Health insurance for expats in Thailand: cover and costs

Choosing health insurance for expats in Thailand starts with three questions: which treatment do you want covered, where will you receive care, and how much could you afford to pay yourself? MyHEALTH Thailand lets you build a plan around these choices. Compare benefits and policy conditions before choosing, rather than relying on the premium alone.

What should expat health insurance in Thailand cover?

Start by comparing hospitalisation and surgery benefits, then consider your need for routine consultations, prescribed medicines and dental treatment. Check annual limits, benefit sublimits, exclusions and any requirements for approval before treatment. A lower premium is only useful if the cover suits the care you are likely to need.

For MyHEALTH Thailand, the Hospital and Surgery module forms the basis of the plan. The current Benefits Schedule lists an overall annual limit of THB 10 million for Essential. Eligible expenses remain subject to the selected benefits, deductible, provider network and policy terms; this is not a promise that every medical bill will be paid in full.

Optional modules allow you to personalise your cover. Compare dental benefits, reimbursement limits and waiting periods alongside your outpatient needs. The right combination depends on your expected use of care and the costs you can comfortably meet yourself.

TeleHEALTH can help you obtain medical advice remotely. Access to a teleconsultation service should not be confused with insurance cover for subsequent consultations, tests or treatment. Check which expenses your selected modules reimburse.

How can you balance your premium and healthcare budget?

Compare the total cost of a plan, including the premium and your potential contribution to treatment. A deductible is the amount you pay towards eligible expenses before the relevant insurance benefit applies. Co-insurance is a percentage of eligible costs that you pay yourself. Check which benefits each applies to.

• Choose a deductible you could afford if you needed treatment, rather than selecting it solely to lower the premium.

• Compare hospital and outpatient benefits separately, including the clinics and hospitals you expect to use.

• Review optional modules against your needs and check waiting periods before expecting reimbursement.

If you already have employer or local insurance, compare its limits and exclusions with any additional cover. Ask how the policies would work together before assuming that one will pay everything the other excludes.

Where are you covered outside Thailand?

Choose an area of cover that includes the countries where you plan to receive treatment, including your home country if relevant. The current MyHEALTH Thailand Benefits Schedule lists Europe, ASEAN and India excluding Singapore for Essential. Extensive and Elite offer a choice between that zone and worldwide excluding the USA. Confirm the available zone on your personalised quote.

An international health insurance plan should be assessed against your actual travel pattern. Planned treatment outside your selected area is different from limited protection for sudden illness or injury during a trip. Check the duration and financial limits of any out of area benefit before travelling.

Which conditions should you check before applying?

Tell the insurer about your medical history as required by the application and ask how any existing conditions will be treated. Review the terms for activities you take part in, including motorbike use, rather than assuming that all accidents are covered.

Check whether your preferred hospital is subject to network restrictions or a contribution to costs, and whether treatment requires prior authorisation. Ask how claims and hospital payments are arranged under your chosen plan.

Expat Health Insurance in Thailand: Examples

So how much should you expect to pay for expat health insurance in Thailand? Here are some examples to help you visualise what your premium might look like:

1. Marie is a 32-year-old French expat who chooses Worldwide Excluding USA as her area of cover. Her annual premium is THB 41,751.

2. Hannes is a 28-year-old German expat who chooses Europe and ASEAN Excluding Singapore as his area of cover. His annual premium is THB 32,257.

These examples are retained from the original article. Their annual premiums and area of cover descriptions have not been validated against current pricing and product options. They are not current quotes. Request a personalised quote to confirm the premium and benefits available for your circumstances.

To learn more about the cost of MyHEALTH Thailand and the Hospital & Surgery ESSENTIAL and Dental EXTENSIVE options, request your personalised quote today. You can also check out the brochure and full benefits schedule for further details..