Medical Insurance in Thailand
Soon after I arrived in Thailand I was lucky enough to meet one of those people who make the expat community a real community. She runs our local rescue service for expats whose lives have become so “independent” that, when they suffer and illness or an accident (or die) they may have no-one to care for them and nobody even knows who to notify.
So Nancy (she gets embarrassed if I praise her by name) arranges visits to the hospital, payment for their care, convalescent services, and even transportation home where they’re covered by their national health programs. It was Nancy who inspired me to write this book.
Medical insurance in Thailand is essential if you want to live in Thailand. Happily, you’ll find an amazing range of medical insurance offerings, starting with accident policies for as little as $30/year to local insurers all the way up to gold-plated international policies for $1,000/mo.
The Thai Health System
The Thai Health System Interested in Medical Insurance in Thailand?
The Thai health system is different from ours. The high end – which is what you’ll experience – is better than our Western system in most respects. Service is much quicker: waiting time to see a Western-trained, English-speaking physician is usually less than 20 minutes without an appointment. Facilities are more modernand equipment is always more advanced than we’re accustomed to. When I injured my hand, my X-Rays were in thedoctor’s office before I returned from the X-Ray lab five floors below – because X-Rays are all electronic here. And the entire process, from initial consultation to X-Ray lab, to the final interpretation and prescription took less than 70 minutes!
But because there’s very little information in English about the available alternatives I wrote a bookt on it for would-be Thailand residents. In it you’ll learn, for example, why most medical procedures in Thailand cost less than your insurance deductible at home. The report explains the seven insurance strategies: from no insurance to full coverage by an international carrier, with sample rates and exclusions.
There are videos of expats discussing their medical experience and their insurance in Thailand and it’s illustrated withcharts, comparative prices, and live links to insurers. And you’ll find a full description of Thai hospitals, their hierarchy, standards of care, and certifications – and how to get an automatic 50% reduction in fees whenever you return. Best of all (in my opinion) there are stories by people who have used, refused to use, and failed to use medical insurance in Thailand: some wins, some losses!
Table of Contents
- NO INSURANCE
- SELF-INSURANCE
- GET HEALTHY
- GO MINIMAL
- GET A JOB
- NORMAL HEALTH INSURANCE
- TRAVEL INSURANCE
- THAI INSURANCE COMPANIES
- HOSPITALS IN THAILAND
- THE HOSPITAL HIERARCHY
- REAL HOSPITAL COSTS
- APPLYING FOR INSURANCE
- INSURANCE COMPANY CONTACTS
- THAILAND’S HOSPITALS
- IF YOU HAVE A ROAD ACCIDENT
- QUESTIONS FOR YOUR BROKER
- HEALTH FACTORS
It was compiled by Thailand residents, insurers, doctors, and hospitals. An illustrated guide to medical insurance in Thailand for expatriates. If you want to retire in Thailand, this is one book you need to read.