Direct Billing
Also known as: Cashless treatment, Guarantee of payment, GOP, Third-party billing, Direct settlement
Direct billing means the hospital bills your insurer directly, so you pay nothing (or only a copay) at the point of care.
Last updated: 2 April 2026
Real-world example
You're admitted to Bumrungrad Hospital in Bangkok with appendicitis. Instead of paying the $6,000 bill yourself, you call your insurer's 24-hour assistance line. They issue a guarantee of payment (GOP) directly to Bumrungrad. At discharge, you sign a form and walk out. Your insurer settles the bill with the hospital; you never see the invoice.
Why travellers need to know
Direct billing eliminates the need to pay large medical bills upfront and claim reimbursement later. This matters most for hospitalisations, surgeries, and emergency care where bills can run into thousands or tens of thousands. Not all insurers offer it, and not all hospitals accept it. The key question when choosing travel insurance is: does this policy offer direct billing at hospitals in my destination, and how do I activate it?
Country-specific notes
Major hospitals have dedicated insurance billing desks
Bumrungrad, Bangkok Hospital, and Samitivej all have in-house insurance desks that process GOPs from major international insurers within hours. They're experienced with Allianz, AXA, Cigna, and most UK/European travel insurers.
Frequently asked questions
Related guides
How Nomedic helps
Your Nomedic record stores your insurer hotline, policy number, and coverage details in one place, so you can activate direct billing from any hospital reception.
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Activate direct billing with one tap.
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