Stay healthy. Stay covered.
In that order.
In that order.
There is no free public healthcare for foreigners in Cambodia. One serious incident without insurance can empty your savings account. This is not alarmist — it is arithmetic.
A GP consultation at Raffles or Royal Phnom Penh: $50–$200. Manageable out of pocket. A hospitalisation: $1,000–$20,000 depending on what you're dealing with. A medical evacuation by air ambulance to Bangkok: $15,000–$50,000. A cardiac event, serious trauma, or complex surgery: potentially far more.
Health insurance for expats in Cambodia runs roughly $80–$200 per month for a comprehensive plan with evacuation coverage. For most people, that is a fraction of one month's rent. The maths are not complicated.
Typical cost of a comprehensive international health plan with evacuation coverage, for adults under 50.
Cost of medical evacuation to Bangkok without insurance coverage. Bumrungrad Hospital — one hour away — is where serious cases go.
For anything Phnom Penh cannot handle — major surgery, serious cardiac, complex trauma — Bangkok is the destination. With insurance, it is covered.
One of the largest international health insurance providers in the world, covering over 86 million customers in 200+ territories. Three standard plan tiers (Silver, Gold, Platinum) with optional modules for outpatient, dental, maternity and mental health.
Platinum plan offers unlimited annual limits. Gold adds maternity, newborn and home nursing. Silver covers inpatient, emergency and hospital accommodation. Renewal premiums are not increased due to previous claims — a meaningful commitment. Available worldwide including Cambodia.
Widely regarded as the best-value option for expats in Southeast Asia specifically. Strong direct billing network in the region, accepts applicants up to age 75 (renewable to 99), and generally priced below the global giants. Long track record in Cambodia and Thailand.
Plans can include chronic illness coverage and physiotherapy. Basic plans may exclude dental and mental health — read the policy. A solid, practical choice if you want regional coverage without a global premium price tag.
A name that comes up consistently in the Southeast Asia expat community. Regulated by the UK's FCA, and all plans are insured by the AXA Group — which provides meaningful financial stability and credibility. Five coverage tiers give genuine flexibility from essential to comprehensive.
GDPR-compliant systems and databases. The AXA Group backing means claims are underwritten by one of the world's largest financial services groups — not a startup. Worth comparing if you want a mid-market option with strong regulatory footing.
The full AXA global healthcare product — direct from AXA rather than as an underwriter for another brand. A very large global network of hospitals and providers. Plan options from basic top-up to comprehensive worldwide cover, including a digital nomad product for those who move frequently.
AXA commonly excludes psychiatric treatments and fertility services from basic plans — worth checking. Direct doctor consultations via their Virtual Doctor service, available 24/7. One of the oldest cross-border health insurance brands in the market, providing plans since 1963.
Over 75 years in the international health insurance market. Particularly noted for its large direct billing network, which means walking into a partner hospital and not having to pay upfront. Lifetime renewal policy. Plan tiers: Major Medical, Select, Premier and Elite.
Major Medical is designed for emergency and major health crisis coverage. Select and above add routine care, maternity, and outpatient. Competitive pricing at the entry level.
The Allianz Group's international health insurance arm — backed by one of the world's largest insurers. Comprehensive plans covering inpatient, outpatient, dental, maternity and mental health across a global network. Often the choice for corporate packages and employer-sponsored plans.
Tends toward the premium end of the pricing spectrum, but the coverage limits are correspondingly high. Worth a comparison quote if you have complex needs or are employer-sponsored.
Health insurance policies for expats vary significantly in what they cover, how claims work, and what the fine print says. These are the things Lord Penh would look at before signing.
Make sure your policy explicitly covers medical evacuation to Bangkok (or Singapore). Without it, a single serious emergency can cost more than years of premiums. Some basic plans exclude it as standard.
Most international plans exclude pre-existing conditions for the first 12–24 months. Always declare your full medical history on application. Failure to disclose can void your entire policy when you need it most.
Check whether your insurer has direct billing agreements with Royal Phnom Penh Hospital and Raffles Medical. Direct billing means you don't pay upfront and claim back — you walk in and they handle it with the insurer. Worth verifying before you need it.
Inpatient-only plans are significantly cheaper, and in Cambodia, outpatient costs (GP visits, prescriptions) are low enough to pay out of pocket. Consider whether you actually need outpatient coverage or whether inpatient plus evacuation does the job.
Premiums increase with age. Some providers cap entry at 74 or 75. If you are approaching those thresholds, lock in a policy sooner rather than later. Check that your policy has guaranteed lifetime renewal — not just annual renewal at the insurer's discretion.
For a visit of more than 90 days, travel insurance is not the right product. Most policies cap at 30–90 days and are not designed for ongoing or chronic conditions. Long-term visitors and expats need proper international health insurance.
Lord Penh is not a financial adviser and not an insurance broker. The information on this page is a starting point, not a recommendation. Get comparative quotes, read the policy documents, and make the decision that fits your age, health and budget. What Lord Penh will say plainly: be covered. The alternative is a risk that is not worth taking.