Health Insurance in Thailand

Learn about how health insurance works in Thailand

Before leaving to study in Thailand, make sure you are covered by the necessary health insurance. As a foreigner, you are not covered by Thailand’s government funded health care, so it is important that you purchase health insurance before setting out.

Government Funded Hospitals vs. Private Hospitals

You do have access to government hospitals in Thailand as a foreigner, but unlike Thai citizens, you will be charges for any services they perform for you. In addition, public hospitals in Thailand tend to be overcrowded. They will have longer waiting times than private hospitals. The medical facilities in public hospitals are also not likely to be as good as those in private hospitals. The doctors in public hospitals will most likely speak some English, but most of the nursing staff will only speak Thai. You will also have to pay extra for an individual room if you do not want to be placed in a shared, and possibly mixed, ward.

There are excellent international hospitals in Bangkok, but you may find that hospitals and clinics outside of urban areas are not quite up to Western standards. Most of the private hospitals in Thailand, however, have excellent medical facilities and staff. For this reason you will need to purchase private health insurance before setting out on your journey; if the unexpected happens and you become sick or injured during your studies, you don’t want to take any chances with your health. Make sure that you have access to the best medical care available to you.

Private Health Insurance in Thailand

A number of both Thai and international insurance companies offer a wide range of health insurance packages. You should be able to find an insurance plan that suits your needs, no matter what. To purchase basic health insurance in Thailand, the only document you will need is a passport or ID card.

Putting Your Insurance to Use

It is important that you have your medical insurance documents with you at all times while you are studying in Thailand. If something unexpected happens and you are admitted into a hospital, you will be required to pay up front for any treatments you are given. This is not the case in most European countries because patients there have mandatory medical insurance, so hospitals can be certain that they will be paid. Thai hospitals have no such assurance, so having private health insurance while you study in Thailand is a must.

If you are not insured, private hospitals may ask to see proof of funds. If you are insured, the hospital will generally contact your insurance company. The insurance company will then communicate with and pay the hospital directly. If your hospital bill is more than your coverage allows, you will be required to pay the outstanding balance before you are discharged from the hospital.

Private Insurance Policies

Every private health insurance policy will have different terms and conditions. For example, some will require that you pay the hospital bill and then wait for reimbursement, while others will pay the bill immediately.

We offer the following plans to students who are planning to travel, study or visit Thailand: