Before we dive into cost and plans let me share my health journey here in Bali. I arrived at age 62 now 78. I’m healthier and more fit now than I was then. Mostly by my choices. 

My overall experience with Bali health care has been a positive one driven in part by having a partner that spoke the language and helped me navigate the system. Something we at Aahh Bali provide full time residents in our all inclusive packages. We DO NOT provide health care per se, just someone to help you navigate the system.

In my 16+ years here my total expenses have been less than one month’s international health care premium. That said, that’s no guarantee yours will be similar. But that covers 2 sonograms for prostrate checks, an MRI, a bout with Dengue fever, which I chose not to be hospitalized for, and a minor surgery to remove my big toe ingrown toenail.

What I’m doing instead, is being diligent about my health, eating right, exercising daily, and walking away from unhealthy food and bad habits. I’m not alone in this. I have a very good friend, who was terribly unhealthy that I convinced to move here from Roswell, NM. Ten years later at 76 she is now thriving following a similar course of good food, habits and exercise.

Bali has two basic options. Public or Private hospitals. In public hospitals most often there is a large board with prices for common procedures showing the difference between local and tourist prices. Obviously tourists pay more. Once you have lived here for 6 months you can get what’s called a Kitas which will give you an ID that let’s you get local prices. Public hospitals require longer wait times and maybe a step down in quality. Private hospitals oddly are not that much more and are preferred by expats, offering faster service and closer to western expectations. Many expats self insure.

Bali has a universal health care system called BPJS. It is unbelievably cheap, but retirees do not qualify unless you are married to a local. However, Digital Nomad visa holders can qualify for this coverage. It’s not perfect but a great hedge. I would venture to say my journey is not unusual but now I will give you the more conservative route to health care. I am totally open to a conversation with anyone about their situation and my experiences here. 

Healthcare and Health Insurance for International Retirees in Bali

A Guide for Residents Age 60 +

Healthcare in Bali Is Changing

Healthcare is very important for retirees, especially if you aren’t especially healthy now

For many years, prospective retirees were told that Bali was an attractive place to live, but that anyone with a serious medical problem would probably have to leave the island for treatment. That picture is changing.

Bali’s healthcare infrastructure has made substantial progress, particularly in private healthcare and specialized medicine. The development of the Sanur Health and Wellness Special Economic Zone and the opening of Bali International Hospital represent a significant investment in the island’s medical capabilities.

Bali International Hospital in Sanur is a purpose-built international hospital offering specialties including cardiology, oncology, neurology, gastroenterology and orthopedics. Its facilities include advanced diagnostic technology, operating theatres, intensive-care capacity and catheterization laboratories.

This does not mean that every medical condition can now be treated in Bali. It does mean that the assumption that a serious illness automatically requires evacuation overseas is  outdated.

For an international retiree, the more appropriate question is now:

“What level of healthcare do I need, and what insurance provides the right access if I need care beyond what Bali can provide?”

The Mayo Clinic Connection

Bali’s new international healthcare environment has also benefited from international medical collaboration.

Mayo Clinic has been involved in the development of Bali International Hospital through a consulting relationship. It also has an ongoing partnership in Jakarta.  It is important, however, to describe that relationship accurately.

Mayo Clinic’s involvement should not be represented as meaning that Mayo Clinic operates Bali International Hospital or that every patient is being treated by Mayo Clinic physicians. The relationship has involved Mayo Clinic expertise and consulting in the development of the hospital and its international standards.

That distinction is important to us because we believe prospective residents deserve accurate information rather than exaggerated marketing claims.

The broader point is nevertheless significant: Bali is deliberately developing healthcare facilities capable of serving both Indonesian and international patients, and international medical partnerships are part of that development.

Does a Retiree Still Need International Health Insurance?

In our view, it totally depends on your current state of health.

International Health insurance should not be viewed simply as a ticket out of Bali.

Rather, good insurance should provide financial protection and access to appropriate treatment wherever that treatment is medically most appropriate.

A resident may receive:

• Routine medical care in Bali
• Specialist consultations in Bali
• Diagnostic testing in Bali
• Hospitalization in Bali
• Surgery in Bali
• Cancer treatment in Bali
• Cardiovascular treatment in Bali
• Emergency treatment in Bali

If a particular treatment is unavailable locally, insurance may then provide access to another Indonesian medical center or, where medically necessary and covered by the policy, treatment elsewhere in Southeast Asia like Singapore, Taiwan or Malaysia which all rank high in diverse quality health care. Consider Bali is a tiny island and this scenario isn’t any different than you having to go to another US city for a particular treatment. 

In other words:

Bali should increasingly be considered the primary healthcare location—not merely a place from which a patient must be evacuated.

A Three-Level Healthcare Strategy

For an international retiree living in Bali,  a sensible approach is to think about healthcare in three levels.

Level 1 — Everyday Healthcare in Bali

Most healthcare needs are likely to fall into this category.

These may include:

• General practitioners
• Specialist consultations
• Blood tests
• Imaging
• Prescription medications
• Dental care
• Physiotherapy
• Preventive health examinations
• Minor procedures
• Routine chronic-condition management

Bali has a growing network of private hospitals, clinics, pharmacies and specialized physicians.

A resident should nevertheless investigate which facilities are included in his or her particular insurance network before selecting a policy.

Level 2 — Major Medical Treatment in Bali or Indonesia

The second level involves hospitalization and serious medical conditions.

The development of Bali International Hospital is particularly relevant here.

Its medical services include major specialties such as cardiology, oncology, neurology, gastroenterology and orthopedics. The hospital was designed with international patients in mind and is located within the Sanur Health and Wellness Special Economic Zone.

This means that a retiree should no longer automatically assume that a serious diagnosis means leaving Bali.

Depending upon the condition, appropriate treatment may be available in Bali or elsewhere in Indonesia.

Level 3 — Treatment Outside Bali

There may be medical situations where treatment outside Bali is appropriate.

A sophisticated insurance plan can provide an additional safety net by giving the patient access to medical facilities elsewhere.

Depending upon the policy, this might mean:

Bali → Jakarta → Singapore → Thailand →Malaysia- Taiwan- Australia OR  another international medical center and it is becoming much more rare than it used to be.

The objective is not necessarily to move the patient as far away as possible.

The objective is to obtain the right treatment in the right location.

For that reason, residents should look carefully at the geographical area covered by their insurance rather than simply choosing a policy because it advertises “international coverage.”

What About Medical Evacuation?

Medical evacuation remains valuable.

However, we believe it should now be regarded as a safety net rather than an assumption about Bali’s healthcare capabilities.

A modern international health policy may provide emergency transportation when medically necessary. Depending upon the policy, this could involve transfer to another hospital in Indonesia or transportation to another country. When looking at this consider if you would add such a benefit in your own policy at home

For a retiree, the important questions are:

• Who decides whether evacuation is medically necessary?
• Who arranges the transportation?
• Which destinations are covered?
• Is air ambulance included?
• Is an accompanying medical professional included?
• Is transportation to Singapore covered?
• Is transportation back to the country of citizenship covered?
• Is the benefit available for both emergency and planned specialist treatment?
• Is this worth the extra premium?

These details can be more important than the headline annual insurance limit.

The Most Important Insurance Decision: Buy Early

For people considering retirement in Bali, one of the most important pieces of advice we can offer is:

Do not wait until you are elderly or seriously ill before investigating health insurance.

International health insurance becomes more difficult and expensive as people get older.

Some insurers have maximum entry ages, while others may impose medical underwriting, exclusions, waiting periods or special terms for applicants with pre-existing conditions.

This is why someone considering retirement at age 60 should investigate insurance differently from someone arriving at age 75.

An international health-insurance policy obtained while a person is younger and relatively healthy may provide considerably more choices than attempting to obtain a new policy many years later.

Age 60–64: The Greatest Choice

Someone moving to Bali in their early 60s generally has the widest range of possibilities.

This is the time to investigate:

• Indonesian private insurance
• Southeast Asian regional insurance
• International insurance
• Worldwide insurance excluding the United States, because the US has the most outrageous health care costs in the world
• Higher-deductible plans
• Comprehensive plans including outpatient treatment

The objective should be to establish long-term coverage before age and medical history unnecessarily restrict the available choices.

Age 65–69: Plan Carefully

At this age, insurance remains quite practical, but premiums and underwriting become increasingly important.

Rather than automatically purchasing the most comprehensive plan available, a retiree should determine what he or she actually needs.

For example, some people may prefer:

Lower premium + higher deductible + strong hospitalization coverage

rather than:

Very high premium + low deductible + extensive outpatient benefits.

The first arrangement can sometimes provide much better protection against financially devastating medical events while allowing the resident to pay ordinary medical expenses personally.

Age 70–74: Insurance Requires More Attention

At 70 and beyond, the choice of insurers can become narrower.

Some international policies have maximum entry ages, while others may continue existing customers beyond those ages but not accept new applicants at the same age.

This creates an important distinction:

Maximum age for entering a policy is not necessarily the same as maximum age for remaining insured.

A person should therefore ask an insurer:

“If I become your customer at age 65, can I remain insured for the rest of my life, subject to payment of premiums?”

That question may be more important than the initial premium.

Age 75 and Above: Plan Before You Need It

For someone arriving in Bali in their mid-70s or later, international insurance can become substantially more complicated.

Some insurers may not accept new applicants at that age. Others may offer coverage subject to medical underwriting or exclusions.

This is why an older retiree should not assume that he or she can simply arrive in Bali and purchase comprehensive international medical insurance afterward.

If comprehensive insurance cannot be obtained, a retiree may need to combine:

• Local healthcare
• Private hospital care
• Existing insurance
• Government/public coverage where eligible
• Personal medical reserves
• Carefully planned access to specialist care

The important thing is to make this decision before a medical emergency occurs.

What Kind of Insurance Should a Bali Retiree Consider?

There is no single best policy for every resident.

We believe there are three broad approaches worth considering.

1. Local Indonesian Coverage

This is generally the most economical approach.

It can make sense for residents who are comfortable receiving most of their medical care in Indonesia and who have sufficient personal resources for situations not covered by their policy.

Foreign residents’ eligibility for Indonesia’s national health insurance system, BPJS Kesehatan, depends upon their immigration/residency and other circumstances. Foreign workers with qualifying residence or work arrangements are among those who can participate; retirees should verify their individual eligibility rather than assuming that BPJS automatically applies to every foreign resident.

BPJS is valuable, but it should not automatically be regarded as equivalent to comprehensive international private medical insurance.

2. Southeast Asian Regional Insurance

For many Bali retirees, this may be the most interesting compromise.

Instead of paying for worldwide treatment, a policy can concentrate on the region in which the retiree actually lives.

Depending on the policy, coverage may include:

• Indonesia
• Singapore
• Thailand
• Malaysia
• Other Asian countries

This approach recognizes the reality of modern retirement in Southeast Asia.

A resident may be perfectly comfortable receiving routine care in Bali while retaining the ability to obtain highly specialized treatment elsewhere in the region if necessary.

3. Worldwide International Medical Insurance

This provides the greatest geographical flexibility.

It may be appropriate for retirees who:

• Travel extensively
• Spend significant time outside Indonesia
• Want access to European or Australian hospitals
• Have family in different countries
• Want the broadest possible choice of medical facilities

Worldwide coverage can be purchased with or without the United States, depending upon the insurer and plan.

Excluding the United States can be an important way of controlling premiums for people who do not intend to receive medical treatment there.

International insurers such as Cigna Global, Allianz Care and Bupa Global offer international healthcare products, although eligibility, geographical coverage, benefits and underwriting vary considerably by country of residence and individual circumstances.

A Fourth Strategy: High-Deductible Major-Medical Insurance

This deserves special consideration for retirees living in Bali.

A person does not necessarily need insurance to pay every $50 doctor visit.

Insurance is most valuable when something happens that could otherwise consume a substantial portion of one’s retirement savings.

For example, a retiree might deliberately choose:

$5,000 or $10,000 deductible

in exchange for:

very high hospitalization and major-medical coverage.

The resident pays ordinary medical expenses personally but has protection against the financially devastating costs of cancer, major surgery, prolonged hospitalization or other serious illnesses.

The appropriate deductible depends upon the individual’s financial resources and risk tolerance.

What Should a Good Retiree Policy Cover?

When comparing policies, we recommend looking beyond the annual premium.

Hospitalization

Look for generous annual limits and comprehensive coverage for:

• Hospital rooms
• Surgery
• Intensive care
• Specialist fees
• Diagnostic procedures
• Prescription medications associated with treatment
• Rehabilitation
• Pre- and post-hospitalization care

Cancer

Cancer treatment can become extremely expensive.

Ask specifically about:

• Chemotherapy
• Radiotherapy
• Surgery
• Targeted therapies
• Immunotherapy
• Specialist consultations
• Diagnostic imaging

Do not assume that “cancer covered” means every modern cancer treatment is covered without limits.

Cardiovascular Care

For older residents, cardiovascular care is particularly important.

Look for coverage of:

• Cardiology
• Cardiac imaging
• Catheterization
• Angioplasty
• Stents
• Cardiac surgery
• Rehabilitation

Bali International Hospital has specifically developed cardiovascular capabilities as part of its specialist services.

Neurology

Ask about:

• Stroke treatment
• Neurological diagnosis
• Neurosurgery
• Rehabilitation
• Specialist consultations

Chronic Conditions

This is one of the most important questions for anyone over 60.

Ask:

“How does this policy treat pre-existing and chronic medical conditions?”

Never assume that a condition is covered simply because the insurer covers that disease in general.

The individual underwriting decision may exclude a particular condition.

Pre-Existing Conditions

This is probably the single most misunderstood area of international health insurance.

If someone already has:

• Diabetes
• Hypertension
• Heart disease
• Previous cancer
• Arthritis
• Kidney disease
• A previous stroke
• Other chronic conditions

the insurer may:

1. Cover the condition normally
2. Cover it after a waiting period
3. Cover it with a special premium
4. Cover some aspects but not others
5. Exclude it
6. Decline the application

The answer must be obtained in writing from the insurer or licensed broker before relying on the policy.

Never conceal a previous diagnosis because you believe it is unimportant.

A claim can be jeopardized by inaccurate or incomplete medical disclosure.

Direct Billing

Another feature worth investigating is direct billing.

With direct billing, the insurance company and hospital can arrange payment directly, subject to policy authorization.

This can be much easier than requiring a retiree to pay a large hospital bill personally and then seek reimbursement.

However, direct billing is not guaranteed at every hospital or for every treatment.

Residents should ask:

“Which Bali hospitals can bill my insurer directly?”

and

“Which hospitals in Singapore, Jakarta and Thailand are in the insurer’s network?”

Don’t Buy Insurance Based on the Annual Limit Alone

A policy offering:

US$2 million

may sound much better than one offering:

US$1 million.

But the lower-limit policy could actually be better if it has:

• Better hospital networks
• Better cancer coverage
• Better pre-existing-condition terms
• Better renewal provisions
• Better direct billing
• Better treatment in Southeast Asia
• Fewer exclusions

The fine print matters.

Some international insurers offer annual limits in the millions of dollars. Pacific Cross, for example, currently advertises plans with annual limits ranging from approximately US$2 million to US$3 million depending upon the plan.

That illustrates why it is useful to compare benefits rather than simply premiums.

Should a Retiree Have Evacuation Insurance?

The answer is MAYBE, only if the cost is reasonable.

But the reason is not that Bali lacks good hospitals.

The reason is that no hospital—and no country—can provide every possible medical specialty. It’s no different than someone having to travel to Chicago or the east coast for certain medical treatments. Is the risk/cost benefit there?

A well-designed policy provides another layer of security.

Think of it this way:

Local care first.

Indonesian referral care when appropriate.

Regional/international care when necessary.

Emergency evacuation only when it’s a medical imperative 

This is a sensible model

Healthcare Is More Than Insurance

For an older retiree, good healthcare planning involves much more than purchasing an insurance policy.

A well-designed retirement residence should also have procedures for:

• Emergency response
• Medication management
• Doctor appointments
• Hospital transportation
• Family notification
• Medical records
• Specialist referrals
• Post-hospitalization care
• Rehabilitation
• Assistance with daily activities when temporarily required

This is particularly important for residents who live far from their adult children or other family members.

The Advantage of Having Care Support

One of the major advantages of Aahh Bali Senior Residence is that the resident does not have to manage a medical crisis alone.

A resident who suddenly becomes ill may need help with:

• Getting to a doctor
• Communicating with the hospital
• Understanding instructions
• Obtaining medication
• Arranging follow-up appointments
• Returning home after hospitalization
• Receiving temporary assistance while recovering

These are not necessarily insurance benefits.

They are quality-of-life and care benefits.

For an international retiree, they can be just as important.

Before Moving to Bali

Prospective residents might want to take the following steps before making a permanent move.

First: Review your existing insurance

Do not cancel an existing policy until you know exactly what replacement coverage you can obtain.

Second: Apply early

If you are considering retirement in Bali at age 60–65, investigate international insurance while you still have the widest range of choices.

Third: Get written confirmation

Ask about:

• Pre-existing conditions
• Age limits
• Renewal
• Geographical coverage
• Deductibles
• Hospital networks
• Cancer treatment
• Cardiac treatment
• Evacuation
• Outpatient care
• Prescription drugs

Fourth: Keep a medical history

Maintain copies of:

• Diagnoses
• Medication lists
• Previous surgeries
• Medical imaging
• Laboratory results
• Vaccination records
• Specialist reports

Ideally, keep both digital and paper copies.

Fifth: Establish an emergency plan

Make sure your family and residence management know:

• Your insurance company
• Your policy number
• Your emergency contact
• Your preferred hospital
• Your important medical conditions
• Your medications
• Who should be contacted in an emergency

The Bottom Line for Retiring in Bali

Bali is no longer the same healthcare environment it was a decade ago.

The island now has a rapidly developing private healthcare sector, international medical partnerships and a new generation of hospitals designed to serve both Indonesian and international patients.

Bali International Hospital is an important part of that transformation, with specialist services and modern facilities that significantly expand what can be treated on the island.

There may come a moment when in a rare circumstance  you might need to leave the island for treatment elsewhere.

The sensible approach is to weigh the risk/cost benefit to adding an extra layer of protection by adding an evacuation rider.

A Final Word to Prospective Residents

Retirement should not be organized around fear of illness.

Healthcare planning is simply another form of retirement planning.

The purpose of insurance is not to assume that something will go wrong. It is to make sure that, if something does go wrong, the financial consequences do not destroy the retirement you worked so hard to create.

Bali offers an increasingly sophisticated healthcare environment, a lower cost of living than many Western countries, and the opportunity to live in a community where assistance is available when needed.

For residents of a senior community, the ideal situation is not to spend retirement thinking about hospitals and insurance.

It is to know that a sensible healthcare system is already in place—and then get on with enjoying life.

Healthcare should be a safety net, not the center of retirement.

Here are some guidelines and carriers:

• Age 60–64: maximum insurance choices
• Age 65–69: still strong choices, but costs rise
• Age 70–74: narrowing entry options
• Age 75–79: specialized/high-premium options become critical
• 80+: insurance becomes much more difficult; self-funded healthcare planning and existing coverage become especially important

• Current published comparisons indicate approximate maximum new-entry ages such as:

  Company/type	Approximate maximum new-entry age*
  Bupa Global	79
  Cigna Global	74
  Allianz Care	74
  Pacific Cross Indonesia	varies by product; some products much lower
  Allianz Indonesia products	product-specific; one Bali-published product lists 70

   

Important Disclaimer

This article is intended as general information for prospective international retirees. Insurance eligibility, premiums, benefits, exclusions, age limits, pre-existing-condition rules and hospital networks vary by insurer, country of residence, visa status, age and individual medical history. Insurance products and Indonesian regulations can change.

Prospective residents should obtain a current quotation and written policy terms from a properly licensed insurance provider or broker before purchasing coverage. Nothing in this article constitutes medical, legal or insurance advice, and Aahh Bali Senior Residence does not represent any particular insurance company.

Information checked and updated: August 2026.