Bangkok-based team · Supporting expats since 2012

Health Insurance in Thailand for Expats

Compare health insurance plans for individuals and families, with guidance from our Bangkok-based team and support from LUMA’s in-house medical team.

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We find options that fit your requirements, and explain exactly what each plan covers.

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Serving expats in Thailand

Health insurance plans in Thailand

Every LUMA plan starts from the same foundations: cover that follows you across the region, worldwide emergency protection, medical evacuation and repatriation, direct billing within LUMA’s hospital network, and guaranteed renewal to age 99.

Plan	Annual limit	Room per night
Hi5	5 million THB	5,000-8,000 THB
PRIME	10-50 million THB	12,000-20,000 THB
Expat Essential	USD 100,000-500,000	USD 156-312
Expat Exclusive	USD 1-1.6 million	Paid in full on most plans

Hi5 covers roughly USD 150,000 per year, and PRIME roughly USD 300,000 to USD 1.5 million. As of September 2026

What health insurance in Thailand covers

Every plan answers the same first question: if you are admitted to a hospital tomorrow, are you covered? That is the essential care almost every plan in Thailand includes.

Essential care in every plan

Inpatient hospitalization

Room, board, and treatment during an admitted stay

Emergency care and treatment

Optional add-ons on every LUMA plan

Outpatient visits

Dental care

Vision care

Maternity and newborn care

There is no single right combination, because there is no single situation. A professional living alone often needs little more than strong inpatient protection. A growing family starts to care about outpatient visits, maternity, and newborn cover. In retirement, the priority usually shifts to protection against major hospital expenses, while leaving out costly outpatient benefits to keep the premium manageable. Whatever your situation, a LUMA consultant helps you choose the combination that fits your life and your budget.

How much does health care cost in Thailand

These figures come from LUMA’s own claims data from the past 12 months in Thailand, not from hospital price lists. The room is only a small part of the bill.
A standard room in a private hospital may seem affordable for one night, but a full stay, with doctors’ fees, tests, medicines, and treatment, costs many times more:

Cost of a hospital stay by city

	Median room rate per night	Average total cost of a 2 night stay
1Bangkok Tier 1	10,200 THB	54,218 THB
1Bangkok Tier 2	6,720 THB	43,148 THB
1Bangkok Tier 3	5,990 THB	40,843 THB
2Phuket	7,960 THB	45,245 THB
3Chiang Mai	4,360 THB	38,054 THB
4Chonburi (Pattaya)	7,540 THB	44,410 THB
5Nonthaburi	6,810 THB	42,960 THB

Room rates are for a standard room and include meals and hospital fees. The total cost of a stay includes the room and all treatment during the admission. VIP suites cost significantly more.

Common treatments carry their own costs:

Bacterial diarrhea OPD / IPD

15,100 THB

Dengue fever OPD / IPD

29,100 THB

Evacuation by ambulance

30,000 THB (average)

Evacuation by air

90,000-300,000 THB, or over 1,000,000 THB
for severe cases requiring specialized equipment and personnel

Major surgery IPD

298,040 THB

Urinary tract infection

489,295 THB

Motorbike accident

2,719,587 THB

Fractured tibia

4,221,002 THB

Actual costs depend on the condition and the hospital. What the ranges show is the size of the risk: private care in Thailand is excellent, and it is priced accordingly. Health insurance helps manage eligible medical costs, subject to the plan’s benefits, limits and deductible.

How much does LUMA health insurance cost in Thailand

What you pay comes down to two choices: your plan, and your deductible. A deductible is the amount you pay yourself each policy year before the plan pays the rest. These are indicative starting-from premiums with a mid-range deductible applied: 60,000 THB per year for Hi5 and PRIME, USD 1,000 for Expat Essential and Expat Exclusive.

Indicative premiums by age

Starting-from premiums per year, mid-range deductible applied

Get a personalized quote from LUMA

Age	Hi5 (THB/year)	PRIME (THB/year)	Expat Essential (USD/year)	Expat Exclusive (USD/year)
25	18,447	25,907	476	929
30	22,172	31,156	527	1,030
35	26,393	37,102	622	1,179
40	30,820	43,341	732	1,389
45	36,955	51,985	795	1,732
50	45,793	65,438	952	2,147
55	60,035	84,404	1,174	2,902
60	85,082	119,786	1,727	4,218

The deductible is yours to set. Hi5 and PRIME offer options from 16,000 to 1,000,000 THB per year; the Expat plans offer USD 500 to 10,000. The higher the deductible chosen, the higher the discount applied to your policy.
Deductibles apply to inpatient cover only. Starting-from figures are indicative and confirmed at quote; the firm premium follows underwriting.

Who needs health insurance in Thailand

Publicly funded care in Thailand is for Thai nationals and for employees covered by the Social Security scheme. Foreign residents outside these schemes pay for their own treatment, and private hospitals usually ask for payment, or a guarantee of payment, before treatment unless you have insurance they accept. What you need depends on your situation, and for some visas, health insurance is a requirement.

Expats and foreigners working in Thailand

If you work for a Thai employer, Social Security covers treatment at one assigned hospital, usually a public hospital. If you work remotely from Thailand, you have no Social Security coverage. In either case, private hospital treatment is at your own expense unless you have private health insurance.
Some employers provide group health insurance, but limits can be low and coverage ends when you leave. Having your own plan can provide higher limits and continuous coverage even when your job changes.

Families and future parents

A family policy must cover everyone equally, not only the working parent. Hospital stays, doctor visits, and referrals to specialists must work for your children in the same way they work for you. If you plan to have a child, check the maternity benefits first: many general plans exclude or limit pregnancy and childbirth. Choose a policy that clearly includes complications of pregnancy and childbirth, and newborn care. LUMA's family and maternity health insurance plans are built for both needs.

Children

Children generally cannot apply for cover on their own; most insurers require at least one parent insured under the same plan. LUMA's children's health insurance plans are designed to sit alongside yours, with no cash advance required at the top hospitals in Thailand through LUMA's medical network.

Retirees and long-stay visa holders

For many people, this is where insurance stops being optional: several Thai visa categories require proof of health insurance meeting a specific minimum before the visa is issued or renewed. The requirement, and the amount, depends on the exact visa.

Visa insurance requirements at a glance

Visa category	Health insurance requirement
Non-Immigrant O-A (retirement visa obtained via a Thai embassy or consulate)	USD 100,000 or THB 3,000,000 per year, including COVID-19 treatment. Requirements can vary by the issuing embassy or consulate. Confirm the current figure with the specific post before applying.
Non-Immigrant O-X (10-year long-stay retirement visa)	THB 400,000 inpatient and THB 40,000 outpatient per year, including COVID-19 treatment.
LTR (Long-Term Resident Visa)	USD 50,000 in health insurance, or Thai social security coverage, or a USD 100,000 bank deposit maintained for at least 12 months. Each dependant added under the deposit route needs a further USD 25,000.
DTV (Destination Thailand Visa)	No official national insurance mandate, but some embassies and consulates request proof of cover as part of the application. Check with the specific consulate handling the application.

Visa Requirement Note

The everyday in-country retirement extension (Non-Immigrant O) is a separate category from O-A and O-X and currently has no insurance minimum of its own. Requirements change and vary by office, so confirm current practice at the immigration office handling your application.

Need Help Choosing the Right Coverage?

A LUMA consultant can confirm which policy satisfies the requirement for your visa. See LUMA’s guide to the Destination Thailand Visa, or LUMA’s retirement and senior health insurance options for O-A and O-X.

What happens when you claim

An insurance plan is tested on one day only: the day you use it. These are LUMA’s claim numbers in Thailand.

83.2% of claims are settled by direct billing

The hospital sends the bill to the insurer, and you are treated without paying first and claiming back. No forms in a hospital corridor, no waiting for money that is already yours.

16.8% of claims are reimbursement claims

LUMA approves reimbursement claims within 5 working days of receiving complete information and documents.

LUMA medical team

Behind every LUMA plan is an in-house medical team that guides members through treatment decisions, referrals, and second opinions. You are never facing a diagnosis alone.

Meet the full team

LUMA medical network

Coverage is only as good as the places you can use it. LUMA’s medical network covers 450+ hospitals across Thailand, including BNH Hospital, Samitivej Hospital, Bangkok Smile Dental Clinic, Bumrungrad, MedPark Hospital, Praram 9 Hospital, Vichaiyut Hospital, Phyathai Hospital, Bangkok Hospital, Camillian Hospital, and BIDH Dental Hospital.

Find a medical facility

+ 440 more

hospitals across Thailand

Advantages for LUMA members in Thailand

The plan is what you buy. These come with it:

24/7 emergency assistance: always available when it matters most.
Expert medical guidance: referrals to specialists and facilities, including second opinions for complex conditions.
Multilingual medical team: fluent in French, English, Thai, and Burmese.
LUMA Care app: submit and track claims from your phone (available for LUMA plans).
Dedicated international team: support from Thailand with personalized care.
Fourteen years of experience: LUMA has arranged and serviced expat health cover in Thailand since 2012.

Recognized and trusted in Thailand

LUMA is recognized by international business communities operating in Thailand and has been featured in leading publications.

Recognized by international business communities in Thailand

Featured in leading publications across Thailand

What LUMA members say

Excellent

★★★★★ 5/5

4.6 out of 5, based on 316 reviews

What members say about LUMA’s advice, service and claims support.

I appreciated the ease of opening a membership with Luma while based in Bangkok. It covered all major hospitals in Bangkok, and it was convenient that they paid directly to the hospitals in advance. If there were issues regarding certain medical coverage, LUMA was quick to contact me to understand my medical history…

Great insurance company, I recommend it to everyone! I had to use it in Thailand, Phuket in a Bangkok hospital, I didn't experience any problems with insurance, Luma covered all the visits, for which I am very grateful to them.

I concluded my contract with LUMA online and felt very well looked after! Everything went quickly and smoothly! I haven't needed you for a hospital stay, but I prefer that

Arranged our LUMA medical insurance policy with Khun Clara May in the Bangkok office. She responded quickly to emails in a professional friendly manner, providing the specific information we had requested.

I highly commend Luma Health Services! From the first time we contacted them to the issue of the policy was very, very professional. I was very impressed with the agent who we worked with.

Luma Health Insurance is the best ever for the insurers with its generous help and its better services. I really like for their alternative way for payment process if online payment is not available for the applicants…

Having limited experience with health insurance, my wife and I received excellent prompt service with everything clearly explained to us by Khun Nina at Luma. The Falcon Insurance policy offered us affordable premiums with a range of deductibles…

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Frequently asked questions

Who can apply for medical insurance in Thailand with LUMA?

Medical insurance in Thailand is generally available to everyone, regardless of nationality. However, certain nationalities may face restrictions, and many providers impose specific conditions for non-Thais. Eligibility for health insurance for foreigners varies by plan or provider—and even if accepted, some may require proof of residency or a valid work permit. Additionally, most providers exclude individuals working in high-risk occupations or senior applicants over the age of 75. While some insurers may extend the age limit to 80 or even 99, these options are rare.

For children, many providers require at least one parent to be insured under the same plan, as most do not allow children to apply for health insurance independently.

If you’re unsure about your eligibility or finding the right plan, LUMA’s consultants are here to help. We’ll guide you through the options to secure the most suitable health insurance in Thailand tailored to your unique needs.

Can a foreigner get health insurance in Thailand?

Yes, foreigners can get health insurance in Thailand, and it is highly recommended to do so. Healthcare costs for foreigners in Thailand are typically out-of-pocket, and the quality of medical services can vary. Having health insurance ensures peace of mind and guarantees access to your preferred medical facility when needed.

It’s essential to note that eligibility for foreigners depends on the specific plan and its terms and conditions. LUMA offers a variety of health insurance solutions designed for both Thais and foreigners, regardless of nationality. Contact LUMA today to get a personalized quote tailored to your needs.

Are pre-existing conditions covered by insurers in Thailand?

Pre-existing conditions are rarely covered by insurers in Thailand for individual health insurance policies. Most plans, including our current range of solutions, do not provide coverage for pre-existing conditions. Any condition or symptoms experienced before the start of your plan are classified as pre-existing. Additionally, the presence of a pre-existing condition often results in stricter terms during the underwriting process, which insurers use to evaluate applications.

However, some insurance companies in Thailand may offer coverage for pre-existing conditions if they are fully disclosed during the application process and explicitly accepted by the insurer. Transparency about your medical history is essential for exploring these options.

If you are part of a group policy, such as one provided by your employer, pre-existing conditions may sometimes be covered. However, this coverage typically ends once you leave the group policy.

Can I buy a plan built around a specific hospital in Thailand?

Yes, you can purchase health insurance policies specifically designed for use in hospitals in Thailand. Some providers even offer plans tailored for specific hospitals, ensuring you receive coverage at your preferred medical facility.

Do I need health insurance in Thailand?

Whether you need health insurance in Thailand depends on your circumstances, but it is strongly recommended—especially for expatriates living in the country. Medical care in Thailand can be expensive, with hospitalization for serious accidents or major surgeries potentially costing millions of Thai Baht, posing a significant financial burden.

Health insurance acts as a vital safety net, covering medical expenses and providing peace of mind for you and your loved ones in the event of an unexpected health emergency. It ensures access to quality healthcare without the worry of overwhelming costs.

Does LUMA have a medical network of hospitals and clinics nationwide?

Yes, LUMA has a medical network of 450+ hospitals all across Thailand. LUMA Medical Network

Can health insurance be used for tax deductions in Thailand?

Yes, health insurance premiums purchased from Thai-licensed and locally regulated insurance companies can qualify for tax deductions in Thailand, subject to certain conditions. Individuals can deduct premiums up to 25,000 THB per year, provided the policy adheres to the requirements set by the Revenue Department of Thailand. This deduction is part of a combined limit of 100,000 THB for life and health insurance premiums.

To maximize these tax benefits, it’s important to confirm that your policy meets all eligibility criteria. At LUMA, we offer health insurance plans that deliver exceptional coverage while meeting tax deduction qualifications.