Answered4 months ago
What are the options for retirement visas and health insurance for expats with pre-existing conditions in Thailand?
I’m thinking about moving to Thailand permanently when I retire at 64. (From Sweden)
I have some pre-existing health issues in my medical history, so I’m trying to get a better understanding of retirement visas and health insurance options for expats in my situation.
Has anyone gone through this process themselves, or can recommend a trustworthy agency that specializes in retirement visas and insurance for retirees?
I have some pre-existing health issues in my medical history, so I’m trying to get a better understanding of retirement visas and health insurance options for expats in my situation.
Has anyone gone through this process themselves, or can recommend a trustworthy agency that specializes in retirement visas and insurance for retirees?
Answer summary
The discussion revolves around retiring in Thailand at 64, with a focus on health insurance options for expats who have pre-existing medical conditions. Several comments highlight the lack of mandatory health insurance for retirement visas (specifically the 90-day Non-O visa), but warn that local Thai insurance often excludes pre-existing conditions. Many suggest that retirees should have sufficient savings to cover medical costs, as finding comprehensive insurance may be challenging and expensive. Recommendations for insurance brokers and options for local and international insurance are shared, along with varying personal experiences regarding healthcare in Thailand.
21 repliesnewest first
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Steve ********
Don't listen to these wusssys! Just do it! You'll figure things out!
Øystein *******
I had insurance with exceptions for my existing issues. Roojai handled it
Ian ********
Read on another forum about guy with bad back paying
*****
0 a year insurance so god knows what it would cost for a serious medical issueKevin ************
I would not retire there without insurance. The government hospitals are not great, with long waiting times. The private hospitals are fantastic. I have a friend who is 68 years old who has just retired there. He is in remission for liver cancer. He got insurance from a broker in Bangkok which basically covers emergency situations. Not much more than he was paying in Australia. He is planning to return to Australia get a check up for his cancer issues once a year. I would suggest contacting different insurance brokers, explain your needs, and see what suits you.
John ***********
Kevin Ganzevoort Hi. Do you have the name of the insurance company your friend uses? Thanks.
Kevin ************
John Nørremark here’s a copy of the message my friend sent me. Hope it helps.
I'm with AXA Global Health. I had a broker look for me and he said that with my pre-existing conditions it would be difficult to get any cover at all. He sourced an AXA policy that does not cover pre-existing but has good emergency and other coverage. It is expensive but, mine is $405 AUD a month. I took it on but if I find anything cheaper with good cover I will switch. Hopefully easier to switch having cover already. The $405 monthly is cheapest with them and that is with a US $3000 annual excess. So it really is mostly only good for emergency and serious stuff.
I'm with AXA Global Health. I had a broker look for me and he said that with my pre-existing conditions it would be difficult to get any cover at all. He sourced an AXA policy that does not cover pre-existing but has good emergency and other coverage. It is expensive but, mine is $405 AUD a month. I took it on but if I find anything cheaper with good cover I will switch. Hopefully easier to switch having cover already. The $405 monthly is cheapest with them and that is with a US $3000 annual excess. So it really is mostly only good for emergency and serious stuff.
John ***********
Kevin Ganzevoort Thanks ❤️
Kevin ************
John Nørremark I’ve messaged my friend. Will let you know when he gets back to me.
BC ********
Kevin Ganzevoort For some people (like me) it's no problem to retire here without insurance !
All depends on your situation (financials,..) which is different for each of us.
All depends on your situation (financials,..) which is different for each of us.
Kevin ************
BC Farang ok if you can pay the hospital up front. My wife has family members that have had to use the government hospital in Buriram and a 10 hour wait is pretty much the norm. Wouldn’t like to do that with a heart issue.Went to a government hospital myself in Pattaya with an abscess and after a 2 hour wait with no end in sight went to a private hospital.Paid up front, and got sorted straight away.
Paulccfc **********
Health is going to cost you
Turquoise*********
Contact " Thai legal protection" they're very good
Christer *****
You could consider not "checking out" from sweden. Go back if the condition needs treatment.
Jim *******
That is where I am, 67. Spending in Thai 6 months a year, no health insurance with those criminals. If something ever happense to me (no accidents), something like diagnozed with like diabetes, 5 hours flight to Japan where I have their national free health insurance and every clinic in Japan is like Bumrungrad, even better.
Charoen *******
There is no insurance for you in Thailand with pre existing condition. At 64 you would be too old for any decent insurance even if you were in perfect health.
Robert ********
At 64 with pre existing you are going to pay enormous prices and have problems with getting reimbursed for procedures. Prepare to have money saved for future issues or lose visa when they take your bank account.
Jan ************
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Gregor **********
there is no mandatory health insurance if you retire in Thailand and start this on a 90-days Non-Imm-O Retirement Visa and the subsequent 12-months extension of the stay permit. And local Thai health insurances will always exclude existing pre-conditions, so forget about it - no Thai insurance will pay in case of need, regardless what any agent or broker is trying to tell and promise you. They only want your money. Forget it. Best thing for you is have 3 million Baht in your bank account and self-insure. For small stuff you can use government hospitals, they are cheap
Ricky ********
Best speak to a broker like Pacific Prime
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Sukanya ***********
You can get local insurance (which is cheaper) when you are in Thailand. You can research the company you like and contact the agent who provides you with information for your benefit. Make sure the agent is good with you not just before the sale, but also afterward.
John **********
If you get the 90 day Non-O visa before you travel to Thailand you can then open a bank account when you arrive, deposit a minimum of 800k baht which must season for 2 months before you can apply for a 12 month extension of stay. This option doesn't require any insurance.
If you feel you nevertheless want insurance it's going to be easier to source it inside Thailand. Talk to a good insurance agent, rather than directly to the insurance company, and they will guide you through the best options for you. Amount of cover versus cost and so on but pre existing conditions are unlikely to be covered.
If you feel you nevertheless want insurance it's going to be easier to source it inside Thailand. Talk to a good insurance agent, rather than directly to the insurance company, and they will guide you through the best options for you. Amount of cover versus cost and so on but pre existing conditions are unlikely to be covered.
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