Health insurance with adequate coverage is something you cannot afford to be without in Thailand.

The foremost name in health insurance is undoubtedly BUPA/Blue Cross in Bangkok,
specialized in dealing with foreigners.

The company doles out extremely attractive ‘package’ rates for schools and colleges are concerned, provided the institution has considerable numbers of prospective clients wanting to take advantage of health cover However, most of the employers sign up for the cheapest package for the sake of placing it on the offer package.

BUPA, like most of the other health insurance companies, offers a fairly straightforward range of packages named after gemstones - Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald and Diamond. The difference is in the amount of given in the areas of room and board, general expenses, surgical fees, doctor’s visits, OPD, and emergency accident. It is advisable to upgrade a cheaper package offered from the school to a better version, by paying some from your own pocket.

Yet another Insurance provider ‘Health’ was started by a group of ex-BUPA Blue Cross executives. Perhaps their premiums are certainly a good ten per cent cheaper than BUPA’s as well. Another name that often crops up in health insurance circles, and the company that many Thai people use, is AIA (American Insurance Association) However, this company specializes in health insurance/life assurance/sick pay/saving plans all rolled up into one convenient bundle.

There are several different medical insurance policies offered. I have seen policies with maximum coverage ranging from 15,000 baht per claim up to 600,000 baht. 15,000 baht won't actually go very far if you are admitted into hospital overnight. 600,000 is more than ample for a long stay. Somewhere in between would be adequate.

Medical care is very good in Bangkok - at the private hospitals where you must pay. Generally speaking, public hospitals are not quire up to the same standards and Westerners might want to avoid them as you might have to wait a long time for treatment. Health card with the convenience of a credit card facilitates in cashless hospitalization benefit. When you check out of a hospital, you simply present your card to the billing department and you leave the hospital to face the rigmarole of claim settlement. However, the hospitals ensure whether you have the necessary funds or insurance cover before commencing the course of treatment.