Thai Expat Health Insurance

Health solutions for foreigners working in Thailand

Health

COVID-19 Insurance options for Thailand – Thai Expat Health

by

The coronavirus outbreak has had an unprecedented effect on travelers, country borders, and international flights.  Whether it’s fear, business, or separation from family and loved ones, each and every one of us has been impacted by the virus in one way or another.

Today many people are looking for affordable insurance not just to cross borders or reunite with loved ones but also for peace of mind in the event we are unfortunate enough to be struck by the illness. Here at Thai Expat Health, we offer you and your family a range of insurance solutions for COVID-19.

The insurance products offered are from approved providers and meet the minimum 100,000 USD (including protection for COVID-19) for entry to Thailand as prescribed by the Thai government.   From full comprehensive health insurance for long term workers, retirees, and spouses of Thai citizens to short term insurance for medical tourists and short term visitors alike, we offer an insurance product to match most every individual’s needs.

Luma Thailand Pass

Choose from a range of different travel plans to meet the health insurance requirements for visitors wanting to enter Thailand during the COVID-19 pandemic.

All plans offer:

– Cover up to 3.5 million THB (equivalent to at least 100,000 USD)
– COVID-19 cover

The application process is easy and the certificate required for entry can be obtained in 4-5 business days.  Premiums start at 2,800 THB for a 3-month travel policy.

Simply apply online via the following link:

https://thaitravelinsurance.com/

Full Health Insurance Plans

If you are a foreigner returning to Thailand for work, as a retiree or as the spouse of a Thai citizen then full medical coverage through an approved provider is likely to be a better option for you. Full medical coverage offers many additional benefits such as: –

– Comprehensive coverage for top international hospitals
– Cashless hospital visits in a preferred hospital network
– No need to pay and claim for Inpatient treatment
– Cover for motorcycle accidents and ongoing treatment
– Lifetime renewal (dependant on age at entry)
– Cover for COVID-19

Thai Expat Health offers insurance from a range of reputable, well-established Insurance companies such as AETNA, APRIL, CIGNA, LMG, LUMA, and PACIFIC CROSS. There is no pushy sales talk and recommendations are based on your needs (not ours). We help you avoid the confusion which comes from not being able to speak the language or communicate satisfactorily with staff in Thai Insurance Companies.

Our service is FREE and we often save you money by offering a plan which more closely matches your lifestyle and budget.

Contact Thai Expat Health today and let us help you with your health insurance requirements.

Get a quote here

Insurance for COVID-19 – Online solution for short term visitors requiring insurance for Thailand

by

Introducing an online solution for short term visitors needing COVID-19 insurance for Thailand.  Luma Thailand Pass meets the government requirements for the Certificate of Entry to Thailand with overall coverage of 100,000 USD including cover for Covid-19.

This plan has been approved by the Office of Insurance Thailand (OIC) and is ideal for short term visitors such as medical tourists, trade fair participants and foreign film crews who are expected to be approved for entry by Thailand’s Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) within the next few days. This plan is also suitable for tourists coming from surrounding countries such as Japan, China, South Korea, Singapore and Hong Kong. It will also be an excellent option for visitors from western countries as soon as travel bans are lifted.

Prices start at 4,500 THB for 3 months coverage (persons aged 1-75 years)

LUMA Thailand Pass LESS THAN 5 minutes

Is it possible to buy this insurance for COVID-19 online?

Absolutely buying this policy online is easy.  Simply click the following link and follow the instructions. thaitravelinsurance.com

SOME IMPORTANT INFORMATION BEFORE PROCEEDING

Before proceeding you should know that this is travel Insurance for short term visitors to Thailand.  It has been designed for visitors who have no intention of extending their stay beyond the length of their term visa. Like most other travel insurance policies this Insurance is based on pay and claim.  Should you seek treatment in a hospital – you will need to pay all hospitals bills yourself – then claim back later when you return to your home country.

While the Luma Travel Pass includes coverage for COVID-19, accidents, and other illnesses it does NOT provide cover for motorcycle accidents or room and board in a private hospital over 10.000 THB/day.  The plan is also restricted to persons aged 1 – 75 years and is non-extendable while you remain in Thailand.

If you have no intention of extending your stay and believe the Luma Travel Pass is a suitable plan for your situation then follow this link for instructions on how to obtain your travel pass. You are advised to read the terms and conditions contained on the website link carefully.  While the Luma Thailand Travel Pass is a great option for many short term visitors there are limitations on refunds and other parts of the policy which do not apply to full medical insurance plans.

If you are a foreigner living or working in Thailand or are returning to the kingdom for work on a non-immigrant “B” visa, or on any kind of renewable non-mmigrant “O” marriage or retirement visa then you are advised to purchase full medical insurance through an approved provider.  Travel Insurance should be an addition to coverage not an alternative to a full comprehensive medical plan.

Thai Expat Health offers insurance from reputable companies that offer superior levels of customer service and claims support. In most cases, your insurance application can be approved in less than 7-10 days and coverage can begin as soon as payment is received.

Contact us if you need additional information or have any further questions regarding full medical insurance. thaiexpathealth.com

Links https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30391749 – Four types of foreigners to be allowed to enter Thailand: CCSA

Where to get a Certificate of Health Insurance to enter Thailand

by

Three of the most common questions received from foreigners over the past few weeks are:

  • When can I fly back to Thailand (mainly from retirees)?
  • How can I get a certificate of health insurance to enter Thailand?
  • Can spouses of Thai citizens fly back into Thailand?

On 14th June 2020, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the next group to be allowed to enter Thailand are those married to Thai nationals and those who hold permanent residency (holding PR status).  Spouses will soon be able to fly back under the same conditions as work permit holders (with 100,000 USD valid medical insurance and 14-day quarantine). The expected date is some time in July next month. While it is still not known when foreigners holding retirement visas will be permitted back into the kingdom it is likely that the requirement to produce a certificate showing a valid health insurance policy will remain for some time.

Thai Consulates in overseas countries are considering requests on a case by case nature.  No-one can be sure how long these requirements will be in force but measures are being strictly enforced and unless you have an urgent need to return you are best advised to delay your travel plans until these restrictions are lifted.  Many expats (including retirees) want to know when flights to Thailand will return to normal and what to do about the Health Insurance requirement for entry. Again, “wait and see” is most likely the best approach here.

The above diagram is provided should you be married to a Thai national and/or have an urgent need to return. Your first point of call is to contact the Royal Thai Embassy / Consulate-General in your country to see if you qualify. Having met the criteria for entry you’ll be invited to apply for a “Certificate of Entry”. In order to obtain this certificate, you’ll be asked to obtain a valid health insurance policy covering all medical expenses including COVID-19 and worth at least 100,000 USD.  You’ll also be able to go ahead and confirm your flight and book a room for the 14-day quarantine at a government-designated facility.   The process is detailed quite well on the above diagram provided by the Thai Department of International Economic Affairs.  It is also important to obtain a “Fit to Fly Health Certificate” signed by a doctor in your home country not more than 72 hours before your departure (confirming you are free from the coronavirus).  Without a 100,000 USD health insurance policy which includes coverage for COVID-19 and the “Fit to Fly” Certificate you will be not be permitted to enter the kingdom.

The insurance requirement is slightly different for Thai’s but the requirement to quarantine for 14 days after arrival in Thailand at a government-operated facility (at the traveler’s expense) is the same for both Thai nationals and foreigners.  Travelers need to be aware that the cost of this 14-day quarantine can be anywhere from 30,000 THB to 60,000 THB (depending on the facility you opt for) so you will need to factor this into the overall cost of your return.

Please be aware that the process of applying for and obtaining full medical insurance can take anywhere from 7-10 days.  We are happy to advise all foreigners regardless of age but please note that persons under 65 years can generally obtain health insurance at a reasonable cost whereas the cost of health insurance for persons over 70 years can be prohibitively expensive.  It is also worth mentioning that having cover simply for COVID-19 is insufficient. The coverage needs to be a 100,000 USD health insurance policy which includes coverage for the Coronavirus.

Please contact Thai Expat Club / Health if you have any questions or require a certificate of insurance to meet the Thai government’s entry requirement (covering all medical expenses including COVID-19 and worth at least 100,000 USD).


Telephone or WhatsApp  +6689-897-9435
Website: https://thaiexpathealth.com/

Additional Links:

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1882315/health-certificates-required-of-all-visitors

https://www.thaiembassy.com/travel/can-you-enter-thailand-now-during-the-covid-19-crisis.php

2 million reasons to have health insurance in Thailand: A shocking true story and how you can avoid a similar fate..

by

Bernard was on his annual trip to see his mother in Italy.  He left Australia and planned to spend 2 – 3 weeks catching up with old friends in Bangkok. But something was different this time around.  He was experiencing chest pains and difficultly breathing.  He was not aware of any underlying health issues and thought this was something minor.  At least he hoped so.

At 2 am, Bernard woke the owner of the guest house he was staying at and asked her to drive him to Samitivej hospital. The shortness of breath, feeling of fatigue and nausea wouldn’t go away.  He arrived at the emergency desk at Samitivej Hospital and explained his condition to the staff.  He was immediately admitted to the hospital where an echocardiogram revealed Bernard’s heart was only operating at only 30%.  How was this possible? His doctor in Australia had given him the all-clear only months before his departure.  The following day, Bernard was feeling marginally better and decided to check himself out.    However, it seemed the nausea and difficulty in breathing were getting worse. Within 24 hours Bernard was forced to check himself back into the hospital. This time the hospital ran a more detailed angiogram and found Bernard had blockages in 4 arteries providing blood to his heart.  Bernard was immediately admitted to the ICU unit.   The doctors informed him there was no way, at 68 years of age, that he could possibly get on a plane to Italy or return to Australia for free treatment without risking a heart attack.

After a week in ICU, Bernard’s condition stabilized to the point where he was strong enough to undergo surgery.   A quadruple bypass was performed by one of Thailand’s leading heart surgeons. Although doctors informed him there was a significant risk, the operation was successful.  Even so, Bernard needed to spend several additional days in ICU and another 5 days under observation following the operation.    With no travel or health Insurance Bernard found himself telephoning his son in Australia and sister in Italy to help him in paying the 2 million baht hospital bill. This was a real shock for Bernard as someone who had always been healthy, had relied solely on the public hospital system all his life and was unprepared for such a life-changing event. From this point forward unless Bernard can find the means to pay future medical bills himself, he will be restricted to treatment in the public health system of his home country  Bernard has also essentially become uninsurable.  Most companies, including travel insurance companies, will not insure someone planning travel to another country who has suffered such a serious medical event.  Future overseas trips will never be the same for Bernard.

So how can somebody avoid a disaster of this kind?   The 1st thing is a change in mindset.  People need to recognize that accidents can and do happen. Even in people who otherwise appear perfectly healthy. Serious accidents and illnesses happen to people just like you and me more often than we care to think about.  The 2nd thing is to focus on Prevention.  Start eating healthier and exercising more regularly. Quit smoking and lose weight to enjoy a healthier, less stressful lifestyle.  Join fitness and health programs like the Fit Father Project designed exclusively for people over 40 in the second half of their life (I have personally enrolled in this program myself and the results have been nothing short of amazing).  Undergo annual health check-ups at your preferred hospital.  For example Samitivej hospital provides annual check-ups for the heart as well as general health tests. Prices start at 10,000 THB for the basic Heart Disease Detection and Risk Assessment Program – Exercise Stress Test.  Finally if you plan on traveling or moving to a foreign country take out health insurance with a reputable provider (not necessarily the cheapest) before you travel.  Many people happily buy insurance for their car, house, jewelry and even pets but often avoid insuring themselves.  Insurance is not a luxury.  It is an absolute necessity if you are planning to live or visit another country.  As a foreigner you will be responsible for finding the money to fund your medical treatment should you land up in the hospital due to accident or illness.

Heart Disease Detection Program.png

At Thai Expat Health our focus is on providing expert advice to expat retirees and families in Thailand.  We offer insurance from a range of reputable, well-established Insurance companies such as AETNA, APRIL, CIGNA, LMG, and LUMA. who provide excellent customer service and claims support.  There is no pushy sales talk and recommendations are based on your needs (not ours). We help you avoid the confusion which comes from not being able to speak the language or communicate satisfactorily with staff in Thai Insurance Companies.   Our service is FREE and we often save people money by offering a plan which more closely matches their lifestyle and budget.

Contact Thai Expat Club today and let us help you with your health insurance requirements.


Telephone or WhatsApp  +6689-897-9435
Website: https://thaiexpathealth.com/

Additional Links:

https://www.fitfatherproject.com/
https://www.samitivejhospitals.com/en/promotions/heart-strength-assessments/

The cost of medical treatment in Thailand

by


Thailand is ranked as the 3rd most popular country in the world for medical tourism with cost savings of 50 to 75 per cent compared to the US. There are over 1,000 hospitals in Thailand, of which over 470 are private. Thailand’s advantage is its low cost and the high quality of medical treatment provided by Thai private hospitals. To date, 42 hospitals in Thailand have been accredited by the JCI which is considered the gold standard in health care. See table below.

Major surgeries
Cost comparison of major surgeries between US, Singapore and Thailand (in US$)From data provided by medicaltourism.com
ProcedureUSSingaporeThailand
Heart bypass123,00017,20015,000
Heart valve replacement170,00016,90017,200
Angioplasty28,20013,4004,200
Hip replacement40,36413,90017,000
Knee replacement35,00016,00014,000
Source: http://medicaltourism.com/Forms/price-comparison.aspx (Prices as of 2016)

While it may be true that Thailand is significantly lower in terms of the cost of medical treatment compared with the United States and Singapore treatment options and procedures can still be expensive. Whether or not you are living in Thailand as an expat, visiting Thailand as a tourist or coming here specifically for medical treatment it is vitally important that you have insurance coverage to ensure you are protected in the case of unforeseen illness or accident.

For example, many tourists coming here suffer an unexpected motorcycle accident which can run anywhere from 200,000 THB to 2 million THB (US$6,000 to US$60,000).

Please see the following table for more recent costs of other common illnesses, accidents and medical services at different hospitals in Bangkok.

Illness / Accident / ServiceTreatmentAverage Cost / Range (in US$)
Dengue feverThe seriousness of Dengue and length of stay can vary from case to case – Average 3-day admissionAverage: $1,200
Range: $650 to $2,500
Motor cycle accidentAdmission after an accident involving fractured shoulder/upper arm/ broken femur to a serious accident involving head trauma, ICU or cranial surgeryAverage: $6,000
Range: $6,000 to $60,000
Normal birthVaginal delivery including prenatal careAverage: $2,000
Range: $1,300 to $2,300
Caesarean BirthIncluding surgery, 2-3 days admission and prenatal careAverage: $3,000
Range: $2,000 – $4,000
Hospice and palliative care costMonthly CareAverage: $1,750
Range: $1,500 to $2,000
MedivacDomestic transport from somewhere inside Thailand to a hospital in BangkokAverage: $11,000
Range: $8,500 to $12,000
General Health ScreeningThe price can vary depending on what’s included in the actual package.Average: $500
Range: $400 – $800
Organ transplantThere are some restrictions in place in Thailand for organ transplants, e.g. organ needs to come from a relative.Average: $30,000 +
Source: Information provided by Euro-Center Bangkok 2017

Without adequate health insurance, it is clear that the cost of any illness, accident or associated medical service has the potential to wipe out your savings and leave you with few options in terms of care and quality of treatment. Having adequate insurance not only provides great peace of mind but also ensures access to quality treatment for you and your family.

Thai Expat Club offers access to affordable health and medical insurance for foreigners living, visiting, working or retiring in Thailand. We deal almost exclusively with APRIL, AETNA, BUPA, LMG, MSH, William Russell and NZI for a higher range of benefits at affordable prices. We help clients avoid the confusion which comes from not being able to speak the language or communicate satisfactorily with staff in Thai Insurance Companies.

Our service is FREE and we often save you money by offering a plan which is more closely matched to your lifestyle and budget.

Contact Thai Expat Club today and let us help you with your health insurance requirements.

Tel. 089-897-9437 or visit our website:

https://thaiexpathealth.com/

Useful Links

www.health-tourism.com/thailand-medical-tourism
www.health-tourism.com/hospitals-thailand
www.keyvisathailand.com/top-10-hospitals-in-thailand
medicaltourism.com/Forms/price-comparison.aspx
www.frankit.in/blog/5-best-countries-for-medical-tourism

www.worldatlas.com/articles/leading-causes-of-death-in-thailand.html

Also check out this useful guide for medical tourists on the best ways to save money, how to prepare for the trip, and the cost of major procedures in various countries.

Making Healthcare More Affordable: Traveling Overseas for Medical Procedures