Thai health insurance vs international insurance: Which is right for expats in Thailand?

[CharlieH]

 

Thai health insurance, while affordable and catering to basic needs, may fall short if you’re an expat desiring thorough coverage. You might need a private health insurance plan to ensure access to better healthcare facilities. International insurance, like plans offered by Cigna, can provide extensive benefits and broader coverage.

 

International insurance plans ensure you have access to healthcare globally. Cigna, a leading provider, offers plans that cover multiple countries, making it ideal for travellers and expats. These plans often include emergency evacuations and specialist consultations, ensuring you’re prepared for unexpected medical situations.

 

Health insurance for expats in Thailand can present unique challenges. Understanding the differences between Thai health insurance and international insurance can guide your choice.

Thai health insurance

Thai health insurance offers policies designed for those living in Thailand. These plans cater to the healthcare needs of the Thai population, ensuring local coverage and affordability.

PHOTO: National Cancer Institute, Unsplash

What is Thai health insurance?

Thai health insurance refers to policies from local providers in Thailand crafted specifically for residents. These policies are designed to offer basic yet essential healthcare coverage, making them ideal for the local cost environment.

Features of Thai health insurance

Thai health insurance policies typically focus on the following features:

• Local coverage: Coverage is usually limited within Thailand. Services are often provided through a network of partnered hospitals and healthcare facilities offering direct billing services.

• Limited benefits: These plans generally have lower annual benefit limits and specific limits on individual benefits. Compared to international insurance, the coverage might seem less extensive.

• Daily or per-visit limits: Thai health insurance often includes daily or per-visit benefit caps, which could increase out-of-pocket expenses for frequent medical visits.

International health insurance

The international insurance plan offers thorough health coverage for expatriates and frequent travellers. It ensures you’re protected no matter where you are.

International insurance provides health coverage tailored for individuals living, working, or travelling abroad. Essential medical care is accessible in multiple countries through a global network of healthcare providers.

Features of international health insurance

1. Global coverage: International insurance covers medical expenses in various countries, enabling you to receive care wherever needed.

2. Thorough benefits: Policies include emergency treatment, diagnosis, post-treatment care, chronic conditions, and pre-existing medical conditions.

3. Flexibility in payment: Various payment plans are available, including annual, half-yearly, quarterly, or monthly options, with some insurers offering a 30-day cooling-off period.

 

Comparing Thai health insurance and international health insurance

Thai health insurance offers basic healthcare services, making it ideal for those who intend to live primarily in Thailand. These plans typically provide coverage within the country, often with a network of partnered hospitals and healthcare facilities. Direct billing is a common feature, simplifying the process of accessing medical help. However, the coverage is likely insufficient for thorough needs at expat hospitals, where higher medical costs are common.

In contrast, international health insurance offers broader coverage, extending benefits above Thailand. Plans like those from Cigna cover medical costs globally, including emergency evacuations and specialist consultations. This makes it suitable if you travel frequently or require extensive healthcare services. International insurance plans provide peace of mind, knowing you’re covered both in Thailand and abroad.

Balancing affordability and thorough protection is crucial. Thai health insurance plans are cost-effective for basic needs. However, international insurance is often preferred for its extensive features, ensuring your healthcare needs are met worldwide.

Flexibility and convenience

Flexibility in healthcare coverage can greatly impact your peace of mind. Thai health insurance focuses on local needs, offering plans suited for consistent medical care within Thailand. These plans often include networks that simplify access to partnered hospitals.

International insurance, however, offers unmatched flexibility. With companies like Cigna, your coverage extends across multiple countries, ensuring you’re protected no matter where you travel. Emergency services and specialist consultations are readily available, making it a convenient choice for expats with varied healthcare needs.

Choosing between Thai health insurance and international insurance depends on your individual requirements. Assess the extent of coverage you need and the frequency of your travels. Understanding these factors can help you make an informed decision tailored to your lifestyle in Thailand.

Compare cost differences, coverage, and procedures between Thai health insurance and international insurance

Thai health insurance is generally less expensive than international insurance. Local policies can be purchased for as little as 25,000 THB per year, covering up to 1.275 million THB in medical expenses. This affordability suits many locals. Conversely, international insurance plans range from 45,000 THB to 75,000 THB per year, depending on coverage degree and age. This higher cost reflects the broader coverage provided.

Coverage varies significantly. Thai health insurance often has limitations, such as daily or per-visit benefit limits. Certain conditions, like motorcycle accidents, may be excluded. Annual benefit limits are lower. International insurance plans offer thorough coverage, including higher annual limits and additional benefits like cancer, HIV/AIDS, and pregnancy complications.

The procedures for filing a claim are also very different for these two types of health insurance. Thai health insurance claims can be straightforward but may have many exclusions. International insurance claims might be more complex but offer broader support and flexibility.

PHOTO: Jakub Żerdzicki, Unsplash

Which scenarios might be better

Thai health insurance suits individuals with basic healthcare needs and those who live in Thailand permanently. Its affordability and simplicity are ideal for residents not planning to travel often. Situations where local costs match with coverage limits also make Thai health insurance beneficial.

In contrast, international insurance is better suited for expatriates, frequent travellers, and those desiring thorough global coverage. Situations involving extensive medical needs, like chronic illnesses or serious conditions, benefit more from international insurance. Coverage provided globally, along with additional benefits and higher limits, makes international insurance advantageous in these cases.

The bottom line

	Benefits	Drawbacks
International insurance	Global coverage for travellers	More expensive than local plans
	Access to top hospitals globally	May offer more coverage than needed
	Clear terms, often in English	Lengthy, complex claim process
Thai health insurance	Cost-effective, compared to international	Limited coverage for pre-existing conditions
	Wide network in Thailand	May not provide sufficient coverage if you’re travelling or living abroad.
	No language barrier	Coverage may not transfer if you move abroad

Get insurance with Cigna

Insight into different health insurance plans

• Silver plan: Essential inpatient and day-patient cover – the perfect choice for those seeking a warranty on basic health matters.
• Gold plan: Includes higher coverage limits along with maternity care – a great choice for blossoming families.
• Platinum plan: Unlimited annual coverage – an indispensable offer for those needing access to broad-spectrum medical services.

Key advantages

• Wide-ranging protection: Covers significant healthcare needs, including comprehensive cancer and infant care, safeguarding your peace of mind.
• International adaptability: Offers worldwide coverage with exclusion options for the USA, catering to expatriates who extensively travel.
• Customised according to your needs

Optional add-ons that you can add to your health insurance

• Outpatient care,
• Dental & vision coverage
• Evacuation services
• Personalise your coverage to your lifestyle necessities

Prime hospitalisation benefits

• Private hospital stays: You will get a private room during hospital admissions.
• Generous coverage limits: Up to 72,300,000 THB in the Gold Plan, guaranteeing access to excellent healthcare services free of financial anxiety.

Cigna’s dedication to the expatriates

Why do expats choose Cigna?

• Globally recognised, Cigna pledges to provide reliable, comprehensive health insurance schemes tailored to the specific demands of expatriates in Thailand.

Fluid customer experience

• Convenient online application and policy management through Cigna’s secure platform, ensuring peace of mind.
• Committed customer support to assist you through the minutiae of coverage details and claims processing.