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Is it advisable for a US expat in Thailand to cancel their US health insurance for local insurance and travel coverage?
US expatriateshealth insurance in Thailandlocal insurance optionstravel insurancevisa and residencymedical coverageemergency health carepre-existing conditions
Mar 23, 2025
a year ago
Matt ************
ORIGINAL POSTERI moved to Nakon Ratchasima last year and kept my US health insurance (62 yo male in good health). However, the insurance is $750 USD a month. Is it advisable to cancel that insurance, get local insurance, and just get travel insurance for my twice yearly trips to the US to see the grandkids? I plan to just do 10 day trips to the US. Thank you.
TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion revolves around the decision to cancel expensive US health insurance in favor of local Thai insurance and travel insurance for US trips. Many commenters advise considering coverage limitations of US policies abroad, with suggestions for local health insurance options that are much cheaper. Various experiences with insurance costs and coverage types are shared, highlighting the importance of understanding policy details, especially exclusions for pre-existing conditions and international coverage.
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Mike *******
Matt Your present health insurance does not cover you internationally as I understand. If you are planning to live in Thailand permanently . You should consider canceling it. And getting travel insurance during your US visits. And looking into some sort of policy covering you in Thailand.
Paying out of pocket for minor medical issues and return to US for major. That is a chance you take. Because you might have a serious health issue arise where you can’t fly back.
Unfortunately I cannot recommend a specific policy for you.
Paying out of pocket for minor medical issues and return to US for major. That is a chance you take. Because you might have a serious health issue arise where you can’t fly back.
Unfortunately I cannot recommend a specific policy for you.
Janin ******
Take a look at BDAE (from Allianz group) can insure you a whole year for almost the same mount! And you can go on visit to the US (if you notice them) and be insured there also…
Hubert *********
@Janin *****
not in the USA 😉Janin ******
@Hubert ********
hé can take a cheap travel insurance for it, but Allianz is also available in the US.Reply to
Janin ******
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Bob *********
You might want to establish an address in the US at one of the places fulltime RV owners use and get on Medicare, outpatient part b is only $200 a month plus a medigap plan that covers overseas travel. The only reason to come back here and use it is if you get a cancer.
Pom ********
My husband is 60 and I’m 57. We only purchased inpatient coverage only and pain out of pocket for outpatient insurance. The cost for both of us $2700 per year. We purchased travel insurance when travel to the US.
Lawrence ********
Most American policies stop coverage the INSTANT you leave American borders. Are you even sure you haven't been paying $750 per month for effectively NO coverage?
Did you read your ENTIRE policy? Cause I doubt you've been covered at all while in Thailand, unless you specifically paid for an overseas rider on that policy.
Did you read your ENTIRE policy? Cause I doubt you've been covered at all while in Thailand, unless you specifically paid for an overseas rider on that policy.
Matt ************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Lawrence *******
I am not covered in Thailand. I have only been here since December. My thought is that I would just pay out of pocket here for minor things and go to the States for anything major.Reply to
Matt ************
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Greg *********
My insurance in Thailand is $2400 a year, I’m 63. Also, are you sure your U.S. insurance will pay claims from Thailand, because mine won’t.
Mike *****
If you have a serious health issue, you have the option to move back to the US and get health insurance via the Healthcare.gov exchange. Anytime of the year, you're eligible to start health insurance that also covers pre-existing and depending on income may get credits to reduce the premiums.
Only risk is an emergency or accidents. Self pay in Asia or an Asia centric plan that could include limited coverage for short trips to US.
*US plans via the exchange start the 1st of the month IF you sign up by the 15th of the previous month so there's a minimum wait of 2 weeks, maximum wait of 6 weeks (if you signed up on the 16th).
Only risk is an emergency or accidents. Self pay in Asia or an Asia centric plan that could include limited coverage for short trips to US.
*US plans via the exchange start the 1st of the month IF you sign up by the 15th of the previous month so there's a minimum wait of 2 weeks, maximum wait of 6 weeks (if you signed up on the 16th).
J **************
@Mike ****
not great advice to those 65+Mike *****
@J *************
OP is 62, so different subject.65+ have Medicare so expats should keep that for coverage in the US.
Reply to
Mike *****
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Aloh****
If you get a major issue I'll bet your US insurance is best. Mine just forked over $200k for treatment.
Bill *******
I pay 2000 a year. 71 years old.
Mary ******
@Bill ******
how do you do this? I'm looking.Bill *******
@Mary *****
Regency HealthReply to
Bill *******
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Braulio *********
Your choice, no need to ask others, $750 a month is reasonable
Matt ************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Braulio ********
I disagree, but thank you for the response.J **************
Reply to
J **************
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Kim *********
My travel insurance said they wouldn’t cover me in the US (yes, I’m a US citizen) if I was within 100 miles of home. I still retain a US address with my son for voting reasons.
Richard **********
@Kim ********
I don't know why you write you maintain a US address for voting reasons. I've been living in Belgium for 44 years, no longer han a US address and still vote in US elections. Look into it if not being covered within a 100-mile radius of "your home" is an issue. Personally, I'd think not being covered anywhere in the US is a potentially high risk in light of health costs in the US. I don't know whether a 65+ year old non-resident US citizen would be covered by Medicare, and even then, it's not free and probably doesn't cover everything. So sad that the costs of health care and education are so exhorbitantly high in the US, and matters could become worse under the current administration.Kim *********
@Richard *********
personally my long term plans are uncertain. I still have children there. I only left 6 months ago. Im still in the figuring this out stage.Reply to
Kim *********
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Charles ********
If you like your current policy, check if you can just exlude the US to save a bundle. Thai insurance has lots of exclusions (especiallyif you have any preexistingconditions), but also has its pros too. As far as US travel insurance, it's the way to go, the IMG Patriot plans will cover Americans for travel in the US.
Matt ************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Charles *******
Great advice. I’ll check with them.Reply to
Matt ************
Reply
Jim *****************
@Robert ********
can help you with local insurance. And yes, your question in your answer. I am the same age and lived in Thailand 27 years. This is exactly what I do. Robert can help you get the policy you need here.Tree *******
@Jim ****************
I second this recommendation 👍Matt ************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jim ****************
Thank you very much.Reply to
Matt ************
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Alan ********
No, that's at your risk. You asked for advice. You can cancel it all and take that chance if you want. Or if you need help go private, it is your choice.
Craig *********
Sebastian **********
@Alan *******
I wonder how much insurance in Thailand might cost for a 52-year old?Alan ********
@Sebastian *********
cheaper than a 70 year old, cheaper than someone who is dieing, ask the company 😤Reply to
Alan ********
Reply
Dave *******
@Alan *******
alot cheaper getting it private than paying 750 dollars that’s very very highAlan ********
@Dave ******
l am like you Dave people ask about the best options and l agree but l am also dubious it doesn't suit every person unless you know theater history 😉Reply to
Alan ********
Reply
Matt ************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Alan *******
Understood.Reply to
Matt ************
Reply
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