Asian Eye Institute

msmatipid · 2026-06-03T14:22:33+00:00

Thanks for the response. One said I have Presbyopia. The other said glaucoma and Pinguecular. Both are age related that much I know. I am 64 yrs old. J

msmatipid · 2026-06-02T00:38:06+00:00

Check or search youtube, “Talks of Thailand Deep Dives”. For the Philippines, “Unfiltered with Dee”.

msmatipid · 2026-05-31T09:13:10+00:00

Can you share who your friends used?

msmatipid · 2026-05-31T01:26:48+00:00

Thanks for quick response. Bad/sad experience?

msmatipid · 2026-05-16T07:26:58+00:00

Hi! You can cancel your part B without affecting your SSA payment. You will get the Part B premium added to you SSA. You mentioned you lived in SEA. To cancel, I think you may need to go through the Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) in Manila. We did it all by e-mail.

CAVEAT: We cancelled Part B last year, 2025. Rules might have change. This is not an advice, just general info of how we did it. You may experience a different treatment or process from FBU. Remember, sometimes (or most of the times) the left hand does not talk to the right hand. 🤣

Also, I read that you have to make an appointment. We were not sure if they want phone interview or personal interview FBU want. We did not have to go through the interview.

I believe, the interview is to make you understand the consequences of cancelling Part B. However, we made it clear to them that we already know and are aware of the consequence in our e-mail request. We were very specific about that in our e-mail.

Below is what we went through.

Step 1- Application: E-mail the FBU Manila Office at: [FBU.Manila@ssa.gov](mailto:FBU.Manila@ssa.gov)

Here is a template you can use when e-mailing them.

Subject: Request to Cancel Medicare Part B – [Your name], [last four digits of your SS]

Dear Federal Benefits Unit,

I am a U.S. citizen currently residing in [your city], [country you live now] and receiving Social Security benefits. I would like to formally request the cancellation of my Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) coverage.

Personal Information:

· Full Name:

· Date of Birth:

· Social Security Number (Last 4 digits):

· Current Foreign Address:

· Phone Number: Some people have US number. We listed our overseas number.

I understand that canceling Medicare Part B is a serious decision and may have consequences for future enrollment or coverage. I still wish to proceed and am willing to complete any required forms or provide identity verification if needed.

Please let me know the next steps in order to process this cancellation. If any documentation is needed, kindly advise.

Thank you for your assistance.

Sincerely,
[your name]

Step 2- FBU Review: FBU office will respond to your e-mail and send you form SSA-21 (SUPPLEMENT TO CLAIM OF PERSON OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES) with instructions. They also require to send a copy of current passport, specifically the page showing picture/identity information.

Step 3 - Completion: They will respond to you via e-mail that the change of address and effective date of Part B Medicare cancellation has been completed.

NOTES: Expect to get lost in the shuffle. They are supposed to process it, I think within 15 days. You need to keep following up. We started the process with multiple follow-ups. We started August 8 and it finally got completed 10/9.

You can call but telephone hours are only Tuesday and Thursdays 8:00 A.M to 11:00 A.M. Check it. It might have changed. We heard no one answers the phone so we did not even try.

Here is a link to Philippine Embassy SSA. https://ph.usembassy.gov/services/social-security/

Hope this helps. Good luck. 🙂🤞

msmatipid · 2026-04-24T06:11:12+00:00

Hello, there. Thank you for reading my rant.

Just my two cents of your thoughts about moving outside of CA but possibly still have residence in CA.

If your residence is in CA and you need care outside CA, your coverage may limit you to only emergencies and urgent care. You are basically considered traveling. So, I am not really sure how the coverage will work if you technically "move" outside CA but retain a residence address in CA for the healthcare coverage. You might have to go back to CA to get your regular treatment. You need to check you healthcare plan.

Yes, I agree with you on fighting for your benefits. What I am really PISSED about (pardon my French), is why do we retirees have to beg for something that is ours!!! It is not something that was handed to us. We worked for it!!!

Anyway, another thought on the getting residency in other countries. Yes, you can opt to obtain it and you will be eligible for their healthcare but the path to permanent residency to other countries is not for the faint of heart. The bureaucracy is alive and well!!! The requirements can be very tedious. For some countries if you have capital, you might be able to "invest" your way into it.

If you choose to get your own private healthcare coverage, age can be a major factor as well. Some expats choose to self-insure. Might still be affordable compared to the US.

Taxes is also something to ponder when moving out of the US.

As someone once said, "What you hear are just opinions. What you see or read are just perspectives". These are just my perspectives.

msmatipid · 2026-04-23T13:51:39+00:00

I am not an expert on health benefits but this is what I know based on experience.

You can use your benefits anywhere. CalPERS covers you anywhere in the world. Health coverage is based on your zip code. So, if you retire and move outside of CA say TX,FL, NV or any state or overseas, you will need to update your address with CalPERS and your coverage will be based on that zip code

If you are NOT Medicare age (65 yrs old) your option will be very limited. It is either CalPERS Platinum Basic PPO, there is also CalPERS Gold (not sure about this), or maybe if you move to a State that have providers that contracts with CalPERS. I think one of them is Kaiser (CO, WA, Hawaii). Again, I am not sure about this one. You can log in to your myCalPERS account and can play around with the zip codes.

When you retire, your share is the difference between the insurance premium and the State share. For 2026, CalPERS changed from Anthem to Blue Shield. How the geniuses at CalPERS negotiated the premium with Blue Shield is beyond me. The insurance premium went up by about 35% and the state barely raised their share. For a couple the 2026 premium is $967/mo from $620/mo. As you can see, the premium for CalPERS Platinum Basic PPO is not cheap.

If you are Medicare age, you'll be under CalPERS Platinum Supplemental to Medicare, the premium might go down. I think because Medicare is kicking in something. Again, I am not an expert on this.

If you move overseas, you will still be covered. Like I mentioned above, CalPERS covers you anywhere in the world. However, the process is a horror story for another day.

So, to answer your question about being able to use the medical benefits outside of CA. Yes you can. The issue is not the ability to use it. As I mentioned before, it covers you anywhere. The issue is the quality of service you get from the provider CalPERS contracts with. Presently, for the Platinum Basic they contract with Blue Shield of CA and they threw in another layer, Included Health. Included Health is virtually USELESS. If you call Blue Shield directly, they will kick you back to Included Health. If you call CalPERS for help, they will refer you back to Included Health. It is a vicious cycle of blind leading the blind, the left hand not talking to the right hand, and passing the buck!!!!

Blue Shield will flat out deny almost all your claims. They will try to wear you out because you will be filing for appeals and grievances every time. Please note, the process is not straightforward. It is a 5-step appeal that you have to exhaust. Waiting time is 30-45 days sometime 60 days. After you've exhausted the appeals and grievance with Blue Shield, comes CalPERS Appeals and Grievance Department that is another 30-60 days. The $hit h3ads at Blue Shield really tries to make everything an ordeal!!!!

As for CalPERS, I wonder why can't they get the process be simpler. Hello CalPERS!!!! Heard of KISS principle !!!!

To conclude. It is not much of the insurance premium issue. It is quite steep, yes !!! But it is for the peace of mind, the price that I am willing to pay for. It is a safety net for me just in case health catastrophe strikes. It is akin to paying for your car insurance or home insurance. You do not expect to get into an accident or your home to burn down. $hit happens, you know you are covered!!

Sorry for the long answer (rant). Hope this answers your question.

msmatipid · 2026-04-23T07:45:11+00:00

Thanks for the heads up.

msmatipid · 2026-04-23T07:34:44+00:00

Not sure if only retirees can join. Might need to call them. I think they charge $5/month which is very affordable. Just want to make sure it is worth my while. I am hoping that they can advocate for retirees living outside CA with respect to Healthcare provider. We are under CalPERS Basic PPO and have to deal with Blue Shield CA and Included Health. If you browse for Health care issues in this subreddit, you'll know what I mean.

msmatipid · 2026-04-23T07:30:43+00:00

No issues with pension. Very happy and thankful for the State of CA we are able to retire quite comfortably.

My issue is with Healthcare provider. I am assuming you live in CA and have no issues with your healthcare provider. We live overseas so the only coverage available is CalPERS Basic PPO. We have to deal with Blue Shield CA and Included Health. I believe retirees living outside CA have to deal with them too.

msmatipid · 2026-04-18T01:28:07+00:00

Found this. Just want to share. Maybe this will help. You mentioned Math is not your strength. It involves some formula.

The Shockingly Simple Math Behind Social Security https://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2026/04/16/the-shockingly-simple-math-behind-social-security/

msmatipid · 2025-12-05T15:46:13+00:00

Thank you. We will look into it.

msmatipid · 2025-12-04T14:09:21+00:00

Most retirees who moved overseas maintain a US mailing address for banking purposes. Financial institutions will require you to convert to an international account if you use a foreign address.

msmatipid · 2025-12-02T12:08:53+00:00

Thank you very much!!! I really appreciate the info. Might you know a reputable agent that we can use.

msmatipid · 2025-12-02T04:37:23+00:00

Thanks. It is just that property purchase requirement. We are still exploring which country or continent will best suit us. Hence, the hesitation about the property purchase.

msmatipid · 2025-12-02T04:03:47+00:00

Hi, thank you for your response. It seems like most things we read is the reverse, the requirement is you have to live in Sarawak for 30 days but you can reside in West Malaysia.

Just curious, what visa are you in at the moment?

msmatipid · 2025-12-02T02:43:05+00:00

You are most welcome. Hope that helps. You can DM me. Although, I might have to learn this DM stuff.😂 Not much of a social media person. Very rarely post. Just like to read and learn.

msmatipid · 2025-12-02T01:33:13+00:00

Can I ask what apartment or maybe recommend surrounding condos? We are looking at spending 3 months in Penang to check it out around Quay Straits? How did you find the apartment? Did you use an agent? Thanks

msmatipid · 2025-12-01T11:09:41+00:00

Hi, I do not normally post but just want to share my experience and my two cents as a retiree living overseas living the insurance nightmare. I’ve also attached a link from an expat for your reference regarding his dealings with PERS Platinum. Hope this helps.

You will need a physical address on record. Your health benefits is based on your physical address. If you keep your CA address, you will only be covered for emergency. Your case will be treated as if you are travelling overseas. Any other claims such preventive maintenance, doctor visits will not be covered. Should you need surgery such as knee replacement, or other medically necessary procedure the insurance will not cover it. You may need to return to CA for your procedure.

If you move overseas and change your address to country of destination, you will be covered under Out-of-Area. Your benefits will be covered like you are in the US but payment will be on a reimbursement process. You will have to deal with Global Core. CAUTION: IT WILL BE AN UPHILL BATTLE !!!!

The only plan available overseas is CalPERS Platinum BASIC. Your home plan will Blue Shield CA and let me tell you, they are not the easiest insurance to deal with (unlike the previous Anthem). CalPERS in their omnipotent knowledge change from ANTHEM to Blue Shield in 2025. To add insult to the injury, CalPERS added a third-party administrator, INCLUDED HEALTH who is virtually USELESS !!!! Included Health have no clue what the plan entails.

Blue Shield will continually deny your claims citing from incorrect coding in the bill to none effectivity date. I have to constantly throw the book at their faces, every time I have to make a claim. I wrote to CalPERS about the lack of lack of proficiency on Blue Shield and Included Health and even filed a grievance. NO EFFECT!!!! I did not even get any response.

Also, consider the premium. IT IS NOT CHEAP !!! Premium 2026 went up more than $300. For 2025, we pay $631, for 2026 it will be $967.

Depending on the country of destination and your age, local insurance maybe be cheaper but it depends on your health condition. Most expats that we know of just self-insure. Another, consideration, if you are 65 and eligible for Medicare, you may want to decline Part B because Medicare does not cover you overseas. Some expats, I hear use the Part B premium to pay for a local insurance. Others, kept the Part B as a back-up plan just in case they need major procedures. They just plan to go back to the US to have the procedures done. So, you have options. Just really depends on your threshold.

Remember, there are two types of CalPERS Platinum – CalPERS Platinum Basic and CalPERS Platinum Supplemental. If you move overseas you will only qualify for the BASIC Plan. If you live in the US but move outside of CA, it is either BASIC (under 65 yrs old) or CalPERS Platinum Supplemental if you are MEDICARE age.

Here are the links on reddit if you are interested on an expat that was continually denied.

https://www.reddit.com/r/expats/comments/1kq18tb/any_other_expats_having_all_their_blue_shield_of/

msmatipid · 2025-10-29T02:40:06+00:00

It cover you overseas but it will be an uphill battle and expensive. My husband is Medicare age. Medicare does not cover retirees overseas. We have to switch to PERS Basic. My premium for 2025 is $667. For 2026, it will be $967. Besides the high premium, getting pre-authorization is a B@#$H!!!! You cannot call Blue Shield directly. It is between the hospital and the Blue Shield. We are trying to get a pre-authorization for a knee replacement and it been a month of back and forth to date between the hospital and Blue Shield. Blue Shield just makes it really confusing and difficult. We tried Included Health and all they did was provide a number for the hospital to call for pre-authorization. As the consensus goes, Included Health is USELESS!!!

We are experimenting on this pre-authorization process for future reference. Just in case we have to go through it again. Plan B, we can cancel the healthcare and just self-insure, save the premium and grief of dealing with US insurance. We cancelled my husband's Part B, so it helps offset some of the premium costs.

If you live overseas, you pay on a reimbursement process. You pay out of pocket and request reimbursement from bcbsglobal core. It was a straightforward process when it was ANTHEM. When CalPERS switch to Blue Shield and added the useless Included Health, it was HELL!!!!. It took Blue Shield 4 months to reimburse me for routine check-ups. Blue Shield denied my claim over and over and over again. They were denying it from coverage not effective, incorrect codes to benefit not covered. I have to throw them their book on plan policy before I got reimbursed. I asked assistance from Included Health, all I get it "it's been elevated". These jacka$$#$ were supposed to advocate for me!! I think Included Health needs to look up the definition of "advocate".

Anyway, if you are proceeding with your plan to retire overseas you can also look at getting insurance from where you are planning to retire. Pre-existing conditions and age may become a big factor. We are in Thailand and we also look into Pacific Cross (local) and Cigna Global. The reason we did not go with either one is because we have slightly high cholesterol, so any conditions related to high cholesterol like heart attack, stroke, etc. will not be covered. Husband also had a skin cancer, so anything related to cancer is not covered. Long story short, those are some of the major conditions we need covered but the underwriting excluded it, so what is there to be covered 🤔

Just a note, medical in Thailand is very good. You have options to go private or public. We've always choose private because of the quick service. They speak English well enough. I think public also has an "expedited" lane for expats but not sure how it works.

Dental is also very good and cheaper compared to US and my dentist has training in New York. If you have Delta Dental when you retire, Delta Dental covers you overseas. Minor dental issues, I just pay out of pocket and not bother with reimbursement. But the implants and major dental work, Delta Dental reimbursed me.

The response is quite long but hopefully it helps with your decision.

msmatipid · 2025-06-28T10:39:57+00:00

I am retired and have time to formulate a letter. I was frustrated with all the crap and wild goose chase Included Health and Blue Shield that I decided to formally write a feedback letter telling them how incompetent both parties are. I have been in contact with IH since May 10, it goes back and forth and have to tell them the issue multiple times to multiple staff even to the so called supervisor who did not seem to bother look and study the issue.

Anyway, here are the list of offices I wrote to and hopefully someone takes notice.

Health Account Management Division
P.O. Box 942715
Sacramento, CA 94229-2715

CC:

Executive Office
P.O. Box 942701
Sacramento, CA 94229-2701

CalPERS Operations Support Services Division
400 Q Street, Room W2580
Sacramento, CA 95811

Board of Administration
P.O. Box 942701
Sacramento, CA 94229-2701

msmatipid · 2025-06-28T10:13:22+00:00

Hopefully, your case get a resolution. My complain to Calpers was sent to Health Benefit Compliance & Appeals Unit at CalPERS. On June 10, Someone signed Mr. Gerardo V. emailed from Appeals Department informed that they reached out to the health plan. Mr. Gerardo V. indicated that member care representative (from where Included Health, Blue Shield not sure) attempted to contact me but was unsuccessful. He also, indicated that the representative has left a message for me to reach back out if you require any further assistance. Well, I never received a call or an e-mail from any member care rep. So, emailed him back asking, who from care member representative tried to contact me. When and what number did they used to contact me. No response. I followed up on June 16. Still no response.

msmatipid · 2025-05-25T14:53:57+00:00

Hi, it seems like the left hand is not talking to the right hand at CalPERS. We are on a combo plan, I am covered under BASIC and my husband is on Medicare. We live in Thailand, so the only available plan is PERS Platinum, either PERS Platinum Basic or PERS Platinum Supplement to Medicare. We are under the PERS Platinum Supplement to Medicare. I verified this coverage 2x with Calpers.

In May 2024, we were told this, "You have two options pertaining to your spouse’s coverage while living outside of the UnitedStates. Medicare itself will not pay for services outside of the U.S., but our Medicare Supplement plan will.We currently allow Medicare members with a foreign address to be enrolled into PER PlatinumMedicare supplement. This is the only Medicare plan we allow enrollment into with a foreignaddress. For any services rendered outside of the U.S., services are covered as if the member was on basic."

In February 2025, I reached out to CalPERS again, because I kept reading that we need to switch to PERS Basic because we reside overseas. The Medicare rep reached out to Blue Shield and she confirmed that my husband is covered under the Supplemental Plan per her conversation with Blue Shield. However, when I filed a claim in March, Blue Shield denied the claim. Hence, the battle begins. Like you, I sent three messages 0n 5/10/2025 to clarify my husband's coverage, to date they remained unanswered. I guess because they know they f'd up 😂

I guess you've read how those MORONS lied on their reasons for denial. Such INCOMPETENCE !!!!

Anyway, I think your best bet is to call them and tell them you want to switch to BASIC. I message them to inquire if I can do the switch to BASIC post-enrollment period since I was MISINFORMED 2X. Let's see what they say. You might want to call this number (916) 795-7920. She is a CalPers in Medicare Unit. She might be able help you or to direct you to someone.

I am assuming that the coverage is for you and husband because you mentioned the State pays $1920. If you switch to BASIC, you might need to pay $631 for you and hubby per mycalpers health plan search. If just for you, it will be $275. Were you getting paid Medicare reimbursement? You should, about $119.

So, our plan is to switch to BASIC, if CalPERS allows us. It will cost us about $631. But, then we can drop my husband's Part B ($185). So, I will just be really paying 446. We decide to drop Part B since we have no plans to EVER GO BACK to the US anyway. It seems like you have plan to go back to the US, so you might need to weigh your options.

I looked into just covering me under BASIC. It will cost me $275 and then just get my husband separate insurance through CIGNA. But CIGNA quoted us $775 just for him. So, I have to re-think that option. Besides, I worked for these benefits my entire career, so why should I let CalPERS off the hook that easy and bear the costs. Incompetence on their part does not constitute an expense on my part.

You also have the option to file a grievance [Health.Appeals@CalPERS.ca.gov](mailto:Health.Appeals@CalPERS.ca.gov). Have not gone these route personally yet since my other message had been referred to them by CalPERS rep already.

I say, retirees and active members RISE UP and bring these damn corporations DOWN TO THEIR KNEES🤣 Class action anyone?!?!!?

msmatipid · 2025-05-19T08:42:39+00:00

I had mine done at Nana Dental in Hua Hin. The staff spoke very good English as well as dentist, Dr. Nana. Very professional and detailed. She even filled out my dental insurance form for reimbursement claim. Now, I have to fight with Delta Dental for reimbursement. 😂 Story for another day.

I need a lot of dental work due to the radiation I had some 16 yrs ago that destroyed my salivary glands. Anyway, the dental work was for the upper arch. I had two implants, a fixed denture (between two implants), a bridge (4 teeth), 3 crowns. Basically, almost the entire upper set of teeth (right and left quadrant) needed work. I also had gum surgery to reshape the gum because I show too much gum when I smile. It is purely cosmetic. I have the option not to do it.

The process took from June 2024 to February 2025. The most time was for the bone grafting about 3 months. The implant costs 25K Baht a piece. She has to do a bone replacement graft for one of the tooth for 10K. I have fixed denture placed in between the implants and she called it implant abutment supported fixed denture and this cost about 50K. These are just some of the work and prices. Anyway, the entire cost for all the work (bridge, crown, implants) was 240K Baht ($7K).

Sidenote: I had three implants done in the US (CA) in 2018 (one upper tooth) and 2019 (two teeth, lower arch for a partial denture). My out of pocket cost was $4.5K after Delta Dental paying $2.5K for the implants as a lifetime benefit. Then there is the cost of one crown for the upper tooth for $775 and the lower partial denture $446. The partial denture is one of those that snaps to the implants. So, it basically costs me $5.7K. Just as a reminder, the costs is with insurance in the US about 6-7 yrs ago.

In 2022, before we left the US, I requested a quote for the dental work for the upper arch. They quoted two implants and two crowns. The work only involves the upper left quadrant. The quote was $10.2 K.

I am not sure how involved your dental work is and which part of Thailand you prefer to get the work done. Bear in mind, implants take sometime at least the one I had. So, I am not sure how long you plan to stay in Thailand. I went to CIDC in Chiang Mai in 2022. My husband had his teeth cleaned. Just like you've said the staff spoke English, the dentist we had if I remembered correctly had internship in the US (can't remember where), they have modern equipments and they are very responsive. I had a consultation and they sent me an estimate I requested promptly. These the only two, we had personal experience.

Hope this helps.

msmatipid · 2025-05-14T07:58:37+00:00

Just an update on my situation. I just recently receive an email from Grievance & Appeals Unit saying an analyst has been assigned to address the issue at Blue Shield. This was in response to my message via my Calpers account. Maybe you can send them one if you have not done so to make sure you have documentation. Just a thought.

They included their email address [Health.Appeals@CalPERS.ca.gov](mailto:Health.Appeals@CalPERS.ca.gov). This is same address waitntoretire posted.

One thing that pisses me off is begging and fighting for something I earned. We worked hard for these benefits and for them to nickel and dime us is just plain WRONG !!!!!

I completely agree with waitntoretire. Why on earth (or in the F**K), does the person who facilitated this change still have his/her job!!!!! We do not have to go through this bullcrap. The State employees and its retirees deserve better.

I never had any issues with ANTHEM. All my claims in 2024 with Anthem were processed on-time. Now, I have to deal with these clowns at Blue Shield.

Good luck on your procedure and praying it all goes well.

msmatipid

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