Bring the claim forms and collect the bills

I have never tried getting money back from a western health insurance company for my dental treatment in Thailand. Most of the time I didn't have one, so that was an easy decision. Currently I am insured but still haven't tried. How many hours do you want to push paper to get 50 Euro maybe back?

The Bangkok International Dental Center (BIDC) replied to a request for information within hours (on a Sunday)... What they describe as their procedures appears applicable to all (extracted from their email):

• An overseas patient brings their insurance claim forms issued by their insurance company and pass it to our staff during their first visit with us.
• Treatment is done and the cost charges are paid in full to BIDC. BIDC is a registered company and a recognized official receipt will be issued upon payment.
• The insurance form given to us during your first visit will be filled up and returned at the end of treatment.
• Patient returns home and claims the amount back from their insurance companies.
  

This sounds like 'best practice' to me. If you choose another clinic than BIDC you might want to confirm that they are also willing to help you with the paper work.

Something else that works as a money saver in Australia is collecting medical bills and when the total exceeds a certain amount, the part above the threshold is tax deductible when you declare taxes the next time. With a marginal tax rate of 48.5% that means your out-of-pocket ends up being only a little more than half of what you pay the clinic.