Londoner Posted February 9 Posted February 9 Has anyone any recommendations regarding full health insurance for expats in Thailand? Quote
Members sydneyboy1 Posted February 10 Members Posted February 10 I have asked this question of a few ex pats I have met in Thailand. Virtually all have pre existing conditions that make health insurance unattainable. They are relying on savings to get them through a health crisis and just hoping for the best. Londoner 1 Quote
TMax Posted February 10 Posted February 10 Have no idea really but was looking once before in case I moved over there and my search brought up Pacific Cross, can't say what they're like or even if they're any good but they mention pre existing and the fact they cover people over 60. Could be worth a read at least. Pacific Cross health insurance daydreamer, Londoner and khaolakguy 3 Quote
Travelingguy Posted February 10 Posted February 10 I wonder what @bkkmfj2648 would say about this question. Quote
Patanawet Posted February 10 Posted February 10 6 hours ago, sydneyboy1 said: I have asked this question of a few ex pats I have met in Thailand. Virtually all have pre existing conditions that make health insurance unattainable. They are relying on savings to get them through a health crisis and just hoping for the best. There are many brokers advertising on Facebook in Thailand for people with pre- conditions AND up to the age of 100 years. I was close to using one (WRLife) when I chickened out at the last moment because I couldn't find any reports of how they responded to actual claims. That may be due to my lack of Googling enough. The one I looked at fairly closely was WRLife. They have brokers in Pattaya. I think (from memory) they had schemes from as low as 7K Baht per month. Just mention on Facebook that you are looking for health insurance in Thailand and their algorithm will maybe flood you with ads. Londoner and TMax 2 Quote
Londoner Posted February 10 Author Posted February 10 Thanks guys; a difficult question. I need advice and I am being quoted $1300 pm for full coverage. I have the usual elderly man problems but have yet to be asked to list them. I cannot forget my American buddy whose US insurance let him down when he was being treated for cancer. He died in squalid conditions without proper treatment in a public ward. Ruthrieston and kokopelli3 2 Quote
Members Popular Post sydneyboy1 Posted February 10 Members Popular Post Posted February 10 2 hours ago, Patanawet said: There are many brokers advertising on Facebook in Thailand for people with pre- conditions AND up to the age of 100 years. I was close to using one (WRLife) when I chickened out at the last moment because I couldn't find any reports of how they responded to actual claims. That may be due to my lack of Googling enough. The one I looked at fairly closely was WRLife. They have brokers in Pattaya. I think (from memory) they had schemes from as low as 7K Baht per month. Just mention on Facebook that you are looking for health insurance in Thailand and their algorithm will maybe flood you with ads. The problem with insurance of any kind is that you hope you will never need it but only find out how good a company is when you make a claim that you wish never happened. The great conundrum with insurance. Patanawet, daydreamer, Ruthrieston and 3 others 6 Quote
Popular Post MaxBKK Posted February 10 Popular Post Posted February 10 In my opinion, the health insurance industry is regulated to heavily favor industry rather than consumers. If you are older and retired, it's probably best to plan on self insuring. There are also very good government hospitals that offer after hours clinics for very reasonable prices. In essence, they function like a private hospital during evening hours. Ramathibodi and Chula are good examples of this. I'm registered and seek health care at both places. Not difficult to do...and a good deal. vinapu, Londoner, Patanawet and 2 others 5 Quote
EricV Posted February 11 Posted February 11 Do a search for "global expat health insurance" - there are a number of large insurance companies offering health care coverage globally. I don't know your age or health, but the quotes I saw were a fraction of $1,300/mth when excluding USA... Londoner and TMax 2 Quote
Marc308 Posted February 11 Posted February 11 19 hours ago, Londoner said: I cannot forget my American buddy whose US insurance let him down when he was being treated for cancer. He died in squalid conditions without proper treatment in a public ward. I similarly had a British buddy (Peter P) whose end-of-life health bills outraced his British pension and savings quite rapidly. He was quite fine when he came to LOS years ago with a high GPB exchange rate and a reasonable British pension but both of those eroded rapidly. In Peter's case the hospital was actively trying to kick him out as he was dying. Self-insuring is the best (and perhaps only viable option) if you are 70+ 75+ 80+ but always remember that end-of-life care is getting more and more expensive in all countries, including Thailand. Londoner 1 Quote
bkkmfj2648 Posted February 11 Posted February 11 On 2/10/2025 at 10:57 AM, Travelingguy said: I wonder what @bkkmfj2648 would say about this question. I am not sure that I can help much, as I am a VERY lucky soul, as my former employer offered us (after 10 years of loyal service) life long Global health insurance (currently with Cigna), where 50% of the monthly premium is paid for by my former employer and and I pay the remaining 50% of the premium which is deducted from my monthly pension. The premium is reassessed once a year with a new adjusted rate that is set at the beginning of each new calendar year. I am an avid follower of the Tim Newton Today (TNT) YouTube channel and he often posts information about health insurance. In the below video, Tim interviews, Max from Bcare Brokers in Thailand. I am not affiliated with Tim or BCare brokers - I am just providing a response to the question asked. Consequently, I cannot vouch for this insurance company. Note in years past, Tim has also interviewed someone from Pacific Cross. If you check his YouTube channel BLOG history you can find it. TMax, colmx and khaolakguy 3 Quote
zombie Posted February 11 Posted February 11 Many variables though Allianz Ayudhya worth doing some research on. Been with them for many years. I have studied other companies and Allianz is possibly the best available in Thailand. Beware of ads by brokers saying cheap prices. However one broker firm that is first rate : Pacific Prime Consultants. No extra charge using them and believe me they are excellent. Londoner 1 Quote
Londoner Posted February 11 Author Posted February 11 Yes, I've just received a helpful report from Pacific relating possible deals. I note that other emails to Thailand relating to my proposed relocation have not received prompt replies. In fact I found that in four cases this morning, websites contained non-operative email addresses. I thought it was good business practice to keep websites up-to-date. Thus, four Pattaya companies have thereby lost my custom in one morning. Surprising; I'm not making the move "on the cheap"; I'd have thought that I'd be a valued customer. TMax 1 Quote
colmx Posted February 11 Posted February 11 @Londoner if you are on Facebook, suggest that you join and post on the Pattaya Expats Club group there. There are lots of active brokers/agents on that board who will provide you with a quick turnaround of quotes Robert Jackson in particular is one i often see being praised in comments Patanawet and bkkmfj2648 2 Quote
Popular Post Gaybutton Posted February 12 Popular Post Posted February 12 I have been with Cigna Global for years. They offer many different options and their prices are quite reasonable. One of the things I like best is they pay the hospital directly, which means I don't have to pay first and then wait for a reimbursement. The only out-of-pocket expense I ever have is paying the deductible. Also, there is no cut-off age. As long as you pay the premiums they will insure you for life no matter how old you get. In my case I have it set up to pay my premiums quarterly and they simply deduct the amount from my Thai bank account. They have always paid without any problems at all and have never rejected payment. Too many insurance companies try to get out of paying or prolong it as long as they can. Nothing like that happens with CIgna. They will insure you anywhere in the world except your home country, so it's best if you don't spend much time in your home country. It is, after all, expat insurance. As for pre-existing conditions, they might refuse to insure, but that is rare. They will more likely give you a more expensive premium or your pre-existing condition will be an exclusion. In my case, the only exclusion is anything resulting from high blood pressure. I don't know why they made than an exclusion. but I have no objection. I do not, and have never had, a high blood pressure problem. Don't try to hide or lie about any pre-existing conditions. Insurance companies have their ways of finding out. I urge anyone looking for expat health insurance to check with Cigna before committing to anything else. https://www.cignaglobal.com/ Patanawet, khaolakguy, TMax and 2 others 4 1 Quote
Londoner Posted February 12 Author Posted February 12 Thanks; yes, Cigna is one of the two that I am looking at. I particularly appreciate the provision of a private room if admitted to hospital. TMax 1 Quote
Gaybutton Posted February 12 Posted February 12 1 hour ago, Londoner said: I particularly appreciate the provision of a private room if admitted to hospital. There are no problems about a private room at Bangkok-Pattaya Hospital. All of their rooms are private rooms, and that hospital is on Cigna's preferred list.. I once had a stay at Bumrungrad hospital in Bangkok. That room was also a private room and it too is on Cigna's preferred list. TMax and Londoner 2 Quote
