Thailand Health Insurance
When I first moved to Thailand I was 59 years old. While in America I worked for myself being self employed. I ran my own small business for about 15 years. Some years were great, some year were a challenge. Starting with nothing is no easy thing.
If I recall correctly, I was offered COBRA (an extension of health benefits after employment) but the cost was going to be almost $6,000 per month. This was clearly out of the question as my new monthly income was $0.
Prior to becoming self employed, I had always worked for a big company and my health insurance always came from work. I naively assumed that once I became self employed I would simply go out and get myself some health insurance.
I then went out and looked for just an individual plan. All the plans available to me were far to expensive and have very large deductibles. So I did not get health insurance. For the first time in my life I had no health coverage. I wont lie, I had great anxiety about this. Yet, there were not good options.
This is probably the point where I should tell you that in all my life I have been to the doctor once. I also and physically fit, eat right and drink very little alcohol. I have no pre existing conditions and take no medicine. Basically I am in excellent shape. I stupidly thought that I would be able to get health insurance for a reasonable price because of my health history. Even when Obama Care came into existence there were no good options for me.
Long story short, I went 15 years without health insurance.
As I rolled into my 50’s I began hearing about health insurance in Thailand…
Health insurance In Thailand for foreigners
I tend to have a certain amount of anxiety about new things. Just me, I suppose. At age 59 I moved to Thailand and began seriously exploring health insurance options. I actually began the exploration before leaving America, but once in Thailand I explored the reality of it all.
A number of things started to happen that all just seemed to good to be true.
Health insurance for expats In Thailand
On any given day in Pattaya, you will find large numbers of expats (mostly men) sitting in cafes along the beach, enjoy the views, good food and drink. This is where I began asking other people about what heath coverage they have here in Thailand. Everyone was happy to talk about it. In fact I had difficulty getting most to stop talking about the topic.
You might ask yourself, why would people be so happy to talk endlessly about their health insurance? The answer is rather simple. They are thrilled with the coverage they have here. Especially if they are American. Americans here are super thrilled.
Best health insurance Thailand expat
Quickly it was obvious that most expats had one type of health insurance in Thailand and that was Pacific Cross. I ended up even watching a youtube video that covered Pacific Cross in Thailand. In the video they interviewed the owner of an insurance office not far from where I live in Thailand and I got myself a taxi and went on over.
I sat with the owner for a while discussing Thailand and health insurance, specifically Pacific Cross. Now you have to understand something about me. I do not trust anyone. I do not believe what people tell me and I am always looking out for scams and traps.
The Brokerage is Macallan Insurance Broker Co., Ltd. address is 63/14-15 M. 10 T. Nongprue, A. Banglamung, Chonburi 20150 Thailand (this is in middle of Pattaya fyi)
The owner, Mr. Macallan told me about his own medical history while in Thailand and he has gone through some incredibly serious things medically. Like some of the most serious things you can have happen to you (details of his story are his to tell not mine). He told me that the plan he has is the plan I was considering and that the same plan also met the immigration requirements for the Thailand Retirement Visa. It is the plan most expats get.
In short, his health care plan covered all his serious and expensive medical treatments and care with 0 deductible. I found this hard to believe, but it also matched what people at cafes told me.
Cost of health insurance In Thailand for expats
There is only one insurance plan I can reasonably speak on, and that is the one that I got for myself. Pacific Cross Thailand.
In 2024 I got health insurance from Mr. Macallan. I got the Pacific Cross Plan. It gives me 3,000,000 Bhat coverage per visit to the hospital and the deductible is 0. (fyi 3 million is huge, this is an enormous amount per visit) In essence this plan would cover me fully for everything and I would not have to pay any money out of pocket unless costs are over 3,000,000 Bhat, which again, is a very, very high number here in Thailand.
Jomtien Hospital is not far from the office of Mr. Macallan so I rode a taxi (about $2 USD) over to the hospital. I went to the front desk/ check in and asked the lady about the health insurance and if it was as good as I think it is. While her English was not perfect I got the idea from her that I would be very happy with the insurance and that she considered it to be outstanding. She also told me off the record like, that she has never seen a patient pay money. That the insurance covered everything.
Now, is she correct? Is she telling the truth? Who knows. But I felt like this was the most I could do to ensure I got what I needed and wanted. Over the last 12 months I continued to ask other expats about Pacific Cross and all have continued to agree it is outstanding.
If there is a down side to the insurance it is that it does not cover pre existing conditions and it does not cover what they consider stupid risky things you do. For example, if you are injured bungie jumping, or para sailing or rock climbing, chances are you will be denied. For normal life and living you are covered.
Can foreigners buy health insurance in Thailand?
Absolutely. At age 59 I signed the papers and waited about a week to get my coverage. My costs were and upfront 50,580 Bhat. In 2024 that came to about $137 / month. I was also told that if I did not use the coverage during that 12 month period my cost for the second year would go down 10%.
I just renewed my insurance the other day for the second year. My cost was 49,163 Bhat. That is about $113 / month. In addition, if I do not use it during this 12 month period the next year I will get another 5% discount.
This is the point in the story where I tell you how amazed I am. I find that for the first time in my life I am genuinely excited about health insurance. It is such a weird feeling. I am thrilled, happy and want to tell the world about this. Such a weird thing.
Also weird, and something that I have not come to grips with yet is a simple fact. I, as a proud American cannot get good health insurance in America at a fair price. (remember I am in outstanding shape, no pre existing conditions and take no medicine).
I have to come to Thailand to get health insurance at a fair price. If I were sick and going to doctors all the time I would expect my costs to be high. Why are the high with very high deductible when I am in great shape and unlikely to use the insurance?
I was on the phone with a friend discussing this. I have been a driver for 40 years. No accidents, no tickets during that 40 year period. Why does my car insurance only go up? I never get a break for being a good driver?
I have been to a doctor once in my entire life and lead a healthy lifestyle. Why is health insurance in America unaffordable to me? I should clarify this. I can get health insurance in America but it will be garbage health insurance and should something serious happen to me, well medical bankruptcy is a real thing in America.
If you want outstanding Health Insurance for reasonable cost, come to Thailand. I have not actually come to grips fully with why I need to leave America to be treated fairly and right by the health care and auto insurance industries of America.
Health insurance Thailand over 60
With Pacific cross you want to get the insurance as young as possible. Now I am 60. My costs as the same as when I was 59. The price (at least as of 2025) is based upon the initial year you get the insurance.
Health insurance Thailand over 70
Pacific Cross is great if you are over 70. Pre existing conditions will not be covered so get it when you are younger and maintain it till you die. You will be happy.
How does this story end? Well it end with me being happy and me being protected and me knowing that whatever money I have saved will go to my kids and not to insurance companies.
