My Recent Experience….. May Save You Money!

[Tonto21]

As I sit here recovering from surgery, and being a little bored I thought I would share my experience, in finding the right hospital to do the job. A tail that covers perceived expectation and reality in both cost and service.

I post this, my experience to hopefully help someone else out who maybe in the same boat, be that no insurance or the policy they hold not covering the full cost.

I am at this time 10 days post op, a ‘full thickness tear of the rotary cuff’ (Shoulder)

Approximately 6 weeks ago I had an accident and hurt my right shoulder, I went to Bangkok Hospital here in Chiangmai. As far as service and treatment go I thought it was very good. Over a 3 week period I received medication, physio and eventually an MRI….. It was at that point surgery was deemed necessary. Up until this point, (pre surgery cost) were met by the insurance. The day after diagnoses I received the ‘estimate’ for surgery, at this point things stated to come in to focus a little.
Have to say I was very disappointed with the way the estimate was done. The only ‘ball park’ price was the actual surgery procedure; 267.000 to 320.000 Baht…… There were other items, cost was not shown on over 7 more items……… Surgeon and Anaesthetist fees among them. In all, I was, I believe looking at a bill of 500,000 Baht. This was not the main issue for me, it was that there was NO bottom line on this estimate.
Fact is I didn’t have enough in my insurance to cover 500.000 Baht. I have no issue with Bangkok hospital, truth is if my insurance had the funds to cover the bill, I would have gone ahead with the surgery, just wanted to make that clear.

So, what to do? Well, every hospital in Thailand has a private wing and costs will vary from hospital to hospital as will the quality of service. The good news is regardless of which hospital you go to, the surgery and surgeons will be the same. For those that don’t know, surgeons don’t generally work exclusively in one hospital, too expensive for the hospital, you are just as likely to see the same surgeon no matter which hospital you go to. It’s the ‘fluff’ in most cases that run the cost up. I went to   Chang Phuak Hospital, 1/7 Soi 2, Changphuak Rd. It near ‘Ram hospital…… First point of contact, ‘Purple’ building 12th floor.

Long story short, I was given a quote of 160,000 to 200,000 Baht Incl. As for the ‘fluff’ well, it wasn’t Bangkok hospital but I was still impressed with the way they looked after me and the Private room, was very good, (had a corner room with a full view of the city) The actual bill came in at 187.000 Baht....... 'Spoiler'... Breakfast was pretty dodgy, but that's a given isn't it.

As said I wrote this to hopefully help anyone out who maybe in that horrible position of needing surgery but being short in the pocket and worried about the care level. I can highly recommend ‘Chang Phuak Hospital’.    

     

[lopburi3]

55 minutes ago, Tonto21 said:

The good news is regardless of which hospital you go to, the surgery and surgeons will be the same.

Sorry but that statement is not true.  Even in government hospitals the surgeons and teams will not be the same from one to another.  That you can find excellent surgeons outside of the highest priced hospitals is true however.  Doctors may work at more than one locations so always a good idea to check on that when funds are an issue - but they do not work everywhere and going cold into a new facility will normally get the doctor with space in his schedule.  You do normally consult with the surgeon prior to having the operation (at least that has always been my experience).

[Tonto21]

Chang Phuak Hospital,

1 hour ago, lopburi3 said:

Sorry but that statement is not true.  Even in government hospitals the surgeons and teams will not be the same from one to another.  That you can find excellent surgeons outside of the highest priced hospitals is true however.  Doctors may work at more than one locations so always a good idea to check on that when funds are an issue - but they do not work everywhere and going cold into a new facility will normally get the doctor with space in his schedule.  You do normally consult with the surgeon prior to having the operation (at least that has always been my experience).

Yer, having just read my post, regarding you're reply, I didn't put across what I was trying to say very well regarding surgeons and there movements ..........

 

As you state, like myself......... 'In our experience'. I can't argue with anyone's personnel experience, I wrote about mine. I have had 2 separate surgeries here in Thailand, in each one I saw the surgeon and antithesis for consultation prior to the operation and saw them after as well for post op. I will also be seeing the surgeon from the last op in a weeks time to sign off.   As for surgeon moving around different hospitals.... We have to agree to disagree! Surgical teams, for sure in most cases they remain in a given hospital. As for  going in 'cold' and taking the next available surgeon, of course that's the case. You may have misunderstood me slightly. I did not mean a surgeon simple waits at the end of a phone and dive's in and out of all hospital, for sure they will have some sort of contract with a few hospitals, not just the one. but they do move around. The surgeon who preformed my op reviled to me his commitments for the coming week, (in explanation as to why I had to wait  5 days for my surgery) Long story short..... He had commitments in his private surgery, Lanna hospital and some hospital in Bangkok, before coming back to  Chang Phuak Hospital.

Edited September 26, 2017 by Tonto21

[USNret]

Good story. Thank you for sharing.

[GreasyFingers]

Still very expensive for one night in hospital after surgery, as was my case in Oz a few years back. Done in a private hospital for under half that cost.

[pgrahmm]

A buddy of mine just had his shoulder cleaned up after years of heavy use.....

One night & Dr/hospital charges were about 100k baht....CM Dr & hospital.....

Edited September 26, 2017 by pgrahmm

[gwynt]

3 hours ago, Tonto21 said:

As I sit here recovering from surgery, and being a little bored I thought I would share my experience, in finding the right hospital to do the job. A tail that covers perceived expectation and reality in both cost and service.

I post this, my experience to hopefully help someone else out who maybe in the same boat, be that no insurance or the policy they hold not covering the full cost.

I am at this time 10 days post op, a ‘full thickness tear of the rotary cuff’ (Shoulder)

Approximately 6 weeks ago I had an accident and hurt my right shoulder, I went to Bangkok Hospital here in Chiangmai. As far as service and treatment go I thought it was very good. Over a 3 week period I received medication, physio and eventually an MRI….. It was at that point surgery was deemed necessary. Up until this point, (pre surgery cost) were met by the insurance. The day after diagnoses I received the ‘estimate’ for surgery, at this point things stated to come in to focus a little.
Have to say I was very disappointed with the way the estimate was done. The only ‘ball park’ price was the actual surgery procedure; 267.000 to 320.000 Baht…… There were other items, cost was not shown on over 7 more items……… Surgeon and Anaesthetist fees among them. In all, I was, I believe looking at a bill of 500,000 Baht. This was not the main issue for me, it was that there was NO bottom line on this estimate.
Fact is I didn’t have enough in my insurance to cover 500.000 Baht. I have no issue with Bangkok hospital, truth is if my insurance had the funds to cover the bill, I would have gone ahead with the surgery, just wanted to make that clear.

So, what to do? Well, every hospital in Thailand has a private wing and costs will vary from hospital to hospital as will the quality of service. The good news is regardless of which hospital you go to, the surgery and surgeons will be the same. For those that don’t know, surgeons don’t generally work exclusively in one hospital, too expensive for the hospital, you are just as likely to see the same surgeon no matter which hospital you go to. It’s the ‘fluff’ in most cases that run the cost up. I went to   Chang Phuak Hospital, 1/7 Soi 2, Changphuak Rd. It near ‘Ram hospital…… First point of contact, ‘Purple’ building 12th floor.

Long story short, I was given a quote of 160,000 to 200,000 Baht Incl. As for the ‘fluff’ well, it wasn’t Bangkok hospital but I was still impressed with the way they looked after me and the Private room, was very good, (had a corner room with a full view of the city) The actual bill came in at 187.000 Baht....... 'Spoiler'... Breakfast was pretty dodgy, but that's a given isn't it.

As said I wrote this to hopefully help anyone out who maybe in that horrible position of needing surgery but being short in the pocket and worried about the care level. I can highly recommend ‘Chang Phuak Hospital’.    

     

My wife had similar op 2years ago ( moto cycle accident)

She was taken to BHPattaya where the surgeon showed me the xray, I said to go ahead with op, before they would start I had to deposit 350k, the op completed plus the after care and when we went for final settlement there was a refund of 70k so not too  over the top. Plus she has never had any problem with the shoulder since.

[bazza73]

Worth noting that private hospitals here charge different rates. I'm told Bangkok Hospital in CM is among the most expensive, Rajavej less so.

If I'm not unconscious, I'd be on a flight to Australia where surgery costs me nothing.

[wildewillie89]

Doctors do move around a bit, some even volunteer at the government hospitals. My daughter needed to have an echocardiogram, as she has the odd breath holding spell. Not overly necessary but the doctor thought it does no harm so why not. Plus she is a paediatric cardiologist so at least knows what she is doing. One of few doctors I trust in my city so she is my GP too. We get free government health so I just asked her if we could have it at the government hospital, instead of paying the private hospital she works at. She booked a date and met us there so saved us having to pay anything. 

[JLCrab]

So depending upon age, the OP's surgery might have been equivalent of 2-4 years' premium for medical insurance here in Thailand with the added bonus of not having to be married to anyone.

[Raybangkok]

I live in Bangkok and had a trip and fall accident it completely smashed my left elbow. I went to Bnh and Bangkok Christian minimum 1-2 hundred thousand and a 100 % could not be guaranteed. My Thai neighbour said go and register at Chulalongkorn the Red Cross hospital. I did saw a surgeon the same day went in the next day had the elbow rebuilt 100% perfect. This is the only hospital as far as I know that specialises in rebuilding every part of the body. They have a great display of replacement parts for every bone. Cost of the operation 3000 Baht private room no TV so what it was clean with good food  I had to be on neat morphine for 2 days that was 3000 Baht but well worth it total cost 11,000 Baht. Follow up visits doctor free bandages and xrays 30 Baht per visit. As it is the hospital the princess uses i felt in good hands. When I need to go back I show my card and any tests I need like blood are 30 Baht.

[Suradit69]

3 hours ago, USNret said:

Good story. Thank you for sharing.

Actually it was a good tail according to the author.

 

6 hours ago, Tonto21 said:

A tail that covers perceived expectation and reality in both cost and service.

 

[Spaniel]

Here is another rotary cuff story.      A couple of years ago my friend was told he needed a similar operation and was quoted B350,000 from I think Bumrugrad hospital.     He is from the US and had both part  A and B medicare coverage as well as a gap policy that covers what Medicare doesn't.   So he flew back to the US and had the operation.      Even after paying the airfare, couple weeks in a motel,  food etc.  it was still much cheaper then having the operation done in Thailand.

[Grumpy Duck]

1 hour ago, Spaniel said:

Here is another rotary cuff story.      A couple of years ago my friend was told he needed a similar operation and was quoted B350,000 from I think Bumrugrad hospital.     He is from the US and had both part  A and B medicare coverage as well as a gap policy that covers what Medicare doesn't.   So he flew back to the US and had the operation.      Even after paying the airfare, couple weeks in a motel,  food etc.  it was still much cheaper then having the operation done in Thailand.

555 At first I thought you were saying medicare was covering the surgery here. I was going to ask how. I was told medicare only covers care in USA. I have A & B but I cancelled my union rider as it was >$200 a month. Now I must wait till dec to start the rider again. I discovered it will cover me in LOS. I cannot find affordable coverage here for my age. 

[jacko45k]

Yes this advice is good. In the Pattaya area the comparison might be between Bangkok Hospital Pattaya and the Queen Sirikit in Sattahip. There also, often the same surgeons and specialists. The latter does have farang pricing, but still dramatically cheaper than the former.  Reports are of good conditions but a bigger language barrier.

[BEVUP]

15 hours ago, bazza73 said:

Worth noting that private hospitals here charge different rates. I'm told Bangkok Hospital in CM is among the most expensive, Rajavej less so.

If I'm not unconscious, I'd be on a flight to Australia where surgery costs me nothing.

All of the Bangkok hospitals are expensive

I like your bit about going to Auss - So how long are you prepared to wait 

                                                             - You say for free, didn't you pay a Medicare levy whilst working (even though you may not have used it ). I've paid enough Medicare fees every year to the Auss Gov that would give me 1st class Gold cover for the world including America (that's on top of my Income Tax ) 

It's also the high taxes that pay for your pension & free hospital to

[impulse]

15 hours ago, Raybangkok said:

I live in Bangkok and had a trip and fall accident it completely smashed my left elbow. I went to Bnh and Bangkok Christian minimum 1-2 hundred thousand and a 100 % could not be guaranteed. My Thai neighbour said go and register at Chulalongkorn the Red Cross hospital. I did saw a surgeon the same day went in the next day had the elbow rebuilt 100% perfect. This is the only hospital as far as I know that specialises in rebuilding every part of the body. They have a great display of replacement parts for every bone. Cost of the operation 3000 Baht private room no TV so what it was clean with good food  I had to be on neat morphine for 2 days that was 3000 Baht but well worth it total cost 11,000 Baht. Follow up visits doctor free bandages and xrays 30 Baht per visit. As it is the hospital the princess uses i felt in good hands. When I need to go back I show my card and any tests I need like blood are 30 Baht.

 

How long ago was that?  My understanding is that the 30 baht scheme for western foreigners was a misunderstanding, and is no longer available?

 

[elgenon]

9 hours ago, Grumpy Duck said:

555 At first I thought you were saying medicare was covering the surgery here. I was going to ask how. I was told medicare only covers care in USA. I have A & B but I cancelled my union rider as it was >$200 a month. Now I must wait till dec to start the rider again. I discovered it will cover me in LOS. I cannot find affordable coverage here for my age. 

I have Medicare Advantage. It covers anything outside the US as long as you go to a hospital. $75 deductible for outpatient, $0 for inpatient. I was hit by a motorcycle taxi and got emergency dental treatment. $40 for some reason. I'm not asking why. haha.

[lopburi3]

10 minutes ago, elgenon said:

I have Medicare Advantage. It covers anything outside the US as long as you go to a hospital. $75 deductible for outpatient, $0 for inpatient. I was hit by a motorcycle taxi and got emergency dental treatment. $40 for some reason. I'm not asking why. haha.

Medicare Advantage is not a plan but a class of coverage with many different plans - perhaps you could advise readers exactly which plan you have as it could be useful information I suspect (especially if overseas coverage is not vacation travel limited).

Edited September 27, 2017 by lopburi3

[elgenon]

14 minutes ago, lopburi3 said:

Medicare Advantage is not a plan but a class of coverage with many different plans - perhaps you could advise readers exactly which plan you have as it could be useful information I suspect (especially if overseas coverage is not vacation travel limited).

You are correct. I never said it was a plan. I have SCAN but others I investigated also had foreign coverage. That's why I used the general term. I have to notify them when I leave and when I return. 

I seem to remember that Medicare does not cover you if you do not live in the States. Correct?

[lopburi3]

Correct - Medicare is not valid outside US or territories.  As your plan requires you notify of travel appears would not cover expats living overseas and is just a travel type coverage (and good for that).  But if I am wrong and can be used for full time overseas living it would be good news to many expats. 

[Grumpy Duck]

4 hours ago, elgenon said:

You are correct. I never said it was a plan. I have SCAN but others I investigated also had foreign coverage. That's why I used the general term. I have to notify them when I leave and when I return. 

I seem to remember that Medicare does not cover you if you do not live in the States. Correct?

Yes, correct. Medicare doesn't cover you out of the USA (likely an agreement with the AMA) I have been told medicare will reimburse for some emergency medical only while on vacation. How much is your SCAN? My unions rider was thru a contract with Anthem, but purely for Anthems list of doctors they actually process all claims in house. They will cover all medical bills up to a certain limit, (based on US standards of service rates) so my Thai bills will be re-imbursed in full. But a monthly bill of over $200 a month is costly. But just like auto insurance, you never have an accident until you let coverage lapse 555

Edited September 27, 2017 by Grumpy Duck
Oopsie

[Grumpy Duck]

5 hours ago, elgenon said:

I have Medicare Advantage. It covers anything outside the US as long as you go to a hospital. $75 deductible for outpatient, $0 for inpatient. I was hit by a motorcycle taxi and got emergency dental treatment. $40 for some reason. I'm not asking why. haha.

I would suspect that the Thai cost of procedures was not close to the high cost of the US schedule of fees. So it is possible you paid the full price as a deductible 

[opalred]

i am married to thai  and over many years have visited a public hospital 

registered with yellow book  and get same price as thai

the doctor trained same university 

[pgrahmm]

5 minutes ago, opalred said:

i am married to thai  and over many years have visited a public hospital 

registered with yellow book  and get same price as thai

the doctor trained same university 

Do you think you'd get the same level of professionalism if your were to need an operation & post op care?

[lopburi3]

4 minutes ago, opalred said:

i am married to thai  and over many years have visited a public hospital 

registered with yellow book  and get same price as thai

the doctor trained same university 

Not sure what you are saying but yes Thai public hospitals have a price for various treatments that can be paid by a foreigner or Thai.  But most Thai receive free treatment by using the facility near there home which they are registered to use or have some type of public insurance allowing treatment at a number of facilities.  As for a doctor trained at the same university - that would not insure there qualifications - almost all doctors are graduates from a handful of medical schools here but there can be a great deal of difference in there abilities.  

[elgenon]

On 9/27/2017 at 12:59 PM, Grumpy Duck said:

Yes, correct. Medicare doesn't cover you out of the USA (likely an agreement with the AMA) I have been told medicare will reimburse for some emergency medical only while on vacation. How much is your SCAN? My unions rider was thru a contract with Anthem, but purely for Anthems list of doctors they actually process all claims in house. They will cover all medical bills up to a certain limit, (based on US standards of service rates) so my Thai bills will be re-imbursed in full. But a monthly bill of over $200 a month is costly. But just like auto insurance, you never have an accident until you let coverage lapse 555

Again, this is not regular Medicare. It is Medicare Advantage. To my knowledge medicare does not cover you outside the US and MA does not cover you if you reside outside the US.

[elgenon]

On 9/27/2017 at 1:49 PM, Grumpy Duck said:

I would suspect that the Thai cost of procedures was not close to the high cost of the US schedule of fees. So it is possible you paid the full price as a deductible 

Not at all. I sent the company the hospital bill, they deducted the co-pay and sent me a check for the balance. No US schedules of fees was used.

 

Not sure why you would say that.

[Pilotman]

There is a post doing the rounds on insurance at age 70.  Your report is very interesting in regard to that debate so I hope that OP picks this up.  Thanks for the heads up.  I had heard something similar before, but only in terms of the larger Cities, rather than the hospitals in various out of the way locations, which can be a bit iffy.  

[bazza73]

On 9/27/2017 at 7:34 AM, BEVUP said:

All of the Bangkok hospitals are expensive

I like your bit about going to Auss - So how long are you prepared to wait 

                                                             - You say for free, didn't you pay a Medicare levy whilst working (even though you may not have used it ). I've paid enough Medicare fees every year to the Auss Gov that would give me 1st class Gold cover for the world including America (that's on top of my Income Tax ) 

It's also the high taxes that pay for your pension & free hospital to

Some clarification, sorry for the delay in responding:

Medicare in Australia doesn't cover you outside Australia. Neither do the private health funds.

Medicare covers you in a public hospital. The catch is that you are dependent on a huge bureaucracy as to WHEN you get treatment. One guy I know had to wait in considerable pain for 18 months for a hip replacement.

Private health funds cover you irrespective of whether it is a public or private hospital. As soon as your condition requiring surgery is verified, you do not have to wait for a bureaucracy to decide when you have the operation. You go straight onto the next available surgery list. My private health fund covers all costs.

Yes, I paid a Medicare levy when I was working. Public hospitals do their best; however, when their emergency departments are clogged up with people seeking treatment for a bruised fingernail or the common cold, their effectiveness is limited. And they are employing doctors straight out of medical school who are terrified of making a decision. Private hospitals don't have those problems, for obvious reasons. You get what you pay for.