thailand
Ask question
This is NOT an official government website. We are an independent resource providing information and assistance to travelers.

Should I disclose my diabetes when applying for health insurance in Thailand?

Health InsuranceDiabetesPre-existing ConditionsInsurance DisclosureExpat Life in ThailandVisa and ImmigrationMedical Services in Thailand
May 29, 2025
2 days ago
Terry ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Question for those in the know. I’m trying to get some health insurance. Problem is I have diabetes, so no one will touch me here, even with a waiver.

The question is should I just omit the fact that I have diabetes ? With my medication it is kept in normal limits

Any opinions , im 58 btw
2,349
views
4
likes
67
all likes
38
replies
0
images
18
users
TLDR : Answer Summary
The individual seeking health insurance in Thailand faces challenges due to their diabetes, with concerns over whether to disclose this condition on applications. Comments emphasize the importance of transparency, warning that non-disclosure could lead to denied claims later. Recommendations include exploring specific companies that handle pre-existing conditions, such as VA insurance for veterans. Discussions also touch on the quality of medical services in Thailand and the implications of Type 1 vs. Type 2 diabetes in terms of insurance.
Pelle Eriksson
Pelle Eriksson★★★★★
Absolutely Bangkok's best service I highly...
recently on Facebook
Luca G.
Luca G.★★★★★
I used this agency for my DTV Visa...
recently on Google
Trusted Thai Visa Agent
OVER 100,000 EXPATS SERVED
#1 VISA AGENT IN THAILAND
Dennis *********
No insurance, we'll except for government sponsored that covers pre existing conditions.

They will eventually find out from your records. They specifically exclude pre existing conditions but will cover everything else.
2 days ago
Like
Reply
Terry ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Dennis ********
 oh sorry, I thought you suffered from the delusion that I actually paid for my medical.

The VA covers my expenses. Especially anything preexisting.

As to getting my medical records, good luck with that. I don’t even know where they’re kept. I haven’t been back to the states in 25 years
2 days ago
Like
Reply
Dennis *********
sorry, i'm not suffering from anything. but for you would be good when asking for advise to give specifics. in your case, it's VA "i.e. US government policy" and there is a VA in Thailand you can register with... so what you looking for is not regular insurance, but insurance through the VA in Thailand "which one could not reasonably assume from your post". however if you go to a regular insurance company, pre-existing conditions would definitely apply, they don't care if you are a veteran or not. So unclear why you'd even bring up pre-existing conditions to begin with. Also I know people who have VA insurance in Thailand, and I'm certain VA only covers Medical conditions from when in the military, and not certain they're going to cover diabetes for you, however fell free to have your own delusions about that... i.e. others I know have the VA there, and private insurance for other issues unrelated to their military service.
2 days ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Dennis *********
Reply
Terry ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Dennis ********
 so I’m not exactly following ya. You’re saying no insurance, or government sponsored that covers. Naturally they will know from my medical records from the VA. Can you please explain a little clearer ?
2 days ago
Like
Reply
Dennis *********
whats to explain. they will insist to get your medical records from your home country, and then any pre-existing conditions will be called out on your policy that that's not covered. even in US except for company "group" policies and medicare is exactly the same. Insurance companies, to the surprise of many is a "for profit" enterprise.
2 days ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Dennis *********
Reply
Brook ********
If you lie on the application, if you ever make a claim, the claim will be denied and you will have paid all those premiums for no reason.

Additionally, most of the applications ask, “ have you ever been denied?”
2 days ago
Like
Reply
Colin *******
They will contact your UK GP, and access your records, before issuing a policy, most will not cover you. If they do issue a Policy they will give you a policy that only covers Covid and Accident and Emergency for a premium.
2 days ago
Like
Reply
Tony **********
It's called fraud.
2 days ago
Like
Reply
Stephen *********
Try pacific cross don't leave anything out
2 days ago
Like
Reply
Gerg **********
Is it type 1 or type 2? If it’s type 2, it’s caused by poor diet and eating too many carbohydrates for your own personal physiology. You can totally reverse type 2 diabetes to a normal A1C (5.6 or less) with an ultra low carb diet. It might take 6 months or more depending on how high it is now, but may be a good way to go in the long run.
2 days ago
Like
Reply
Robert ***********
@Gerg *********
 A low carb diet in Thailand? 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
2 days ago
Like
Reply
Gerg **********
@Robert **********
 Yep, I eat it every day. Steaks, ground beef, and eggs. That’s it!
2 days ago
Like
Reply
Robert ***********
@Gerg *********
 Boring.
2 days ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Robert ***********
Reply
Andy **********
@Gerg *********
 That doesn't reverse the complications of diabetes. Eg neuropathy, retinopathy. Also, there is genuine division in medicine whether Roy Taylors approach actually gets rid of diabetes or merely puts it in remission. Ie you still have T2D but you no longer need medicine to treat it. The approach is that trials show if you are on less than 800kcal a day for 12 weeks, which is starvation diet, more than 50% of cases put the diabetes into touch.. it also means that ni nearly 50% of cases, they still have diabetes. Don't pedal false hope. Insurance will still nor cover consequences of diabetes and you have to declare past diagnoses.
2 days ago
Like
Reply
Gerg **********
@Andy *********
 I’m not putting out false hope, just because you don’t believe it. I reversed mine and I’ve had a normal A1C for 3 years, I know what the truth is. If you want to rename it “remission”, I don’t care, but mine is gone. Kaput. History. Never coming back because I’ll never stop eating this way.
2 days ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Gerg **********
Reply
Michael *******
You must declare!! If you were ill. And don’t declare! No payout fact! 👍
2 days ago
Like
Reply
Fabio ******
• Without prior medical evidence, there is no definitive way to medically prove that someone had Type 2 diabetes in the past.

• Specialist evaluations (neurology, nephrology, ophthalmology) may provide indirect support for a history of long-term, untreated diabetes.

• This kind of medical reasoning might support a hypothesis, but it is not considered proof, especially in legal or insurance contexts.
2 days ago
Like
Reply
Fabio ******
just do not disclose it and buy your medicine by yourself.
2 days ago
Like
Reply
Terry ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Fabio *****
 that is what I do now. It’s only 6,000฿ for a 4 month supply of both my diabetes medication and epilepsy medication total. And they never say anything about my epilepsy, just the diabetes. And no seizures for over 10 years
2 days ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Terry ********
Reply
Roland *******
Medical services are very good in Thailand and not that expensive 🫰
2 days ago
Like
Reply
Jeremy ********
Were you ever in the US military and receive a VA disability pension?
2 days ago
Like
Reply
Terry ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jeremy *******
 yes, US Navy, 100% permanent disabled
2 days ago
Like
Reply
Ernesto ********
@Terry *******
 from the gulf war ?
2 days ago
Like
Reply
Jeremy ********
@Terry *******
 you can also let the insurance companies know you have it covered via the VA
2 days ago
Like
Reply
Jeremy ********
@Terry *******
 go into Va website and sign up for the FMP (Foreign medical program) it covers all your VA disabilities overseas either via direct billing or via reimbursement

Bangkok Hospital directs bills the VA

If you don’t have diabetes as a disability put in a claim via the pact act or secondary and even if you get a zero percent rating it’s covered
2 days ago
Like
Reply
Ernesto ********
@Jeremy *******
 as you saying you can have diabetes as a disability? The military didn’t cause that.
2 days ago
Like
Reply
Jeremy ********
@Ernesto *******
 you can also look up secondaries

Diabetes can be a secondary to hypertension (high blood pressure)

Diabetes can be a secondary to PTSD, sleep apnea plus probably more

The more you know…google is a great source of information, but only if you use it
2 days ago
Like
Reply
Ernesto ********
@Jeremy *******
 sorry. Don’t buy it.
2 days ago
Like
Reply
Terry ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ernesto *******
 sorry, but I do buy it. I’m already at 100%, they can’t make me any higher. But they can add on at 0%. I have been a va disabled vet for over 30 years now
2 days ago
Like
Reply
Jeremy ********
@Ernesto *******
 that’s up to a Dr to diagnose and say yes or no, not me

But if you were in who knows what “Vaccine” they shot you up with, what chemicals you were exposed to (agent orange is a diabetes contributor as per the VA) or geographical area you were in

He stated he was in the navy maybe he was on a nuclear propelled ship and worked in or around the nuclear reactor and being in close proximity to it caused diabetes
2 days ago
Like
Reply
Terry ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jeremy *******
 that’s super helpful, thanks for sharing your expertise!

I’ve already shot off a letter to the DAV
2 days ago
Like
Reply
Jeremy ********
@Terry *******
 good luck

If you are going to Pattaya then have a clinic there that specializes in VA FMP

Vfhmec.com
2 days ago
Like
Reply
Terry ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jeremy *******
 no, I would go to Bangkok It’s only 15km from my place
2 days ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Terry ********
Reply
Patrick ********
I got thyroid issue it didn't increase costs. Reveal everything everytime.
2 days ago
Like
Reply
Pete *******
Disclose everything otherwise your insurance will be invalid. You will just have to accept swallowing the cost of any diabetic treatment.
2 days ago
Like
Reply
Frank **********
No, do not lie. You are required to disclose your condition.
2 days ago
Like
Reply
Peter *******
If you don't declare pre-existing conditions they will just use it against you when you claim, deny the claim and can cancel your insurance even if unrelated. Farangland insurance is better, better regs
2 days ago
Like
Reply
El ******************
@Peter ******
 What is FarangLand Insurance. Googled it and nothing came up. If you are trying to say that getting international insurance is better why not just say that?
2 days ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
El ******************
Reply
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
... members · 60% approval rate
The Thai Visa Advice And Everything Else group allows for a broad range of discussions on life in Thailand, beyond just visa inquiries.
Join the Group
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
View the Conversation
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
What health insurance options are available for expats in Thailand with pre-existing medical conditions?
21 comments
11 days ago
What are the options for health insurance in Thailand that cover pre-existing conditions?
9 comments
a month ago
Should I keep my life and medical insurance while living in Thailand?
13 comments
a month ago
What are the health insurance options for Australians retiring with diabetes in Pattaya?
23 comments
a month ago
Is self-insuring for healthcare a viable option for expats in Thailand?
50 comments
2 months ago
What health insurance options are recommended for DTV visa holders in Thailand, particularly for those with pre-existing conditions?
14 comments
2 months ago
What health insurance options are available in Thailand for retirees with pre-existing conditions?
25 comments
3 months ago
What are the best private health insurance options for expats in Thailand based on personal experiences?
73 comments
3 months ago
What are some options for accident and emergency travel insurance in Thailand for seniors with pre-existing medical conditions?
56 comments
8 months ago
What is the best health insurance for someone with Diabetes Type 2 and lower back pain in Thailand?
8 comments
a year ago
What is the best visa option for relocating to Thailand as a type 1 diabetic on SSDI?
25 comments
a year ago
What should I consider when getting health care insurance with pre-existing conditions in Thailand?
28 comments
a year ago
What are the health insurance requirements for the Non-Immigrant Visa-O-A in Thailand, particularly for retirees with pre-existing conditions?
15 comments
2 years ago
What is the best Thai Visa and health insurance for an expat retiring in Thailand with diabetes type 2?
13 comments
2 years ago
Should I self-insure for medical expenses when moving to Thailand with pre-existing conditions?
25 comments
2 years ago
What health insurance options are suitable for a 67-year-old moving to Thailand on a retirement visa?
17 comments
2 years ago
What are affordable medical insurance options for retirees over 70 in Thailand with preexisting conditions?
30 comments
3 years ago
What health insurance options are available for retirees in Thailand with pre-existing conditions like diabetes?
6 comments
3 years ago
What travel insurance options are available for diabetics traveling to Thailand, particularly for COVID-related hospitalization?
8 comments
3 years ago
What are the best options for obtaining COVID-19 medical travel insurance for Thailand Pass as a diabetic?
3 comments
3 years ago
What travel insurance should I get for my stay in Thailand when I plan to extend my visa?
48 comments
3 years ago
What do expatriates think about using Pacific Cross insurance for the OA visa in Thailand?
10 comments
4 years ago
What are the best insurance companies in Thailand for covering diabetes type 1?
6 comments
4 years ago
What should I do about health insurance for retiring in Bangkok with pre-existing conditions?
11 comments
5 years ago
Will my health issues affect my ability to retire in Thailand as an expat?
0 comments
6 years ago
What is the best cannabis dispensary in Bangkok?
7 comments
a month ago
Where can I find the best cannabis dispensary in Chon Buri?
9 comments
a month ago
What are the best dispensaries in Phuket?
21 comments
a month ago
What is the best cannabis dispensary in Surat Thani?
16 comments
a month ago
Where can I find the best weed in Chiang Mai?
8 comments
a month ago
Data protection policyTerms and conditionsDisclaimerPrivacy policyRefund policy
The asq: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.