How much is health insurance Thailand

Thailand Health Insurance

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When I first moved to Thailand I was 59 years old. In America, I left my sales job at a big company and began working for myself. I ran my own small business for about 15 years.

When I left the company I worked at,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. Even if my new income was really good, 6,000 per month is ridiculous.

Prior to becoming self employed, I had always worked for a big company and my health insurance came from work. I naively assumed that once I became self employed I would simply go out and get myself some health insurance off the the open market.

All of the plans available to me as an individula were far to expensive and had large deductibles. They also seemed to have a lot of things they simply did not cover. 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 am 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.

I spent the next 15 years without health insurance.

Health insurance In Thailand for foreigners

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I tend to have a certain amount of anxiety about new things. At age 59 I moved to Thailand and began seriously exploring health insurance options.

I quickly came across an insurance plan that many expats had and also met the insurance requirements of immigration. Pacific Cross with 3,000,000 Bhat coverage. I am sure there are other plans, this is the one that came up most often in conversation.

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Health insurance for expats In Thailand

Most people you meet in Thailand - foreigners - will readily talk to you about what health insurance they have. It is important to get one that meets the requirements of immigration.

Best health insurance Thailand expat - My opinion

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I discovered 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 lived. 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.

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.

His health care plan covered all his very 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. I basically do not trust anyone. I do not believe what people tell me and I am always looking out for scams and traps. After our meeting I went about trying to confirm all the information> After a while, everything seemed to line up. So I returned and signed on the line for the insurance.

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Cost of health insurance In Thailand for expats

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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.

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Can foreigners buy health insurance in Thailand?

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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 is American health insurance so expensive when I am in great shape and unlikely to use the insurance?

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 in some way related to the initial year you get the insurance.

Health insurance Thailand over 70

I dont know the details of the plan really, but conversation with other people who have the same plan lends me to believe that this is outstanding coverage.

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.

Macallan Insurance Broker Pattaya