Answered3 years ago
What is the average cost of health insurance for expats living in Thailand on a retirement visa?
Can someone tell me approximately how much it costs for health insurance per year to live in Thailand on a retirement visa? Thanks.
Answer summary
The cost of health insurance in Thailand for expats, particularly those on a retirement visa (NON-O), can vary significantly based on factors such as age, type of coverage, and specific health needs. Generally, quotes range from around 26,000 THB to over 250,000 THB per year. Although health insurance is not mandatory for NON-O visa holders, it is recommended for those concerned about potential high medical expenses, especially in case of major accidents or serious health issues. Among the suggested providers are Pacific Cross and AXA, with options for large deductibles to lower premiums. Many expats have shared personal experiences regarding costs and coverage, indicating that negotiations on quotes are common, and pricing can often be improved over time.
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Stephen ************
26,000 baht for 1 year
Must be in Thailand to purchase
I checked all the exclusions and it’s a great policy
Do get ripped off by highly polished sales people
Must be in Thailand to purchase
I checked all the exclusions and it’s a great policy
Do get ripped off by highly polished sales people
David *********
Depending on coverage and your age it can range from 40,000 THB to over 250,000 THB per year
Stephen ************
Talk to Alex
Mentioned my name and he will take care of you…. Nothing in it for me but he was a great guy to deal with
Happy to help 👍
Mentioned my name and he will take care of you…. Nothing in it for me but he was a great guy to deal with
Happy to help 👍
Steve **********
@Stephen ***********
haha. Referrals always carry a commission.Otherwise the " mention my name "....ching- ching
Stephen ************
@Steve *********
you still here you clown I thought you were told to jog on 😴What are you better known as by the neighbours the
“Village Idiot” 😂😂😂
Steve **********
@Stephen ***********
Just resent predators scaring people into buying insurance they don't NEED, for commissions you WANT.Stephen ************
@Steve *********
Who rattled your cage??You have some serious issues
Reckon you could cause an argument with your own shadow 😂😂 jog on !
Steve **********
@David ********
I haven't spent 40,000 out of pocket in 20 years. A typ visit (Dr, test, meds) 500 to 800 baht
Stephen ************
@Steve *********
Just when your minding your own business walking down a street and an uninsured drunk Thai driver runs into youYou can not sue him he has no money and your in a serious bad way in hospital
I would add a few 0000’s onto the 800 baht
Then you might just wake up and smell the coffee 😂😂😂
Stephen ************
Steve **********
@Stephen ***********
the typical ( even the the atypical ) insurance salesman, carries in his pocket the " but what if, remember the flood of Noah ", or " that meteor on the news ", simply wants his commission.Stephen ************
@Steve *********
Oh well…. Good luck walking on the sidewalk 🙏Steve **********
Stephen Hunt-Leigh yes and a meteor 'may' fall insurance company fine print and ambiguity on previous conditions tie up insured at there expense for years until the insures interst are no longer cost effective.
Many movies and books written. Insur Co's are like banks....you Pay. They don't.
Bigest cultpret is Met- Life.
Many movies and books written. Insur Co's are like banks....you Pay. They don't.
Bigest cultpret is Met- Life.
David *********
@Steve *********
The person wanted to know the cost of medical insurance for a year. Not what you my spend yourself without insurance. Read the previous request which I answeredSteve **********
@David ********
yes I was disputing cost, rather than disillusion. Insur Co's are a scam in a country with such good and inexpensive care
Sharron *******
Iam 76 I am sure it will be harder to get any insurance I am afraid?
Stephen ************
@David ********
Or depending how vulnerable you are to being ripped offI got my policy for 26,000 baht (I’m 66 yrs young)and the coverage was excellent compared to more expensive policies
And yes I did check the exclusions and nothing was relevant
Tom *******
@Stephen ***********
who’s your insurers if you don’t mind me asking? I’m looking to buy one soon as I approach my 60th birthday. TIA.
Christopher ***********
Many ex-pats who are entitled to free healthcare in their home Countries have no healthcare plan. They believe they could always return home for treatment. However, that isn’t always possible if involved in a serious accident or suffer a stroke for example. Don’t forget there is such thing as Personal Accident Insurance and, of course, motor insurance would pay for your hospital treatment in the case of a Road Traffic Accident.
Steve **********
@Christopher **********
you sound like an insurance salesmanBeen here 20 years know many expats...most 'out of pocket'...big accident, you get thai rate..but haven't heard of any, other than salesman looking for commission's.
This isn't US, don't get sucked in by insur agents driving better cars and declaring everything a pre existing cond.
Their line is:
.
Ya, but what if ??
Christopher ***********
@Steve *********
I know what you mean Steve! I have no cover because I was diagnosed with and received treatment for raised blood pressure in 1986. I don’t drive/ride and leave that to the Mrs. If I could, I would take the advice of Marty Pollard and cover the big risks only and reduce my premium via large excess/deductible.
Patrick ********
Steve **********
@Christopher **********
have had high BP fir decades, as has anyone over 60. Take OTC pills that control easily. Meditation works wonders.Dont know if HBP termed a pre- existing cond.
Have great relationship w/ hosp and Dr.
Have real conditions, but go monthly for Testo, abd B-12 inj. Could do myself but the 500 baht keeps me on terms with Dr. Once a year a blood test and ECG..about 1000 baht.
Any insur Co would claim BP or having had ECG implied pre-existing, to fight you need a lawyer etc.
Keep it simple. Stress causes 90% of ailments
Have no idea who Marty Polard is ?
Stephen ************
I bought one in Thailand just 3 weeks ago for 26,000 baht for 1 year.
The same company initially quoted 72,000 baht but after 1 month offered the same policy with the same insurance provider for 46,000 baht cheaper
Morale of the story don’t take the 1st price just keep telling them your still interested and ready to buy 😂😂
The same company initially quoted 72,000 baht but after 1 month offered the same policy with the same insurance provider for 46,000 baht cheaper
Morale of the story don’t take the 1st price just keep telling them your still interested and ready to buy 😂😂
Steve **********
@Stephen ***********
it tell you how much they make in comm, and how few Thai hospitals honor them. If they do, they just raise price, then deduct.'Insur co's provide NO med service', just collect your money for their needs.
Go to the med provider and talk, negotiate, befriend....this is Thailand
Steve **********
@Stephen ***********
read it carefully..see what's covered. Excluded, ask you Dr for real price .* how long is a piece of string ?
Marty *********
You’ve already been advised that you don’t need health insurance if you retire here on an O visa. I do have an insurance strategy though. I bought a 10 million baht policy from Pacific Cross with a 40,000 baht deductible. Health care is really inexpensive here and I have never spent as much as 40,000 baht in a year. A large deductible lowers the rate and I am getting an additional discount for not having made any claims. The insurance is there for a big health event such as an auto accident or a heart attack or whatever.
Anthony ****
@Marty ********
did you consider other insurance companies that were a close second etc before going with pacific cross? ThxMarty *********
@Anthony ***
I watched a video of someone else that compared companies and and I chose Pacific Cross. I start the policy in 2018 and it was my first time buying insurance in over 30 years. I can’t say I am a sophisticated buyer. There are too many variables for each person to recommend a specific policy. As for the integrity of the company, there will always be people the love or hate a particular company. I have never made a claim so I can’t report on that except to say that I am getting a discount of about 20,000 baht for not having made a claim.
Mike ******
@Marty ********
the secret is when you make a claim..you get discounts now..but what happens after a claim...50% in increase..please tell me..I do not no..
Mark *********
@Marty ********
Smart. My way of thinking too.Steve **********
Gave you my views.
Many insurance agents out there....all doing what insur agents do .
Many insurance agents out there....all doing what insur agents do .
Wyn **********
Watch they tell you outpatient cover 1500 a day but their deductable is 300,000 annoying.
Steve **********
@Wyn *********
who is the proverbial " they " .Every one says " they " tell you ?
Get the facts !, you have a cell....goggle
Steve **********
@Wyn *********
depends totally on hospital. Never heard of 300k deductible.Chiangmai has wonderful hospitals. But way of life...few need.
Wyn **********
@Steve *********
Many of the big insurance companies have deductibles from *****
to 1million baht but it's your choice.👍Wyn **********
@Steve *********
NopeSteve **********
@Wyn *********
sounds like you sell insur.Steve **********
Been here 20 years, spent less in ' out of pocket ' in that charged for 1 month payment
Get to know Dr.
90% of meds are OTC
Obviously if you have a serious condition, in which case ' pre exist cond apply ' fix before coming.
Diet, weather, lack of stress will add ten years to your life
Get to know Dr.
90% of meds are OTC
Obviously if you have a serious condition, in which case ' pre exist cond apply ' fix before coming.
Diet, weather, lack of stress will add ten years to your life
Steve **********
If you have Google, a good Pharmacist, and a Dr you can ask advice from.....your all set.
I don't pay attention to ailments, as stress escalates them. mai - pen - rai.
' The nicest thing about old age is:
It doesn't last long ! '
I don't pay attention to ailments, as stress escalates them. mai - pen - rai.
' The nicest thing about old age is:
It doesn't last long ! '
Danny *******
@Steve *********
How do you ‘fix’ a preexisting condition?Steve **********
@Danny ******
if it a pre existing, it means it hasn't been addressed , address it !You didn't say permanent condition.
Steve **********
@Danny ******
check your hearingDanny *******
@Steve *********
You don’t sound like you do.Steve **********
Danny *******
@Steve *********
Pre existing means a condition you’ve had before and could possibly have again. Think chronic conditions not broken bones. Arthritis, heart issues, diabetes, cancer that you recovered from, etc, Have you never had to deal with this on a health insurance level? It’s quite common.Steve **********
@Danny ******
if doesn't hinder mobility. Learn to live with....many doIf preexisting. ie: need bypass, or stint. Fix before coming.
Chizel *******
@Danny ******
there may be some coverage on previous injuries etc looks like it depends on timing of everything. From Pacific Cross;"A pre-existing condition means any medical condition (including conditions that are a consequence of the said condition), which presents signs or symptoms in a period of 5 years prior to the first policy effective date that would cause a reasonable person to seek diagnosis, care or treatment, or for which diagnosis, care or treatment was given before the policy effective date."
Danny *******
@Steve *********
Right. I've been here 15 years, but they won't even cover a sinus infection because I've had some in the past (who hasn't). I had RA some 40 years ago and have been in remission ever since ... nope not cover any arthritis. I have a thyroid goiter, non-cancerous and biopsied several times. Nothing from it for 25 years ... nope can't cover any thyroid issues. The insurance is worthless unless i get a brain tumor.Steve **********
@Danny ******
yes.. if you have a serious health issue. Your better staying home.Many friends here have had hip and knee replacements done here, but if internal....?
Danny *******
@Steve *********
That’s my point. It can’t be fixed to the point of covered by insurance. You are screwed if you can’t pay out of pocket. I usually can by I had to have a pacemaker while in the US this year. Medicare paid $80,000! Pacific Cross would have paid nothing since I had a Afib condition on my records that had never caused a problem or required any treatment in the past. My good luck I was in the States.Steve **********
@Danny ******
agree. All ( most ) men over 50 have elevated BP. It's for that reason most insur co's have no problem with calling everything as related to it. Therefore pre existing.I pay as I go. My bp meds are about 200 bah baht. a month, B-12 and testo shots are 500 total.
Haven't needed anything else in 20 years.
Do get blood test and ECG yearly..but never a problem.
Thai Insur Marketing now approaching US intensity......foolishness, even my Dr shakes his head.
Danny *******
@Steve *********
Doesn’t matter. If you had a heart issue in the past it will be considered a preexisting condition and not covered by most insurer in Thailand. I know from personal experience. I have Pacific Cross and anything I ever had was considered preexisting and excluded.
Steve ********
@Steve *********
Don't know so much about the diet! Much Thai food is very unhealthy, especially fried street food with added sugar served with white rice. Diabetes II here we come!Steve **********
@Steve *******
Io find diet great, lost all extra weight, excersize, no stress.If you don't like Thai food. Why retire here.
Yes plenty of farang food, but it's making Thais UN- healthy.
Alain ********
@Andrew ******
like beverages sold in the 7Eleven: they have a very high sugar rate.... more than European beverages
Andrew *******
@Steve *********
diabetes is increasing in all se Asian countries ....possibly because they are consuming more sugar and eating western foodSteve ********
@Steve *********
Stop kidding yourself******************************************************
*****
266/#:~:text=Like%20other%20countries%20in%20the,rates%2C%20and%20an%20aging%20society.Steve **********
Steve ********
@Steve *********
Who said I don't like Thai food? Perhaps read what I said before flapping your gums and then tell me why diabetes II is so prevalent amongst Thai people
Graham *******
A quote from last year with copay, can be used for comparison, need to get accurate quote!
Remy ********
Hi Graham, excellent, and a good start; what was the age indicated for this quotation pls?
Graham *******
Remy ********
@Graham ******
, thank you very much👍
Johan ********
Not mandatory for Non-O retirement. Rates depends on age and coverage.
This site compares many plans:
Check WR Life also.
This site compares many plans:
*********************************************
Check WR Life also.
Graham *******
@Johan *******
I used your link, my opinion is that these quotes are far, far, far to low!
Fernando ********
@Johan *******
Health Insurance is a requirement if applying for Non-O visa from AustraliaJohan ********
@Fernando *******
Not mandatory if you apply when you come here.
Todd *********
@Fernando *******
then better off with O-X or LTR.
Rob **********
It depends on so many things if you are a bit more specific you might get some better answers. You can try AXA or Pacific Cross for starters, but way to many variables to answer a generic question.
Julie ******
OP@Rob *********
sorry. I thought it was mandatory to move there. I guess the basic cover that will allow me to move there.Rob **********
@Julie *****
health insurance is mandatory if you are on a OA visa, but otherwise it is entirely up to you, but I would recommend you do. Again any cover you choose would be based on your age, preexisting conditions, deductible, what level you require, your budget etc.
Jeffrey ************
Too many variables....
Neil *********
Julie it depends on a lot of factors including your budget and the type you want.
Neil *********
It’s ok if you want dm me I’ll look into for you. I’m a U.K. financial advisor who lives and works here in Bangkok
Julie ******
OP@Neil ********
ok thanks.Neil *********
@Julie *****
no problem it can be a minefield I know lolJulie ******
OP@Neil ********
I thought it was required to move thereRob **********
@Julie *****
only required if you are on a OA visa, otherwise not mandatory but highly recommended.Neil *********
@Julie *****
yes but the costs on which provider you choose vary depending what type of policy you require. A cheap one or an international comprehensive one etcJulie ******
OP@Neil ********
ok what would I be looking at with the two different ones. Sorry for being so vague but I’m not sure what the requirements are.Activity
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