Each state in the world has its own law and courts of insurance, as well as Thailand. The one country which has changed its capital name to Krung Thep Maha Nakhon has a specific system of health insurance coverage. Thailand health insurance system is expectedly similar to other countries’ systems.
Both foreigners and local citizens considered applying for health insurance in Thailand. In fact, it can help to cover anyone’s healthcare while they are staying in this country. UHCS (Universal Health Coverage Scheme) announced the qualification of health insurance in Thailand as the one best scheme.
Thailand Health Insurance System Overview
The system of Thailand’s health insurance has been established since 2002. This policy also has been increasing and resulting in good rapport over the years. Many locals and foreigners applied for the Thailand health insurance system to aid their medical care in this country.
The system of health insurance in Thailand for both regular citizens and foreigners probably has the same form. Locals could apply for an insurance system through the civil welfare systematic process. Yet, for foreigners, they need to find an insurance mediator in every Thai city.
UHCS (Universal Health Coverage Scheme) expects regular citizens and foreigners to make their application letters to the related insurance system office. Especially for those who haven’t applied yet for it. UHCS working with the Ministry of Public Health contributed to insurance system networks all around Thailand.
Application to Health Insurance in Thailand
The form of Thailand health insurance system comes with various ways to get it. There is not only an official way that is directly related to the national health insurance organization.
The government gives such flexibility to all citizens to claim their health insurance. Yet, it is a broker as the third party to help it still be eligible to be licensed. Keep reading to find the differences between the policy for locals and foreigners.
1. Application for Foreigners
Likewise, to enter Thailand, we don’t have to have such strict visa rules. For foreigners, your visa protocol which has been approved by your home country’s policy can be the term. This policy is used for foreigners who stay in Thailand for short-term visits.
In addition, foreigners still need to pay attention to other terms and conditions to apply to Thailand health insurance system. In the case of a one-year extension request, an approval letter released by the related insurance broker is needed. There are a lot of eligible health insurance agents in Thailand.
Foreigners will get a cost of around ฿40,000 for outpatient and ฿400,000 for inpatient. If there is an extension for staying, the cost could be different with some number added. This case is used for Thailand health insurance system medical treatment fit.
Since there are many kinds of eligible insurance agents in every town, it might really help. Foreigners who don’t know much about Thailand can get help to register for the system. There are also lots of professional brokers who can speak English in case of language struggles.
During the Covid-19 era, any visitors should prepare up to $100,000 to cover their Covid treatment. With that amount of money, it is worth medical backup in Thailand in every private medical facility. Nonetheless, you still need to make sure that the facility is eligible to provide the equipment.
2. Application for Locals
The steps to obtain health insurance in Thailand are actually the same way for both foreigners and locals. Yet, for locals, they need to pay for a regular plan which can’t be used overseas. Locals are represented as regular citizens so there are two ways to apply to the Thailand health insurance system, including:
a. Regular Plan
The plan only can be used inside Thailand without any extension terms to apply. If you are planning to go abroad, you need to purchase another plan as well. This plan really helps those who are regular citizens and only working in Thailand.
b. International Plan
As the name implies, International Plan is after locals who will go to other countries. This plan can be used internationally as long as they have rules related to Thailand health insurance system. If you have your only regular plan, this plan probably needs to be purchased as well.
The International Plan can secure your medical treatment during your vacation and overseas stay. However, you have to hold approval from a related health insurance mediator to obtain it.
How to Get Full Coverage?
Just as important as health insurance, this policy system obviously comes with beneficial advantages. Despite the cost difference, Thailand health insurance system gives various coverage in medical care. Visitors with a long-stay visa can claim a full insurance system as long as their visa is available for it.
All residents will get full coverage for outpatient and all hospitalization requirements. For chronic disease, health insurance will cover fully all treatments related to cancer, and other chronic conditions. Thailand health insurance also can guarantee multiple international coverages as long as it is an international plan.
Additionally, Thailand’s health insurance policy would also acquire maternity assurance and sickness leave. You would get up to 50% of your monthly salary and be available for 90 days right after birth. For sickness leave, it will be available for 180 days for light sickness and 356 days for chronic disease.
Health insurance coverage is automatically canceled if the conditions are not included in the exclusive inclusions. For example, if you get an injury because of your extreme hobby such as rock climbing, this policy couldn’t cover it.
Should We Apply for the Thailand Health Insurance System?
As we know so far, health insurance is one of the most important things we should have. Every country has its rules of law and courts over the health insurance system. As well as in Thailand, they have their own form to apply for the health insurance policy. The form can be used for both locals and visitors including the same benefits.Since it is kind of easy to enter Thailand even without any strict visa rules. Foreigners or visitors are still required to prepare some relevant documents to claim the Thailand health insurance System. Just look for any licensed insurance agent as the third party and hand your requirements to them. So, ready to claim it as yours?