Thai Health Insurance

[pad9zero]

Hello All. The medical insurance I arrived with from the UK has expired. I've researched getting ex-pat insurance while in Thailand but it is very expensive. Someone suggested I ask my Thai bank if they offer Health Insurance to foreigners living in Thailand . My Thai bank said 'yes' and cost was very cheap: 10000 baht for one-year with good cover. Has anyone had experience on making a claim on local insurance? Obvious questions: why so cheap, can I access private hospitals, will the insurer pay direct to the hospital in the case of treatment, will the insurer ask to access my UK med-records if treatment required? Apologies, so many questions. But any info appreciated. Thank you

[Ronuk]

Any Health Insurance for 10,000 bht a year, won't be worth the paper it's printed on. Get a copy of the terms and conditions, take it home and read it thoroughly. A decent and proper Insurance will cost you in the region of 10,000 bht a month more if you want cover for all eventualities depending on your age. Remember that a lot of Thai policies want you pay and claim back. The better policies will pay the Hospital and Doctors direct.
I like AXA PPA but it isn't cheap at 150,000 bht a year at 58 yrs old but you also covered world wide (except the USA) as well as Thailand.

[dbrenn]

Any Health Insurance for 10,000 bht a year, won't be worth the paper it's printed on. Get a copy of the terms and conditions, take it home and read it thoroughly. A decent and proper Insurance will cost you in the region of 10,000 bht a month more if you want cover for all eventualities depending on your age. Remember that a lot of Thai policies want you pay and claim back. The better policies will pay the Hospital and Doctors direct.

I like AXA PPA but it isn't cheap at 150,000 bht a year at 58 yrs old but you also covered world wide (except the USA) as well as Thailand.

Agreed. Health insurance that costs 10000 per year would likely have so many conditions and exclusions. Claiming would be impossible for most eventualities.

I have a BUPA Platinum policy. 147000 per year for me (52) and the wife (41). The hospital cover is higher than you'd ever need, includes 60000 Baht for outpatient cover and is also valid worldwide except the USA. The card is accepted as payment in most hospitals so no need to pay and claim back later.

[CharlieH]

MOVED to Insurance forum

[stevenl]

Hello All. The medical insurance I arrived with from the UK has expired. I've researched getting ex-pat insurance while in Thailand but it is very expensive. Someone suggested I ask my Thai bank if they offer Health Insurance to foreigners living in Thailand . My Thai bank said 'yes' and cost was very cheap: 10000 baht for one-year with good cover. Has anyone had experience on making a claim on local insurance? Obvious questions: why so cheap, can I access private hospitals, will the insurer pay direct to the hospital in the case of treatment, will the insurer ask to access my UK med-records if treatment required? Apologies, so many questions. But any info appreciated. Thank you

That is most likely accident insurance.

[thequietman]

Are you married? There is a valid reason for this question if you answer in the affirmative. I will tell it to you if you are. If not, then never mind.

[nev]

Are you married? There is a valid reason for this question if you answer in the affirmative. I will tell it to you if you are. If not, then never mind.

Please do tell, I am Married and would like to hear you out.

[KhunOr]

BUPA Thailand has good coverage and are reliable on pay outs. Cheaper than AXA, but the cost is up to you.

If you get sick often and want more cover than you're likely to ever need, plus inpatient and outpatient and worldwide, then expect to pay as posters above have said.

Or if you are like many people and you are quite healthy, don't visit doctors much if at all, you will not need to pay a premium for outpatients. Just pay as you go for ad hoc outpatient things and definitely save money on that.

Are you going to be living in Thailand permanently? Then avoid worldwide coverage and save a ton of money on that too. Thailand only cover and then just take out travel insurance for those occasional trips.

Finally, look at the many price options that BUPA offer. Study the coverage for each level. For example, if you have a good hospital nearby that charges 3,000 baht a night for a private room, then you are not going to need top priced coverage for 9,000 baht a night are you?

Depending on your age, you could get perfectly adequate medical coverage from BUPA for 10,000 baht a YEAR (Ruby cover at age 30) up to 25,000 baht a YEAR if you are nearer 60.

i recommend in addition that you get a separate accident insurance from Bangkok Insurance. 2,650 baht a year gets you 100,000 baht medical coverage in case of accident at BI and that includes accident on a motorbike. Best rate I've found.

Edited July 12, 2016 by KhunOr

[elgordo38]

Any Health Insurance for 10,000 bht a year, won't be worth the paper it's printed on. Get a copy of the terms and conditions, take it home and read it thoroughly. A decent and proper Insurance will cost you in the region of 10,000 bht a month more if you want cover for all eventualities depending on your age. Remember that a lot of Thai policies want you pay and claim back. The better policies will pay the Hospital and Doctors direct.

I like AXA PPA but it isn't cheap at 150,000 bht a year at 58 yrs old but you also covered world wide (except the USA) as well as Thailand.

Agreed. Health insurance that costs 10000 per year would likely have so many conditions and exclusions. Claiming would be impossible for most eventualities.

I have a BUPA Platinum policy. 147000 per year for me (52) and the wife (41). The hospital cover is higher than you'd ever need, includes 60000 Baht for outpatient cover and is also valid worldwide except the USA. The card is accepted as payment in most hospitals so no need to pay and claim back later.

Sounds to me like it is accident insurance only. Bangkok Bank has a good one for 5,000 bahts annually no age limit