ask
Search
Ask
Answereda year ago

How difficult is it to secure a retirement visa and health insurance in Thailand with a kidney transplant?

Victor ****
asked Nov 21, 2025
3.9k
views
28
replies
10
likes
Hello group. I have a question. I’m in the US, retiring soon. How difficult is it to secure a retirement visa and insurance if I’ve had a kidney transplant? TIA
Answer summary
The difficulty in securing a retirement visa in Thailand after a kidney transplant is relatively low, as a Non-O visa based on retirement does not require mandatory health insurance. However, obtaining health insurance may be challenging due to the pre-existing condition. Many insurers might exclude coverage related to chronic illnesses, potentially leading to high premiums. It's advisable to consider options from companies that accommodate retirees and to weigh the benefits of having comprehensive coverage versus using public hospitals for minor issues.
28 repliesnewest first
16

Click comment and we will ask for your email, then OTP, then name.

Dca *****
Dca *****
No insurance needed if it is a Thai Non–O E–Visa based on Retirement (over 50 Years old Age)
Greg ***********
Greg ***********
you can't expect a health insurance cover a pre-existing condition. And by the way, a 90-days Non-Imm-O Retirement Visa application (where ever you apply!) and the subsequent "1-year Extension of Stay Permit" out of it, does NOT have a mandatory health insurance requirement
Peter ********
Peter ********
Hello. Mark who replied here is my insurance agent. I am not an expert on this topic let alone a professional. But Mark has helped me a lot. My first claim ever was in the past couple of weeks after I broke my ankle. His company worked immediately with the hospital to cover the part of the claim that they were liable for. They negotiated at 6:30pm on a Saturday evening and agreed their share within 30 minutes when I checked out. They had been informed when I entered of course. It was remarkable to me actually. My only comment is that you should consider too much coverage not too little if you want full reimbursement. And the other thing is that you will likely use public hospitals for small things and the cost of that is trivial. They are good too. But for something serious you might decide to go to a private hospital for all kinds of reasons including having many staff who are fluent in English. The costs then can be substantial. Nothing as horrendous as the US but not small. You need to decide if you want to be fully covered. It depends how risk averse you are. And how rich. Good luck.
Stephane *********
Stephane *********
It's unlikely any insurance will cover you, in very best case they will exclude anything related to your kidneys.
Bob **********
Bob **********
Pre existing conditions make health insurance tough over here they don’t want to pay to start and if they can blame it on pre existing they won’t
Colin **********
Colin **********
If your wanting a OA retirement visa its best to obtain a health insure on the approved list.
Colin **********
Colin **********
***********************************************************
Jeremy ********
Jeremy ********
You have a chronic disease in insurance talk

The premiums will be high and yearly rates will be crazy if they accept you

If you have another insurance that will pickup the tab (VA insurance, employer insurance etc) you could omit these conditions and get a great rate

The other choice would be to have super high premiums to lower the rate of the policy

This company basically covers everyone

******************************
Phil ******
Phil ******
@Victor ***
a Non O visa based on retirement doesn't require health insurance
Victor ****
Victor ****
OP
@Phil *****
thanks. Next time I’m there I’ll have to research the availability of my anti-rejection medications and costs.
Keny ********
Keny ********
@Victor ***
i am on ciclosporine and pay out of pocket it’s about $150 a month. 200 mg/day from govt hospital
David *********
David *********
@Victor ***
if you get the non O retirement out side TH. Then you are required to have health insurance. If you come into TH. First by some appropriate 90 day visa and apply for the non O retirement inside TH. Then you are not required to have insurance.
Lynnette *******
Lynnette *******
@David ********
no, it doesn't. The Non-O does not require health insurance. You are giving advice on the Non-OA.
Colin **********
Colin **********
@David ********
the OA retirement visa needs health insurance, the non o over 50 does not
Marty *********
Marty *********
@David ********
I got the OA in 2017 when there was no health insurance requirement. It was the first thing I saw on the website and I didn’t know about the other visas.

I did get Thai insurance in 2018 that qualified for the requirement implemented in 2019 so the change didn’t affect me. I still have the insurance and used it to qualify for my pensioner LTR in 2023.

OA has some unique features that even today appeal to some expats. I have to believe that fewer people consider it now unless, like me at the time, they don’t know any better.
David *********
David *********
@Marty ********
thank you. I was unaware you can get the non O retirement outside the country. Then why have O-A? Interested to know the difference. (Other than health insurance and background check)
Damo ***********
Damo ***********
@David ********
no mate... I lock it because fags like you flogg off to my pics on my profile... weirdo fuckers you are... you just admitted to trying to look my profile for some reason... faggot!
David *********
David *********
@Damo **********
hey Damo, why you lock your profile. Is all this trolling coming back to bite you you?
Marty *********
Marty *********
@David ********
I had an OA too. You can only get the OA outside Thailand. You can get an O inside or outside Thailand. Currently the advice is for people to get the O outside Thailand so you can open a Thai bank account after you get here.
Damo ***********
Damo ***********
@David ********
you are FOBS! [FOBS = Full Of Bull Shit]
David *********
David *********
@Greg **********
oh yes you’re right. It was a non-OA retirement. Which in my understanding is the only one available outside TH.
Greg ***********
Greg ***********
@David ********
you are apparently confusing the visa you got. If you needed an insurance and a police check, you applied for the Non-Imm-O/A Longstay Visa. You did NOT apply for the Non-Imm-O Retirement Visa, as this one NEVER required these things. And if you still need to prove an insurance for each yearly extension on Immigration, it indicates that you started on a Non-Imm-O/A Visa and not on the Non-Imm-O Visa (without the "A"). Some Immigrations allow "grandfathering" which means that the requirements that were in effect 10 years ago are still good for you in the present time, regardless of changes
David *********
David *********
@Greg **********
I’m speaking From my experience. I’ve been here 10 years so maybe it has changed but I don’t think so. When I got my non O retirement in DC I had to have insurance and provide a criminal defense check.
Greg ***********
Greg ***********
@David ********
sorry but this is complete nonsense. For the application to a 90-days Non-Imm-O Retirement Visa in your home country or anywhere else outside of Thailand, and even inside Thailand, there is NO mandatory health insurance requirement. Only for the application to the 365-days Non-Imm-O/A Longstay Visa, there is a mandatory health insurance requirement
J **************
J **************
@Victor ***
they likely will cover you for other things but not your kidney …but ask anyway …
Phil ******
Phil ******
@Victor ***
ok also talk to
@Tabby **************
if you require health insurance
Mark ************
Mark ************
***************
094 583 4305 (Bangkok)
****************************
Mark ************
Mark ************
Hello Victor Ag

from
***************
... OFFER of Health & Life insurance premiums fixed 5

years… Please check messages from
**************

Activity

16 joined
Victor ****
Victor ****
Victor ****
Victor ****
Victor ****
Victor ****
16
people
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
...members60% approval
Member 1
Member 2
Member 3
Member 4
Member 5
Member 6
Member 7
Member 8

Related

25
What type of insurance is typically recommended for expats getting a retirement visa in Thailand?
12.8k1051602mo
How can I enter Thailand to live there without an onward ticket?
4k31522mo
What are the challenges of obtaining Thai health insurance for a retirement visa for someone in remission from cancer?
840245mo
What happens to my Non-O retirement visa if I leave Thailand for Central America without renewing it?
5.6k161415mo
How can I stay permanently in Thailand at 69 with insufficient funds for a Non-O visa?
6.1k201467mo
What should I know about medical insurance for pre-existing conditions before moving to Thailand?
4.2k32308mo
What health checks are required for a retirement visa application in Thailand from Australia?
3.9k26511y
What are the health insurance costs for a 67-year-old applying for a retirement visa in Thailand?
5k30311y
What are the challenges and experiences related to obtaining a marriage visa in Thailand?
21.6k2021861y
Can I change a tourist visa to a retirement visa in Thailand?
9.3k641331y
What are the best health insurance options for long-term expats in Thailand?
5.4k38492y
What is the cheapest health insurance for over 50s applying for a retirement visa in Thailand?
8.2k76672y
What visa do I need to settle in Thailand as a retiree?
441222y
What is the best health insurance for a 79-year-old on a Non-O Retirement Visa in Thailand?
6.6k54592y
How can I open a bank account in Thailand to apply for a retirement visa since banks require a visa to open an account?
10.6k83932y
What are some affordable health insurance options for a 68-year-old on a Retirement Visa in Thailand?
8.7k71762y
What are some options for accident and emergency travel insurance in Thailand for seniors with pre-existing medical conditions?
5.7k56312y
What are my options for obtaining a long-term visa in Thailand as a tourist planning to retire?
13.4k1031682y
What steps do I need to take to move permanently to Thailand from the USA?
25.8k2282562y
What are some acceptable health insurance providers for applying for a retirement visa in Thailand?
1.2k682y
What is the best way to return to Thailand and secure a retirement visa without health insurance?
1.7k8214y
Is health insurance required for a Non-O visa application in Thailand?
1.7k1474y
How can I obtain a long-term Non-O retirement visa in Thailand if I'm over 50 and have a 30-day visa exemption?
1.8k12175y
What are the current health insurance requirements for a Non-O 90 visa and 1 year extension in Thailand?
7351105y
Do dependents on a retirement NON-OA visa need mandatory health insurance in Thailand?
1.2k6156y

Resources

Need help with your retirement visa?