Hospitalisation in Thailand: Real Cost vs Insurance Coverage

Hospitalisation Cost in Thailand

Thailand offers world-class healthcare services, but treatment can be costly for foreign travellers. With no universal healthcare facility for travellers, your hospital costs can quickly add up. Your approximate hospitalisation cost in Thailand can be as follows:

What Can Make Your Hospital Bill in Thailand Higher?

Hospitalisation costs in Thailand vary significantly from one patient to another. While the type of treatment plays a major role, factors such as the length of stay and choice of hospital can also add to the final bill.

These factors decide the final amount of your hospital bill in Thailand:

1. Type of Treatment

   Medical costs in Thailand vary by treatment and hospital. While consultations may cost a few thousand baht, surgery or prolonged treatment can cost hundreds of thousands of Baht.

2. Location

   The final cost of your treatment also depends on where you get treated and which hospital you choose. For example, choosing a private hospital in Bangkok may cost 20-40% more than choosing one in Chiang Mai.

3. Emergency Care

   Emergency care in Thailand can quickly become expensive because several individual services may be added to the final bill. For the most part, travellers with travel medical insurance opt for private hospitals to receive better, faster ER care.

4. ICU or Specialised Treatment

   Critical or specialised care can significantly increase hospitalisation costs due to the need for specialised facilities and equipment.

5. Dual Pricing System

   Thailand may charge Thais and non-Thais different prices for the same treatment under a dual-pricing system. As a result, the cost of treatment in Thailand for non-Thais is higher.

Real Cost vs Insurance Coverage: How Much Can Travel Insurance Cover

The real cost of getting treated in Thailand is 40-60% higher than in India. With such increased hospitalisation, having travel insurance becomes helpful. It can cover doctor’s fees, hospitalisation, prescription medicines, or injuries that you face in Thailand.

Let us understand this with the help of an example:

Sumit goes on an 8-day trip to Thailand and gets into an unfortunate bike accident. He suffers multiple fractures and a traumatic brain injury that requires a craniotomy. It took him several days in intensive care to recover. This is what it cost him in a Thai private hospital:

Thankfully, his Thailand travel insurance policy with USD 250,000 coverage came to his rescue. His USD 67,000 bill could fall within this limit. Aside from the applicable deductibles, he didn’t have to pay more than USD 6,200 out of pocket.

Without insurance, he would have to pay the full USD 67,000 out of pocket. With insurance, he could significantly reduce this emergency expense.

What to Check Before Buying Travel Insurance for Thailand?

Hospitalisation in Thailand can be costly, making it important to get travel medical insurance. Check the following before you buy travel insurance for Thailand:

• Appropriate Sum Insured: Choose adequate coverage for medical expenses in Thailand. Overseas travel plans may offer coverage from USD 50,000 to USD 1 million, depending on the policy and destination.
• Cashless Hospitalisation Facility: Check if the policy offers cashless hospitalisation at network hospitals and has a sufficient number of hospitals abroad.
• PED Coverage: Check whether the policy covers pre-existing diseases (PEDs) and related complications. Most exclude them, but some offer limited coverage or PED add-ons for declared conditions.
• Inpatient and Outpatient Expenses: Check coverage for room rent, ICU, consultations, tests and prescribed medicines.
• 24x7 Medical Assistance: Check for 24×7 global medical assistance for hospital admission, treatment or evacuation.

Plan for Medical Emergencies Before Travelling to Thailand

An accident or sudden illness in Thailand can be stressful, especially when you are far from home. Indian travellers should keep these points in mind:

• Road accidents are a common cause of travellers needing emergency medical care.
• Foreign travellers usually pay for medical treatment, with private hospitals costing more.
• Severe cases may require medical evacuation or repatriation to India.
• Carry copies of your passport, insurance policy and any essential medical records.
• Keep emergency funds or an international payment option for hospital expenses.

Planning for these possibilities can help you respond quickly and manage the financial impact of an unexpected medical emergency.