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Answereda year ago

Do I need to buy health insurance in Thailand if I have US insurance that covers worldwide emergencies?

Long-Term Visa Health Insurance Requirements NON-O Visa OA Visa Medicare Coverage Emergency Medical Insurance

Mike ***********

Mike ***********

OP

asked Jul 6, 2025

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Does 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

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.

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Psyde ********

Psyde ********

"covers emergencies in the world"... 🤔 ... 🤦... the entertaining stupidity on Facebook is nonstop.

0

Bambuu *****

Bambuu *****

please go to the forum THAI 10 YEAR LTR VISA InfoAdvice Group 🇹🇭

0

Ian **********

Ian **********

LTR category Visas require medical insurance - mandatory

0

Mark ********

Mark ********

or 100k USD in a bank.

0

Jim *******

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.

0

Francois ********

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

0

Tom **********

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!!!

0

Jo **********

Jo **********

i have the LTR and was able to use my dutch insurance

0

Thomas ********

Thomas ********

Medicare Advantage does cover emergencies but you pay at the time of emergencies

1

Goldie ********

Goldie ********

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 consecutively

1

Mark ********

Mark ********

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

0

Mike ***********

Mike ***********

OP

@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.

0

Tom **********

Tom **********

@Goldie *******

Thanks again!!!

0

Tom **********

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?

0

Goldie ********

Goldie ********

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.

0

Tom **********

Tom **********

@Goldie *******

Thank you!!!🙏

0

Sylvia ********

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

1

Mike ***********

Mike ***********

OP

@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.

1

Mark ********

Mark ********

@Mike **********

social security doesn’t cover you outside of the USA. Are you referring to Medicare?

0

Mike ***********

Mike ***********

OP

when I toured SE Asia last January through mid April.

0

John ********

John ********

@Mike **********

I don’t understand the 180 days and the medical part of this.

4

***

month trip where?

0

Mike ***********

Mike ***********

OP

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.

0

John ********

John ********

@Mike **********

That’s an easy question, NO

*******************************************************************************************

*****

-medicare-coverage-outside-the-united-states.pdf

0

Mark ********

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.

0

Mike ***********

Mike ***********

OP

I would have to pay them they would reimburse for emergency. Also have emergency transportation back to the USA

0

Mike ***********

Mike ***********

OP

Medicare. Supplemental insurance. AARP.

0

Wylie *******

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.

3

Dawn **********

Dawn **********

and most have a $50k lifetime limit.

1

Gerg **********

Gerg **********

OA visa requires health insurance and only from certain companies, so get the non-O that requires no insurance.

2

Dean *************

Dean *************

Maybe read the policy.

3

John ********

John ********

@Dean ************

Or do a search on Google. Very easy

0

Bob **********

Bob **********

Get a non-o

3

Garrett ***********

Garrett ***********

Non-OA is the only visa that requires health insurance.

3

Goldie ********

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.

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