SmartCover Guide

Common Health Insurance Mistakes Expats Make in Thailand (2025 Guide) Last updated: January 25, 2026 • Audience: Expats living in Thailand Many insurance problems expats face in Thailand are avoidable with better planning. Thailand has excellent healthcare, but many expats still struggle with health insurance. Problems usually don’t appear when buying a policy — they appear when you try to make a claim. Most claim disputes and unexpected costs are not caused by bad luck, but by common insurance mistakes expats unknowingly make . This guide highlights the most frequent health insurance mistakes expats make in Thailand and explains how you can avoid them in 2025. What’s inside this guide Mistake #1: Buying the cheapest plan only Mistake #2: Not understanding exclusions Mistake #3: Ignoring inpatient vs outpatient coverage Mistake #4: Assuming travel insurance is enough Mistake #5: Hiding ...

The Truth About Pre-Existing Conditions and Health Insurance If you’ve ever worried about being denied health insurance because of a pre-existing condition , you’re not alone. But in 2025, the rules have changed — and here’s what you really need to know. ❓ What Counts as a Pre-Existing Condition? A pre-existing condition is any health issue you had before your coverage starts , such as: Diabetes Asthma High blood pressure Depression or anxiety Cancer (past or present) 🔒 Can You Be Denied Coverage? Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) — still in full effect in 2025 — insurance companies cannot: Deny you coverage Charge higher premiums Delay your plan’s start date ✅ That’s true even if your condition is chronic or costly. 💡 What to Watch For Some short-term plans or non-ACA-compliant plans might: Exclude coverage for pre-existing conditions Have waiting periods Limit prescriptions or hospital stays Always double-check the plan’s c...