Medical Insurance in Cambodia

Most teaching contracts come with some form of medical insurance. If your contract does not offer basic medical coverage, then make sure you get one of your own. Do not visit Cambodia without medical insurance. Hospitals are extremely bask in the provinces and even in Phnom Penh, the facilities are generally not up to the standards you may be accustomed to. Anyone who has a serious injury or illness while in Cambodia may require emergency evacuation to Bangkok. With an insurance policy costing no more than the equivalent of a bottle of beer a day, this evacuation is free. Without an insurance policy, it will cost between US$10,000 and US$20,000. This may somewhat be more than an average traveller's budget. Do not gamble with your health in Cambodia or you may end up another statistic! Also check whether the medical coverage, regardless of whether it is offered in the teaching contract or not, is on a pay first, claim later basis. If this is the case, then keep all the documents relating to any medical treatment. It is equally important, in the case of Cambodia, to check that the medical coverage includes the cost of emergency evacuation.