Health Insurance in Thailand

Thailand has an excellent balance of many factors that make it an ideal retirement destination. It has a low cost of living, great food, beautiful beaches, a world-class capital city, excellent health care, beautiful women, warm tropical weather, a fascinating culture and friendly citizens. Just about everything you could ask for in your retirement.

The language is difficult to learn for many Westerners, driving is chaotic, and things don’t work the same as “back home”, wherever that may be. It can take some getting used to.  

One thing you should decide on if you are going to settle down is health insurance in Thailand for expats.

Company Reputation

When choosing international health insurance the company’s reputation should be your top priority. You want a reliable and ethical company that offers comprehensive coverage and reliable support and payments when you need it most.

Check customer reviews and financial ratings, and get recommendations from the expat community. You want to find out if they make timely payments on claims, raise your rates if you file a claim, and can they cover you on trips back home.

Customer Service

Medical emergencies can happen at any time. Choose a company that provides 24/7 support and assistance with multilingual advisers who can understand your needs.

If you become incapacitated make sure the company will allow you to appoint someone to act on your behalf. Check whether your insurer allows third-party representation and what procedures are involved.

Lifestyle 

If you enjoy travelling around Thailand enjoying the beautiful beaches and other destinations, make sure you can get service on your travels.

Your lifestyle can also impact your coverage. Insurance companies take into account habits like smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.  These behaviours are connected to known health risks, and as a result, you may have to pay higher premiums.

Pre-Existing Medical Conditions

Insurance companies define pre-existing medical conditions as any health conditions that you have before obtaining insurance. Having pre-existing conditions leads to higher premiums, or they may exclude covering them altogether.

Whatever insurance you choose, make sure you understand any policies related to renewing coverage. Is there an automatic increase in premiums? Are there caps on how much your premium can increase? Up to what age can you renew your policy? All of these are vitally important questions.

Visa

You need to understand the visa process and visa requirements. Some retirement visas require mandatory health insurance.  Research the different visa types and categories to determine which one is best suited for you.

Claims Process

Different policies will treat the payment of claims in different ways. Some policies will pay directly to the hospital up to the amount of coverage. Others require you to pay and then reimburse you.  

Clarify what hospitals are covered.  All of the government hospitals are generally covered, but many expats prefer private hospitals due to less congestion and more privacy.

Retiring in Thailand can be the beginning of a new adventure.  Having good health insurance provides peace of mind to know that your future health needs will be taken care of.