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A Guide to the New Mandatory Health Insurance Rules for Retirees

If you've got questions about the mandatory retirement visa health insurance requirement (O-A visa), this FAQ will answer those questions, and much more.

Please also note that as of late 2021, the requirement has been extended (in some countries) to those applying for a Non Immigrant O Visa too. More on that later on.

In this post I'll cover the following:

  • Why you need health insurance.
  • Who the approved companies are.
  • How much you can expect to pay.
  • How to get it cheaper than advertised.
  • And how you can avoid this requirement altogether!

o-a-visa-insurance-guide

What is an O-A (Retirement) Visa?

The O-A is commonly known as a ‘retirement visa', though there isn't officially a visa called the ‘retirement visa'.

It is for those aged 50+ who want to stay in Thailand for a period of 1 year, without the intention of working. You can extend after the year is up, provided you meet the financial requirements.

The O-A is obtained in your home country and, when you enter Thailand, you are stamped in for a year.

The new mandatory health insurance rule applies to both new Non-Immigrant O-A visa applicants and current Non-Immigrant O-A visa holders who obtained the visa after the enforcement date.

What other visas are affected by this rule?

As of August 2021, some embassies now require this health insurance for those applying for a Non O Immigrant Visa.

I expect this to be rolled out across the board, but currently the requirement is active in Japan, some US states, and some European countries. The UK is not yet affected.

The reason for this has not been announced, but it is most likely to bring the O and O-A retirement pathways into line.

Previously, those applying for the O Visa and then doing a retirement extension in Thailand could avoid this health insurance requirement, whereas those going down the O-A Visa retirement route needed to get their year's worth of insurance in their home country before flying.

Bear in mind that the Non Immigrant O Visa is issued for 90 days (single entry), so the insurance needs only cover this duration. The O-A Visa is issued for a year, so the insurance policy needs to cover this period.

Holders of the Non-Immigrant O-X visa have needed mandatory insurance since 2017. No other visas require this mandatory health insurance.

Why introduce mandatory health insurance?

Back in May 2019, a representative of the International Health Division (Health Service Support Department), stated that in 2017 and 2018, foreigners incurred non-paid medical bills amounting to 349 million Baht, and 305 million Baht, respectively.

The records show that in 2017, 565,000 out of 3.3 million visitors didn't pay their medical bills. In 2018, the figure rose to 680,000 out of 3.42 million visitors.

They say the majority of unpaid bills were from retirees on long-stay visas.

I'm not convinced of that, but what is true is that those 50+ years old are more likely to develop long-term illness. The bill for heart disease, cancer, type-2 diabetes complications, etc., can be a very expensive one.

But don't most expats have insurance anyway?

You would think so. Most I meet do. Furthermore, the majority of stories in the papers surrounding unpaid medical bills are usually regarding tourists in motorbike accidents.

A better solution might have been:

  • A. charging a 500 Baht entry fee to each person entering the country (per year) – this would have covered the cost of unpaid bills cited by the health department.
  • B. making sure everyone who enters the country has medical insurance!

But we are where we are now. Let's move on.

How much cover do I need?

Currently, for those that are already in Thailand on an O-A visa, the requirement remains at the old rate of 400,000 in patient and 40,000 of out patient coverage. You can still extend your current visa inside Thailand on this requirement.

As of November 1st, those that are applying for an O-A outside of Thailand will need a health insurance policy for at least 3 million Baht, which will cover medical expenses and Covid-19 treatment.
Below is a graphic with the official line from the Thai General Insurance Association.

o-a-insurance-requirement

Where do I get my retirement visa health insurance?

Those in charge have come up with an approved list of local insurance providers:

The companies are as follows:

  1. Thai Health Insurance
  2. LMG
  3. The Viriyah
  4. Pacific Cross
  5. Falcon
  6. Thaivivat
  7. AXA
  8. Navakij
  9. Dhipaya
  10. Asia Insurance
  11. Aetna
  12. Sompo Insurance

You have to use one of these providers and present your premium with your visa application. The premium must meet the minimum requirements.

How much are the premiums?

Reasonable, I guess, depending on your exchange rate, and if the insurance cover is solely for Thailand.

Once you get to 60+ years it starts to get expensive. And if you want regional or international cover the price rockets.

I've had a fair few emails from disgruntled readers. Here's one that explains how restrictive this new rule can be for those over 65 and 70:

4 carriers on the Thailand Long Term Insurance website will insure me at 70 years or older. For me at age 71, the rates range from 69,000 to 81,000 Baht per year. This is prior to an exam and underwriting and subject to change.

The rates are almost double what a 65 year old pays.  At 75 years they increase 33% and at 80 66%, respectively.

So only 4 out of the 7 will actually insure those who are 70+. And for those 80+, there are no options.

Indeed, Thaivivat Insurance goes highest in terms of age. They will insure you at 76 years old, with renewals up to 100 years old – starting at 120,000 Baht.

Is there a cheaper option?

Yes. I found that if you use the Mister Prakan site you can can shave a bit off the premiums.

This site covers numerous companies and five on the approved O-A visa list:

  1. AXA
  2. Pacific Cross
  3. LMG
  4. Viriyah
  5. Thaivivat

So you can get cover from one of those approved providers and save money on going through the government website.

Here's a couple of quotes I got based on being 50 years old and exceeding the 40k outpatient and 400k inpatient cover. I'm 41 but to be eligible for an O-A visa you have to be 50.

thailand-mandatory-health-insurance

+ Click here for quotes on the Mister Prakan site

I don't want this insurance/have my own, what can I do?

Don't get an O-A visa.

But I want to retire in Thailand, is there another way?

Yes. Get a Non Immigrant O Visa. You don't need the mandatory health insurance for this visa, unless you are living in one of the aforementioned countries that are now asking for this cover as part of the application process.

Still, even if you do require it, you only need 90 day's worth of coverage.

How is a Non Immigrant O Visa different from the O-A?

An ‘O' category visa can be issued for a range of purposes such as visiting family or friends in Thailand, taking a voluntary job, getting medical treatment, attending a judicial process, and even to work as diplomat's housekeeper.

It can also be issued for the purpose of retirement. Good news.

Where retirement is concerned, you can obtain a single entry Non Immigrant O Visa from your home country, or neighboring country to Thailand, which gives you entry to Thailand for 90 days.

After 60 days in Thailand, you can apply for a 1-year extension at an immigration office – providing you meet the financial requirements, as stipulated in my retirement visa post.

Put simply: in most countries the Non O Visa does not require the mandatory health insurance, and the O-A does.

I want still want good health insurance. Any recommendations?

Yes. Check out these providers here. Also, you can get an immediate quote from Cigna by clicking here. It takes 2 minutes to do.

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Got a question? Did I miss something? Leave it in the comments section below.



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  2. chao ken says

    i guess the health insurance for OA retire visa has been raised from 400000 to 3000000 baht irrespective the visa was obtained before or after the enactment of the new requirement.

    and this health insurance probably would not solve the problem of alleged default of medical bills by foreigners, one reason being insureres typically excluded reimbursement or payment for preexisting medical conditions already incurred at time of insurance purchase. So if the foreigners concerned are financially impared, they still unable to pay even with 3 million insurance cover!

    if the authority really want to rectify the alleged problem, what they can do is to blacklist those defaulting payment from visa renewal
    Reply

  3. ken chao says

    according to the THAI insurere association website (linked to THAI IMMIGRATION website), mandatory health insurance for OA visa extension is 400000 baht inpatient coverage (before Sept 2022) but nothing was said about applying for extension after Sept 2022! does it mean 3 million coverage required? or 3.5.milion (as it seems 100000 USD health insurance required for someone applying from home country, according to.some overseas THAI.consulate)
    Reply

  4. ERNEST GEEFAY says

    I was referring to 90 day EXTENSION. Not 90 day reporting. When you enter Thailand as a tourist with the intention of applying for a retirement visa, the first step is appying for a 90 day extension of your visa. and THEN applyingfor a retirement visa.

    Applying for a 90 day extension is almost as involved as the Retirement visa
    Reply

    • JamesE says

      I use HeyMondo (underwritten by AXA) they've got good global combined coverage. If by "health" you mean accident and sickness, then, yes, most of the good policies do. If you mean maintenance - like annual checkups and pre-existing conditions, then, no, you're going to most likely need to cobble together a couple of policies. A caveat to be aware of is that most "global" policies will specifically exclude coverage in the U.S. because, well, it's the U.S..
      Reply

      • Kevin jones says

        Thanks for your reply JamesE , my wife can't understand when she comes to the UK she gets free health care to a point , I'm 61 now and I'm looking to stay in Thailand on a retirement visa so I'll need medical within and travel if i go abroad ,
        Reply

  6. Mark says

    I have a girlfriend in Thailand I seen a one year and three months before the Covid we keep in touch every day bye WhatsApp and I would like to go and live over there with her I am 60 September I will be 61 I can only get a pension of £500 in English money what are my chances of living over there or retiring for one month and extending it every month. Also if I can what is the best insurance for me to have for medical cover. Can somebody help me and advise me the best way as we miss each other and love each other so much I have been over there before the Covid Stay in one month at a time I’ve been over there five times
    Reply

    • Kevin jones says

      I am 60 and normally go over on a 60 day visa then extend another 30 , its up to you if you want to get the retirement visa in the UK and not have to get the medical insurance or apply within Thailand and have to get mandatory insurance, you still would have to have 800000 BHT in a Thai bank account though for the retirement visa , the choice is yours , I think it is easy to get a retirement visa in Thailand
      Reply

        • Sadie M says

          Hi Ernest
          I am currently trying to do a non imm O visa for my father to see his friends and girlfriend for a 3 month stay (89 days). Online application is not clear what ID or docs to put where and is asking for proof of insurance. When I checked the requirements it asked for DBS criminal record check (which now its not even asking for on form!) and a doctors letter to show he doesn't have various diseases or an addict.
          Paid out for DBS and docs letter, but now seems useless. And he will not pay over £1200 for insurance for the 3 months, as that is more than his flights and 3 months hotel put together!!! Cannot seem to get a straight answer anywhere for him, and he's been coming to Thailand for 35 years bar the covid time.
          Reply

  7. Mark says

    I have a girlfriend in Thailand I seen a one year and three months before the Covid we keep in touch every day bye WhatsApp and I would like to go and live over there with her I am 60 September I will be 61 I can only get a pension of £500 in English money what are my chances of living over there or retiring for one month and extending it every month. Also if I can what is the best insurance for me to have for medical cover
    Reply

    • KevinRayong says

      LMG is a good insurance company for Non Imm O-A which will issue the necessary document to cover the 40,000 out patient and 400,000 in patient cover. Approved by TGIA. £500 per month will not be enough for a retirement visa. Currently there is a requirement of 65,000 baht per month or 800,000 in a Thai bank.however if legally married that's reduced by 50% for a marriage visa Non Imm O. Non Imm O does not require health insurance at this time but I believe COVID insurance is required for the full term of your visa when you apply.
      Reply

  9. ERNEST GEEFAY says

    I Just entered Thailand yesterday evening from the US (June 14th) on a tourist visa (given on arrival) so I thought I would share my experience

    All I had to show to get in was :
    1. My vaccination card
    Showing I had been fully vaccinated
    2. My Thailand pass QR code
    3. My covid insurance policy

    I am over 75 so I had trouble finding a company to insure me. But eventually I was directed to a company called FWD Insurance. They do covid insurance for people up to 85 years old.
    Its pretty reasonable. Under $30 covid insurance for 30 days. And you can apply, and buy online with a credit card. Takes 15 minutes.


    When I landed in Thailand There was hardly any line.
    And I got thru immigration in under 10 minutes.

    I thought I needed to buy an outgoing ticket so I bought a cheap flight from Phuket to Penang for next month just in case. But no one asked to see it , so I think you can just buy a one way ticket to Thailand

    I am going to contact an agency to help me get a retirement visa. I could do it myself since I did it before but for $1000 they probably know some shortcuts and things I dont know.
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      Thanks Ernest. Great to hear your entry was smooth. You don't need the return date flight / onward travel if you have a valid visa. You only need it if you are entering on the 30-day exemption stamp.
      Reply

    • Lana Scott says

      It would be very interesting to hear of your experience using an agent to handle your retirement visa process. $1,000 is pretty steep. When all was said & done do you think the service was worth it? I'm trying to decide how to approach the visa process in a sure and low-stress way.
      Reply

      • ERNEST GEEFAY says

        Thanks to the eroding thai baht the total bill came to $878.00

        I had my first meeting with their legal team today.

        I will document the process and post it here when the retirement visa is approved.

        As I said, I did this before by myself..but I speak passable Thai and my wife is Thai so it was easier for us.

        If you are on your own, dont speak Thai and this is your first time it may be worth having someone who knows the roadblocks and pitfalls
        Reply

      • ERNEST GEEFAY says

        I just got my retirement visa.
        I came to Thailand on a tourist visa
        Got a 90 day visa and then
        Got my retirement visa

        The legal firm i used was helpful but you can probably do it yourself if you know all the steps.
        I kept a record of the sgeps and documents so Next time I will do it myself
        Reply

  10. Lana Scott says

    On the ASEAN blog, comments section, I see 2 insurance companies mentioned by readers: Ekta and FWD both insuring those older than 85yrs. FWD sells a one month "Covid Inbound Plan" among other coverage. Ekta http://ektatraveling.com/ is health insurance/covid. Does anyone here know about or have experience with these plans? Any good? Lana Scott
    Reply

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