Thailand Health Insurance For Long-Term Visitors
Long-term visitors moving to Thailand will want private health insurance that fills the requirements of the long-stay visa they need and that provides medical evacuation coverage in case they have a medical emergency in a rural area. They will also want a plan with international coverage.
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Are you an expat or digital nomad moving to Thailand and in search of the right health insurance? This Pacific Prime article will help you learn some details about Thailand in specific that may affect which plan you choose. We’ll also teach you some specific inclusions that make a plan strong.
Health Insurance For Long-Term Visitors In Thailand
Long-term visitors in Thailand should secure private health insurance for themselves and their families because they most likely will not qualify for the public health insurance scheme for Thai citizens. Many expats and digital nomads prefer the higher quality of care provided by private insurance.
This is because private health insurance grants you access to the private clinics and hospitals that have state-of-the-art facilities, faculty that speak English, higher levels of care, and access to more equipment.
Each of the following cities have some of the best private hospitals in Thailand:
- Bangkok
- Chiang Mai
- Phuket
- Pattaya
- Koh Samui
- Hua Hin
You’ll want to research each so you can guarantee you live close to the facilities you want to use. It’s more important than ever to find the right location and the right insurance plan with the rising health insurance costs in Thailand.
This article will discuss several factors you want to consider as you choose your health insurance plan, as well as some qualities that make up a strong plan.
Factors To Consider When Choosing Thailand Health Insurance
As long-term visitors to Thailand choose their health insurance, they will want to consider factors such as how foreigners may need to pay higher costs for treatment than Thai citizens, that expats may need a plan with medical evacuation, and that certain long stay visas require health insurance.
We will discuss each of these factors related to long-term visitor health insurance in Thailand below.
Additional Payments For Being A Foreigner In Thailand
Expats, digital nomads, and foreign long-term visitors to Thailand may have to pay almost twice as much for their health treatments as their Thai citizen counterparts. This is because in Thailand there is a pricing system and laws set into place that requires public hospitals to charge expats more.
The dual pricing system breaks people up into three tiers: Thai Citizens & Neighbors, Expats, and Retirees & Tourists. Each tier is charged different fees for the same treatments.
Thai Citizens pay the least, then expats, with Retirees and Tourists paying the most for the exact same treatments.
Emergency Transportation
If you have a medical emergency in rural Thailand, you may need emergency transportation to the nearest facility or country. Rural cities in Thailand have fewer resources and the facilities are of lower quality, so expats will want to have the option to be transported to a hospital with better care.
Make sure you have a health insurance plan with a medical evacuation rider. This will ensure you have coverage to be driven or flown to a hospital with proper equipment, sanitation, and specialists that can treat you in an emergency.
Thailand Health Insurance Requirements For Long Stay Visas
If you’re a long-term visitor to Thailand trying to get a Non-Immigrant Visa Category O, a Non-Immigrant Visa Category O-A, or a Non-Immigrant Visa Category O-X, you are required to have health insurance. If you don’t have sufficient health insurance, you will not qualify to obtain a visa.
Here are the Thai health insurance requirements for long-term visitors:
- Non-Immigrant O (Retiree): Outpatient coverage of no less than THB ฿40,000 (about USD $1,100) and inpatient coverage of no less than THB ฿400,000 (about USD $11,600).
- Non-Immigrant O-A (Long Stay): Total sum of the insured must be no less than THB ฿3,000,000 (USD $100,000) per policy year, and they must have coverage for COVID-19.
- Non-Immigrant O-X (Long Stay): Total sum of the insured must be no less than THB ฿3,000,000 (USD $100,000) per policy year, and they must have coverage for COVID-19.
To guarantee that you can get a visa to move to Thailand, you should look for healthcare plans that will provide you sufficient coverage for the visa you need.
Learn more about the types of visas in Thailand to determine what types of health insurance, if any, you specifically are required to have.
You’ll also want to become familiar with Thailand’s new requirement that visitors must have health insurance coverage for COVID-19.
Qualities Of Strong Health Insurance Plans For Long-Term Visitors
Long-term visitors to Thailand need strong health insurance plans with qualities such as international coverage, 24/7 customer support, guaranteed renewability, direct billing, inpatient and outpatient coverage, pre-existing conditions coverage, emergency evacuation, and maternity care.
If you are ever unsure if the elements of a health insurance plan are sufficient for your needs, contact an insurance expert to hear their unbiased advice. Getting expat health insurance in Thailand is very important, and should not be a rushed decision.
International Coverage
International health coverage covers your healthcare costs anywhere in the world. It could cover care like emergency treatments, hospitalization, inpatient and outpatient care, vision or dental, maternity care, or repatriation. This is essential for expats, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
24/7 Customer Support
When long-term visitors in Thailand or any country have medical or insurance questions, they need to be able to contact their insurance company or broker any time of the day, any day of the week. Make sure you select a plan that has 24/7 customer support so you can get support at all times.
This is particularly important if you travel often and are constantly switching time zones.
Guaranteed Renewability
A health insurance plan with guaranteed renewability means the insurance company or broker is required to offer you the chance to renew your plan at the end of your contract so long as you are continuing to pay your premiums.
This means your health, job, or hobbies can’t affect whether or not you qualify for their insurance. It is a measure of protection for the insured to be able to renew their plan each year.
Direct Billing
Getting a plan with direct billing means your insurer will pay their fees to the medical hospital or clinic directly, only contacting you if there is excess you are required to pay. This is more convenient as it saves time and keeps you from having to pay out of pocket then claim for reimbursement.
If you don’t have direct billing, you will be required to pay upfront the entire treatment cost to the medical facility out of pocket at your visit. After that, you contact your insurance company to claim back a reimbursement of what your insurer has agreed to cover.
“Pay and claim” plans are not only a hassle for you, but they can be stressful and even impossible if you don’t have enough money in your account to cover the entire cost out of your bank account the day of the visit.
Inpatient And Outpatient Coverage
Inpatient coverage is insurance for treatments and procedures done when you are required to stay in the hospital overnight. Outpatient coverage is insurance for treatments and procedures that are done either in a clinic or in the hospital without being admitted overnight.
Below are some lists to better explain the difference between inpatient and outpatient coverage.
Common care inpatient coverage includes:
- Hospitalization
- Surgeries that require an overnight stay
- Tests
- Procedures
- Ambulance expenses
- Medications
- Nurse and Doctor costs
Common care outpatient coverage includes:
- Routine checkups
- Tests
- Procedures
- Surgeries that don’t require staying overnight
- Medications
- Vaccinations
- General Practitioner costs
Pre-Existing Conditions
Insurance companies are legally unable to withhold insurance or charge you more for having a pre-existing condition, meaning a health problem that existed before your new insurance plan starts. Pre-existing conditions can be things like asthma, diabetes, pregnancy, chronic illnesses, or cancer.
You will want to make sure your plan doesn’t have exclusions for any condition you currently have or are genetically prone to develop.
Maternity Care
Maternity insurance provides health insurance for all pregnancy related treatments, such as routine checkups, vaginal deliveries, c-section deliveries, postpartum recovery, and more. When traveling and living abroad while pregnant, you will want to guarantee you have coverage.
You will also want to make sure you are residing in the best places to live in Thailand so you can have close access to the best healthcare facilities.
Dental Care
Dental coverage under most plans includes comprehensive benefits for both routine and major dental procedures. The minor dental benefits kick in immediately, covering preventive care like regular check-ups, cleanings, polishing, plaque removal, sealants, and other basic treatments.
However, certain benefits such as surgeries, extractions, root canals, and sometimes orthodontic treatment like braces have a waiting period of around 9-10 months before you can utilize them. This allows the insurer to mitigate risks related to pre-existing conditions.
Once the waiting period is over, you gain access to these crucial major dental services that help maintain your oral health. Thus, it’s advisable to inquire about the specific coverages and waiting periods of your chosen dental plan.
Evacuation
Medical evacuation involves transporting a patient to the nearest appropriate medical facility in case of a serious medical emergency. For many expats living in Southeast Asia, Thailand is a common destination for such evacuations due to its advanced medical infrastructure.
However, evacuation services are incredibly costly. As a result, insurers have stringent criteria for qualifying individuals for this benefit. Meeting the requirements for medical evacuation coverage is a complex process, given the substantial financial implications for the insurers.
Therefore, all expats should carefully review and understand the evacuation-related terms and conditions in their health insurance policies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who offers family health insurance in Thailand?
Pacific Prime, a leading global insurance brokerage, offers family health insurance in Thailand. We specialize in expat family plans, and most of our plans include worldwide coverage so your family is insured no matter what country you’re in. Coverage includes routine and emergency care.
How much does health insurance cost in Thailand?
In Thailand, a health insurance plan costs about USD $1,532 – $3,071 with exclusive inpatient coverage; a plan with inpatient and outpatient coverage costs about USD $2,618 – $6,216; a plan with inpatient, outpatient, maternity care, and extended benefits costs about USD $4,408 – $7,462.
How long can a non-immigrant live in Thailand?
If you are a long-term visitor living in Thailand on a non-immigrant visa O-A, you can live in Thailand for up to one year, so long as you do not work. If you have a non-immigrant visa O-X, you can live in Thailand for up to 10 years, so long as you do not work.
What is the maximum age for term life insurance?
Insurance companies set a maximum age limit for term life insurance policies. This is usually 80 to 90 years old but may be higher or lower depending on the company.
Can you cash out term life insurance?
Term life is designed to cover you for a specified period (say 10, 15, or 20 years) and then end. Because the number of years it covers is limited, it generally costs less than whole-life policies. But term life policies typically don’t build cash value. So, you can’t cash out term life insurance.
Conclusion
By now, you should have a better idea of what kind of health insurance long-term visitors to Thailand need. If you want to make it easier on yourself, check out the health insurance options provided by Pacific Prime since we offer plans with each of the above qualities that create a strong plan.
With over 20 years of reputation as a renowned health insurance broker, we tailor affordable, customized international health insurance plans that fit your needs and budgets. Compare quotes for free, or contact us today for a smooth transition to life as an expat in Thailand.
For some further reading, check out our articles about health insurance for tourists in Thailand and senior health insurance for expats in Thailand.
After obtaining his Bachelor’s Degree in Social Sciences, International Relations from Mahidol University International College, Veerabhatr has forged his career as a content writer in the travel, lifestyle, and real estate industries, writing in both English and Thai. He now continues to hone his skills as a writer at Pacific Prime, looking to engage and educate the audience by simplifying insurance.
Writer by day, and a DJ by night, Veerabhatr is a staunch music lover, and listens to all spectrums of genres available. He also loves to drink beer (moderately), eat all types of food, go to the beach, and learn about different cultures across the globe. He is also a die-hard fan of football and motorsports.
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