Wrapping up the half-day process of securing medial and health insurance in Thailand, I am eligible for Thai based insurance based on having a work permit. Cobra coverage in the USA would have cost me $692 per month- a year’s worth of coverage in Thailand with benefits matching over 96% of the USA policy costs $1,158. Yes, $8,304 or $1,158. And the coverage in Thailand includes full care for the major medical illnesses, like cancer; adding coverage for the major medical illnesses cost $45 for the year.
I had to pay a $90 upcharge fee for being America, still not exactly sure why but something to do with American insurers.
My Thai insurance policy is with a major, multi-national company; my agent picked me up, drove me to hospital for all tests and gave me a fan (as in the electric kind) as a gift- I guess they were out of toasters.
While I’m glad to have the insurance, the cost disparity between the US insurance and Thai insurance is depressing. Why is my country not able to solve the cost of health insurance issue? Or at least offer health insurance at a cost similar to what I paid today to lower income families?
Yes, yes, I know there has been a big outcry and the problem might be somewhat fixed by recent events. But, shame on me and my country for letting this happen and accepting bloated medical systems and exorbitant charges in the first place.
Farang ( ฝรั่ง) In Bangkok 
Hi, can you give me the medical and health insurer’s contact details?
Regards,
Peter
Hello Peter,
I used AIA Thailand: http://www.aia.co.th/en/ and was very happy with health insurance options, prices and service.
Please note- I have a Thai work permit, that was required to obtain the type of health and medical insurance I received. I was told that a work permit is necessary as you must show the logic (work permit) behind having insurance in Thailand is not just to avoid paying for coverage in the USA or other western countries.
There were limits to the amount of coverage I could obtain for life insurance and serious illness insurance- as above, insurance companies are trying to limit coverage amounts in countries where policies are less expensive.
Good luck!
Hi, could you please give me some more details. Like to insure the same way you did. I also have a work permit and would like be be eligible as well for Thai based insurance.
Maybe very, very helpfull if you could give me a contact person at AIA, so I can contact myself by phone or email.
Thanks very much for your help.
Best regards,
John Khoeblal
jakhoeblal@gmail.com
0869137873
Hello,
I am a retired US government employee, who plan to relocate to live in Thailand permanently, by the end of 2012 or early 2013. I want to acquired major health care coverage insurance, even though I could return to the US for medical care, except for emergencies.
See, while out of the US, my insure that I have now will not cover me, even though I have coverage by three source. None will cover me outside of the USA.
As a retiree living Thailand, will I be allowed to get coverage from an insurer in Thailand?
I will make sure to get a retirement visa for Thailand.
Thank you very much for your response.
Respectfully,
Elijah Johnson