How much does health insurance cost in Thailand now?

[Social Media]

(Source:https://unsplash.com/photos/hIgeoQjS_iE)

How much does health insurance cost in Thailand now?

Whether you’re already in Thailand or someone who’s considering relocating to Thailand, healthcare is an important aspect to consider. As the world recovers from the impact of COVID-19, this might be a good time to re-evaluate your healthcare plan.

According to the latest Cost of International Health Insurance Report 2023 by Pacific Prime, the average premiums for international private medical insurance (IPMI) plans are increasing across the globe. 

Thailand - still one of the cheapest countries to get insured

When looking for a health insurance plan before you look at the nitty gritty details, you should consider your budget and the cost of health insurance in Thailand. Based on the data collected, in Thailand, the average premium for individual IPMI plans in 2022 stood at USD $3,594, a whopping 77% increase (one of the highest from the data collected) when compared to the previous year. Despite the massive increase, Thailand is still one of the cheapest countries to get insured in–the country ranked 71 for the most expensive countries to get insured in (out of 100 countries). 

Looking at family plans, Thailand also saw a steep surge in cost. In 2021, the country ranked last for the most expensive country to get insured based on the average cost of international health insurance for families among the 100 countries surveyed. In 2022, the average cost stood at USD $11,683, and the country rose to the 50th spot with a significant 59% increase when compared to 2021 (USD $7,367). 

Possible causes of cost spike

The cost spike had been caused by a number of factors, from the general life expectancy increase to just good ol’ fashion inflation. As life expectancy increases, the need for medical services will also increase.

In 2019, the Thai government also extended their dual pricing policy to include public hospitals, directly raising the price of medical services for expats who are classified as tier 2 on the pricing system and retirees and tourists who are classified as tier 3 (most expensive). This could directly affect the cost of health insurance in Thailand for foreigners.

After COVID-19, the general public have become more aware of their personal health and maintenance. As one of Asia’s most popular medical tourist destinations, the demand for healthcare services in both the public and private sectors will see a surge. Any time demand surges, so will the price.

Learn more from Pacific Prime

If you are interested in reading more information on the cost of international health insurances, please download your free copy of the Cost of International Health Insurance Report 2023 to find out the global trends.

With over 20 years in the field, Pacific Prime Thailand is your trusted partner for all things insurance. Pacific Prime works together with both local and international insurers in Thailand and offer a wide range of insurance plans for their customers. Their team of professionals can help you navigate the complicated details and present to you plans that best fits your needs and budget. Contact them today to get a free quote!

[Paris333]

The USA-Europe States should have contracted primary care hospitals the longer to 5 days in Thailand. After the 5 days of hospitalization, the patient will return to his country of origin.

[Andyfez]

How long is a piece of string?

Depends on cover.

[My Paradice Lost]

I'd like to have full medical insurance but, despite being fitter than most in my age bracket, being over 80 such insurance is virtually impossible to obtain. 

 

I do, however, have travel insurance and found, when checking around, that most companies charge much higher rates when including travel to the USA, Canada, Australia and most surprisingly, Thailand.

Edited August 25, 2023 by My Paradice Lost
My bad spelling

[Sigmund]

4 minutes ago, My Paradice Lost said:

I'd like to have full medical insurance but, despite being fitter than most in my age bracket, being over 80 such insurance is virtually impossible to obtain. 

 

I do, however, have travel insurance and found, when checking around, that most companies charge much higher rates when including travel to the USA, Canada, Australia and most surprisingly, Thailand.

Try another Asian nation as Thailand is doomed for the quality retirees who are leaving and spending their money elsewhere.

[Makoshark]

I'm 73 and I was just refused.  After 75 you are un-insurable by anyone in Thailand.  

 

I'm returning back to the USA in September.  Medicare is F R E E 

 

You can always pay out-of-pocket if you want to go bankrupt

[Liverpool Lou]

On 8/25/2023 at 9:24 PM, Sigmund said:

Try another Asian nation as Thailand is doomed for the quality retirees who are leaving and spending their money elsewhere.

You really think that insurers are more likely to issue health insurance for the over-80s in a different country?

[hotchilli]

On 8/25/2023 at 9:20 PM, My Paradice Lost said:

I do, however, have travel insurance and found, when checking around, that most companies charge much higher rates when including travel to the USA, Canada, Australia and most surprisingly, Thailand.

Possibly due to the cost of treatment in those countries and or the likelihood of having an accident?

Risks and costs push up the premium

[NedR69]

On 8/21/2023 at 11:39 PM, Social Media said:

(Source:https://unsplash.com/photos/hIgeoQjS_iE)

How much does health insurance cost in Thailand now?

Based on the data collected, in Thailand, the average premium for individual IPMI plans in 2022 stood at USD $3,594

Wow, that's almost 1/6th of the entire annual budget for some expats.  

[OneMoreFarang]

On 8/25/2023 at 9:20 PM, My Paradice Lost said:

I'd like to have full medical insurance but, despite being fitter than most in my age bracket, being over 80 such insurance is virtually impossible to obtain. 

 

I do, however, have travel insurance and found, when checking around, that most companies charge much higher rates when including travel to the USA, Canada, Australia and most surprisingly, Thailand.

I hope you are aware that the travel insurance has very different condition compared to the "normal" insurance.

Don't make the mistake that you think you are covered, but you are not. Make sure you read the fine print! 

[JimTripper]

On 8/30/2023 at 9:31 PM, Makoshark said:

I'm 73 and I was just refused.  After 75 you are un-insurable by anyone in Thailand.  

 

I'm returning back to the USA in September.  Medicare is F R E E 

 

You can always pay out-of-pocket if you want to go bankrupt

I have mentioned this before and others say that expat policies that cover in Thailand, but are not Thai policies, max out at about $500 a month and you can get insured at any age.

 

Its one of the factors on whether I should seriously consider Mexico or not.

 

Which is it, inquiring minds want to know?

Edited September 1, 2023 by JimTripper

[mokwit]

On 8/30/2023 at 9:31 PM, Makoshark said:

You can always pay out-of-pocket if you want to go bankrupt

The problem is that there is also a risk that you pay premiums for years and then still have to pay out of pocket.

[impulse]

I'm noticing a lack of concrete info here. 

 

How hard would it be to post "I pay XXX baht for YYY,YYY coverage from ZZZZ company, and I'm AA years old?

 

Unless everyone tuned in is "self insured"...

 

I recently spoke to 2 guys I used to work with, both long term residents with Thai wives for decades.  They're the kind of guys who would shop around.   Both in their '70s with significant pre-existing conditions.    Each told me they're paying about $1,000 USD for their coverage.  I didn't press them on their level of coverage.

[sqwakvfr]

“One of the cheapest countries to get insured” I wonder why?  Insurance (I mean all kinds anywhere in the world is like gambling).  One never knows until a claim is filed. All insurance policies have two major sections:  1) Perils, what is covered 2) Exclusions, what is not covered.  Guess what section is bigger?  That’s right, part 2.  If a Thai Health Insurance company denies a claim does any think you can appeal or even file a civil lawsuit?  

 

I have had Thai Health Insurance for 7 consecutive years and have never filed a claim.  The last four years the policy that i have had was to comply with the Non OA Visa requirements.  

[JeffersLos]

How much does health insurance payout in Thailand when you need it to?

[charliebadenhop]

I bought a policy supposedly worth $80k in benefits a year, and I did a bunch of research and saw that even if I had a heart attack AND cancer in the same year, $80k would be more than enough to cover my medical expenses. BUT I did not take the proper amount of time (with a calculator in hand) to figure out what actually happens. So my cancer treatment was in excess of $25k and the insurance company only paid about $11k!! With the boss of the insurance company telling me "read the policy fine print better the next time around!"!! Also, company's like the one that I went with, very purposefully do not have a registered office here in Thailand, which means the govt. does not regulate them.

 

[charliebadenhop]

Please be very careful with WrLife company.

 

[brewsterbudgen]

1 minute ago, charliebadenhop said:

Please be very careful with WrLife company.

 

Why?  I've been insured with them for nearly 3 years and found them very efficient and easy to deal with.  And obviously competitively priced.

[TheFishman1]

I’ve been with the same insurance company out of England for 10 or 11 years when I first started with them. I think it was around 2000 a year now I’m paying around 6000 a year and it’s good insurance.

[CanadaSam]

Just bought a policy from Pacific Cross, Baht 51,000 per year, 3 million Baht cover, inpatient only, 63 year old male, retired.

 

Inpatient only, because you can easily get accident outpatient insurance from your bank for a few hundred baht per year (tied to the debit/credit card you wish to have).  It works, used it numerous times, didn't have to pay a dime at the hospital(s).

 

After a LOT of research, decided Pacific Cross is the cheapest and probably the most reliable, and the Premier Plus policy is necessary, because no limit per incident, up to 3 million.  They have cheaper policies, but then there are very low limits "per incidence" of hospitalization.

[CanadaSam]

45 minutes ago, charliebadenhop said:

Please be very careful with WrLife company.

Why, please?

[CanadaSam]

43 minutes ago, brewsterbudgen said:

I've been insured with them for nearly 3 years and found them very efficient and easy to deal with.  And obviously competitively priced.

Yes, WR Life seems to be the absolute cheapest available, but have you ever used them for a claim?

[brewsterbudgen]

10 minutes ago, CanadaSam said:

Yes, WR Life seems to be the absolute cheapest available, but have you ever used them for a claim?

Fortunately, I haven't ????!  There are a few WRLife threads on this Forum, and, so far, no horror stories about claims.

[charliebadenhop]

I had cancer last year, and WRLife was a fiasco for me right from the beginning.....

 

They were demanding a lot of info from my very well known hospital, before paying even one baht, and I had to sweet talk the head accounting person in my hospital so I could start treatment right away. I already had Stage 4 cancer and immediate treatment was critical. And I am cancer free today!

 

Before buying, I did a fair amount of research and discovered that even if I had cancer and a heart attack in the same year, $50,000 would cover the expenses. So I bought their $80,000 policy......

 

What I did not do carefully is sit with my calculator and go over the fine print to see how the numbers really worked out with their various limits, exclusions, and caveats

.

I won't go into a long story now, but just say that my overall treatment costs were about 25k and insurance only covered about 12k. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[howerde]

3 hours ago, brewsterbudgen said:

 

 

Edited September 6, 2023 by howerde

[charliebadenhop]

The above story concerns which insurance company?

 

 

[howerde]

22 minutes ago, charliebadenhop said:

The above story concerns which insurance company?

 

 

 

Edited September 6, 2023 by howerde

[brewsterbudgen]

1 hour ago, charliebadenhop said:

I had cancer last year, and WRLife was a fiasco for me right from the beginning.....

 

They were demanding a lot of info from my very well known hospital, before paying even one baht, and I had to sweet talk the head accounting person in my hospital so I could start treatment right away. I already had Stage 4 cancer and immediate treatment was critical. And I am cancer free today!

 

Before buying, I did a fair amount of research and discovered that even if I had cancer and a heart attack in the same year, $50,000 would cover the expenses. So I bought their $80,000 policy......

 

What I did not do carefully is sit with my calculator and go over the fine print to see how the numbers really worked out with their various limits, exclusions, and caveats

.

I won't go into a long story now, but just say that my overall treatment costs were about 25k and insurance only covered about 12k. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for the information.  Glad you're cancer free today!  Best of luck to you.

[brewsterbudgen]

55 minutes ago, howerde said:

 

Nothing to read.  Can you re-post?

 

[howerde]

1 minute ago, brewsterbudgen said:

Nothing to read.  Can you re-post?

 

Sorry i was advised to remove it ( not by anyone on the forum),