What health insurance options are suitable for retirement in Thailand, particularly for the Non-O visa?

Apr 3, 2023
2 years ago
Stuart ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi , I'm planning retiring to Thailand early next year .I'm trying to choose some health insurance, WR life seems OK , but it's not on the list from Royal Thai immigration site. Would appreciate any feed back on health insurance for retirement visa .
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion revolves around choosing health insurance for retiring in Thailand. The original poster is looking into WR Life insurance but notes it's not listed on the Royal Thai immigration site. Several commenters shared their experiences with different insurance providers, including AIA, AXA, and Pacific Cross, addressing the necessity of health insurance based on the type of visa. It's clarified that health insurance is mandatory for the Non-O-A visa, while the Non-O visa typically doesn't require it, although having coverage is highly recommended. Recommendations for further information and policy comparisons were also provided.
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Rob **********
Health insurance is only compulsory when you are on the OA visa, you said in your previous posts that you will be applying for the Non O visa based on retirement, you do not need to show insurance for that visa, but it is always a good idea to have insurance anyway.
Rob **********
A few of my friends use AXA they say the policies and premiums are quite good. I use Pacific Cross, but I wouldn’t recommend them, but too late for me to change unfortunately.
Stuart ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you all for your comments , they've all been very helpful.

Thanks again .
Ian ********
Have a look on Mr Prakan for all your Thailand insurance requirements

You can compare policies and prices in it from the leading providers

*********************************
Lee ******
WR Life is the company I have. All claims paid promptly. Reasonable cost.
Peter *******
Most people get a non imm O not OA so no mandatory health insurance required. Which company to choose is a big question
Peter *******
@Lee *****
what claims?
Lee ******
@Peter ******
Wattanapat
Lee ******
@Peter ******
when I was in hospital they paid direct to hospital. My agent also called after to see how I was doing.
Peter *******
@Lee *****
Good feedback, what hospital accepted that? usually they want you to pay first
Peter ****************
What visa you are looking ? It's a bit early, so rules can change, but now you only have to have an health insurance for the Non imm. O-A visa as wel for it's year extensions. This can be a local insurance from your country.

After the (free) second year this visa can give you (leave and come back just before this original yearvisa expires) you also need a, normaly Thai, health insurance. There IS a Thai form, which your local insurance have to sign (most don't do) and also is not exepted at all Thai imm. offices if you want to use y'r local insurance. So if not possible, then you need a Thai insurance.

With the non imm. O visa (no "A" behind it) many times you only need health insurance for the initial 90 days of stay. Also that can be a local health insurance to get the visa at the Thai Embassy/consulate at your home country. Then when less than 30 days of stay left, you normaly ask for a year extension in Thailand at the imm. office where you live. Till now no health insurance is needed. Ofcourse it's very wise to buy one.

As a coincidence, after 4 years living in Thailand and having no health insurance (took the risk with money in the bank), I signed up for WR-Life. Untill now I did not read many bad stories, only positive. Because I entered originaly on a non imm. O, it is not mandatory to have one, so every one is okay. For year extensions on a non imm. O-A, think best to ask your imm. office in thailand which one they accept. Also only took the 'inpatient' insurance, because 'outpatient' is very cheap most of the times.

And, again ofcourse, I hope that I not have to use it for at least 10-15 years 😉

I hope you have an idea now. Good luck ! 🙏
Stuart ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Cheers, that's awesome, thanks , sounds like the non-O visa is the one to aim for. The tip on inpatient coverage is wirth investigation. Thanks heaps
Ian ************
Wife and I have AIA plan 3.

Both are in our 40s. We pay monthly. Yearly figures in the attached.

Underlaying health issues are normally where it becomes more complicated.
Stuart ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks Ian. I'm retiri

Thanks Ian. There's a list of approved insurances but I don't like any of them .
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