What are the best health insurance options for expats in Thailand on an O type Visa?

Oct 15, 2020
4 years ago
John *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi everyone looking for some advice in respect of expats health insurance, I am married to a Thai and coming out on an O type Visa and staying long-term operating our own business any recommendations for health insurance cover and rough prices would be great, thanks in advance for any information, stay safe
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The post seeks advice on health insurance options suitable for expats in Thailand on a long-term O type Visa. Several commenters recommend different insurers such as Pacific Cross and Luma, highlighting prices and coverage benefits. There are discussions on age-related pricing, insurance requirements for visas, and suggestions for contacting insurance brokers. Overall, the conversation provides insight into various health insurance plans and considerations for those planning to live and work in Thailand.
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Jon ********
Contact AA insurance in Thailand google it, Dutch run company they will give you many options on one simple document comparing many product options
David **********
@Jon *******
we might mention there is a British company by the name AAInsuranc They have very bad reviews 85% one star. You might suggest and people be careful you’re recommending the Dutch company not the British company
Jon ********
David **********
@Jon *******
Yes I found the correct one and I have messaged them they had an auto response. I just thought it was worth mentioning the British company is rubbish
Steve **********
Contact
@Robert ********
- got the best deals around
Paul *********
Macallan Insurance Broker Co., Ltd.

*****
-15 Moo 10, South Pattaya Rd.,

Nongprue, Banglamung

Chonburi
*****


Phone: 038 427 904-5

Fax: 038 424 535

Email:
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David **********
I thought the non-emergent O Visa were exempt from health insurance?
John *********
@David *********
the Non O-A Visa required a minimum insurance cover. There is a possibility that will be extended to Non O visas. And anyone entering the Kingdom needs $100,000 Covid cover.
Rob **********
@David *********
my insurance is not for my visa, it is for peace of mind, at this stage I don’t require insurance for my visa, but am quite sure they will change the law in the not too distant future
Paul ************
Luma same price for year 38,000 for 3,500,000 and hase better cover
John *******
@Paul ***********
can I ask what age group you are in ....I'll be 70 in January ?
Paul ************
@John ******
61 mate its the price 60- 70
John *******
Rob **********
@Paul ***********
plus life insurance as well? I think the coverage between companies are all pretty much the same, luckily I have never used mine, but each year receive a no claim bonus on my premium
Rob **********
I use Pacific Cross , am insured for 3 million baht and have an extra 1 million for life insurance, cost is 38,056 baht per year
Chris *****
@Rob *********
do you insurance agent contact you can share?

Or you just do everything online?
Rob **********
@ChrisCho ***********
just did everything myself online, cuts out any middleman and you don’t have to pay commission
Colin *******
@Rob *********
and your age
Rob **********
@Colin ******
58 years old
Nigel *********
That literally made me lift my head from my pillow. Thanks for the correction. Phew
Rob **********
Per year sorry
Steven *******
Check Luma, very good prices. Covid only insurance
Chuengamon *********
Hi John, I’m Om - AIA Health Insurance Advisor for expats in Thailand. Price is depends on plans (basic or premium plans), age and level of occupation. Please feel free to contact me anytime (free advice). Please call +66882536414 or PM me for more details. Hope you and your family have a great time!
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*****
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4 or PM me for more details. Hope you and your family have a great time!
John *********
Age is a major factor, especially if you are past 70
John *********
At 71, I got a plan from Pacific Cross that includes $100,000 Covid cover and the 400,000 baht inpatient, 40,000 baht out patient for about $3000 a year. I got a discount by taking 40,000 baht deductible.
Sammy *******
@John ********
and exclusions for pre-existing conditions?
John *********
@Sammy ******
I needed to take a health checkup when I first enrolled in the plan at 69 years of age, but had no pre-existing conditions. I think if you enroll at 65 or older, a health checkup is required.
Sammy *******
@John ********
u must be in excellent shape to have been 69 with no pre existing conditions-- congratulations on that-- unfortunately, most of us are not so lucky, do few in their 50's, 60's, and especially 70's, would never qualify for a plan like yours. Some plans I have seen offered excluded the very coverage I actually need, so they are of no use.
John *********
@Sammy ******
I checked the site given by Thai immigration about Thai health insurance plans that would cover the health coverage requirements for the Non O visa. Pacific Cross seemed to be the only one based in Thailand that would offer me cover at my age. There are many local agents you can contact, easy to find by searching the internet. They can give someone specific information. If you are younger, you have lots more choices.
Sammy *******
@John ********
Pacific Cross Limited (PCL) is a well thought of carrier and offers some things others often dont -- for example, various deductibles one can choose to lower premiums and I think its 10% discount on renewal if u had no claims in the year.

in Thailand, I would not recommend paying for " outpatient" insurance, get the necessary "inpatient" that will protect u in an emergency. most carriers know u will use outpatient, dr visits, check up, minor injury or illness, usually limited visits and relatively inexpensive. save ur money to make sure u have adequate inpatient coverage.

Cigna is another u might want to investigate.

of course, insurance companies love to collect premiums from the young and healthy, and those far less likely to ever actually use their insurance.

also, explore what hospital you prefer in cm-- or where are the doctors u like working? cm ram, bkk cm, lovely places but pretty expensive-- there are great doctors at other cm hospitals and ur insurance money will go further. if an ambulance comes to take u, you want to be able quickly, or have someone tell them where to take you.
John *********
@Sammy ******
I only got the 40,000 outpatient cover because that is one of the requirements for the Non O-A Visa. The insurance agent even told me it was cheaper to just pay out of pocket for outpatient visits, but I wanted to apply for a Non O-A Visa, so needed that coverage.
Sammy *******
again, to all my advice is, having worked in insurance in the past, every situation is different. some tout great coverage for incredibly cheap prices-- just not possible unless you are very young and very healthy.

u should examine carefully exactly what ur plan benefits are in the areas, especially, you might utilize. what deductibles apply, what pre existing conditions are excluded? for example, had a friend just have a medical situation for which he was in the ICU at cm ram for 2 days and regular room for another day, then released, he always had touted his med insurance paid a million, well that was a bit deceptive, as that is often a conglomerate cost, most plans have a limit on "hospital expenses", which is a broad category of most everything outside specific dr visits, daily room rate, like that -- his cap of 50,000 baht on " hospital expenses" was reached damn fast, especially at a place like cm ram, and while his insurance still paid the majority of his hospital bill, he had a hefty chunk of " hospital expenses" to pay himself when he checked out. the devil is in the details-- analyze carefully what ur plan will actually pay.
Rick *******
@Sammy ******
, will rates go down after there is a Covid-19 vaccine available?
Sammy *******
@Rick ******
very doubtful, with insurance, ur in a "damned if u do, and damned if you don't" situation. u really do need it. my company keeps saying "medical inflation" as an excuse for increased premiums. but never offer any detailed reasons.
Rick *******
@Sammy ******
,that is one of the main reasons I am not trying to go back to Thailand right now. That and the quarantine. I am now trying to talk my wife into coming to the US and bringing our son since he has a US passport. It is an uphill battle I am afraid.
Sammy *******
@John ********
also, if one has any pre-existing prior to age 65, and doesn't reveal them, its likely previous medical records will reveal that and any coverage would be denied. many older guys have hbp and often all cardiac related issues are excluded, or there is a significant surcharge for them.
ED ******
I hear Pacific Cross mentioned alot. Will be interesting to read the comments.
Rob **********
@ED *****
very good Ed, have been with them for a while 3 million baht coverage 1 million life insurance and I paid 38,000 baht a year, and if you don’t claim each year they reduce your premiums
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