What types of Health Insurances are Available in Thailand

Check out a list of the different types of health insurance available in Thailand.

What health insurance is available In Thailand?

As an expat in Thailand, having health insurance means you can access high-quality medical care across the country, whether it be a public or private health facility. Numerous health insurance types are available in Thailand to suit your needs. Understanding the different types is important so you can choose the right one for you. To help you with your research, we have compiled seven of the most common types of health insurance for expats in Thailand.

Key Points

  • Health insurance can help you manage your healthcare needs and their costs.
  • Health Insurance provides a wide variety of health-related benefits tailored to you, your family, or even your employees.
  • 7 types of health insurance types are available in Thailand to suit your needs.

Maternity Health Insurance

Maternity health insurance is a form of health insurance that covers all costs associated with pregnancy. It can be purchased separately or as an additional add-on to existing health insurance policies. Pre and post-hospitalisation coverage is also offered by maternity health insurance. It covers the costs of treatment for babies born through normal or caesarean birth, consultations with doctors, surgeon fees, and room and nursing expenses.

While pregnancy can be a beautiful moment in a woman’s life, it comes with many challenges. With maternity health insurance, you can be at ease during your pregnancy, knowing that you are fully protected against any unwanted conditions and that you can welcome your baby into the world with as minimal worries as possible. Below are some of the benefits you can enjoy by having maternity health insurance:

  • You don’t have to worry about any expenses that may incur during your pregnancy.
  • Maternity health insurance protects both the mother and the baby.
  • Assisted by the best staff in the insurance’s hospital network. You can have peace of mind knowing that you are in the hands of some of the best medical professionals in Thailand.

Family Health Insurance

Family health insurance is a type of health insurance that covers your whole family under a single policy. It provides coverage for two or more members of your family simultaneously and is usually customised to suit your family’s specific needs.

Family health insurance covers you in various situations, such as when you are hospitalised for treatment. The following are the coverages that most family health insurance policies offer:

  • Inpatient care coverage comes standard even with the lowest-cost health insurance policies.
  • Outpatient care coverage is typically provided by more expensive health insurance policies, but it may also be available as an add-on.
  • Coverage for regular health check-ups is also included, encompassing full health scans, PAP tests, prostate checks, and other early warning tests to ensure the safety of you and your family.
  • Eye care coverage, including accessories such as glasses, is also provided.

Understanding your medical insurance and health-care choices will provide you with the greatest peace of mind when you begin to discover Thailand’s beauty.

International Health Insurance

International health insurance is intended for individuals who will be living abroad for an extended period, whether for work, study, or even retirement. This type of insurance provides long-term, global medical coverage, enabling you to receive and continue your care from any location worldwide. It is similar to standard health insurance in that it includes both emergency and routine healthcare, but it specifically safeguards you while residing overseas. International health insurance typically covers the following:

  • Inpatient Hospitalisation: Should you require hospitalisation due to a major accident or illness, international health insurance will assist in covering your medical bills.
  • Routine Healthcare: This includes regular check-ups and treatments with general practitioners and specialists, such as ophthalmologists, gynaecologists, and dermatologists. You may also choose to upgrade the coverage to include routine dental treatment and/or maternity care.
  • Emergency Outpatient Treatment: Outpatient coverage encompasses medical tests and consultations that do not necessitate an overnight stay in hospital, such as blood tests, X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans. Smaller procedures are also covered.
  • Teleconsultation: Teleconsultations with a general practitioner or specialist in your preferred language are available, regardless of your location. This allows you the convenience of communicating with a healthcare professional from your own country.
  • Add-ons: You can tailor the coverage to suit your specific needs and include additional coverage if necessary. Dental check-ups, emergency dental treatment, and maternity-related care are some of the optional coverages available.

 

Health Insurance for Retirees

When you get older, it’s important to make sure you have enough medical coverage to cover any health-related uncertainties. Retiree health insurance policies will provide you with the best coverage for your conditions due to their flexible choices. However, some pre-existing conditions, such as diabetes and asthma are not covered by retiree health insurance.

Those who wish to spend their retirement years in Thailand using the non-immigrant visas O-A and O-X are required to have health insurance. People with these forms of visa are required by the Thai government to have health insurance with coverage amounts of 400,000 Baht for inpatient coverage (or IPD) and 40,000 Baht for outpatient coverage (OPD). Health insurance for retirees comes with a number of benefits that provide you with much-needed financial security, including:

  • Keeps You Financially Protected: As you age, your health risks increase, and medical costs can deplete your savings. With retiree health benefits, you won’t need to worry about the financial implications of illness or injury.
  • Allows You to Retire in Thailand: Anyone planning to retire in Thailand on a Non-Immigrant O-A or O-X visa must have adequate health insurance coverage. Our plans will help you meet the Thai government’s requirements, enabling you to enjoy your retirement years in the Land of Smiles.

Health insurance is a smart way to protect yourself from unexpected events like diseases and injuries which can occur at any time.

Mental Health Insurance

Mental health insurance covers inpatient, outpatient, and other types of care for individuals suffering from mental illnesses. Beyond covering claims, mental health insurance offers numerous advantages. Here are some reasons why you should consider purchasing mental health insurance:

  • Preventative Measures: With mental health insurance, you have quick access to healthcare and a wide variety of treatments from professionals such as physicians and counsellors.
  • Support Services: Most insurance companies provide customer service 24/7. This support can help address a variety of anxiety and stress-related issues, including relationship and financial concerns.
  • Affordable Therapy: Therapy can be expensive, which often prevents many people from accessing it. Mental health insurance can cover the costs of treatment, so you don’t have to pay out of pocket.
  • Rehabilitation Services: Some insurance providers may offer rehabilitation services, including access to rehabilitation teams and physical or mental guidance.
People signing for health insurance
PHOTO: Scott Graham, Unsplash

Group Health Insurance

Group health insurance covers a group of individuals, typically company employees or members of an organisation. Both community members and dependent family members, such as a partner, children, or parents, are usually covered. Members of a group health insurance contract often benefit from lower premium prices. Employers, on the other hand, can enjoy the following advantages:

  • Employee Retention: Your existing and prospective employees are more likely to remain with your company if you offer health insurance. In Thailand, it is an unwritten law that employers should provide health benefits to their employees. Potential employees are more inclined to work for a business that offers healthcare than one that does not.
  • Company Morale and Productivity: When employees are healthy, company morale improves, making it a more pleasant place to work. Employees who rely on the social security system for healthcare are less likely to visit the doctor, knowing it would be less troublesome compared to dealing with Social Security hospitals.
  • Tax Write-Offs: The cost of group health insurance is considered a business expense. Consequently, you can claim it as a tax deduction at the end of the year. This decreases your taxable revenue, thereby lowering your tax liability. For a corporate income tax rate of 20%, you’d effectively be saving 20% on your tax payments.
  • Tailored Healthcare: Designed to have the flexibility that a small or large company requires, group health insurance allows you to choose from a range of options to meet your needs and budget, in addition to providing a comprehensive package of healthcare benefits.

 

Self-Employed Health Insurance

Self-employed insurance is tailored to the needs of freelancers and other self-employed individuals. You have complete discretion over the types of cover you wish to include in your premium plan for self-employed health insurance. You can have peace of mind knowing that if anything unfortunate happens to you, whether it’s an accident or a serious illness, your policy will cover you even if you can’t work. Many freelancers and self-employed individuals are unaware of the value of self-employed health insurance. In fact, health insurance offers numerous benefits, including:

  • Access to Private Health Facilities and Treatment: With self-employed health insurance, you can use private health facilities and receive treatment at any time in Thailand. If you need medical attention, you can rest assured that you will receive some of the best care available in the world.
  • Shorter Waiting Times: You should not have to wait to receive the care you need. Self-employed health insurance allows you to get medical help quickly when needed.
  • Private Accommodation in a Clinic or Hospital in Thailand: Another advantage of having health insurance is access to private accommodation during hospital stays. Self-employed health insurance helps you save money by covering any medical costs you may incur while in Thailand. You won’t have to worry about medical procedures ruining your finances because your insurance will cover them.

Other Types of Health Insurance

Health Insurance Guides