Health Insurance
Choosing health insurance today (in 2026) offers a wide variety of options. To help you find the most cost-effective and comprehensive plan, I have summarized the key things to know before making a decision:1. Coverage Formats: “Lump Sum” vs. “Scheduled”
This is the most critical point where you must choose between:- Lump Sum Plan: The most popular choice today. It pays actual costs under a large overall limit (e.g., 1 million, 5 million, or 100 million Baht per year). The advantage is that it effectively covers rising medical costs without worrying about medicine or surgery expenses exceeding sub-limits.
- Scheduled Plan: Specifies exact limits for each category, such as medicine or doctor fees. The benefit is significantly lower premiums, making it ideal as “supplemental insurance” to existing benefits.
2. Essential Core Coverage
- IPD (Inpatient Department): Covers cases requiring hospitalization (room charges, surgery, medicine).
- OPD (Outpatient Department): (Optional) Covers doctor visits without hospitalization, such as for colds or diarrhea. If you visit the doctor frequently, this is worth adding; otherwise, paying out-of-pocket might save you more on total premiums.
- Room Rate: Check whether the plan specifies a “Standard Single Room” or a “Fixed Amount” (e.g., 4,000 Baht). A standard single room plan is recommended for peace of mind in case hospitals increase their rates.