Medical Insurance: A Must-Have For Expatriates in Cambodia

Cambodia’s healthcare system comprises both a public and a private sector. The public sector was decimated under the Khmer Rouge regime and although it is being rebuilt and standards are improving, numerous legacy challenges remain in terms of infrastructure, resources and trained medical professionals. While affordable, facilities can be basic and outdated and English language support extremely limited.

In contrast, the private healthcare sector in Cambodia has expanded significantly in recent years with an increasing number of facilities offering a broad range of services. Private hospitals, clinics and specialist medical centres can be found in the country’s larger cities and many doctors and medical professionals working in the private sector have received first class training, often from abroad, which has led to a marked improvement in the overall quality of care.

When seeking healthcare, expatriates face a number of difficulties from language barriers to high upfront costs for the best doctors and treatments, and that is why a comprehensive medical insurance policy is a must-have in their financial planning toolkit.

Health requirements can be unpredictable. One day you can be in the best of health, and the next you could be involved in a car accident and hospitalised for a serious injury. A regular check up could reveal an underlying chronic health issue requiring lengthy and expensive treatment, whatever your age.

Medical insurance protects against these unexpected eventualities and more. It transfers the risk of having to pay for costly care to your insurer.

All of us want access to the absolute best possible medical diagnosis, treatment and care and most expatriates in Cambodia would agree that currently, that can only be delivered in the private sector.

A comprehensive medical insurance policy offers the following benefits to expatriates in Cambodia:

• Access to top-tier, international standard hospitals and clinics without financial stress.
• Assurance of continuity of care (coverage across multiple facilities, both in Cambodia and regionally).
• Emergency coverage – including medical evacuation to Bangkok, Singapore or beyond if needed.
• Preventive care – regular check-ups, vaccinations, and screenings to flag up issues as early as possible and enable early treatment and the best possible outcome.
• English-speaking medical staff to eliminate language barriers.
• Direct billing arrangements – no need to pay upfront for major treatments; the insurer settles bills directly with hospitals and clinics.
• Coverage for dependents – ensuring spouses and children also receive comprehensive care.
• Repatriation benefits – covering transport back to your home country if long-term treatment is needed.

Expatriates in Cambodia can choose from a wide range of medical insurance policies, each offering different levels of coverage, deductibles, and payment flexibility. At a minimum, most people should ensure their policy includes primary care, inpatient hospitalisation, consultations, and diagnostic tests. Add-ons such as maternity cover and protection for pre-existing conditions are also available.

A professional financial adviser can help you strike the right balance between comprehensive coverage and affordability – without compromising your family’s health. They will also interpret the small print, making sure you fully understand deductibles, exclusions and any issues linked to pre-existing conditions that could otherwise limit your policy.

Infinity’s advisers in Asia work with all the major international insurers and bring a wealth of experience in helping expatriate families in Cambodia find the right policy and safeguard their health.