Reader question: I am looking for information about health insurance in Thailand

A Dutch expat ('abroad') policy is the best, but not the cheapest, choice. There aren't many Dutch insurers that offer this, and when it does, it's often a 'loyalty policy' = only for existing customers, such as Univé for example. As far as I know, OZV is one of the few that does not use the 'loyalty principle'. In the Netherlands there is a mandatory acceptance (= without inspection, and all outstanding risks are also taken over). This is DEFINITELY NOT the case abroad! Think very carefully about that!

Of course there are also insurance policies in Thailand, but there is a lot of chaff under the wheat, even with reputable sounding companies of foreign origin, such as BUPA (English). There are often very substantial increases in premiums at a higher age, and often the age is limited (= you are removed from the insurance when you reach a certain age).

And there are also companies that can put you out of the insurance 'just like that'; 'reinsurers' in particular can do this = firms that are not themselves (even if you get a nice policy from them) but have transferred the risk to another insurer ('proof on file' of this type of practice with far-reaching consequences). Get yourself really well informed, black and white, because every insurance agent earns from you every year, and one firm naturally offers more commission than the other. Again: there's a whole lot here; chaff among the wheat!

Remember that switching to (eg) Thai or other foreign insurance means that all historical risks are excluded. Sometimes you don't even have to get yourself examined, but the exclusion is stated in the policy conditions.

If you do take out a Thai/foreign policy, do so only for in-patient care = hospitalization. That means that you have to pay for home, garden and kitchen matters yourself, and also tests (can still add up quite a bit with an MRI scan or similar, for example).

Remember that private hospitals in Thailand (& elsewhere) are commercial establishments, oriented for profit, and so are often the 'doctors'. There can be significant cost differences by private hospital. Request a quote from multiple hospitals!

Treatment in state hospitals is also possible; often they are also the same doctors, but the waiting times are long and the conditions fairly spartan (but constantly being improved). For home, garden and kitchen matters you can also go to a local clinic; these are, as a rule, run by doctors from government hospitals. They cost a little more than in the state hospital.

Always be assertive in private hospitals, e.g. 'no drip with a 2-day hospital stay' if it can also be done at home with pills and drops. Happened to me several times. Also no 'operations' that are not necessary (ditto; first ask for a second opinion elsewhere). You will save the insurance company a lot of money and yourself all kinds of complications. Buy out-patient medicines yourself if possible; As a rule, you will save about 50-75%, and you should not be prescribed an aspirin that costs 10% outside the home.

Finally: there is a vague plan to make foreigners eligible for the Universal (Health-) Care system in Thailand (= sort of health insurance fund). Of course with a premium, but it will not be high and not all matters will be covered.

At the moment, the costs for foreigners in state hospitals are a quarter to a third of what private hospitals charge, sometimes even significantly less.

Dear,
Yesterday I received a quote from the above insurer. Seems like a very serious company indeed. As a 69-year-old, I can even take out my hospitalization insurance with 0 euros. Definitely worth contacting these people!
Sincerely,
Jan