This is NOT an official government website. We are an independent resource providing information and assistance to travelers.
Do I need to buy health insurance in Thailand if I have US insurance that covers worldwide emergencies?
Long-Term VisaHealth Insurance RequirementsNON-O VisaOA VisaMedicare CoverageEmergency Medical InsuranceFinancial Requirements for Thai Visa
Jul 6, 2025
10 months ago
Mike ***********
ORIGINAL POSTERDoes anyone know if I have insurance in the US and it covers emergencies anywhere in the world if I would still have to buy insurance in Thailand on long term visa. Yes I would have to pay and they reimburse. Showing enough funds in bank account to cover the 3 million policy isn’t a a problem.
Thanks
Thanks
TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion revolves around whether individuals with US health insurance that covers emergencies internationally need to purchase additional health insurance in Thailand for long-term visas. Key points include that the NON-OA visa requires health insurance, while some commenters suggest the OA visa has stricter health insurance requirements from specific providers. Others mention that approval of coverage is crucial since not all insurance policies are recognized by Thai authorities. The necessity of having $50,000 in health insurance coverage for Thailand's Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa is also emphasized, along with the option of self-insuring if existing policies cover extensive periods.
LONG TERM RESIDENT (LTR) VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Take the basic LTR Qualification Test to see if you're eligible for the Long Term Resident (LTR) Visa.
- For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
- Explore recent discussions by using the Long Term Resident (LTR) Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
- Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
Pelle Eriksson★★★★★
Absolutely Bangkok's best service I highly...recently on Facebook
Luca G.★★★★★
I used this agency for my DTV Visa...recently on Google
Trusted DTV Visa Agent
OVER 100,000 EXPATS SERVED
#1 VISA AGENT IN THAILAND
Psyde ********
"covers emergencies in the world"... 🤔 ... 🤦... the entertaining stupidity on Facebook is nonstop.
Bambuu *****
please go to the forum THAI 10 YEAR LTR VISA InfoAdvice Group 🇹🇭
Ian **********
LTR category Visas require medical insurance - mandatory
Mark ********
@Ian *********
or 100k USD in a bank.Reply to
Mark ********
Reply
Jim *******
I had that comprehensive insurance policy, paid by my American employer, in Japan, for 15 years. It was about 1,200 US$ a month, paid by the company. CIGNA was the insurer.
All covered, whole family, worldwide, including dental.
Take it as the top and scale down to Thailand only.
All covered, whole family, worldwide, including dental.
Take it as the top and scale down to Thailand only.
Francois ********
0A-10 yr retirement visa issued by Thai embassy in ur country
Requires
40K Thb OP
400K Thb IP
Yrly premium about 8,000thb
LMG Thai ins comp
Requires
40K Thb OP
400K Thb IP
Yrly premium about 8,000thb
LMG Thai ins comp
Tom **********
Mike- i am in a similar situation. I am applying for a Thailand LTR Visa that requires $50k USD health insurance. I have a Medicare Advantage plan that provides coverage for worldwide emergencies. I will follow the comments here for guidance. If you find the definitive answer please let me know. Thanks and good luck!!!
Jo **********
@Tom *********
i have the LTR and was able to use my dutch insuranceThomas ********
@Tom *********
Medicare Advantage does cover emergencies but you pay at the time of emergenciesGoldie ********
@Tom *********
I have the LTR visa WP) applied at the embassy in Washington D.C. Medicare does not cover, you will definitely have to get the Health insurance that Thailand approves of, or have $100,000.00 cash in your account for 12 months consecutivelyMark ********
it is not if your insurance will cover you, its if the Thai govn recognizes that insurance as qualifying. if not just buy the cheapest policy that meets the requirement
Mike ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Goldie *******
I read the Medicare book and talked to my agent and he showed me where it covers over seas. Maybe not on a permanent move. I’ll look into that.Tom **********
@Goldie *******
Thanks again!!!Tom **********
@Goldie *******
Apparently I need $50k USD health insurance for the LTR WP Visa. Just to confirm- so my Medicare Advantage Plus (Employer PPO) would not qualify for the health insurance requirement for the LTR - WP?Goldie ********
@Tom *********
That really depends on the embassy you apply with, I have medicare and v.a insurance; neither one of those worked I have to buy a policy they approved of, but honestly I don't it, I still have coverage from my employer and that did not work either.Reply to
Goldie ********
Reply
Tom **********
@Goldie *******
Thank you!!!🙏Reply to
Tom **********
Reply
Sylvia ********
If you are sure you existing policy covers you for the duration of your stay, it is not necessary to have health cover in Thailand, many choose to self insure instead. The cover against a visa only applies to an OA visa where no funds are required here as the visa is issued in your home country
Mike ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Sylvia *******
I checked on my last travels. I don’t see anything about time restraints. It from social security so they cover any amount of time.Mark ********
@Mike **********
social security doesn’t cover you outside of the USA. Are you referring to Medicare?Mike ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Mark *******
Medicare. Supplemental insurance. AARP.John ********
@Mike **********
That’s an easy question, NO*******************************************************************************************
*****
-medicare-coverage-outside-the-united-states.pdfMike ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@John *******
might just have to stay under the 180 days. I’ll look into mine. I have a supplement insurance besides normal Medicare. I know when I took 4 ***
month trip they said I was covered.John ********
@Mike **********
I don’t understand the 180 days and the medical part of this. 4
***
month trip where?Mike ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER@John *******
when I toured SE Asia last January through mid April.Mark ********
@Mike **********
this will not cover you if you’re living in Thailand. If you’re on vacation and have an accident it might cover you.Mike ***********
ORIGINAL POSTERI would have to pay them they would reimburse for emergency. Also have emergency transportation back to the USA
Reply to
Mike ***********
Reply
Wylie *******
You may want to double check your policy. Typically the emergency coverage worldwide has quite a few limitations, including duration of coverage. Many will only cover for 60 to 90 days of international travel.
Dawn **********
@Wylie ******
and most have a $50k lifetime limit.Reply to
Dawn **********
Reply
Gerg **********
OA visa requires health insurance and only from certain companies, so get the non-O that requires no insurance.
Dean *************
Maybe read the policy.
John ********
@Dean ************
Or do a search on Google. Very easyReply to
John ********
Reply
Bob **********
Get a non-o
Garrett ***********
Non-OA is the only visa that requires health insurance.
Goldie ********
@Garrett **********
LTR visa you have to have health insurance also, unless you can show $100,000.00 in your bank account for 12 consecutive months.Reply to
Goldie ********
Reply
28 comments
a year ago
14 comments
2 years ago
9 comments
2 years ago
19 comments
2 years ago
10 comments
2 years ago
9 comments
2 years ago
11 comments
2 years ago
18 comments
3 years ago
10 comments
3 years ago
7 comments
3 years ago
10 comments
3 years ago
12 comments
3 years ago
67 comments
4 years ago
4 comments
4 years ago
22 comments
4 years ago
6 comments
4 years ago
12 comments
4 years ago
3 comments
4 years ago
12 comments
5 years ago
35 comments
5 years ago
20 comments
6 years ago
15 comments
6 years ago
22 comments
6 years ago
42 comments
6 years ago
7 comments
a month ago
9 comments
a month ago
21 comments
a month ago
16 comments
a month ago
8 comments
a month ago
The ask:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.