Cambodia gets a bad reputation for healthcare — and 80% of it is fair. The public system is genuinely poor. Rural hospitals are dangerously underequipped. Even Phnom Penh's better public facilities aren't where you'd want to be for anything serious.
But for expats specifically, the picture is different. Phnom Penh has 4-5 private hospitals that meet international standards. Routine care is excellent and remarkably cheap. The key is knowing where to go for what — and having proper international insurance with medical evacuation coverage to Bangkok or Singapore for serious cases.
Here's the honest 2026 guide to healthcare costs for expats in Cambodia.
Key Takeaways
- Public healthcare in Cambodia is NOT recommended for expats. Use it only in genuine emergencies far from Phnom Penh.
- Best private hospitals (Phnom Penh): Royal Phnom Penh Hospital, Sunrise Japan Hospital, Khema Clinic, Naga Clinic, Raffles Medical Cambodia.
- GP consultation cost (private): $25–$60 at international clinics. Specialist visit: $40–$80.
- Medical evacuation is critical — serious procedures should be done in Bangkok or Singapore. Insurance with evac coverage is essential, not optional.
- International expat insurance: $80–$200/month for adults under 50 (covers Cambodia + regional evacuation). Annual premiums £1,200–£2,800 in mid-range plans.
- Recommended insurers: Cigna Global, Pacific Cross, AXA Global Healthcare, Luma Health (Cambodia-focused), BUPA Global.
- Major procedure costs in Cambodia private hospitals: typically 30–50% of US prices, but most expats still travel to Bangkok for complex care due to quality consistency.
Why public healthcare doesn't work for expats
Cambodia's public health system has improved since 2010, but it's still under-resourced. Real issues:
- Equipment gaps: Many provincial hospitals lack basic diagnostic equipment (MRI, CT, modern ultrasound)
- Staffing shortages: Doctor-to-patient ratio is among Asia's lowest. Specialist care is concentrated in Phnom Penh
- Language barriers: English-speaking medical staff are rare outside Phnom Penh's private system
- Wait times: Non-emergency public care can mean weeks of waiting
- Trust issues: Many Cambodians who can afford it go private — that's the local signal
The simple rule for expats: If it's serious enough that you'd want a hospital in the US, you want a private hospital in Phnom Penh — or you're better off going to Bangkok.
The 5 main private hospitals in Phnom Penh (2026)
1. Royal Phnom Penh Hospital
- Reputation: Cambodia's premier private hospital
- Strengths: General surgery, cardiology, women's health, comprehensive diagnostics
- GP visit cost: $60 (general consultation)
- Specialist visit cost: $80–$120
- English-speaking staff: Universal
- Insurance acceptance: Most international expat policies (Cigna, BUPA, AXA, Pacific Cross)
- Best for: General comprehensive care, emergencies, expat primary care
2. Sunrise Japan Hospital
- Reputation: Japanese-managed, very high quality
- Strengths: General medicine, internal medicine, women's health, pediatrics
- GP visit cost: $55–$75
- English/Japanese-speaking staff: Yes
- Insurance acceptance: Most international policies
- Best for: Patients prioritizing Japanese-standard care quality
3. Khema Clinic
- Reputation: Trusted lower-cost option for expats
- Strengths: Family medicine, general practice, vaccinations
- GP visit cost: $25 (significantly cheaper)
- Specialist visit: $35–$50
- Best for: Routine care, vaccinations, basic primary care
4. Naga Clinic
- Reputation: French-managed, established expat favorite
- Strengths: General medicine, family practice
- GP visit cost: $40–$60
- French/English-speaking staff: Yes
- Best for: French speakers, family primary care
5. Raffles Medical Cambodia
- Reputation: Singapore-managed, premium tier
- Strengths: International standards, comprehensive care
- GP visit cost: $60–$80
- Best for: Patients who want Singapore-level care without leaving Cambodia
Royal Phnom Penh and Sunrise Japan Hospital are the two most-recommended private facilities for expat primary care in 2026.
Real cost comparisons for routine care
| Service | Royal Phnom Penh | Khema Clinic | US private |
|---|---|---|---|
| General doctor visit | $60 | $25 | $200–$500 |
| Specialist visit | $80–$120 | $35–$50 | $200–$500 |
| Blood panel (basic) | $40–$80 | $25–$45 | $200–$1,000 |
| Chest X-ray | $30–$60 | $20–$40 | $200–$1,000 |
| Ultrasound | $50–$90 | $40–$60 | $400–$1,500 |
| CT scan | $200–$400 | n/a | $500–$2,000 |
| MRI scan | $250–$450 | n/a | $1,000–$3,500 |
| Vaccination (single) | $15–$80 | $10–$60 | $40–$200 |
| Annual physical | $100–$200 | $80–$150 | $300–$1,500 |
The pattern: Routine care in Cambodia's private system is 70–90% cheaper than the US.
What about major procedures?
This is where Cambodia gets complicated.
Royal Phnom Penh can perform most general surgeries (appendectomy, hernia repair, basic orthopedic procedures). Cost for these is typically 30–50% of US prices.
But for complex procedures (cardiac surgery, neurosurgery, advanced cancer treatment), most expats are advised by their doctors to fly to Bangkok or Singapore. The quality consistency at top regional hospitals (Bumrungrad in Bangkok, Mount Elizabeth in Singapore) significantly exceeds anything in Cambodia.
Typical "fly out" scenarios:
- Major heart surgery
- Brain/spinal surgery
- Cancer treatment (chemo/radiation)
- Complex orthopedic procedures
- Solid organ transplants
Medical evacuation cost: $5,000–$15,000 one-way without insurance. With insurance: typically covered or capped.
Health insurance for expats in Cambodia (2026)
Why you need international insurance (not local)
Cambodia has no functioning public health insurance program for foreigners. Local private insurance exists (Forte, Asia Insurance, Caminco) but typically caps coverage at $10,000–$50,000 lifetime — inadequate for serious medical events.
Most expats use international expat insurance that includes Cambodia coverage + regional medical evacuation.
Recommended insurers (2026)
| Insurer | Monthly cost (adult under 50) | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Cigna Global | $180–$280 | Most comprehensive, broad acceptance |
| AXA Global Healthcare | $150–$250 | Strong network in Asia |
| BUPA Global | $200–$300 | Premium coverage, high limits |
| Pacific Cross | $80–$150 | More affordable, Asia-specialized |
| Luma Health | $80–$180 | Cambodia-specific, local + regional |
| SafetyWing Nomad | $42–$60 | Budget option for under-40s |
Key features to look for:
- ✅ Inpatient + outpatient coverage
- ✅ Medical evacuation to Bangkok/Singapore (essential)
- ✅ Direct-pay arrangements with Royal Phnom Penh, Sunrise Japan
- ✅ Maternity (if applicable)
- ✅ Pre-existing condition coverage (varies)
For budget-conscious nomads under 40, SafetyWing's Nomad Insurance starts at $42–$60/month and includes Cambodia plus regional evacuation. Most younger expats start here for Year 1 before deciding if they need a more comprehensive plan.
For older expats, families, or those with chronic conditions, Cigna Global is typically the right level of coverage — more expensive but with significantly better limits and procedures coverage.
What to do about specialty care
Cambodia simply doesn't have:
- Comprehensive cancer treatment centers
- Advanced cardiac surgery facilities
- Neurosurgical complexity
- Solid organ transplant programs
- Advanced fertility/IVF clinics (limited options)
- Robotic-assisted surgery
- Most advanced dental procedures (implants, full reconstruction)
For any of these: plan for Bangkok (1-hour flight) or Singapore (3-hour flight). Bangkok's medical tourism infrastructure for these specialties is genuinely world-class at 30-50% of US prices.
Recommended Bangkok hospitals for Cambodia expats:
- Bumrungrad International Hospital (premium, English-first)
- Bangkok Hospital (large network, slightly cheaper)
- Samitivej Hospital (excellent for women's health, pediatrics)
The expat healthcare playbook
Here's how experienced expats in Cambodia approach healthcare:
Day 1:
- Buy international expat insurance covering Cambodia + medical evac
- Identify your "go-to" Phnom Penh private hospital (typically Royal Phnom Penh or Sunrise Japan)
- Save emergency numbers in phone
Routine care:
- Khema Clinic or Naga Clinic for low-cost primary care
- Royal Phnom Penh or Sunrise Japan for anything requiring specialist input or diagnostics
Annual physical:
- Schedule at your primary hospital. $100–$200 for comprehensive workup.
Anything serious:
- Stabilize at Royal Phnom Penh or Sunrise Japan
- Discuss with doctor if Bangkok transfer is recommended
- Use insurance medical evacuation if needed
Dental:
- Plan dental work for Bangkok or your home country. Cambodia's dental quality is inconsistent.
Mental health:
- Limited in Cambodia. Most expats use telehealth (BetterHelp, Talkspace, or country-specific services).
Things expats wish they'd known
After conversations with Cambodia-based expats:
1. Medical evacuation insurance isn't optional. Don't skip it. The flight to Bangkok or Singapore in an emergency without coverage = $5,000–$15,000 personally.
2. Cambodia's pharmacies are real. Most prescription medications are available without prescription at significantly lower cost than the US. Trade-off: fakes are real risk. Buy at established pharmacies (U-Care, Pharmacie de la Gare, Pheap Sok), not corner shops.
3. Public hospitals in rural areas are dangerous. If you're traveling in Cambodia and something happens, get to Phnom Penh immediately — even if the local hospital seems "fine."
4. Most US prescriptions have local equivalents. Bring a 3-month supply on arrival, then transition to Cambodia-purchased equivalents (Cambodian pharmacists can identify equivalents).
5. Local clinics handle minor stuff well. Don't always run to international hospitals. For a cold, flu, or basic injury, a $5 local clinic visit is often perfectly fine.
What to do this week if you're moving to Cambodia
- Get insurance set up BEFORE you leave home. Don't try to buy after arrival.
- Start with SafetyWing if you're under 40 and healthy, or Cigna Global if you're over 50 or have conditions.
- Bring 3 months of any prescription medications + your prescriptions in case you need refills.
- Save the addresses + numbers of Royal Phnom Penh Hospital and Sunrise Japan Hospital to your phone immediately.
- Plan a healthcare budget: $1,200–$3,000/year insurance + $500–$1,500/year routine care for a healthy expat under 50.
Bottom line
Cambodia healthcare for expats works — IF you stick to the 4–5 private hospitals in Phnom Penh AND you have proper international insurance with medical evacuation coverage to Bangkok or Singapore for serious cases.
It's not a "Thailand-level" medical tourism destination. But for routine care + emergencies + primary specialist consultation, it's genuinely affordable and adequate.
The mistake to avoid: assuming you can rely on Cambodia healthcare alone without insurance + evac coverage. That gamble has wiped out savings for multiple expats in recent years.
Want more on Cambodia? Read our Cambodia country guide · Cambodia healthcare category page. Or compare to other Southeast Asia options: Thailand vs. Vietnam healthcare.
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