This article describes the health system and the possibilities of health insurance in Thailand, so that you get the most advantageous insurance for you. Public health facilities in Thailand offer some of the best medical services.
Healthcare is free of charge or limited to local hospitals and facilities in Thailand for citizens with a general health card. If you are not working in Thailand, you must pay for out-of-pocket medical services or take out private health insurance, which gives access to private rather than public facilities. Private hospitals in Thailand provide excellent healthcare with zero waiting times.
Thailand prides itself on being one of the leading destinations for medical tourism in Asia. Most private hospitals have world-class medical facilities and medical staff. Thailand’s private health care costs are much lower than those of its main competitor, India, as a destination for medical tourism in the South Asian region. Health insurance for expats in Thailand can be a difficult endeavor, as the needs of customers are different for each individual.
If you are a permanent resident of Thailand, you can take out the compulsory national insurance scheme under the same conditions as a Thai national. A health insurance policy pays the holder 40,000 baht (1,340 dollars) for outpatient treatment and 400,000 baht (13,400 euros) for inpatient treatment with the cost of a minimum insurance provider in their home country and in Thailand. Anyone flying to Thailand must have health insurance, travel insurance costs $100,000 and medical cover from the airline.
When it first came into force, foreigners with a one-year non-immigrant visa (O-STAY) had to have Thai insurance to cover them for the whole stay in Thailand, with a minimum outpatient medical coverage of at least 400,000 BT400,000 and inpatient billing. Expats wishing to obtain an O-START visa for non-immigrants from their home country must provide proof of health insurance covering holder as a minimum 40,000 baht (1,340 dollars) for outpatient costs and 400,000 baht (13,400 euros) for inpatient costs. In order to cover you throughout your stay in Thailand, you will need insurance with at least $100,000 cover for medical treatment, including COVID-19 coverage, if this insurance does not meet the requirements, you are not allowed to enter the country, so it is important to verify and check your policy before travelling.
The outbreak of COVID-19 has prompted the Thai government to introduce new regulations, which means that anyone travelling to Thailand must have a medical insurance policy at the airport with at least $100,000 of coverage, including Covid-19 coverage. By law you can forgo insurance, but it is recommended that you have health insurance before arriving in Thailand to make sure that you do not have to pay expensive medical bills out of pocket. While there are other travel insurance policies for short-term stays and holidays in Thailand, it is logical to take out long-term health insurance to cover serious medical problems.
If you decide to find a job in another country, it is a good idea to take out full health insurance. This type of insurance covers you for hospital and inpatient care in most cases, not only if you have an accident but also if you become ill, get dengue fever, have a heart attack, get cancer or have to stay in hospital for long time. Some international insurance plans offer dental coverage in addition to core medical coverage.
The average cost of private health insurance varies by company and depends on your age, the plan type you choose (local or international) and basic care. With many policies, you get more cover if you invest in the more expensive policies. The cost of hospitals in Thailand and the coverage of common diseases are limited with many insurance plans you will find in Thailand.
If you are not entitled to the mandatory national insurance system and wish to be treated at a health facility of your choice, you can pay for treatment in the public sector and if you pay, you will be reimbursed by your insurance provider and you will be insured. Travel insurers tend to offer emergency medical care. Expats can also choose local insurance or enroll in social security if they claim benefits at a public hospital.
Choosing an insurance provider that offers day-to-day customer care ensures you don’t face unnecessary difficulties when it’s time to make a claim. It should also be noted that you must visit a hospital or clinic on the list of approved partners of your health insurance company. Local hospitals are used to dealing with local insurance, and they take care of your paperwork.
As you navigate the world of global insurance, remember to check which plans are relevant to you. If you are going to be away for a while while while you are planning to travel the world, taking out a normal travel insurance policy may be enough. The reason for taking out international health and travel insurance is that, when travelling to different countries, travel insurance is useful from time to time if the flight is delayed, the airline has lost luggage, etc.
If you understand your health insurance and the possibilities of health care, you can travel more calmly to your new home country. As one of Asia’s leading private health insurers, Pacific Cross offers reliable services and a wide range of health insurance options in Thailand. Since I work as an expat in Thailand, I can take out a Thai health insurance policy for expats.
With generous coverage and responsive services that guarantee renewalability, our international health insurance offers an unmatched combination of versatility and convenience that makes it the best health insurance in Thailand. Because Pacific Prime has vast relations with many of the best international insurance providers, we are able to offer discounts on your Thai health insurance plan in addition to the ability to tailor your coverage to your specific health needs.
