I’ve known about ACS for years. Back when Karsten Aicholz, the founder of ExpatDen, was living in Thailand, he told me it was the plan he personally used. He had spent weeks researching the best-value health insurance for expats in Thailand and concluded that ACS was the right plan for him at that time.
Recently, ACS released a new plan called ACS Expat, which looks like an upgrade from their previous offering. When I saw it, I quickly sent it to my German insurance broker friend for a second opinion. And he gave it a thumbs up. That pushed me to dig deeper into what makes this plan stand out.
In this review, I’ll break down what ACS Expat covers, what it doesn’t, how much it costs, and who it’s best for.
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Contents
- Key Benefits
- What is ACS Expat Insurance?
- ACS Expat Plans
- ACS Expat Coverage
- Area of Coverage
- Coverage Limits
- Lifetime Coverage
- What’s Not Covered
- Waiting Period
- Plan Comparison
- How to File a Claim
- Contact Information
- FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
- What I Like
- What I Don’t Like
- ACS vs Other Insurance Providers
- Should I Buy ACS Expat?
Key Benefits
- ACS Expat is a solid choice if you are an expat looking for affordable international health insurance, especially in Southeast Asia.
- The core plan covers all essential benefits, including cancer treatment and medical evacuation.
- There are four tiers available, from Bronze to Platinum.
- In addition to the core plan, you can customize it with outpatient, dental/optical, maternity, and assistance options.
- If you buy the plan before you turn 64 years old, you can keep renewing it for the rest of your life.
- However, the big downside is there’s a cap on private room coverage. So, make sure you understand what you’re getting before buying the plan.
- The price is competitive. A 40-year-old male can get the Gold plan, with US$2,000,000 coverage and a US$1,000 deductible, for less than US$1,000.
- You can use this link to get a free quote.
What is ACS Expat Insurance?
ACS is an insurance company based in France that specializes in international health insurance for expats living abroad. If you haven’t heard of them before, that’s understandable. They’re not as widely known as companies like Cigna or Allianz. But among expats in Southeast Asia, ACS has a reputation for offering some of the best value health insurance plans on the market.
In fact, they’ve been in the business for over 45 years. Karsten Aichholz, the founder of ExpatDen, was insured with ACS during his years in Thailand. He made several claims, including one for a surgery at Bumrungrad Hospital that cost over US$4,000, and ACS covered everything.
So while ACS might not be a household name, they’ve proven themselves to be reliable, especially for expats in Southeast Asia.
ACS Expat Plans
The new ACS Expat plan works somehow similar to their previous “ACS Asia” offering but with some added flexibility and improvements.
The core of the plan comes in four tiers: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Each tier includes inpatient coverage (for hospital stays and surgeries) and medical evacuation as a standard benefit as follows:
- Bronze: Up to €/$500,000 per year, good for basic hospitalization needs.
Silver: Up to €/$1,000,000 and adds psychiatric care and higher limits on room and companion expenses. - Gold: Boosts limits further and includes higher caps for post-hospital care.
- Platinum: Maximum benefits, including private rooms, full psychiatric care, and the highest limits across the board.
Beyond that, you can customize your plan with a range of optional add-ons, including:
- Outpatient coverage: for doctor visits, diagnostics, and prescriptions
- Dental and optical care: for routine checkups, fillings, glasses, etc.
- Maternity coverage: including childbirth and prenatal care
- Assistance Plus: a lesser-known benefit that helps cover some costs if a family member or friend needs to stay nearby during your hospitalization or evacuation
Please note that these add-ons aren’t available for the Bronze plan.
ACS Expat Coverage
The main coverage of the plan is comprehensive and includes everything you’d expect for in-patient treatment: hospitalization, hospital stays, surgery, diagnostics, private room, cancer treatment, organ transplant, and more.
The plan also covers local emergency ambulance transport, medical evacuation, and emergency treatment (up to 24 hours in a hospital).
There are a few standout benefits that many other insurance plans don’t always include:
- Cancer treatment is covered, even when it’s done on an outpatient basis
- Outpatient care after hospitalization, within 90 days, is included, up to US$2,000 per year for Bronze and Silver plans
- Home hospitalization (immediately following a hospital stay) is also covered, including hospital transport and prescriptions, up to US$2,000 per year for Bronze and Silver plans
- Psychiatric hospitalization is covered starting from the Silver plan and above, with a waiting period of 3 months
Area of Coverage
When you apply for ACS Expat, you can choose your coverage zone, which affects the price. There are three zones:
- Zone 1: Worldwide except Hong Kong, Singapore, China, United Kingdom, Brazil, Mexico, Bahamas, Canada, Japan, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Brunei, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and countries not eligible for cover.
- Zone 2: Worldwide except Hong Kong, Singapore, China, United Kingdom, Brazil, Mexico, Bahamas, Canada, and countries not eligible for cover.
- Zone 3: Worldwide except countries not eligible for cover.
Basically, choose the zone based on the countries you plan to live in.
It’s also worth noting that ACS doesn’t cover countries with very high healthcare costs, like Switzerland, the USA, or the UAE. Coverage also excludes Afghanistan, Cuba, Iran, Morocco, Russia, North Korea, and South Sudan.
However, if you’re a US citizen, you can get coverage for up to 6 months per year when returning to the States. But you need to request this during the application. Just keep in mind that adding US coverage will significantly increase your premium, which is normal for expat health insurance.
Important: When it comes to emergency treatment that requires hospitalization, such as an accident or sudden illness, ACS still covers 100% of the cost. However, this only applies if your travel is less than 7 weeks outside your coverage zone.
Coverage Limits
There are two main coverage limits you should know about when buying ACS Expat: the annual limit and the per-procedure limits. This is also one of the main drawbacks of the plan and a common complaint I’ve heard about ACS. Unlike many other plans, it caps the cost of a private room at a fixed daily amount.
Many people tend to overlook this private room limit. They buy the basic plan, then go to a premium hospital, only to find out later that they have to pay the difference out of pocket and end up unhappy with the plan.
For example, the Bronze plan comes with a US$500,000 annual limit, which sounds generous. But it also limits private room coverage to just US$100 per day. That won’t get you far if you plan to go to a high-end hospital like Bumrungrad or Bangkok Hospital in Thailand, where private rooms cost well over that amount.
That budget would only cover a semi-private room at affordable private hospitals.
So, if staying in a private room is important to you, I recommend looking at the Silver or Gold plans instead.
That said, the low private room limit on the Bronze plan isn’t always a dealbreaker. The price difference between the Bronze and Gold plans isn’t huge, so it might make more sense to aim for the Gold plan right from the start. I’ll go into more detail on pricing later in this article.
Lifetime Coverage
This is another great feature of ACS, lifetime coverage. Not all insurance plans offer this. But with ACS, once you’re enrolled, you can keep renewing your plan for life, as long as you continue paying the premiums.
What’s Not Covered
What’s not covered by the ACS Expat plan is pretty standard, similar to other international health insurance providers. This includes:
- Pre-existing conditions (any illness or chronic condition you had before the plan started)
- Self-inflicted injuries
- Cosmetic surgery
- Elective procedures
- Fertility treatments
- War-related injuries
- Comfort expenses during hospitalization, like phone calls or TV rental
- Any expenses that fall within a waiting period
The only noteworthy exclusion is the cost of a caesarean delivery. ACS won’t cover it unless it’s medically necessary. So, if you plan to give birth in a country like Thailand where C-sections are quite common. It’s a good idea to discuss this in advance with your doctor.
You can read the fine print for a complete list of exclusions.
Waiting Period
Some treatments under the ACS Expat plan come with a waiting period, including:
- Maternity: 12 months
- Dental care: 3 to 9 months, depending on the treatment
- Optical care: 6 months
- Psychiatric hospitalization: 3 months
As you can see, waiting periods mostly apply to optional add-ons, which is actually a plus. Some insurance plans, especially local ones, apply a 15 to 30-day waiting period even for simple illnesses.
With ACS, you can generally start using your insurance right after your policy begins. However, if you need treatment for a major illness right after signing up, ACS may ask for additional information or conduct a background check to confirm it’s not a pre-existing condition.
This kind of process is fairly standard across most international health insurance providers.
Age
The plan is available to anyone under 64 years old. As mentioned earlier, it comes with lifetime coverage. So, if you sign up before turning 64, you can keep renewing your plan for life.
Deductible
There are five main deductible options: None, $500, $1,000, $5,000, and $10,000. The higher the deductible, the lower the premium will be. This is common across the health insurance industry.
Pricing
Pricing is one of the main benefits of ACS. Here are the estimated quotes for a 40-year-old American male who wants coverage in Thailand, with a US$1,000 deductible and without USA coverage:
Hospitalisation & Medical Evacuation, no options
- Bronze (Reimbursement limit US$500,000): US$924.23
- Gold (Reimbursement limit US$2,000,000): US$999.64
Hospitalisation & Medical Evacuation + Routine medical care, prevention & screening
- Silver (Reimbursement limit US$1,000,000 + Routine care Level 1): US$1,859.45
- Gold (Reimbursement limit US$2,000,000 + Routine care Level 2): US$1,997.70
Hospitalisation & Medical Evacuation + Routine medical care, prevention & screening + Dental & Optical + Assistance
- Silver (Reimbursement limit US$1,000,000 + Routine care Level 1 + Dental & Optical Level 1): US$2,171.84
- Gold (Reimbursement limit US$2,000,000 + Routine care Level 2 + Dental & Optical Level 2): US$2,514.54
Based on this, even if you go for the Gold tier, the plan with a US$1,000 deductible and no optional coverage should cost you just US$999.64. That’s quite a good price compared to other options out there.
Plan Comparison
| Coverage Item | Bronze | Silver | Gold | Platinum |
| Annual Coverage Limit | $500,000 | $1,000,000 | $2,000,000 | $3,000,000 |
| Private Room Limit | Up to $100/day | Up to $150/day | Up to $250/day | Full Coverage |
| Psychiatric Hospitalisation | Not Covered | Up to $3,000/year (3-month wait) | Up to $3,500/year (3-month wait) | Up to $4,000/year (3-month wait) |
| Outpatient Care After Hospitalisation | Included (within 90 days) | Included (within 90 days) | Included (within 90 days) | Included (within 90 days) |
| Hospitalisation at Home | Up to $2,000/year | Up to $2,000/year | Up to $3,000/year | Up to $4,000/year |
| Rehabilitation After Hospitalisation | Up to $2,000/year | Up to $2,000/year | Up to $3,000/year | Up to $4,000/year |
| Emergency Treatment (<24 hrs) | $250/year | $250/year | $250/year | $250/year |
| Medical Evacuation | 100% Covered | 100% Covered | 100% Covered | 100% Covered |
| Cancer Treatment | 100% Covered | 100% Covered | 100% Covered | 100% Covered |
| Organ Transplant | 100% Covered | 100% Covered | 100% Covered | 100% Covered |
| Companion Bed (Child <16) | Up to $50/day | Up to $75/day | Up to $100/day | Up to $150/day |
| Emergency Hospitalisation (Outside Zone, <7 weeks) | 100% Covered | 100% Covered | 100% Covered | 100% Covered |
| Local Emergency Ambulance | 100% Covered | 100% Covered | 100% Covered | 100% Covered |
| Emergency Dental Surgery (Accident) | 100% Covered | 100% Covered | 100% Covered | 100% Covered |
| Teleconsultations | Included | Included | Included | Included |
| Direct Billing (Hospital >24 hrs) | Included | Included | Included | Included |
In-Patient Treatment Add-on
| Benefit | Level 1 (Silver, Gold, Platinum) | Level 2 (Gold, Platinum) | Level 3 (Platinum only) |
| General Practitioner & Specialist Fees | Up to $65 per visit | Up to $150 per visit | Up to $300 per visit |
| Psychiatrists / Psychologists / Psychotherapists | 5 visits/year, $60 max per visit | 10 visits/year, $200 max per visit | 20 visits/year, $200 max per visit |
| Tests, Radiology, MRI (with prior approval) | Up to $2,000/year | Up to $4,000/year | Up to $8,000/year |
| Prescribed Medicines & Vaccines | 100% Covered | 100% Covered | 100% Covered |
| Medical Aids | 100% Covered | 100% Covered | 100% Covered |
| Physiotherapy (prior approval) | $50/session, $500/year | $60/session, $900/year | $80/session, $1,200/year |
| Alternative Therapy (acupuncture, etc.) | $50/session, $500/year | $60/session, $900/year | $80/session, $1,200/year |
| Speech Therapy / Orthoptics (prior approval) | $50/session, $500/year | $60/session, $900/year | $80/session, $1,200/year |
| Medical Prostheses (prior approval) | Up to $1,200/year | Up to $2,500/year | Up to $4,000/year |
| Health Check-Up (every 3 years) | Up to $300 | Up to $500 | Up to $1,000 |
| Cancer Screening | Up to $300 | Up to $500 | Up to $1,000 |
| Self-Medication (OTC, COVID tests, etc.) | Not Covered | Up to $75/year | Up to $150/year |
| Dietician Consultations | Not Covered | Not Covered | 3 sessions/year, up to $150 per session |
Dental and Optical Add-on
| Benefit | Level 1 (Silver, Gold, Platinum) | Level 2 (Gold, Platinum) |
| Max Limit Per Year | $2,000 | $4,000 |
| Dental Care (3-month wait) | Up to $1,000/year | Up to $2,000/year |
| Orthodontics (under 16, 9-month wait) | Up to $1,000/year | Up to $2,000/year |
| Dental Prostheses (6-month wait) | $300/tooth, $1,000/year | $500/tooth, $2,000/year |
| Optical (glasses/contact lenses/laser) | Up to $400/year | Up to $800/year |
Maternity Add-On
| Benefit | Level 1 (Silver, Gold, Platinum) | Level 2 (Gold, Platinum) |
| Annual Coverage Limit | $12,000 | $24,000 |
| Childbirth-Related Expenses | Up to $6,000/pregnancy | Up to $12,000/pregnancy |
| Complications (e.g. C-section if justified) | Double the above limit | Double the above limit |
| Medically Assisted Reproduction (18-month wait) | Not Covered | $1,000 per attempt (max 3 attempts) |
How to File a Claim
Claiming with ACS is similar to most other international health insurance plans.
Outpatient Treatment
For outpatient treatment, you can usually visit any hospital and file a claim afterward. For bills under US$1,000, just email scanned documents—like the medical receipt—to [email protected].
Hospitalization
For hospitalization, if it’s a planned admission, you should notify ACS at least 7 days in advance. If it’s an emergency, let them know within 48 hours. Always keep your insurance card with you. In most cases, the hospital will contact ACS directly on your behalf.
Tip: It’s also a good idea to contact the insurer before getting treatment for anything serious. They can help arrange direct billing and recommend which hospital to go to.
Contact Information
For claims or prior approval, you can reach ACS through their partner office in Thailand:
- Euro-Center (Thailand)
- Address: Spring Tower, Floor 22, 188 Phayathai Rd, Bangkok
- Phone: +66 (0) 2569 0225 (24/7)
- Email: [email protected]
As mentioned earlier, ACS is quite popular among expats in Thailand, thanks to its good balance of affordable pricing and solid benefits.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Can I buy this plan if I’m already living abroad?
Yes, ACS Expat is designed for people already living outside their home country.
Does it cover COVID-19 treatment?
Yes, COVID-19 is treated like any other illness under ACS’s medical coverage.
Is there an age limit?
There are two scenarios:
- If you are a new applicant, you need to get the plan before you are 64 years old.
- If you already have ACS, you can keep renewing the plan for the rest of your life.
Does it cover pre-existing conditions?
Unfortunately, pre-existing conditions are not covered by the plan. This is common among health insurance providers.
As far as I know, only a few providers cover them. For example, Cigna covers pre-existing conditions like hypertension, Type 2 diabetes, glaucoma, arthritis, and more.
What’s the average premium increase per year?
ACS uses a community-risk basis. On average, you should expect premiums to increase around 3%–8% per year.
Two months before the plan expires, ACS will inform you of your new rate. If you’re not satisfied with it, you can cancel the plan at that time.
What’s the payment method?
You can pay monthly (credit card only), quarterly, every 6 months, or yearly. Bank transfers and credit cards are accepted.
What I Like
To summarize, here’s what I like about the new ACS Expat Plan:
- Price: It’s one of the best-value plans out there. But you still need to know what coverage you actually need.
- Overall coverage: The core plan covers everything you need as an expat, including medical evacuation.
- Area of coverage: The coverage area is generous and well-suited for expats in Southeast Asia.
- Lifetime coverage: Once you get the plan, you can renew it for life.
- Customization options: You can choose optional coverage like outpatient treatment, maternity, dental, vision, and more.
- Contact center in Thailand: There’s a local Thai number for emergency contact. This is especially helpful for expats in Thailand since a local number means easier (and cheaper) communication.
What I Don’t Like
The only thing I don’t like about the plan is the limitation on private rooms. Unless you choose the highest-tier plan, there’s a cap on private room coverage. Even the Gold plan may not fully cover a private room at premium hospitals in Thailand like Bumrungrad Hospital or Bangkok Hospital.
And this is the most common complaint I’ve seen from ACS users. So before you choose a plan, make sure you clearly understand what’s covered and what’s not.
ACS vs Other Insurance Providers
ACS vs Cigna
In general, Cigna Healthcare is more expensive than ACS but also more comprehensive. There’s no cap on private rooms with Cigna, so you can visit any hospital and expect full payment as long as it’s within the plan limit.
Cigna is also known for its teleconsultation program, which can save you time.
If you want an affordable plan, go with ACS. If you have the budget, Cigna might be a better option. Read Cigna Health review.
ACS vs GeoBlue
These two providers have different target audiences. ACS Expat is better for expats in Southeast Asia looking for affordable insurance with solid coverage.
GeoBlue, on the other hand, is more suitable for U.S. expats who still need coverage in the U.S. Read GeoBlue review.
ACS vs IMG Global
IMG Global is another insurer offering affordable plans for expats worldwide. Their plans come with lifetime limits ranging from US$1,000,000 to US$8,000,000, depending on the plan.
However, that’s a lifetime limit: once you’ve used it up, you’ll need to find another plan.
In my opinion, IMG Global is more suitable for younger expats looking for an affordable short-term option and who plan to switch providers later.
ACS is better for those who want a long-term plan and plan to stick with the same insurer for many years, possibly for life.
Should I Buy ACS Expat?
Here’s my final verdict on ACS Expat:
You should buy it if:
- You’re an expat living in Southeast Asia
- You want affordable health insurance with good coverage
- You read the fine print and understand what’s covered (and what’s not)
- You plan to keep the same insurance for many years
ACS may not be for you if you want a fully comprehensive plan that covers everything, has a member portal, and you don’t mind paying more for premium features.
If you think ACS might be a good fit, you can sign up or get a personalized quote using this link. An ACS representative will get back to you within a day or two. You can ask any questions you have and purchase the plan directly from them.
Disclaimer
I’m not an insurance broker or financial advisor. The information in this article is based on my own research and personal experience to help fellow expats better understand their options. If you’re unsure, speak directly with the insurer or a licensed advisor to make sure the plan meets your specific needs. Also, before you buy the plan, make sure to read the fine print.
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