Healthcare abroad
Two questions every nomad has: what does care cost where I live or where I'm considering basing, and will my nomad insurance actually cover it. Straight answers, sourced and dated.
Start with the one that trips people up: is this an emergency your insurance pays for, or planned care you’ll pay cash for?
Will my insurance cover it?
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SafetyWing
Partner linkNomad Insurance covers you across borders, billed month to month.
Visit SafetyWing →Self-pay cash ranges for common procedures, the public-vs-private picture, and how coverage works for a visiting nomad.
Put a procedure in two places side by side.
United States
$1,200
range $400–$3,500
Thailand
$350
range $150–$760
A mri scan in Thailand runs about $850 less than in United States, roughly 29% of the United States price.
Self-pay cash ranges, medical cost only, no flights or lodging. Planned care like this is typically self-pay (nomad insurance excludes it as medical tourism); an emergency version would usually be covered by SafetyWing or Genki minus your deductible. Informational only, not medical or insurance advice, and never a price or coverage guarantee. Get a written quote and verify accreditation before you book.
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Coverage rules, what to ask for a written quote, and how to verify a hospital. One email, no spam.
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Informational only, not medical or insurance advice, and never a price or coverage guarantee. Every figure is a sourced, dated range for self-pay cash care, medical cost only, no travel. Confirm with your insurer, get a written quote, and verify a hospital's accreditation yourself before you book.