 per year at age 69.

Jim-Minh wrote:

I found I can get good coverage with FV PRIVILEGE MEMBERSHIP
for $600 per year at age 69.

Ask a lot of questions and bring up as many hypothetical cases as you could imagine.  That's how we learned that many of the services were not done in house, thus not covered by the program.

I will talk to them on my follow-up on Monday. I will see how much of my ordeal would have been covered.

Hi
Was that a “Pacific Cross” you mentioned in your Post?
I'm now busy choosing an insurance company for myself and Pacific Cross approaches me actively.
Alongside with Manulife - which offers higher prices promising some rewards in 15 years...
I'd be grateful to hear your comment.
Thanks!

I use Regency foe x pats & have good experiance with them on 1 claim I made this year. Got clearance to go for check up ( pain lower abdomen) had the full works incl ultra scan etc at FV & they paid up within 3 days even although nothing serious was detected. I have just signed up with them for another year. A friend of mine has had good experience with them also.

Regency for Expats - is that the name?
Never heard of them.
Have you a link to their Webpage?
I'll check through Google too