Advertorial How maternity insurance can lower the cost of maternity care in Thailand

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The Land of Smiles is known for its relatively low cost of living. But head to one of its many top-notch private hospitals and, while you’ll spend less than you would for the equivalent standards in Western countries, you’ll quickly find yourself with a spiraling medical bill. And yes, this includes pregnancy check-ups, maternity care, delivery, and everything to do with newborn and infant medical care like vaccinations and more.

 

As medical care (especially during the roller coaster ride that is pregnancy away from the comforts and familiarity of home) is something you shouldn’t compromise on and going private brings a number of advantages like shorter wait times, better amenities, and English-speaking (as well as other foreign languages) staff, our friends at Pacific Prime Thailand are here to present the attractive option of maternity insurance.

 

Read on to discover a quick breakdown of the cost of maternity care in Thailand, how maternity insurance works, and what you need to know before getting started.

The cost of maternity care in Thailand

Do you live, work, and pay social security contributions in Thailand? This means you’re enrolled in the country’s social security system. Generally speaking and up to a prescribed limit, maternity benefits under the social security system include medical examination and prenatal care, delivery, nursery care and treatment, and other necessary expenses. That being said, the system can be tricky to navigate - especially if you don’t speak Thai.

 

To access superior care and be more comfortable, many expats opt for a private hospital and choose from a maternity package that covers delivery - usually the most expensive portion of maternity care.

 

Here are some examples from top-tier hospitals to give you an idea of what usually is and isn’t included:

Bumrungrad International

At Bumrungrad International, a normal delivery package will set you back THB 99,000 and a C-section package will set you back THB 129,000. The package includes doctors fee, room and board during delivery, medical equipment and supplies for delivery, and certain vaccinations and screenings for newborns. That being said, complications and high risk cases will not qualify for the package, and any complications occurring during pregnancy will be billed at the normal rate.

 

Bangkok Hospital

Opting for a normal delivery? You can expect a 2-night stay and a total cost of THB 94,900. For C-section, you’ll need to stay an extra night and fork out THB 132,900. Do note that “normal to C-Section” costs more, as do cases where you have twins. As expected, the cost excludes prices associated with a patient’s pre-existing conditions, cases where infants need to stay in the NICU, etc. You can even be billed more if you require anesthesiology during a natural birth or have a C-Section outside of normal working hours!

Samitivej Hospital

Does a water birth take your fancy? In what it calls “Pregnancy Care 360”, you’ll get the latest medical technologies, world-class attention, and a number of birthing options at Samitivej Hospital. As one of many sister hospitals, Samitivej Srinakarin hospital’s natural birth program starts at THB ฿72,000 and C-section birth program starts at THB ฿99,000. Like its other private hospital counterparts, you can expect the usual inclusions and exclusions.

Securing maternity insurance in Thailand

Maternity insurance is what insurers call a ‘rider’ or ‘optional extra’, which means it can be purchased as an add-on benefit on top of your health insurance plan. It covers the costs related to giving birth, such as prenatal expenses (e.g. ultrasounds and tests), delivery, and medically necessary C-sections. Some plans may also provide cover for congenital birth defects and complications. You can even get newborn health insurance to cover your little one's medical expenses, which can be very valuable in the event of a complication.

 

Note: No insurance plan will cover costs for prenatal classes and yoga, although these courses can really help you prepare for giving birth.

 

One big misconception regarding maternity insurance is that you can secure it after you find out you’re pregnant, but this is obviously not the case due to a clause known as “waiting periods”. This means that you have to secure a policy, wait for a certain period (usually 10 to 24 months), and then be able to use your maternity insurance policy. As such, be sure to plan for a family in advance and secure a maternity insurance plan in good time!

 

To learn more about all things maternity insurance, you can download Pacific Prime’s International Maternity Insurance Guide or speak to a maternity insurance expert based at their Bangkok office today!