Health Insurance For Americans In Thailand
Most Americans’ standard health insurance plan doesn’t cover them abroad, so visiting or moving to Thailand means they’ll need an insurance plan for that. International Health Insurance plans have a range of options, and working with an insurance broker lets them compare multiple options at once.
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Are you planning your next vacation to Thailand or abroad? Perhaps you’d like to move to Thailand for a different way of life or a lower cost of living.
Whatever your reason is for needing health insurance in Thailand as an American, we’ve got you covered. We’ll explain what types of plans are available and point you in the right direction. If you’d like to talk to an insurance expert about your particular circumstances, reach out to us at Pacific Prime.
For expats from all countries looking into health insurance in Thailand, you’ll find more information in our article about Health Insurance in Thailand for Expats.
If you’d like some more information before getting a free quote for health insurance in Thailand, keep reading this handy guide to health insurance for Americans in Thailand!
Health Insurance For American Expats In Thailand
American expats in Thailand will receive the best medical care by securing private international health insurance that will cover the cost of private hospitals and medical care in Thailand. Thailand has many international hospitals that offer exceptional care.
For expats working legally in Thailand, you will have access to subsidized healthcare in public hospitals through the Social Security scheme in Thailand, but you may face longer waits or language barriers.
This subsidized healthcare is paid for through deductions from your paycheck.
Read this article for more information about universal healthcare coverage in Thailand.
American retirees and expats won’t have access to Medicare while in Thailand either. However, there are many affordable options for private international health insurance so you won’t have to miss out on the chance to move to Thailand.
For additional information about Medicare coverage in Thailand, keep reading here. For retirees looking to move to Thailand, consider reading this article about health insurance for retirees.
Even though the cost of healthcare in Thailand is generally cheaper than in the United States, the costs can still add up, so it’s best to find a quality health insurance plan.
Travel Insurance Plans With Health Insurance Benefits
If you’re vacationing in Thailand for a short period of time, you may be interested in travel insurance plans with benefits that cover not only healthcare needs but some of the possible inconveniences of travel. Expats typically need coverage with longer lengths than most travel insurance plans.
Pacific Prime is partnered with multiple companies that offer these types of plans, so you can compare quotes to get an idea of what would be the best fit for your vacations. For example, some plans can cover multiple trips abroad over a period of time. Other plans can be selected just for a single trip to Thailand.
For additional information about insurance for tourists in Thailand, you can gather more information in this article.
Important Aspects Of Travel Insurance Plans To Look For
For Americans visiting Thailand, you’ll want a travel insurance plan that covers medical evacuations and emergency repatriation. Thailand does not have an emergency dispatch, so in a medical emergency, you’ll have to arrange your own transport.
Here are some additional considerations for travel insurance plans:
- Does the plan offer any benefits for missed, canceled, or delayed flights?
Many travel insurance plans will offer a benefit to help cover the incidental costs of canceled flights and other transportation mishaps while on vacation. The airline usually doesn’t cover expenses related to inclement weather or terrorism.
- Does the travel insurance plan have benefits for lost or stolen luggage?
No one wants to arrive at their destination without all those essentials! Many travel insurance plans will cover a certain amount for replacing items in lost luggage at your destination.
- Will the plan cover you in all of the areas of the world you’re visiting?
Insurance companies usually have contracts with medical providers in certain areas of the world. For example, it’s not uncommon for travel insurance plans to exclude the US and Canada unless you specifically include them on the plan.
- What riders are available and what is included in the base package?
Medical evacuation and emergency repatriation may be an additional rider rather than a benefit included by default. Don’t assume that every plan includes the same coverage.
- What’s the deductible or excess?
The deductible or excess is the amount you must pay before benefits begin. Many plans are a zero-deductible plan meaning that you won’t have to immediately pay out of pocket in an emergency. Sometimes increasing the deductible is one way that low-risk tourists can save money but still be financially protected in a catastrophic emergency.
- Does the plan cover pre-existing conditions while I’m traveling?
If you have chronic health conditions, most travel insurance plans do not cover complications or emergencies related to those conditions. However, many plans will offer coverage for pre-existing conditions of younger tourists for an additional premium.
- What are the limitations of the benefits?
Be aware of maximum payout amounts because you won’t receive any benefits beyond the limitation. Some travel insurance plans without an emphasis on health insurance coverage, such as those through a rental car agency, may only offer a small amount toward a medical emergency or only in limited situations.
- What additional riders (supplemental coverage) will I need based on the recreational activities of my trip?
For high-risk recreational activities like sky-diving or extreme sports, the base plan of travel insurance with medical benefits likely won’t cover accidents related to these activities. The good news is that you can usually pay an additional premium for a rider that does.
Since medical emergencies can be some of the most expensive emergencies during travel, make sure you have travel insurance that offers adequate medical coverage. If you would like to learn about the best travel insurance companies, check out our blog post here.
Preventing Medical Emergencies for Americans Visiting Thailand
Although no amount of prevention will stop all emergencies from happenings, Americans traveling to Thailand can help keep themselves healthy. Following the most up-to-date guidance for Americans on items to pack and preventing disease can help keep your trip enjoyable by keeping you safer.
Some medications, like those for travelers’ diarrhea and malaria, can be prescribed by your doctor in the United States.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is health insurance for Americans in Thailand?
Premiums for health insurance for American expats and tourists in Thailand will vary depending on coverage. Deductibles, where else the insurance covers, and the length of time insured are all factors, among others, that affect the price. Getting a quote is the best estimate.
Can Americans get health insurance in Thailand?
Americans who are visiting or moving to Thailand can find insurance plans. There are private insurance plans for tourists and interested expats. Expats who legally work in Thailand and pay social security fees there can access public hospitals and subsidized care.
Does Blue Cross Blue Shield offer coverage in Thailand?
Not all Blue Cross Blue Shield plans cover you abroad, but the insurer has one of the largest global networks of providers that includes Thailand. GeoBlue uses the Blue Cross Blue Shield network to offer international health insurance plans for individuals and employers abroad.
Can I use my US Health Insurance in other countries?
Most US health Insurance plans do not cover Americans abroad. You need to find travel insurance or international health insurance in order to have coverage in other countries. Otherwise, Americans will have full financial responsibility for medical expenses abroad.
Does Thailand accept US Medicare?
Medicare does not cover Americans traveling outside of the US and its territories. Therefore, Thailand and other nations abroad are unable to accept Medicare. Anyone on Medicare headed to Thailand will need an additional insurance plan for coverage.
How do you find international health insurance for Thailand?
Finding an international health insurance plan that provides coverage in Thailand is easy, but finding the best one for your needs may be difficult. Working with an insurance broker, like Pacific Prime, can simplify the process with multiple quotes and help from insurance experts.
Conclusion
Whether you’re planning to retire, work, or vacation in Thailand as an American citizen, you’ll get the best medical coverage by finding an international health insurance plan. The right plan will cover inpatient and outpatient needs and address underlying health conditions.
Don’t hesitate to contact us at Pacific Prime about your healthcare coverage needs or to obtain a free quote. As an international insurance broker, we’re experts in the field of health insurance both inside and outside of the US. We also work with multiple insurance companies, so working with us can make comparison shopping easier!
Expats planning their move to Thailand may enjoy our blog post that explores the best places for expats to live in Thailand.
Jantra curates and reports on the results of Pacific Prime’s monthly newsletters, as well as manages Pacific Prime’s Deputy Global CEO’s LinkedIn posts. Complemented by her background in business writing, Jantra’s passion for health, insurance, and employee benefits helps her create engaging content - no matter how complex the subject is.
Growing up as a third-culture kid has given her a multicultural perspective that helps her relate to expats and their families while 8 years of working remotely have given her unique insight into hybrid work arrangements and enthusiasm for employee benefits.
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