Near East Health Insurance Policies - problems
Posted: Thu 17 Jun 2021 3:47 pm
I am interested to know if anyone has had unexpected substantial monthly policy increases this year?
Or encountered any other anomalies regarding financial issues in the past?
Most of us are on very limited pensions, and although we take our health very seriously - especially when getting older, this is a major chunk from our budget!
Last year I had cover on the their plan 5. It is a hefty cost of TL. 1308 per month. (8 months payments per year). I paid it as their age limit for their policies is 64 and I had no other cover here.
As it was my first cover here I had a few health checks and scans etc so I could assess my overall health levels, and also simultaneously hopefully become a low-risk patient! (My assumption was that with regular tests you could pick up any weaknesses fast to remain in optimal health).
All that came back was a tendency to hypothyroidism - for which I now take very low dose tablets.
On renewing my policy this month, the cost suddenly increased exponentially from TL.1308 to TL.1892 per month.
After the initial shock to my system I contacted them requesting the reason for this sudden inexplicable rise.
They wrote back saying that there was an initial 10% reduction of the normal fee for new clients on taking out the policy - of which there was NO mention at the time. So this 10% was now added to the second year renewal cost.
They also said there was another 10% age related increase added due to just turning to age 65.
However, the increase was far more than even the extra 20% added above - both of which were not mentioned during my extensive questions on taking out the policy.
In Europe I am sure this would qualify under the 'mis-selling' category. Please correct me if I am mistaken.
There was no explanation given for the additional increase over and above the 20%
On taking the first renewal payment from my visa they supplied the new policy today at my request for my residence visa application (which I cannot find any method of uploading on to the Ministry site!).
Accompanied with this email was a message saying that they would no longer cover 4 major health items (including the thyroid), for which I independently asked to have preventative tests for!! So what they had actually done is checked all the tests that I had chosen to have (of which I either pay in full or get 20% charges for), and applied them as exclusions to my policy directly out of the blue!
So please tell me what is the whole point of trying to be a responsible citizen by practicing preventative health when you find you are immediately penalized on your next policy renewal for random tests you opted to have?
For information, the check-ups that they offer for men and women are not covered in the insurance policy but I mention them because I feel that had I also opted to benefit from any of them it would not surprise me at all now that these also would be noted on your electronic health records with similar penalties.
I hate to say this but the first thing my family said on explaining what had happened was that it sounds like a 'scam'. To say I am very disappointed would be an under statement. However, I would be very grateful to hear from others of what other private health policies are available - if any.
My motivation for selecting Near East was that I am very grateful to Dr. Turk, who I very much respect, and has helped my family so many times over the years. (Plus he is also open to alternative natural therapies, though no health insurance ever covers them sadly).
I am also aware of ex pats warning others on these forums to watch billing methods of Near East, including discounts which BRS members are entitled to. I feel that transparency for ALL is way overdue!
Caveat emptor
Blessings
Or encountered any other anomalies regarding financial issues in the past?
Most of us are on very limited pensions, and although we take our health very seriously - especially when getting older, this is a major chunk from our budget!
Last year I had cover on the their plan 5. It is a hefty cost of TL. 1308 per month. (8 months payments per year). I paid it as their age limit for their policies is 64 and I had no other cover here.
As it was my first cover here I had a few health checks and scans etc so I could assess my overall health levels, and also simultaneously hopefully become a low-risk patient! (My assumption was that with regular tests you could pick up any weaknesses fast to remain in optimal health).
All that came back was a tendency to hypothyroidism - for which I now take very low dose tablets.
On renewing my policy this month, the cost suddenly increased exponentially from TL.1308 to TL.1892 per month.
After the initial shock to my system I contacted them requesting the reason for this sudden inexplicable rise.
They wrote back saying that there was an initial 10% reduction of the normal fee for new clients on taking out the policy - of which there was NO mention at the time. So this 10% was now added to the second year renewal cost.
They also said there was another 10% age related increase added due to just turning to age 65.
However, the increase was far more than even the extra 20% added above - both of which were not mentioned during my extensive questions on taking out the policy.
In Europe I am sure this would qualify under the 'mis-selling' category. Please correct me if I am mistaken.
There was no explanation given for the additional increase over and above the 20%
On taking the first renewal payment from my visa they supplied the new policy today at my request for my residence visa application (which I cannot find any method of uploading on to the Ministry site!).
Accompanied with this email was a message saying that they would no longer cover 4 major health items (including the thyroid), for which I independently asked to have preventative tests for!! So what they had actually done is checked all the tests that I had chosen to have (of which I either pay in full or get 20% charges for), and applied them as exclusions to my policy directly out of the blue!
So please tell me what is the whole point of trying to be a responsible citizen by practicing preventative health when you find you are immediately penalized on your next policy renewal for random tests you opted to have?
For information, the check-ups that they offer for men and women are not covered in the insurance policy but I mention them because I feel that had I also opted to benefit from any of them it would not surprise me at all now that these also would be noted on your electronic health records with similar penalties.
I hate to say this but the first thing my family said on explaining what had happened was that it sounds like a 'scam'. To say I am very disappointed would be an under statement. However, I would be very grateful to hear from others of what other private health policies are available - if any.
My motivation for selecting Near East was that I am very grateful to Dr. Turk, who I very much respect, and has helped my family so many times over the years. (Plus he is also open to alternative natural therapies, though no health insurance ever covers them sadly).
I am also aware of ex pats warning others on these forums to watch billing methods of Near East, including discounts which BRS members are entitled to. I feel that transparency for ALL is way overdue!
Caveat emptor
Blessings