The sunny Kingdom of Thailand is a popular destination for retirees and expats from all around the world, including many countries in Europe where free public healthcare is offered. While Thailand’s free health insurance does extend to tourists at the time of writing, it provides only a basic level of cover, enough to be treated at public hospitals. Foreigners looking to stay in Thailand long-term are likely to want more comprehensive cover.
Private health insurance is widely available and there are many different providers and packages to choose from. Whether you’re moving there for work, marriage, study, or retirement, it is possible to find cover that suits your lifestyle and needs.
This guide will explain the most important tips that you should follow in order to find the best cover for you.
1. Understand the coverage options
Most Thai expat health insurance plans fall into one of three categories: essential (or basic), comprehensive, and comprehensive with benefits.
Essential cover usually only covers expenses incurred when you are in hospital, such as the cost of the room, the doctor’s fee, and any tests, surgeries, or medications you need.
Comprehensive plans cover things like consultations, tests, and prescription medications that you need when you are not hospitalised.
Some comprehensive packages come with other benefits, such as paying for checkups, dental care, and vision care.
2. Make sure any existing conditions are covered
If you already have an existing health condition, you need to check every policy carefully to make sure that any treatment and medication you need for it is covered.
3. Consider your lifestyle and hobbies
Make sure that your cover is appropriate for your lifestyle and covers any activities you plan to do which could lead to injury. For example, if you plan on using a motorbike to get around, make sure any injuries resulting from this are covered. The same goes if you plan on participating in outdoor activities or adventure sports. These sometimes have to be added onto the cover separately.
4. Check the area of cover
The area of cover is not always stated, so always check with your insurance broker or provider. Some policies only cover you in Thailand, but others offer regional or worldwide cover, typically excluding expensive healthcare countries like the USA.
5. Suit your budget
As you can probably guess, the greater the coverage and benefits your policy includes, the more expensive it will be. Remember to consider both the premiums and the deductible when you are working out if an option suits your budget.
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6. Make sure you can wait
Check if there is a waiting period before your cover begins. Don’t assume that you can simply sign up and head straight to the doctor for a free checkup. If you will be uninsured during the waiting period, take care to avoid any high-risk activities.
Summary
Although Thailand will offer basic free cover for tourists until December 2024, long-term residence who wish to use the country’s excellent private hospitals and need access to English-speaking medical staff should definitely take out private health insurance cover using the tips above.
