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On 6/27/2025 at 3:52 PM, Sales Team said:

 

Thailand has long been a top destination for expats and digital nomads seeking a high quality of life, with its affordable living costs. While the country offers both public and private healthcare options, many expats opt for private health insurance for peace of mind, better care, and flexibility, especially for those planning to stay long-term.

Understanding the healthcare system in Thailand

Thailand boasts a strong healthcare system, combining public and private options. While the public healthcare system offers affordable care, expats often face a few notable challenges, which include:

• Limited choice of hospitals: Access is often restricted to specific public hospitals assigned by employers.

• Long wait times: Public hospitals can be overcrowded, which results in extended wait times for appointments, treatments, and surgeries.

• Language barriers: In smaller cities or rural areas, finding English-speaking staff can be difficult, leading to communication challenges.

• Out-of-pocket costs for non-working expats: Retirees and non-working expats are often required to pay for public healthcare services themselves.

While public healthcare is inexpensive, it does not provide the flexibility, convenience, or personal care that private healthcare offers. That’s where private health insurance steps in.

The long-term cost of private health insurance

For expats in Thailand, understanding the cost of private health insurance is essential. Health insurance premiums can vary significantly depending on factors such as age, health, and the level of coverage. On average:

• Basic individual plans (covering inpatient or emergency care only) cost between 20,000 and 50,000 Baht annually (approximately US$540 to 1,350).

• Comprehensive individual plans (covering inpatient, outpatient, specialist visits, dental, and wellness care) range from 100,000 to 200,000 baht annually (approximately US$2,700 to 5,400).

• Family plans tend to be more expensive, with premiums averaging around US$11,683 annually, depending on the number of family members.

The cost increases with age, especially for those around retirement age, and may also depend on pre-existing conditions, coverage levels, and whether the plan is local or international. 

However, despite the costs, private health insurance in Thailand provides significant long-term benefits, particularly for those with chronic conditions or who anticipate needing specialist care.

The risks of going without private health insurance

 

Living in Thailand without private health insurance exposes you to substantial risks. While healthcare is generally affordable, the cost of private healthcare can quickly add up, especially for emergencies or major procedures. Here’s a look at the potential costs:

• A general doctor’s visit: 1,000 to 3,000 baht.

• Specialist consultations: 1,500 to 4,000 baht.

• Minor surgeries (e.g., mole removal, wound stitching): 5,000 to 15,000 baht.

• Major hospital stays or surgeries: 30,000 to 500,000 baht or more.

• Emergency evacuations: Air ambulance services can cost anywhere between 150,000 and 800,000 baht.

These costs can quickly become overwhelming if unexpected medical emergencies arise. Without health insurance, you may find yourself paying these bills out of pocket, putting significant strain on your finances.

Benefits of private health insurance for long-term stay in Thailand

Private health insurance offers numerous long-term benefits for expats in Thailand. Here are some of the most compelling reasons to invest in coverage:

1. Access to top-quality private hospitals and clinics: Private health insurance provides access to Thailand’s best private hospitals. These hospitals are equipped with advanced medical technology and staffed by qualified medical professionals who speak English.

2. Faster access to healthcare services: One of the key advantages of private healthcare is shorter wait times. Private hospitals offer quicker consultations, treatments, and surgeries, so you don’t have to wait for urgent care.

3. Comprehensive coverage: Private health insurance plans offer extensive coverage that includes inpatient and outpatient care, specialist consultations, surgeries, dental and optical care, maternity care, emergency services, and even medical evacuation.

4. Peace of mind: Private health insurance helps protect you from unexpected medical expenses. With the rising cost of healthcare, having private insurance gives you peace of mind.

5. Tailored plans for expats: Providers like Cigna offer flexible health insurance plans designed for expats. These plans allow you to customise coverage based on your needs.

6. Long-term security: For expats planning to live in Thailand for the long term, having health insurance ensures continuous access to care and protection.

How Cigna’s health insurance plans work in Thailand

Cigna offers a range of health insurance plans for expats in Thailand. Their plans cater to both short-term and long-term needs, providing flexibility and access to top-tier healthcare services. Some of Cigna’s plans include:

 

• Cigna Close Care: This plan is ideal for expats living mainly in Thailand. It offers access to top private hospitals in the country and provides 180 days of coverage in your home country or Asia (excluding China, Hong Kong, and Singapore).

• Cigna Global Health: Perfect for frequent travellers, this plan offers three coverage options: Thailand/Asia, worldwide excluding the USA, or worldwide. All plans include emergency care and up to 21 days of coverage for short trips.

 

Cigna’s health insurance plans are known for their reliability and customer service. With direct billing at top hospitals in Thailand, the claim process is made simple, reducing out-of-pocket costs. Cigna offers 24/7 assistance for emergencies and medical evacuation services if needed.

 

 

 

Private health insurance in Thailand is a long-term investment in your health and well-being. Because the cost of private healthcare can add up quickly, private health insurance ensures that you have access to high-quality care, faster service, and financial protection against unexpected medical expenses.

For expats, having comprehensive private health insurance is worth the price, especially for those planning to live in Thailand long-term. Providers like Cigna offer flexible plans tailored to the needs of expats, giving you the peace of mind that comes with knowing you have reliable healthcare coverage. 

 

 

 

Sponsored - Original article by The Thaiger

 

Most of the supposed costs of private treatment are inflated. Private health insurance is overpriced for most retirees in thailand and come with limited claims and are usually not available to those over 70 years old or the premium costs are exhorbitant. If you take care of your health, save the premiums and increase your flexibility to choose how they are spent.

Guilty as charged the.

4 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

Isn´t it better to use the law?

Not in thailand apparently. 

3 hours ago, FritsSikkink said:

Maybe i am better dressed when going to work.

Or maybe you look more sad and decrepid.

On 6/20/2025 at 10:44 AM, FritsSikkink said:

What a load of BS.

Had loads of times that Thai people ask me if I want to sit in the BTS.

I've lived in bkk 21 years and am now aged 76 and I travel daily on the BTS/mrt. Nobody has ever stood up to let me sit down. 

On 6/20/2025 at 10:44 AM, FritsSikkink said:

What a load of BS.

Had loads of times that Thai people ask me if I want to sit in the BTS.

I've lived in bkk 21 years and am now aged 76 and I travel daily on the BTS/mrt. Nobody has ever stood up to let me sit down. 

16 hours ago, quake said:

 

Get a bridge.

Had a bridge made at Bangkok pattaya hospital 20 years ago , and it's  still going strong.

How long do you think you will live for. 

I dont want the good teeth at either side of the bridge to be reshaped in any way, sorry.

Recently returned from Turkey and the Caucasus. Turkey has the Jap style - doesn't work properly anywhere, particularly as it is fixed in position and soray strength. A few Georgian and Armenian bogs have Thai style but with different positioning. None are as good as Thai style. 

The dollar shortage is because the regime is buying too many imported arms and luxuries for the army's top brass to keep them on side.

5 hours ago, Yellowtail said:

I have five or six implants, as I explained in my first post. 

 

I do not have an implant on a front-most tooth. 

 

I also have a bridge, had another bridge that was replaced with an implant, and have had a number of partials. 

Thanks. I'm enquiring about implants now. It just seems such a long, long process just for 1 tooth

56 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

 

Let it go. Arguing with fools and whatnot. 

 

If you've got the dough, get an implant. If you don't get a partial. 

 

You could die a year from now thinking, man, I wasted that 60K. 

 

You could live to ninety, each year thinking, why the f did I not get the implant so I could eat this effing apple like a man without cutting it up, 

 

 

Do you have an implant?

Hi,

I am 76 years old. I recently had a front tooth extracted as it had fractured and was advised against a capping. So I am now one front tooth less.

I am in a quandry as to replace it. The dentist recommends an implant. Expense is not a problem but it's a long process that could have complications and possibly a limited life span.

I don't like the idea of my adjacent teeth being damaged by being ground down to fit a bridge, so that's out.

The easiest solution is a denture but it's not as secure and more fussy than an implant, although I can eat normally with one tooth so would only need to put it in when I went out.

Can anyone who has had one or more of the various alternatives for A SINGLE FRONT TOOTH please give me any advice on their experiences and recommendations for a dentist in Bangkok to carry out the procedure. Thanks in advance.

Champagne socialist.

No need to file tax return or even get a TIN if your transfers to Thailand are not taxable.

On 5/17/2025 at 6:07 PM, still kicking said:

You're talking about the Brit who had sex with 19 dogs?

No the 19 Ozzies who had sex with one (unlucky) sheep!

19 hours ago, Wyabcp said:

Got it thanks, but it had to be in the bank account for 8 weeks before application? 

Be sure it best to have it in the bank 2 calendar months before extension rather than 8 weeks which is more of a western concept of 2 months.

It's not necessary to prove the money came from overseas for extending retirement visas sobits ok to use Wise in 1 or more transfers. That's only when u want to buy property.

Isn't a Chinese delegation a reserved occupation?

On 5/16/2025 at 4:04 AM, petermik said:

No the biggest danger is the pavement conditions...folk are tripping and falling due to them looking skywards for falling debris......

Or chatting on their phones while walking

On 4/25/2025 at 6:54 PM, simon43 said:

I thought that I had this sorted.  Move to the Philippines so that I get my UK state index-linked pension (due to start payments in 6 weeks from now).  But the lack of annual increases won't be a financial problem for me just now, and I've never been to the PI anyway...

 

I was teaching in Mandalay.  I came back to Thailand for a couple of weeks to sort out a 'base' condo at Jomtien Beach. 7,000 baht a month for a modern studio condo that's 300 metres from the beach 🙂

 

During my absence, Mother Nature decided to 'throw' an earthquake in Mandalay!  Thousands are dead, many buildings destroyed.  

 

So I flew up to Luang Prabang in north Laos, the UNESCO city where I have lived off and on for many years between my teaching contracts in Burma. A beautiful place (NOT NOW!).

 

Big shock on this visit!  Gone was the sleepy Lao town by the Mekong river.  Now, as a result of the new train from China, the town is bursting with Chinese tourists AND Chinese businesses.  The central peninsula area is jammed with white tourist vans.  The outskirt hills of the town are being scraped away and huge Chinese hotels being built. The Mekong river will become a non-flowing lake when the next Chinese dam just north of the town is in operation, (The Xayaburi dam south of the town already stops natural river flow).

 

I'm so disappointed with Luang Prabang now.... 'paradise' destroyed by the 'locusts'.

 

What to do?  The local international school in Luang Prabang asked me to teach at the school.

 

Then I got an email from Mandalay begging me to return to teach again.

 

What I don't want to do in my retirement is simply do nothing, get fat, drink beer and catch STDs from 'professional' woman.

 

What would you do?

You could try Nan, where I had a house built in a village outside. A great historic town centre with the famous temple paintings. Only in last few years has it got the 3 main supermarkets. A wonderful weekend street market. A few tourists, mainly Thai, and few farangs live and visit there. It's still very, very Thai but big enough for required amenities and a short hop to the hills, hill tribes and Laos border. Recommended to at least take a look as there are cheap but good bijou hotels there.