If you live in Thailand as an expat, you have two practical routes to health cover, and it pays to know the difference before you start comparing plans.
- International health insurance (IPMI) – global, portable cover with high annual limits. These plans are easier to understand, usually offer broader coverage, and follow you if you move countries. They cost more, but you get more.
- Local Thai health insurance – policies denominated in baht, built around Thai hospital networks with cashless direct billing. They are often cheaper to buy, but coverage is lower, especially the coverage you get per baht of premium, and the cover is centred on Thailand rather than the world.
Which route fits you mostly comes down to your budget, how much cover you want, and whether you need cover in Thailand only or anywhere in the world.
Find the Right Plan for You
Answer six quick questions to see the plans that fit you best, what they cover, and where to get a quote.
Contents
International Health Insurers
These are the main international providers that accept residents of Thailand. All offer an Asia or Worldwide-excluding-US area of coverage that includes Thailand’s private hospitals.
| Provider | Best for | Good to know |
| Cigna Healthcare | Comprehensive cover, older applicants | Silver, Gold and Platinum tiers. No upper age limit for new applicants. One of the more expensive providers. |
| GeoBlue (BCBS Global Solutions) | US citizens | Blue Cross Blue Shield network, so you get genuine cover back in the US alongside worldwide care. |
| Now Health International | Regional cover in Asia | Hong Kong-based and built around Asia. Often very competitive for expats in Thailand. |
| April International | Families | France-based. Plans from Emergency-only up to Premium, with modules. Third child and beyond covered free. |
| ACS | Budget plans | Bronze to Platinum, from basic inpatient up to outpatient, wellness and dental. Underwritten by MGEN. |
| William Russell | Value in certain regions | Bronze (hospitalization) up to Gold (all-round). Underwritten by Allianz. |
| Allianz Care | A big global brand | Multilingual service and tailored plans. Priced in the same range as Cigna Healthcare. |
| Morgan Price | South East Asia regional cover | UK-based. Flexible Choice plan with modules by region. Underwritten by Antea International Insurance. |
| IMG Global | Low prices | Global Prima plan, from basic inpatient to all-inclusive; often among the cheapest. Underwritten by SiriusPoint. |
Getting international cover through a broker is usually smarter than going straight to an insurer. A broker gives unbiased advice based on your needs, compares plans across companies, explains the fine print, and fights your corner if a claim runs into trouble. We recommend International Insurance as a broker. We’ve worked with them for years and consistently hear positive feedback from our readers.
Local Thai Health Insurers
Local insurers issue baht-denominated policies built around Thai hospital networks, with cashless direct billing at partner hospitals. Premiums are often lower than international cover, and several of these plans are written specifically to meet Thai retirement-visa requirements. The trade-off is lower limits and cover centred on Thailand rather than worldwide.
| Provider | Best for | Good to know |
| Luma | Cashless cover across a large Thai network | Bangkok-based (Luma Care Co., Ltd, licensed by the Office of Insurance Commission). Hi5 plan: THB 5,000,000 annual limit; Prime range goes higher. Retirement-visa plan for O-A applicants. Outpatient, dental, maternity and vision are add-ons. |
| AXA Thailand | Visa-compliant cover | EasyCare Visa is built for O-A, O-X and LTR visa requirements, up to THB 4,000,000 per confinement. SmartCare Essential for everyday cover. |
| LMG | O-A retirement visa | Long Stay VISA Plus plans. Acquired by Chubb in 2025 and being folded into Chubb Samaggi, so check current plan details and branding when you get a quote. |
Local plans are easiest to compare through a Thai broker that quotes several insurers side by side. We use CheckDi, which compares local health plans in a few minutes and shows the price you actually pay.
Self-Comparison
If you want to compare plans yourself, the tables below set out popular plans for expats in Thailand across four groups: international insurance, local Thai insurance, plans aimed at retirees, and international plans with US coverage. The benefit rows follow the same format we use across our comparisons so you can read them side by side.
Because rates vary widely by age, area of coverage, and deductible, we don’t list quote examples. Click any provider to get your own quotation directly. If you feel overwhelmed by the data, you can talk to a broker and get their advice.
Please note that insurance plans and coverage are always subject to change. Make sure to check with the insurer or broker before purchasing any plan.
International Insurance (Cigna, ACS & April)
Swipe sideways to see every plan →
| Provider | Cigna Healthcare | ACS | April |
| Notes | no age limit for new applicants | fair priced in most regions | child 3 and more free of charge |
| Insurance Plan Suggestion | Silver Inpatient + Outpatient option | ACS Expat – Silver & Gold Inpatient; Outpatient optional | Comfort including check-ups & Dental option |
| Geographical Coverage | Worldwide excluding USA or including US for up to 3 months | 3 different coverage areas from low cost countries to high cost | 6 different coverage areas from low cost countries to high cost |
| Emergency Cover Outside the Area of Coverage | covered up to US$100,000 (21 days per trip – 60 max per year) | covered in full up to 7 weeks per trip | up to 90 days |
| Deductible / Excess / Co-pay Options | Inpatient deductible or co-pay & Outpatient deductible or co-pay | different annual deductibles | annual deductibles or Outpatient co-pay |
| Overall Annual Limit Options | US$1,000,000 | US$1 – US$2 million | unlimited JP, SNG, US limited |
| Hospitalization Inpatient | Standard-Private Room | Standard-Private Room (up to US$150 / US$250 per day) | Standard Private Room |
| Cancer Care | covered in full | covered in full | covered in full |
| Organ Transplant | covered in full | covered in full | covered in full |
| Out Patient Care | up to US$10,000 | optional add-on (Routine Care, Prevention & Screening) | unlimited |
| Outpatient Cover | GP & specialist up to US$100 per visit (15 visits/yr) drugs & diagnostics within Outpatient limit | GP & specialist up to US$65 – US$300 per consultation (by chosen level) | 10 consultation covered in full from 11th = US$200 per consultation |
| Outpatient Surgery | covered in full (MRI, CT, PET scans up to US$5,000 combined In- and Outpatient limit) | covered in full | covered in full |
| Outpatient Cancer Care | covered in full | covered in full | covered in full |
| Dental | Emergency only / optional | Emergency only (optional) | Emergency only / optional |
| Emerg. Dental from Accident | up to US$1,000 | covered in full | covered in full |
| Dental (Routine & Major Treatments) | not covered (optional) | optional: up to US$1,000 – US$2,000 per year | optional: up to US$3,000 |
| Additional Benefits | |||
| Annual Routine Health Check | not covered (optional) | optional: health check-up US$300 cancer screening US$300 | Screenings covered in full routine check-ups up to US$800 |
| Maternity & Childbirth | not covered (higher tiers) | optional: up to US$6,000 per pregnancy | optional: up to US$6,000 per pregnancy |
| Emergency Evac & Repatriation | not covered (optional) | Evac covered fully (Assistanz Plus optional) | covered in full |
| Premium Payment Options (Currency / Frequency & Surcharge) | USD / EUR / GBP annual, semi, quarterly, monthly (surcharge significant) | USD / EUR annual, semi, quarterly, monthly (no surcharge) | USD / EUR annual, semi, quarterly, monthly (no surcharge) |
| Get Quote | Get Quote | Get Quote |
Local Insurance (Luma & AXA)
Local plans are baht-denominated and centred on Thai hospital networks. Limits are quoted in THB, and figures below are for each insurer’s representative expat plan. Outpatient, dental, and maternity are usually optional add-ons rather than built in.
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| Provider | Luma | AXA Thailand |
| Notes | Thai network, cashless direct billing; must reside in Thailand ≥180 days/year | visa-compliant plan (O-A / O-X / LTR) |
| Insurance Plan Suggestion | Hi5 (Plan 1 / 2 / 3) Inpatient; Outpatient optional | EasyCare Visa (Plan 1 / 2) Inpatient; Outpatient optional |
| Geographical Coverage | Thailand-based; worldwide excl. USA, Canada, Japan, China, UK, Singapore & others | Thailand (AXA hospital network) |
| Emergency Cover Outside the Area of Coverage | up to THB 1,250,000 per year (90 days per trip, max 180 days/year) | Thailand only (AXA hospital network); no overseas cover |
| Deductible / Excess / Co-pay Options | no inpatient deductible Outpatient add-on: 50% or 0% co-pay | required deductible per visit THB 100,000 / 200,000 / 300,000 |
| Overall Annual Limit Options | THB 5,000,000 per year | THB 2,000,000 (Plan 1) / THB 4,000,000 (Plan 2) per confinement |
| Hospitalization Inpatient | Standard room paid in full within Hi5 Network (THB 5,000 / 8,000 / 10,000 per day by plan) | Standard room THB 2,500 / 4,000 per day ICU THB 5,000 / 8,000 per day |
| Cancer Care | covered in full | radiotherapy & chemotherapy up to THB 100,000 |
| Organ Transplant | covered in full | not covered |
| Out Patient Care | optional add-on THB 40,000 or THB 200,000 per year | post-hospitalization included OPD optional: THB 1,500/visit (max THB 45,000/yr) |
| Outpatient Cover | GP, specialist, labs & medicine paid in full within OPD limit | within OPD add-on limit |
| Outpatient Surgery | covered in full (minor surgery) | day surgery paid in full |
| Outpatient Cancer Care | covered in full (day care) | within cancer sublimit |
| Dental | optional add-on | not covered |
| Emerg. Dental from Accident | within accident outpatient cover | injury treatment within 24 hrs of accident covered |
| Dental (Routine & Major Treatments) | optional: THB 20,000 / 60,000 / 100,000 (10% co-pay) | not covered |
| Additional Benefits | ||
| Annual Routine Health Check | optional add-on up to THB 10,000 per year | not covered |
| Maternity & Childbirth | optional: THB 200,000 or THB 300,000 | not covered |
| Emergency Evac & Repatriation | emergency ambulance paid in full (no international evacuation) | emergency ambulance THB 1,000 / 1,500 |
| Premium Payment Options (Currency / Frequency & Surcharge) | THB annual | THB annual (family discount 5–10%) |
| Get Quote | Get Quote |
Plans for Retirees (Cigna & Luma)
Retirees face two extra hurdles: an upper age limit on new applications, and the medical-cover minimum attached to the O-A, O-X, and LTR visas. The two plans below handle both well. Cigna Healthcare accepts new applicants with no upper age limit and its higher tiers clear the visa thresholds; Luma accepts applicants up to age 70 and renews to 99, with a baht plan that is cheaper to run in Thailand and a dedicated retirement-visa option.
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| Provider | Cigna Healthcare | Luma |
| Notes | no age limit for new applicants; meets O-A / LTR cover minimums on higher tiers | entry up to age 70, renewable to 99; baht plan, Thai network; retirement-visa option |
| Insurance Plan Suggestion | Silver or Gold Inpatient + Outpatient option | Hi5 (Plan 1 / 2 / 3) Inpatient; Outpatient optional |
| Geographical Coverage | Worldwide excluding USA or including US for up to 3 months | Thailand-based; worldwide excl. USA, Canada, Japan, China, UK, Singapore & others |
| Emergency Cover Outside the Area of Coverage | covered up to US$100,000 (21 days per trip – 60 max per year) | up to THB 1,250,000 per year (90 days per trip, max 180 days/year) |
| Deductible / Excess / Co-pay Options | Inpatient deductible or co-pay & Outpatient deductible or co-pay | no inpatient deductible Outpatient add-on: 50% or 0% co-pay |
| Overall Annual Limit Options | US$1,000,000 to US$2,000,000 | THB 5,000,000 per year |
| Hospitalization Inpatient | Standard-Private Room | Standard room paid in full within Hi5 Network (THB 5,000 / 8,000 / 10,000 per day by plan) |
| Cancer Care | covered in full | covered in full |
| Organ Transplant | covered in full | covered in full |
| Out Patient Care | up to US$10,000 – US$25,000 | optional add-on THB 40,000 or THB 200,000 per year |
| Outpatient Cover | GP, specialist, prescribed drugs & diagnostics within OP limit | GP, specialist, labs & medicine paid in full within OPD limit |
| Outpatient Surgery | covered in full | covered in full (minor surgery) |
| Outpatient Cancer Care | covered in full | covered in full (day care) |
| Dental | Emergency only / optional | optional add-on |
| Emerg. Dental from Accident | up to US$1,000 | within accident outpatient cover |
| Dental (Routine & Major Treatments) | optional: up to US$2,500 | optional: THB 20,000 / 60,000 / 100,000 (10% co-pay) |
| Additional Benefits | ||
| Annual Routine Health Check | up to US$450 for Routine Check-ups Vaccination covered in full | optional add-on up to THB 10,000 per year |
| Maternity & Childbirth | Inpatient up to US$7,000 (higher tiers) | optional: THB 200,000 or THB 300,000 |
| Emergency Evac & Repatriation | not covered (optional) | emergency ambulance paid in full (no international evacuation) |
| Premium Payment Options (Currency / Frequency & Surcharge) | USD / EUR / GBP annual, semi, quarterly, monthly (surcharge significant) | THB annual |
| Get Quote | Get Quote |
International Plans with US Coverage (GeoBlue, Cigna & IMG)
Most expat plans exclude the United States to keep premiums down, so if you’re American, travel home regularly, or simply want the option of treatment in the US, look at the three plans below. Each can include the US, though the terms differ by plan (see the US Coverage row). GeoBlue is built specifically for US citizens and runs on the Blue Cross Blue Shield network; Cigna and IMG add the US as a coverage-area option on their worldwide plans.
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| Provider | GeoBlue (BCBS Global Solutions) | Cigna Global | IMG Global |
| Best For | US citizens who want genuine access to care back home | flexible, fully customizable worldwide cover | affordable worldwide cover with a US PPO network |
| Insurance Plan Suggestion | Xplorer Essential or Premier | Silver, Gold or Platinum | Global Medical: Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum |
| Geographical Coverage | Worldwide, with the US available as an option | Worldwide, with a coverage area that can include the US | Worldwide (includes the US), or a cheaper area excluding the US and other high-cost countries |
| US Coverage | Blue Cross Blue Shield BlueCard PPO network, up to US$1,000,000 per person; for limited visits to the US (the plan is for expats living outside the US) | Full cover on the Worldwide-including-USA area; the excluding-USA area covers US emergencies only on short trips (up to 3 weeks per trip, 60 days per year) | US PPO network on the worldwide area, capped at the first 180 days per coverage period |
| Overall Annual Limit | Unlimited (lifetime) outside the US | US$1,000,000 (Silver) / US$2,000,000 (Gold) / unlimited (Platinum) | US$1,000,000 (Bronze) / US$5,000,000 (Silver & Gold) / US$8,000,000 (Platinum) lifetime maximum |
| Deductible Options | US$0 to US$10,000 | flexible; you choose the deductible | from US$250 up to US$25,000 (from US$100 on Platinum) |
| Pre-existing Conditions | covered immediately (proof of prior cover required) | assessed by full medical underwriting (may be covered, excluded, or loaded) | covered after 24 months of continuous cover (on eligible plans) |
| Emergency Evacuation | US$250,000 per person | optional medical-evacuation module | emergency medical evacuation included |
| Entry Age | up to 74 | no upper age limit for new applicants | enrol by 65 to keep lifetime eligibility (moves to Global Senior at 75) |
| Get Quote | Get Quote | Get Quote |
Adding the US to any international plan raises the premium sharply, so only pay for it if you genuinely expect to use US healthcare. If you want someone to price the US-inclusive options side by side, International Insurance can compare them for you.
How to Choose
Once you’ve narrowed the field, weigh these factors before you buy.
Visa Compliance
If your plan needs to support a Thai long-stay visa, it has to meet a minimum level of medical cover, and the insurer has to be able to issue the right certificate. The thresholds are modest and most plans clear them easily, but the current figures are:
- Non-Immigrant O-A (retirement): at least THB 3,000,000 / US$100,000 in cover, or inpatient of at least THB 400,000 plus outpatient of at least THB 40,000.
- Non-Immigrant O-X (long-stay): inpatient of at least THB 400,000 plus outpatient of at least THB 40,000.
- Long Term Resident (LTR): health cover of at least US$50,000.
Local plans such as AXA EasyCare Visa and Luma’s retirement-visa plan are written to issue the Thai-format certificate the immigration office expects. International plans like Cigna Healthcare can also meet the cover minimums, but confirm the provider can supply visa-acceptable documentation before you rely on it.
Coverage and Limits
For treatment in Thailand, an annual limit of around US$1,000,000 (or THB 3–5 million on a local plan) is usually enough to cover the top private hospitals. If you travel often to higher-cost countries, or want the option of treatment in the US, choose a higher limit. Check the room-and-board level too: a plan that only pays for a semi-private room, or caps the daily room rate below what a Bangkok international hospital charges, can leave you out of pocket.
Hospital Network and Direct Billing
Local insurers run cashless direct-billing networks (Luma’s Hi5 network, AXA’s hospital network) so you don’t pay up front at partner hospitals. International plans normally settle directly with major Bangkok hospitals for inpatient hospitalization, but outpatient visits usually have to be paid up front and claimed back later. Either way, check your preferred hospital is in network before you commit.
Outpatient and Extras
On local plans, outpatient, dental, and maternity are usually optional add-ons rather than built in, so price the plan with the extras you actually need. On international plans these are often bundled into the higher tiers. If you plan to start a family, check the maternity waiting period, which is typically 10 to 12 months.
Exclusions and Renewal Pricing
Every insurer imposes exclusions, and they vary widely. Read the exclusions in the policy wording before deciding; even the highest-premium plans have them, and a high premium does not automatically mean a better plan.
Also ask how renewals are priced. Under community rating everyone pays the same for a given product regardless of claims history; under performance rating your own claims affect your renewal premium. Ask your advisor or the insurer what increase to expect at renewal before you commit.
Portability
If you may move countries, an international plan follows you; a local Thai plan does not. If you’re unsure which route fits, request a free comparison from a broker. For more background on how cover works here, see our guide to health insurance in Thailand.
Which Health Insurance Plan Should You Get?
If you want global, portable cover and don’t mind paying more for it, an international plan from Cigna Healthcare or April International is the straightforward choice, and either can be tailored to your budget. If you’re over 65, Cigna Healthcare accepts new applicants with no age limit.
If you mainly want cover for treatment in Thailand, plan to stay put, and want a lower premium, a local baht plan from Luma, AXA, or LMG is worth a serious look, especially if you need a plan that satisfies a retirement-visa requirement.
Whichever way you lean, get a quote from at least two providers before you commit, and read the policy wording on exclusions. If you’d rather have someone compare the options for you, request a free comparison from a broker: International Insurance for international plans, or CheckDi for local Thai plans.
Insurance Terms Explained
- Annual limit: the most an insurer will pay in a year. For Thailand, US$1,000,000 is usually enough for the top private hospitals.
- Area of coverage: where you are covered. For most expats in Thailand, Asia or Worldwide excluding the US is the practical choice; it covers Thailand’s private hospitals, including the big international ones in Bangkok. Regional options such as South East Asia can be significantly cheaper, and adding the US raises the premium substantially.
- Hospital room: some plans cap the daily room rate or pay only for a semi-private room, and some won’t pay for premium hospitals in certain countries.
- Deductible / excess: what you pay out of pocket before the insurer starts paying. A higher deductible lowers your premium. Excess usually works the same way (per year) but can apply per condition, so check the terms.
- Co-payment: the percentage of each claim you pay. With a 10% co-pay on a US$10,000 claim, you pay US$1,000 and the insurer pays the rest.
- Medical evacuation and repatriation: international plans usually cover evacuation to the nearest facility that can treat you. Repatriation means a return to your country of residence, not necessarily your home country, though some providers offer home-country cover. Local Thai plans generally cover emergency ambulance but not international evacuation.
- Maternity and newborn care: pre- and post-natal care and delivery, usually on a higher tier or as an add-on, with a 10 to 12-month waiting period. Newborns are generally covered under the mother’s benefit for the first 30 days; enrol the baby within that window to avoid further underwriting on some plans.
For more background, see our guide to health insurance in Thailand.