If you have relocated to Thailand, you may be confident that you will be adequately taken care of in the event of a medical emergency. This is because Thailand’s healthcare system and national health insurance are of high quality.
And, for individuals who prefer to avoid long waits and have access to more streamlined healthcare professionals, the private industry of Thai medical insurance is an alternative. This is not the same as Thailand travel insurance, which exclusively covers tourists for travel-related activities.
This essay will tell you about Thailand’s public and private healthcare programs, their coverage, benefits, and disadvantages.
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ToggleThailand Expat Health Insurance Options
There are different health insurance options for ex-pats in Thailand. However, these options depend on their residential status:
- Working foreigners in Thailand can get public health insurance. Expats working in Thailand are enlisted in the Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS), which offers free healthcare through payments collected from their pay.
- Private health insurance is the other option. Expats who are unemployed or prefer to get health care locally or internationally at private hospitals can obtain a private medical insurance plan. Expats who retire in Thailand will need to join a private insurance scheme or pay the price out of their own pockets. Insubuy or International Citizens Insurance can help you locate international health insurance for Thailand.
Thailand Public Health Insurance 2022
Employed ex-pats in Thailand get free public healthcare thanks to participation in the UCS (Universal Coverage Scheme ). In addition, all Thai employees (whether ex-pats or citizens) pay 5% of their wages into the Thai social security plan, which subsequently supports the public Thailand health insurance network.
When you participate in the public healthcare system as an ex-pat, you will be allocated to a hospital where you will get free medical care. However, if you want to go to another hospital or obtain private medical care, you will have to foot the bill personally.
What are the Benefits of Thailand Public Health Insurance?
Here are the benefits of public health insurance in Thailand:
- You do not need to pay if you receive medical treatment in your designated hospital. You only need to have your identification card and Social Security number with you.
- Because the doctors and hospital personnel in public hospitals are perfectly skilled, the medical services are of excellent quality.
- You are not required to pay anything more because your social security contributions compensate for it.
What are the Disadvantages of Thailand Public Health Insurance?
Here are the disadvantages of public health insurance in Thailand:
- Waiting periods can be long, and the hospitals can be busy, like in any public hospital, so expect a brief stay.
- Treatment is only available at the hospital to which you have been allocated. If they no longer work at your designated facility, you do not have insurance coverage for a medical checkup with a chosen doctor.
- If you leave your employment, you will lose access to free healthcare.
Thailand Private Health Insurance 2022
Ex-pats in Thailand who do not qualify for public health insurance or desire broader coverage can obtain private health insurance. If you purchase a Thailand private insurance plan, you will be able to seek treatment at any public or private hospital. Typically, you will have to pay for therapy upfront and request compensation.
When it comes to acquiring medical insurance in Thailand, there are two primary options:
- Buying a household plan. In this situation, your coverage is limited to Thai borders only, and you will not be covered for any medical emergency that occurs outside of Thailand.
- Purchasing a global health insurance policy. You will have health care in Thailand and other countries covered by your insurance, such as if you fly back to your home nation or go on vacation. International insurance for Thailand (also referred to as ex-pat medical insurance) may be purchased through insurance brokers like Insubuy or International Citizens Insurance, enabling you to compare numerous plans and businesses to choose one that meets your needs.
There is excellent private health care in Thailand. Thailand’s private hospitals, which resemble luxury hotels more than hospitals, make it a prime destination for medical tourism.
Furthermore, despite the excellent level of care, treatment in a Thailand private hospital is less expensive than in certain Western nations, such as the United States, contributing to increasing medical tourism in Thailand. Nonetheless, the cost of private medical treatment is far higher than that of public healthcare.
Private hospitals also feature faster wait times, superior equipment, and a more significant percentage of English-speaking physicians and employees.
What is Thailand’s Health Insurance Coverage?
In Thailand, your medical insurance plan coverage is determined by whether it is private or public. You will have extensive coverage for most medical treatments and prescription drugs under the public (social security) plan. However, you may pick and personalize the quantity of coverage you require with a private insurance plan.
What does Thai Public Health Insurance Cover?
Thailand’s national health insurance covers the following:
- Examination and treatment by a doctor
- Hospitalization
- Medication prescription
- Fees for ambulances
- Rehabilitation
- Promotion of Health
- Nursing assistance
- X-rays and lab work
It is entirely free if performed at the designated public hospital. You can seek care at another public hospital, pay in advance, and then be repaid by Social Security in an emergency.
In addition, your insurance will also cover your maternity and sick leave:
- For maternity leave, you will be paid 50% of your regular income for up to 90 days after giving birth. It only applies to your second pregnancy.
- In addition to your employer’s “sick days,” you will be paid 50% of your pay for up to 180 days of sick leave every year. This can be increased to 356 days in the case of a more severe sickness, such as cancer.
Dental coverage
Thailand’s national medical insurance program only covers a limited amount for dental bills, which is frequently insufficient to cover checkups and minor operations. Therefore, you will have to pay for any more effective dental procedures yourself or obtain a private health insurance plan that includes dental care.
What does Thailand Private Health Insurance Cover?
Private health insurance policies (both local and foreign) cover medical care, prescription medicine, ambulance expenses, maternity, and hospitalization costs, among other things. The enhancement is that you may get healthcare in public or private hospitals in Thailand and select your medical workers.
Furthermore, foreign health insurance providers provide coverage for emergency evacuation or repatriation. For example, assume you are an ex-pat from the U.S. residing in Thailand who wishes to undergo medical care in a hospital in the United States. A domestic insurance provider will not pay the evacuation expense; however, an international insurance program will.
Another critical consideration for ex-pat retirees in Thailand is that several local insurance companies would omit coverage or refuse to offer policies to elderly persons.
What’s the Best Thai Health Insurance?
Your requirements and preferences will determine the finest Thai health insurance. A blend of your public social security insurance and an extra private insurance plan should cover you for any crises that may arise and keep you pleased and well-cared for.
- Public insurance: If you don’t want the extra money, don’t mind waiting for a doctor’s visit, and are otherwise healthy, you may continue with your public insurance program. Thailand’s public healthcare system is far from deplorable. The physicians are skilled and well-trained, and the country’s public healthcare system is regarded as one of the finest in the world, having been named on the 2019 list of nations with the greatest healthcare systems by Thai media.
- Domestic private insurance: If you want greater convenience, the ability to pick your physicians and hospitals, a greater experience if you require medical care, and don’t mind paying a higher premium, you should consider Thai private health insurance. Nevertheless, because many firms eliminate coverage for anyone over 65, this may not be advantageous for retirees.
- International health insurance:
- It is often the best insurance plan for ex-pats who travel between their country of residence and their home country to choose a comprehensive international health insurance plan that covers both Thailand and abroad. By comparing online marketplaces such as International Citizens Insurance or Insubuy, you can select the best Thai health insurance plan.
How Much is the Cost of Thailand Health Insurance?
Several variables impact the price of a health insurance coverage, including:
- It’s your age. Senior individuals are typically required to pay more for medical insurance than youngsters.
- The level of protection you desire. The benefit of having your insurance is that you may tailor it to your own needs. The more coverage you have, the more expensive the policy.
- The number of individuals covered by your plan. If you include family members, your monthly rates will rise.
- Regardless of whether you pick a domestic or international package.
However, the cost of public health insurance is determined by your income. Therefore, you do not need to pay anything more because the money is deducted immediately from your paycheck in social security contributions (5 percent of the salary).
Are Self-Employed People Eligible to Get Thailand Public Insurance?
Self-employed people are also qualified for social security coverage if they enlist willingly and pay their premiums.
Let’s Sum Up
Thai health insurance for ex-pats is an option for individuals who wish to avoid long waits and have access to streamlined healthcare professionals. Thailand travel insurance covers only tourism-related activities. This is not the same thing.
This health insurance has two types. Private and public. Obviously, private health insurance is more expensive, but it avoids long waits in public hospitals. Each insurance type covers various health problems, such as examination and treatment, hospitalization, medication prescription, fees for ambulances, and rehabilitation.
Have you ever bought Thailand health insurance for ex-pats? Tell us in the comment section.
- Published by
- Max-B.
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