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Is self-insuring for healthcare a viable option for expats in Thailand?

Self-Insurance Healthcare in Thailand Public Health Care Private Health Care Visa Implications Expat Health Insurance

Mar 30, 2025

2 days ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

I would be interested to hear from anybody who has decided to self insure in Thailand. I am 67, married to a Thai national, speak Thai and willing to use public health care, as my partner does. Thanks in advance.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The discussion revolves around self-insuring for healthcare in Thailand, particularly for expats over 60. Participants share their experiences and observations on public and private healthcare options, costs involved, and personal health financial strategies. Many suggest having sufficient savings to cover medical expenses, especially given that Thai insurance often does not cover pre-existing conditions. Insights include the affordability of public healthcare for basic treatments, while highlighting the potential high costs associated with severe health issues. The overall sentiment indicates that self-insurance can work if one is financially prepared.

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Paul ********

Interesting, so how does self insure work when getting a visa,

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J **************

most o visas do not require insurance

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J **************

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J **************

Even public health care can cost money …Thai friends father had brain surgery that cost 200,000 baht. He had to go to the bank and borrow it against his farm.

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Andy **********

I personally think the best thing to do is, if you have a decent amount of money put on one side, is to self insure, Thai insurance companies don't usually cover pre existing conditions, if possible just take out a good accident and critical illness cover, they can be bought as separate policies, being involved in a bad accident, or having a critical illness, that is what could cost you the most money.

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Peter *******

@Andy *********

have seen many Accident policies but not found critical illness as a stand alone product

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Andy **********

I have looked into yet คุ้มครอง 44 โรคร้ายแรง! AIA CI Plus รับเงินก้อนเมื่อตรวจพบ เจอจ่ายจบ เบี้ยเริ่มวันละ 9บ. รับความคุ้มครองสูงถึง 1,000,000บ. สนใจคลิกเลย!

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Andy **********

I get these messages almost everyday, I have meaning to look into it 🤔

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Peter *******

@Andy *********

afraid too late for me 🥴

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Andy **********

that was just an example, maybe contact AIA and make enquiries.

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Peter *******

@Andy *********

thanks went on their website and a comparison site I use. Basically to get critical illness insurance you have to start before 65 with all the insurance companies.

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Peter *******

@Andy *********

thanks will look into it also but have been told in the past no stand alone policies other than accident.

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Peter *******

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Andy **********

I get these messages almost everyday

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Andy **********

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Bigd **********

Had emergency foot surgery here, cost about $25 in hospital.

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Eric ********

After considerable fun and games with private, public, insured and not hospital/health system in Thailand this older guy with pre existing and ongoing health issues simply cannot live with the system (the quality of care is often quite good, but the financial not so much) so I (born Australian) returned home (to Australia) where it is an order of magnitude better. (Eg the govt Medicare just provided anti cancer drugs for me labelled $10k for $20.)

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Niall *******

I'm 60 with pre-existing conditions. Quoted $6,000 per year, excluding pre-existing conditions (which are the ones most likely to kill me).

Have set enough aside to hopefully cover at least one major illness/injury. Saving $6k per year, I can set aside 1 million Baht every 4 years for medical care in the future.

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Eric ********

Health is never absolutely guaranteed.. however if you have significant savings I think your call is the best one.

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Peter *******

I guess that by public healthcare you mean Govt hospitals. As a foreigner they are not free but are considerably cheaper than Private Hospitals. Some Govt Hospitals are very good but generally are very busy so be prepared for long waits for certain treatments.

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Dwayne ********

yes, nothing is free here. The government hospitals use the same doctors as the private hospitals & clinics. Doctors are required to rotate within the hospital network. And other than certain clinics like Muslim ones, lots clinics are those doctors in rotation, own private clinics. Unlike with western countries greed, in Thailand they are here to heal all.

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Add ******

you are right. I am Thai who is thinking about retiring in Thailand. My family opts to be taken care of at the private hospitals as there is no long waits. My father had his hips replacement at Bamrungraj Hospital about 15 years ago for 700,000 baht and mom had hips replacement for 400,000 baht (I think) at Samitivej Hospital 2 years ago. Even though you are at private hospitals, I can see difference in pricing. I think it depends on where you go. If you goes to public hospitals, make sure you go early. And yes, it would be much cheaper. I have an insurance in Maryland and the wait for a new doctor is about 2-3 months. Now, I am in search for a primary care physician. I called several doctors and they said they did not take any more new patients. I never heard of that in Thailand. You will see a doctor and do not have to wait that long.

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Add ******

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Dwayne ********

Don’t have a partner but have a wife & we use ‘pay as you go’ healthcare. Works fine so far but the old dog eats up lots of money. Recently found you can’t put down an old animal with lots of health problems. In America, you’d just put a bullet in its head. Thailand we’re stuck with the burden.

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Johnny *********

@Dwayne *******

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George *******

@Dwayne *******

Normal in the States putting bullets in heads and not just animals.

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Dwayne ********

if you no nothing real about another country, say nothing. It reflects on the entire country you come from.

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George *******

@Dwayne *******

Really, I know nothing about Thailand. Well how about living there from 1998 to 2009.

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George *******

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Dwayne ********

no, just animals is very humane. Cheaper than taking to a hospital & putting them to sleep. Been going on for hundreds of years.

Americans don’t break laws by shooting people. Leave that to the illegals.

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Jukka ********

@Dwayne *******

cops do

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Jukka ********

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Paul *******

I am a 77 year old Australian living in Chiang Mai, Thailand for over ten years. I self insure for medical. I have a reserve in my bank account to cover at least one month hospital costs in a private hospital. If that proves insufficient, I would attempt tp fly back to Australia where my medical treatment would be free.

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Victor *******

, following

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Wayne *******

Dangerous game as I found out last year. Had a very significant fracture that Im still on physio for 14 months on. Needed surgery and luckily I got a 'fit to fly' certificate to go back to England otherwise I would have been goosed!

Once I end up living in Thailand Im gonna make sure Im covered FULLY and been quoted aroud 5000 baht a month which I will deduct from my condo rental, so in effect instead of living in Pattaya for 15k - 20k, I'll live Na Jomtien or even Bang Saray for 10 - 15k

My health is way more important than a snazzy gaff 😆

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J **************

I made two claims (both at 140,000 baht) one was approved immediately…the other evidently was a preexisting condition discovered years ago in USA.

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Paul *******

I am 8787 with many serious pre existing conditions including heart and diabetes. Who will give me insurance at an acceptable cost?

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Trevor ***********

nobody

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Paul *******

@Trevor **********

???

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Wayne *******

Im not sure as obviously I only checked for myself. I also wouldnt know how it works as a new client at your age. Im 57 so maybe I will benefit somehow moving forward annually financially whereas someone like yourself may get hit with a high premium, but I really dont know.

I eailed them and the chap I conversed with told me what I wrote above

I can PM you the email address if you like?

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Peter *******

welcome to pm me

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Peter *******

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Peter *******

the only problem there is if you have any pre-existing conditions you will not be fully covered. Also as you get older ie over 70 5000 a month will not be enough to cover your big toe without significant deductions

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J **************

I’m 71 and pay 35,000 baht every six months for the nest I patient plan.

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Peter *******

@J *************

is that available in Thailand?

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J **************

yes and many others like it …I have one exclusion that is permanent

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Peter *******

@J *************

would you mind sharing a link?

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J **************

I use WR life, but I would advise you to use an expats group search function to hear about all the others.

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Peter *******

@J *************

thanks I know about them. Hope you haven't had to make claim. Strongly advise doing a lot of research on them.

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J **************

you have to know the limits of any policy here…the only complaints I’ve heard about them is a patient who bought their cheapest policy and blew past his limits.

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Wayne *******

I have a pre existing condition and I spoke with them about the potential price increases. Im happy with everything

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Joseph *******

Just keep in mind there are few if any consumer protection laws in Thailand. And for that rare lawsuit that actually succeeds, the payout is often way less than compensable.

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Peter *******

just be aware there are companies that are not licensed for insurance in Thailand or the country they claim to be from. Their premiums are cheap but when they refuse to honour claims you have no recourse.

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Peter *******

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