On the subject of refunds of health insurance cards and health check-up fees for foreign workers working in Thailand, the guide to health insurance for foreign workers and foreign workers, by the Ministry of Public Health B.E. 2563, specifies conditions for receiving a refund, as follows:

1. In the event that health insurance rights overlap with social security rights. When foreign workers buy health insurance cards and subsequently receive social security rights (remitted 3 months from the date of the beginning of social security rights), they may refund the health insurance card in proportion to the remaining days from the date of receiving social security rights until the health insurance card expires;

2. In the case of purchasing a health insurance card exceeding the period permitted to work in Thailand, they may refund the health insurance card in proportion to the remaining days, but the health insurance card must not be less than half of the coverage period;

3. If a person has had a health checkup and purchased a health insurance card but then finds out they will not be  permitted to work in Thailand, they may make a request for the full amount of the health insurance card;

4. In the event that health check-up fees and health insurance card fees are collected in advance but the foreigner is not permitted to work in Thailand, they do not come for health checkups and health insurance as scheduled. They may refund only the full amount of the health insurance card. The check-up fee may not be refunded, even if the person did not get the check-up.

The conditions for refunding health insurance and health check-ups are as follows:

1. In the event that the health insurance refund conditions are not met, according to items 1-4;

2. In case the health insurer has exercised the right to receive medical services;

3. In the event that the documents and evidence in requesting a refund are not complete as specified;

4. There is a remaining period of not more than half of the coverage period;

5. In the case that the second year health check-up fee has been paid for two-year health insurance.

The following section explains how to process a refund for health insurance.

• Entitled Party. The person who is eligible for the health insurance card should do it themselves. Or they may authorize another person to act on their behalf by submitting a request for a refund of the health insurance fee, together with supporting documents or evidence at the hospital registered for health insurance;
• Hospital Department. When the hospital receives a request for a refund of the health insurance fee from the eligible person, it must consider the proportion to be returned. Then, it should immediately prepare a letter of refund, to be proposed to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Health for approval, which will issue an order for a refund. 

Source: Health Insurance Operation Manual for Aliens and Foreign Workers, Ministry of Public Health, 2020.

Division of Health Economy and Health Security, Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Public Health, 88/20 Tiwanon Road, Talad Khwan Subdistrict, Mueang District, Nonthaburi Province 11000

Tel. +66 2590 1553