GeoBlue Insurance In Thailand: For Expats And Travelers
An independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, GeoBlue provides U.S.-based travelers and expats with the peace of mind required to explore the world, thanks to its network of 1.9 million healthcare providers in 190 countries around the world.
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Are you an expat in Thailand? Are you also looking to stay insured abroad? This Pacific Prime article will explain the importance of travel health insurance and how GeoBlue insurance can make your expatriate journey safe, stress-free, and convenient.
GeoBlue Insurance for Thailand Expats and Travelers
Geoblue provides several insurance plans for expats and travelers in Thailand including Xplorer Premier, Voyager Choice Single Trip, and Trekker Choice Multi-Trip. These plans each have a variety of benefits and their own qualification requirements.
For many expats, finding the right health insurance for their lifestyle is the first consideration prior to relocating to a different country. GeoBlue offers full services for expats and travelers who want access to the best healthcare and coverage that is directly billable within Thailand.
Furthermore, depending on the type of visa, it may also be mandatory for expats to have a health insurance policy under Thai law. You may also read more in our Thai Visa Guide for Expats and Foreigners.
In this case, getting covered by a Thai insurer for visa obligations and receiving additional coverage from a foreign insurer is recommended. Thai insurance companies tend to offer cost-effective plans; however, they may not be as comprehensive as private international health plans.
This warrants carefully considering and choosing a primary health insurance plan from a private international insurance company, especially one that is suitable for your needs. An insurance broker can help you find a health care plan that fits your needs and your budget.
As more American expats decide to live and work outside of the U.S., the demand for comprehensive health insurance plans has increased. GeoBlue’s Xplorer Premier plan provides American expats with complete coverage worldwide and in the U.S.
Introducing GeoBlue Xplorer Premier
Designed to meet the lifestyle needs of American expats or travelers who travel to and from the U.S. over extended periods of time (for six months or more), GeoBlue Xplorer Premier is the most comprehensive international health plan available and is combined with next generation tools and services.
The long-term plan provides the following benefits:
- Unlimited annual and lifetime medical maximums outside of the U.S.
- Once approved, immediate coverage of pre-existing conditions with proof of prior coverage
- Access to any healthcare provider outside of and inside the U.S.
- Inpatient hospital service coverage
- Prescription drug benefits
- Rehabilitation and therapy
- Preventive and primary care
- Accidental death and dismemberment coverage
- Global travel benefits (emergency evacuation)
- Ambulatory and therapeutic services
- Professional medical services coverage
- Waiver of deductibles for office visits, preventive care, and prescriptions
- Unlimited telemedicine services
- Continuous coverage for dependents in the case of subscriber death
- Prescription coverage with enhanced prescription benefits
- Repatriation of mortal remains
- Emergency family travel arrangements
Applicants must meet only one of the qualification requirements listed below:
- Is a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident living abroad who is 84 years of age or younger at the time of application
- Lives at least 3 months outside the U.S.
- Is an employee of a U.S. company based in the U.S., and the company must be responsible for paying the insurance premium
GeoBlue For Holiday Travelers
For travelers looking to make Thailand their holiday destination, their priorities are typically focused on ensuring that they are covered throughout their length of stay, from arrival to departure. They are also required by Thai law to show proof of health insurance coverage.
Read here to learn more about getting holiday insurance in Thailand.
GeoBlue Voyager Choice Single Trip Travel Insurance
An ideal choice for international leisure, missionary, and business trips, GeoBlue’s Voyager Choice single trip travel medical insurance provides the following benefits for travelers making their way to Thailand for the first time. Please note that this plan also requires a primary health plan.
The single trip plan provides the following benefits:
- Maximum benefit per insured person per policy period ranging from $50,000, $100,000, $500,000, and $1,000,000 USD
- $500,000 USD medical evacuation benefit
- Coverage of pre-existing conditions for medical services
- Travel assistance and medical evacuation coverage
- No hospital pre-certification penalty
- Unlimited telemedicine services
- Lost baggage and personal effects coverage (Limited to $500 USD per Trip period and $100 USD maximum benefit per bag or personal effect)
- Hazardous activities coverage
- Inpatient and outpatient service coverage
Applicants must meet the qualification requirements listed below:
- Home country must be the U.S.
- Must be 84 or younger
- Must be enrolled in a Primary Plan
- For children under the age of 6, they must be enrolled with a parent or guardian
- Purchase must be made in the U.S. prior to departing
GeoBlue Trekker Choice Multi-Trip Travel Insurance
Ideal for frequent travelers who take multiple trips outside of the U.S. every year, the GeoBlue Trekker Choice Multi-Trip Travel Medical Insurance plan enables them to fully focus on their business or leisure activities. Please note that this plan also requires a primary health plan.
However, please note that this plan also requires a primary health plan.
The multi-trip plan provides the following benefits:
- Maximum benefit per insured person per policy period of up to $1,000,000 USD
- $500,000 USD medical evacuation benefit
- Coverage of pre-existing conditions for medical services
- Unlimited trips outside the U.S. within a 12-month period, with a maximum of 70 days per trip
- Lost baggage or personal effect coverage of $100 USD for each bag or personal effect
- Unlimited telemedicine services
- No hospital pre-certification penalty
Applicants must meet the qualification requirements listed below:
- Home country must be the U.S.
- Must be 84 or younger
- Must be enrolled in a Primary Plan
- For children under the age of 6, they must be enrolled with a parent or guardian
- Purchase must be made in the U.S. prior to departing
Why You Should Consider GeoBlue Health Insurance
With comprehensive plans, a great direct billing network worldwide, cutting-edge telemedicine services, swift and reliable services, and multilingual support, U.S.-based expats, families, and students can fully rely on GeoBlue to meet their healthcare needs in Thailand.
Here are the key advantages of having GeoBlue expat and travel medical health insurance:
Comprehensiveness: GeoBlue offers comprehensive global health insurance plans, including tailored plans for employers, individuals and academic institutions, allowing Americans to feel at home from anywhere.
Globally Connected and Directly Billed: Boasting the broadest global healthcare network, covering over 190 countries and territories around the world, GeoBlue aims to meet the needs of U.S. travelers and expats.
Through this network, GeoBlue is able to arrange direct billing with most providers, thereby enabling members to avoid paying out-of-pocket for care received and eliminating the claim reimbursement process.
Healthcare at Your Fingertips: It’s a big world. With a wide array of industry-leading tools and programs to support policyholders, GeoBlue is there every step along the way, at your fingertips, from arrival to departure.
This includes GeoBlue’s 24/7/365 web and mobile support which provides members with access to everything from locating a provider, displaying an ID card, translating medical terms and more.
GeoBlue’s medical translations provide Americans with the assurance that every medical term and phrase in a prescription is accurate, down to every minor detail.
Thanks to GeoBlue’s Medical Equivalents tool, the language of healthcare is without barriers. Now, more than 400 country-specific prescription and over-the-counter names can be found in 55 countries. If you still can’t find the medication you require, GeoBlue’s Global Service Center team is ready to help.
Telemedicine is a cutting-edge feature for GeoBlue policyholders, as they may now book and access medical guidance from the best doctors at any moment in time. Doctor’s notes may also be forwarded to the nearest partnered healthcare provider to receive the most effective treatment possible.
Unrivalled Support: GeoBlue’s 24/7/365 Global Service Center allows members to talk to a live person worldwide at any time. Specialists are fully trained to help with everything from a quick question about benefit coverage to a complex health emergency, including arranging for medical evacuation.
Coverage in a snap: Buying a plan with GeoBlue is simple. The application process entails a review of additional coverage terms, allowing policyholders to carefully pick, choose, and match their unique needs with the most suitable plans before or during their travels.
Additional GeoBlue Solutions
If you own a company and wish to provide health coverage to your employees, Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Expat is a good choice. Moreover, if you’re a student looking to further your studies or a lecturer looking to teach overseas, the GeoBlue Outbound International Plan is an option for you.
GeoBlue For Employees and Employers
GeoBlue also offers a suite of Blue Cross and Blue Shield Global products for U.S.-based employees and business travelers residing in or planning to travel to a different country. Their unique needs can be met with compliant solutions such as:
Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Expat: A comprehensive group expat plan that combines global benefits with next generation medical assistance services. The plan includes:
- Primary and major medical plans
- Direct billing
- Global safety intelligence: warnings on natural disasters, terrorism, or crime
- Worldwide coverage
- Flexible coverage for U.S. employees outside the U.S.
- Medical evacuation and repatriation
- Maternity care
- Well visit
- Global employee assistance program
- Telemedicine services
GeoBlue Insurance for Academic Institutions
GeoBlue’s plans aim to help students, staff, administrators, and faculty access the best healthcare available around the world. This ensures that U.S. educators and students can focus on what they do best—teaching and learning.
For students looking to experience rich new cultures while also furthering their education, GeoBlue provides the following benefits:
- Coverage for pre-existing conditions
- Medical evacuation and optional political and natural disaster event evacuation services
- Global safety intelligence
- Cashless access to trusted care
- Mental health coverage
- Access to elite hospitals and physicians
- No deductibles
For faculty members or staff who plan to leave their homes to teach abroad, GeoBlue provides the following benefits:
- Global safety intelligence: warnings on natural disasters, terrorism, or crime
- Wellness coaching
- Coverage for pre-existing conditions
- Everyday and major medical coverage
- Medical evacuation and optional political and natural disaster event evacuation services
- Global employee assistance program
Why Health Insurance Is Important for U.S. Expats
Traveling to or living in Thailand comes with numerous perks, which include a lower cost of living and access to an endless source of street food, nightlife venues, and tourist attractions. However, unforeseen events may occur at any moment, especially during your travels.
While the country has improved its traffic infrastructure by making use of AI cameras and road checkpoints, Thailand remains well-known for road accidents. According to the Thai Data Center for Road Safety (ThaiRSC), traffic accidents claimed 14,737 lives and injured 924,799 people in 2022.
Furthermore, Thailand’s alluring charm as a tropical paradise does not come without downsides. The sunny, hot, and humid weather, which can suddenly shift to downpours of rain, requires expats and travelers to read up on and take heed of the common wet seasonal illnesses in the country.
Despite the commonality of road accidents and seasonal illnesses, Thailand’s reputation as a leading medical hub in Southeast Asia means Americans can access the best healthcare during their stay, but these services can be highly expensive.
Moreover, travelers must prepare for the possibility that sufficient healthcare may not always be available, especially in remote locations. This warrants a plan that covers medical evacuations to ensure that appropriate treatment is coordinated should they find themselves in difficult situations.
Lastly, rules are apparent in every country. Without prior knowledge of the country’s laws and regulations, travelers may be subject to exorbitant costs and be impeded from accessing the healthcare that they require, especially during emergencies.
With the right insurer, all interactions between the provider and insurer are handled in a timely manner, placing you in the care of a physician within a moment’s notice.
Therefore, a comprehensive medical insurance plan is necessary to cover the unforeseen costs stemming from accidents and illnesses while living and traveling in Thailand. To learn more about health insurance in Thailand, follow this link.
Why You Should Use a Broker to Buy Insurance
One of the main reasons to purchase health insurance from a broker is to ensure that every unique requirement is met, with the broker acting as an intermediary. In addition, a broker can help clients choose the best possible plan for their specific budget.
Moreover, brokers will place clients’ interests first, given that their business strategy is built on the foundation of trust and satisfaction. It is therefore in the interest of brokers to ensure that clients understand and are aware of every aspect of their policy and its conditions.
Pacific Prime is an award-winning intermediary, empowering our clients with a simplified and actionable understanding of insurance. With our team of insurance experts, world-class services, and tailored solutions, we have become a broker of choice for clients around the world.
Here are a few ways we can help guide you:
- Provide you with an understanding of the ins and outs of GeoBlue plans
- Providing impartial advice via phone call
- Help you pick and choose the right plan for your needs
- Support you throughout your insurance journey
Conclusion: Looking Ahead to Your Travels
Relocating to a new country may sound like a challenging ordeal. But with the right insurance plan, you’ll no longer feel like a stranger in a distant land; you’ll be at home in a foreign country. Thailand offers some of the most memorable and unique expatriate experiences.
In a vast and interconnected world, the best course of action is to cover yourself with health insurance. No matter the challenges, risks, interruptions, or emergencies, American travelers and expats may place their trust in GeoBlue to take care of their healthcare needs, regardless of their destination.
If you’re searching for the right health insurance plan, Pacific Prime can help guide you throughout the process. Whether you’re searching for international health insurance or a family health insurance plan, fret not; we can get you started. However, if you wish to read more on specific GeoPlan details, click here.
To supplement your understanding of other available plans, it’s also worth checking out the top 10 insurance companies in Thailand, comparing their plans, or browsing our available plans. While you’re at it, you may also check out the best places to live in Thailand for expats.
For quotes, contact us today, or learn how to use the quote generator here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does GeoBlue Include Coverage in the US?
Under the GeoBlue Xplorer Premier plan, U.S. coverage is included through the Blue Cross and Blue Shield preferred provider organization, as is coverage in other countries. As a result, GeoBlue members can feel confident that they will be covered inside and outside of the U.S.
Can Foreigners Purchase Health Insurance in Thailand?
Americans may purchase international health insurance from intermediaries with offices in Thailand, such as Pacific Prime.
How Good is Thai Healthcare?
Thailand boasts some of the most highly skilled medical workforces in the world, with the presence of world-leading hospitals and medical institutions. American expats can rest assured knowing they’ll have access to their services under GeoBlue coverage.
Do Expats Need Insurance in Thailand?
Medical coverage for expats and holiday travelers is a legal obligation in Thailand. Every American expat or traveler is strongly advised to consider the worst-case scenario in all their travels, and securing health insurance is imperative.
Upon graduating from Mahidol University International College’s International Relations program, he spent his career in marketing and business development, working for an international subcontractor, a marketing research firm, an international news agency, a software development company, and a creative agency. His journey now continues at Pacific Prime, where he hopes to make an impact by simplifying insurance and writing a gargantuan amount of SEO articles to draw in billions of leads.
In his free time, Piyanat is an avid martial artist and musician, spending most of his time at boxing gyms in Nakhon Pathom and music studios with his friends in the music industry.
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Comments
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Can expats use GeoBlue insurance to cover alternative medicine treatments such as traditional Thai massage or acupuncture, and if so, what are the coverage limitations?
GeoBlue insurance plans, such as the Xplorer Premier, may cover alternative medicine treatments like acupuncture or chiropractic care if they are deemed medically necessary and provided by licensed practitioners. However, coverage for traditional Thai massage is generally excluded, as it is considered a wellness or relaxation treatment rather than a medically necessary procedure. Coverage limitations typically include caps on the number of sessions per year or restrictions on eligible conditions, so it’s important to review your specific plan details carefully.
For assistance in selecting a health insurance plan that meets your needs for alternative medicine coverage, feel free to reach out via our Contact Us page to speak with an advisor!
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