Explore the best health insurance in Thailand for foreigners, and compare local and international plans, private coverage, and social security options.
What You Need to Know About Expat Health Insurance in Thailand
Thailand is a popular destination for travelers and expats alike. The low cost of living, beautiful weather, delicious food, and large, supportive digital nomad community make relocating to Thailand an easy one. However, safety and health remain essential, so having comprehensive health insurance in Thailand is crucial.
You will find that health insurance provides significant peace of mind while traveling in the Land of Smiles. Infectious diseases, traffic accidents, and foodborne illnesses are common in Thailand. The country also offers many high-risk adventure sports, boating trips, and regional excursions. Understanding your health insurance options in Thailand will give you the most tremendous peace of mind as you start to explore your new home country.
Thailand generally offers high-quality healthcare. An estimated 99.5% of the population has access to the country’s universal healthcare program, which has been in effect since 2002.
In major centers like Bangkok, Nonthaburi, and Chiang Mai, there are excellent facilities and English-speaking staff.
However, in more rural areas, healthcare services are often limited and are typically run by volunteers. There are over 1 million village health volunteers throughout Thailand, and these volunteers have taken on additional responsibilities in the healthcare system since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Throughout the country, the majority of first responders are volunteers, and fully equipped ambulances are only sent to a scene once volunteers have assessed the situation. Even in a large city like Bangkok, 65% of emergency cases are handled by volunteers.
Pros and Cons of Healthcare in Thailand
Budget-conscious expats who are self-employed will likely have heard of “local private health insurance” as an option in Thailand.
Local insurance is a form of private health insurance that’s sold by Thai companies and even banks to expats in Thailand.
Advertisements are common in expat-targeted newspapers and magazines in Bangkok and other popular tourist destinations.
If you are obtaining a long-term Thai visa, you may be required to get insurance from a specific list of local insurers. Discuss this issue with your local visa consultant.
Pros of Local Thai Insurance for Internationals
On the plus side, local insurance is often inexpensive and accessible. Using it is as simple as showing your insurance card to the hospital staff.
Local hospitals are accustomed to handling local insurance, and they’ll take care of all your paperwork. This is no small thing in a country famous for its love of administration!
Patients are typically required to visit a hospital or clinic within their medical insurance company’s roster of approved partners, also known as an “in-network” facility.
If a patient has to use an out-of-network medical facility, they will have to pay upfront and submit a claim to their insurance provider.
Cons of Local Thai Insurance for Foreigners
Local insurance policies often come with numerous exclusions. For instance, accidents that result from motorcycle rides are usually not covered.
That might not sound like a big deal before you move, but once you arrive, you’ll soon see that virtually everyone in Thailand travels by motorcycle! Local insurance policies also carry claim limits.
Like many insurance policies, you get more coverage when you invest in a more expensive policy. However, knowing how much to purchase can be stressful if you aren’t familiar with the average cost of medical services at Thai hospitals.
And finally, your local insurance policy may be written in Thai, which can be especially confusing during a health crisis.
Best International Health Plans for Expats in Thailand
International health insurance plans in Thailand offer several additional benefits beyond local medical insurance plans.
They offer global coverage, ensuring you stay protected anywhere in the world. Furthermore, they are more comprehensive and provide you with access to a wider variety of healthcare facilities and doctors.
If you’re an expat retiree, you may find it challenging to get local health insurance coverage in Thailand. Most local insurers exclude coverage or do not sell policies to senior citizens.
In this case, it’s best to have international health insurance to cover your medical needs.
If your work in Thailand involves a traditional employer-employee relationship, you’ll be eligible to enroll in the national social security program.
This means that your employer is responsible for directing a portion of your pay into the government-administered healthcare program.
There are two huge advantages to government-administered health insurance in Thailand. The first is that your employer is taking care of the paperwork and administration on your behalf.
The second is that it can be a great way to save costs. The plan is very economical, and having your healthcare coverage seamlessly taken care of is a huge perk!
The cost works out to 5% of your gross salary and caps out at 750 Thai Baht a month. The benefits include both medical treatment and the necessary medication.
While this can be cost-effective, subscribers may not have access to the same doctors as they would with international private medical insurance.
Consider what kind of care you would like to receive. You may wish to add on private international medical insurance.
Public Hospitals in Thailand
Expats using local insurance or social security can access only public hospitals. Expats with private health insurance can be treated at private and public hospitals.
The standard of care in Thailand’s public hospitals varies. Frequently, there are long lines, limited support staff, and physician consultations are brief.
In nearly all facilities, patients are responsible for their own meals and personal hygiene.
Therefore, it’s not surprising that a significant portion of expats supplement their coverage or opt for comprehensive expat health insurance in Thailand.
With private health insurance in Thailand, expats can be assured of receiving the best medical care in the country’s top private hospitals.
One of the significant benefits of a global medical plan is that you can actually receive treatment in any country of your choice.
If you can’t find a specialist who fits your needs in Thailand, you can still be treated by a specialist in another country and be covered by your insurance.
An international health insurance plan is the best option, as it provides coverage for emergency evacuation or repatriation.
This is the recommended insurance for Americans living in Thailand, as it allows you to receive medical treatment in the U.S. if you find the local healthcare insufficient for your needs.
The international insurance plan will cover evacuation costs, so you don’t have to worry about this part.
Secure Comprehensive Private Health Insurance for Thailand
Expat health insurance plans in Thailand bring a greater level of comfort and care. A private health insurance plan provides access to private hospitals, where trained staff will take care of your food and hygiene.
With a private health plan, expats have access to an expansive worldwide provider network and can choose whichever doctor they want within the network.
Expat insurance in Thailand also provides a much broader level of coverage, so you don’t need to worry about reaching your coverage limit after just a few days of care.
Expats also have access to English-speaking support staff, preventative medicine programs similar to those at home, and second opinions in the case of an emergency.
There are several options for expat insurance in Thailand. Do your research and talk with one of our insurance experts to help you find the best plan for your specific needs and budget.
Elizabeth Baugh is a versatile freelance writer specializing in education, travel, health, and wellness. She has international experience living in multiple countries, is fluent in Spanish, and holds a license as a TEFL teacher, sharing insights on travel and relocation.
Gain valuable insights and practical tips for navigating international health insurance while living abroad. From coverage details to expert advice, this comprehensive guide helps travelers…
Travel insurance protects your health, travel expenses, and belongings while abroad. It can also cover costs if your trip is canceled and provide protection for adventurous activities. Discover…
Learn about the Thailand healthcare system, including public and private care, insurance options for expats, and how to access quality care as a visitor or foreign resident.
We use cookies to make your experience better, learn how our website is used, and help with our marketing. You can choose to accept all cookies, reject non-essential ones, or set your preferences.
Functional
Always active
Required for the website to function properly and securely.
Preferences
Used to remember your settings and preferences.
Statistics
Used to understand website usage and improve performance.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
Used to measure advertising performance and personalize marketing.
