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What are the key considerations for health insurance while living or traveling in Thailand?
Jul 28, 2025
9 months ago
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTERI made a BIG BIG MISTAKE . Been here one month on DTV. Was in Dansai Loei Isaan. Slipped on wet path, fell. Excruciating agony Right hip. Cannot move leg. In hospital, waiting for MRI to open up tomorrow, to rule out hip fracture.
Didn’t think anything could happen to me. Briefly checked insurance rates but got confused frustrated, and bored.
If I can dodge a bullet and walk out of here, first thing I’ll do is get insurance. I have insurance in the US. Covers only emergencies. Takes hours to submit claim, months later, they might pay.
The day before I was just thinking, everything in Isaan wants to kill you. Ran into Giant spider, snake while hiking. Food wants to kill you, roads want to kill you. Didn’t think a little rain woiuld get me.
Small suggestion, get insurance.
Didn’t think anything could happen to me. Briefly checked insurance rates but got confused frustrated, and bored.
If I can dodge a bullet and walk out of here, first thing I’ll do is get insurance. I have insurance in the US. Covers only emergencies. Takes hours to submit claim, months later, they might pay.
The day before I was just thinking, everything in Isaan wants to kill you. Ran into Giant spider, snake while hiking. Food wants to kill you, roads want to kill you. Didn’t think a little rain woiuld get me.
Small suggestion, get insurance.
TLDR : Answer Summary
A user shared their experience of a serious accident in Thailand, highlighting the importance of securing health insurance while living or traveling abroad. After a fall resulted in hospitalization and significant medical expenses, they expressed regret over not having proper insurance coverage beforehand. The community provided various recommendations for affordable health insurance options and stressed the need for insurance to avoid hefty out-of-pocket costs in case of emergencies.
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Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTEREpilogue: result of fall and hospital bill. Dodged a bullet. No fracture. Still can’t put weight on leg, using walker.
Hospital bill. Two separate X-rays. 1 MRI. Two ambulance rides to and from MRI. IV. Multiple meds thru IV, for pain and anti inflammatory. One night in hospital in Private room, in Private hospital. Many meals. Three separate meeting with Orthopedic Doc about 10 minutes each. Take away meds for pain and swelling.
Hospital bill. Two separate X-rays. 1 MRI. Two ambulance rides to and from MRI. IV. Multiple meds thru IV, for pain and anti inflammatory. One night in hospital in Private room, in Private hospital. Many meals. Three separate meeting with Orthopedic Doc about 10 minutes each. Take away meds for pain and swelling.
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THB. Maybe be reimbursed by bluecross insurance for emergency services. Great care.Abdulghani ******
The public hospitals are and extremely affordable almost free, if someone cannot afford treatment in public hospitals then frankly should not travel and home, therefore I don’t see any value of medical insurance. Pay out of pocket private hospital or public hospitals
Toni *******
@Abdulghani *****
almost free? Years ago i had an infection in my leg, could barely walk. At bangkok hospital we noticed i was lacking outpatient cover, so, 1 blood sample after the doctor came to look at the leg for 1minute, got 20tabs of antibiotics and 10painkiller, 8000thb, no clear diagnostic they didnt even take the CRP (the doctor didnt even know what it is when i asked how high, since antibiotics)Reply to
Toni *******
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Anonymous ******************
Usually, Banks and credit cards provide an insurance up to 90 days. So if you were here only for 1 month, your bank could help you, if you used the related card to book the flight. No?
Greg ********
Wouldn't go without it
John *********
Common sense when on holidays
Robert *********
If anyone on this thread would like an honest and informed discussion about health insurance and hospital costs and what is available for which visa type, please feel free to send me a DM or contact our website
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Affordable Health & Life Insurance in Thailand | Thai Health Services - AIA Authorized AgentRoxana ******
This is not Australia...🤣
Lena *******
@Roxana *****
Thank God. That's why we're here.Reply to
Lena *******
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Charles **********
Written by an insurance agent for sure lol
Anonymous ******************
Traveling with no insurance is crazy. You're lucky, imagine if you would've been in a road accident. Also something you can't ignore in Thailand. Could land you in big trouble, both physically and financially.
Anonymous ******************
Double check with your us insurance, maybe it covers emergencies abroad
Chris *********
🥱
Qi ********
You forgot the seasonal open burning with ashes flying everywhere - it will get you too in respiratory problems. Insurance is non-negotiable.
Brad *********
Get a quote from Luma Travel or expat insurance. Prices vary by age but they are a regional insurer so many facilities are familiar with them and at least on their travel insurance plans they say they direct pay anything over $1k USD.
DTV_Be*******
Stay away from HISO hospitals and clinics use Thai govt hospitals the price difference is huge
Good luck
Good luck
Sheila *****
My US health insurance covered an emergency hospital visit.
While I was on a short trip.
I went to Bumrungrad in Bangkok.
The paperwork they gave me was easy to submit to my US based health insurance to refund me.
My travel insurance covered everything else outside the hospital visit as your US based health insurance is considered your primary.
Pay everything with the same credit card so you can easily track all the expenses.
And yes
Always get insurance coverage
Make sure to have health insurance, travel insurance anytime you are outside of where your primary insurance coverage is etc
I also keep an annual plan with a medical evacuation company
So in case need arises I can always be medically transported via medical transport plane to hospital at home country etc
While I was on a short trip.
I went to Bumrungrad in Bangkok.
The paperwork they gave me was easy to submit to my US based health insurance to refund me.
My travel insurance covered everything else outside the hospital visit as your US based health insurance is considered your primary.
Pay everything with the same credit card so you can easily track all the expenses.
And yes
Always get insurance coverage
Make sure to have health insurance, travel insurance anytime you are outside of where your primary insurance coverage is etc
I also keep an annual plan with a medical evacuation company
So in case need arises I can always be medically transported via medical transport plane to hospital at home country etc
Paul *********
Always make sure I’m insured even though I’m insured with Amex it covers only 183 days so it runs out half way here as it starts mid year so I just get covered now for each trip as it’s cheaper to get cover from home
Toni *******
@Paul ********
i had amex platinum years ago, if I remember correct their policy insisted that your trip is a roundtrip within those days, if you go with oneway flight and something happens (even within the 183days) its not covered? Same in my Finnish credit cardsPaul *********
@Toni ******
always book round trips it’s cheaper even if I’m here 6 monthsReply to
Paul *********
Reply
Robin *********
Not having health insurance is an American thing I never understood
Stefan ********
@Robin ********
This isn't an American thing. 99% of travelers/expats I talked to have no insurance for different reasons, expensive, waste of money etc etc. I personally wouldn't even consider it but hey.1200 euros a year standard price. This is also what I pay, but it's very cheap compared to what a hospital can charge patients for a treatment/procedure
Robin *********
@Stefan *******
99% ? must be a special kind of people you hang around with 😉 No seriously, that number seems a bit high to me. I only know a few who are that irresponsable. I am no friend of insurances, but health should be protected.Stefan ********
@Robin ********
I don't hang around much lol, but I used to (or when I still do, sometimes) and that conversation comes up, people don't have insurance.Ok, that number is high but I'm sure the reality isn't low either haha
Reply to
Stefan ********
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Anton ********************
@Robin ********
the prices of a insurance in the US is like a monthly wage in EuropeRobin *********
@Anton *******************
Doubt it is more than the 1200€ I payAnton ********************
@Robin ********
1200€ for a year? That’s darn expensive.Reply to
Anton ********************
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Anonymous ******************
Stop spreading negative and false information about Isaan! Thank you
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTERAnonymous participant 838 I love Isaan. Been coming here long time, beautiful. But not the safest place. Many many drunk drivers, mixed with super dark front widow tinting and rain. Not the safest combination. And zero building codes.
Reply to
Anonymous *************
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Todd *********
PAy as you go is very reasonable in Thailand.
Successful***********
@Todd ********
details please?Richie-Rich ********
SuccessfullinMalaysia I paid £9000 for my appendix removal. Eugh.
Todd *********
SuccessfullinMalaysia you simply pay cash/card for the services
Allan ******
@Todd ********
a good theory until something serious happens.Todd *********
@Allan *****
a great theory for anyone who has money and is healthyAllan ******
@Todd ********
until something serious happens. I think the people that have money have insurance.Todd *********
@Allan *****
you think wrongReply to
Todd *********
Reply
Anonymous ******************
I recommend genki.world for insurance.
On boarding is the most straightforward and its a true nomad insurance where you can nominate your home country (recommended that its one where you have government insurance as they only cover 90 days in your "home")
On boarding is the most straightforward and its a true nomad insurance where you can nominate your home country (recommended that its one where you have government insurance as they only cover 90 days in your "home")
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant 892 I've had Genki for almost a year. It has great coverage BUT be aware if it is not a hospitalization, you need to pay out of pocket and it will take around 2 months to be repaid. Just make sure you have disposable income you can forget for awhile. Also it's quite expensive. I would only suggest it to really nomadic people. If you are in a country long enough, go local, don't go Genki.
Anonymous ******************
Genki is a nomad insurance which supports every single country except 90 days for the country you designate as home - where you must take out a local plan or use national insurance
Reply to
Anonymous ******************
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Andrew ********
Ok anonymous
Derek *****
Also, regular accident insurance is pretty cheap. Check roojai.com
Anonymous ******************
@Derek ****
can you use this with DTV? I tried AIA and was told I needed a work permitDerek *****
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- this is the accident insurance I went with.
Derek *****
I have a policy without a work permit — and filed a claim once for when I needed to get stitches. I’ve never looked into the fine print but I have not had any issues yet. I also use them for motorcycle insurance too and nothing but great things from other foreigners
Thomas *********
Anonymous participant 966 following!
Reply to
Thomas *********
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Derek *****
That’s sucks - hope it’s not too bad. Go to a public hospital if you need to save some cash —it won’t cost much if it’s just a cast needed and no surgery. Stay safe!
Anonymous ******************
School boy error get correct insurance before you travel also it will cost you now as you have a injury and have to inform insurance company or any insurance is void
Reply to
Anonymous ******************
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