friend stuck in hospital with huge bill he can't pay,what now?

[LolaS]

3 hours ago, Sheryl said:

1. Hospital bill after a major accident or illness does nto consist of one single procedure.

 

2. There are, in fact, surgical procedures that in a private hospital will cost in excess of 500K. Add in the ICU care etc and over 1 million.

I am sorry, I refered to injury on leg, that cant cost so much.

Any operation above 100k needs permision from familly or patient, or they risk loosing money.

 

[scubascuba3]

Trip of 40 days 183 days by year
 
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Not good really. I just had a quick look on moneysupermarket, you can get similar policies from £20. Insureandgo offers a 90 max days per trip policy for £36. Unlimited medical cover

[LolaS]

3 hours ago, Sheryl said:

I do not know what you refer to.

 

The reply is to the OP.

 

While he prtobably is in a provate hospital based o nthe cost and apparent injury, the advice would apply equally to someone in a government hospital.

 

Regardless, he will have to negotiate a  payment planwith the hospital.

 

For all those who think it is odd that a deep cut led to such a bill, a truly deep laceration of the leg will usually severe one or more major blood vessel. He may well have gone into shock, needed ICU care, and complicated vascular surgery to save the leg. Which apparently they were able to do. There is nothing minor or simple about a really deep laceration.

I disagree that the same operation would cost 500k in goverment hospital

[pby92]

5 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

Not good really. I just had a quick look on moneysupermarket, you can get similar policies from £20. Insureandgo offers a 90 max days per trip policy for £36. Unlimited medical cover

Yes but as it’s auto subscribe it’s convenient for me and with cover of visa premier and Amex I thought my coverage is sufficiently 

[robblok]

deleted

[bristolgeoff]

join the list of  people begging to pay a bill,who has no travel insurance.i have nothing to give look after your own back garden first get travel inbsurance

 

[ELVIS123456]

20 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

First of all, avoid ambulance if possible - it is quicker and usually better to go to the hospital by whatever means of transport available where you are. Ambulance takes longer (since it must first reach you) and assuming you mean whatever is dispatched by the government 1669 number, you will have difficulty controlling where it takes you.

 

Secondly, each hospital has its own ambulance service (serving only that hospital), get the one for the hospital of your choice and keep it handy.

 

As to hospital: Pattaya City Hospital if it is nothing terribly complicated or specialized, otherwise one of these: Chonburi Provincial Hosp, Red Cross hosp in Sri Racha, or Queen Sirikit Navakl Hospital. Do not underestimate what care at a givernment hospital may cost you. It will definitely be less than at a private hospital but can still add up to a lot if it is a serious accident or illness. People who lack health insurance and are nto able to readily absorb a medical bill of over 1 million baht cannot afford to live in Thailand. Unfortunately quite a few nonetheless are here, and we read their stories almost every week - here and on the various internet "fund me" sites.

 

Once in a privarte hospital, you can be transferred to a government hospitakl but:

 

1) They will; nto transfer you until you have paid their bill in full.

 

2. You have to be able to make that request or have family member to  do it. ..and may have to be quite assertive about it.

Hi Sheryl,

 

That is great advice about which Hospital in Pattaya - especially getting their Ambulance details.  Is there a list of the OK Hospitals somewhere covering all the major regions/locations.  For myself I am interested in Bangkok, Udon Thani,  Khon Kaen and Roi Et, as these are the places I visit/stay each year. I am sure a list covering recommended hospitals the big locations would be most gratefully received by everyone.

 

Right now and for the next few years we live in both Aus and Thailand. Travel insurance is relatively cheap and covers any single major accident/illness (including repatriation if needed) - the rest we self-insurance. For anyone travelling back on a regular basis, travel insurance is an excellent safety net. And  I agree with you - anyone staying full-time in Thailand should have health insurance or a bucket of money tucked away. Over the years the number of people who have that 'it wont happen to me' attitude and have come undone seems to have increased a lot - and my sympathy has declined to very little. Dont ride a bike in Thailand !! 

[Maestro]

Removed an off-topic post.

[kannot]

11 hours ago, MaeJoMTB said:

if friend is Thai no bill, hospital treatment for Thais is free.

 

I split my knee open a couple of years back, bill for repair in Thai government hospital 250bht.

If they had given me a bill for 500k, I would have laughed and walked away.

surely  you mean "hopped" away??

[InMyShadow]

500k is basically BS. sounds like your mate with the leg cut is setting himself up for a big payday on go fund me
A little padding for a few weeks at the Hilton and some nurses in high heels and fishnets to help the recovery process?

[faraday]

@Elvis

 

In Udon I would recommend Fort Prajak Hospital, I've had a hip done & a Spinal Injection. Inexpensive, & really efficient.

 

Wattana....the A&E Clinician is, in my opinion, a bit slow.

 

Mrs F had a 'lady issue' done at the Government Hosp, & it was very satisfactory.

 

Bangkok Hospital was too focused on the baht, & double the price of Fort Prajak.

 

 

[tweedledee2]

1 hour ago, Colabamumbai said:

Small cyst removed from forehead, 8 stitches, 20 minutes, Kalasin Hospital, 2000 Baht.

You can't compare the price of your cyst from your forehead to one requiring removal from a hand. There are more nerves and tendons involved and depending upon where the cyst is located on the hand an ER Dr may not have had extensive training in hand surgery and a specialist may be required. 

[Thian]

And another one....also Brittish?

 

For sure thailand will soon make a law where ALL foreigners will have to show their travelinsurance before they can enter the country.

 

This is something from the last few years, why is it? Time for big warnings on tv in the West where most come from. And also teachers at schools should tell the students how important insurance is.

 

 

 

 

 

[Colabamumbai]

1 hour ago, stevenl said:

Would depend on the conditions of the policy.

 

Your statement alone is grossly incorrect.

Many people buy travel insurance, they have motorcycle accidents, then discover that they are not covered.

[Colabamumbai]

13 minutes ago, tweedledee2 said:

You can't compare the price of your cyst from your forehead to one requiring removal from a hand. There are more nerves and tendons involved and depending upon where the cyst is located on the hand an ER Dr may not have had extensive training in hand surgery and a specialist may be required. 

No comparison just another post on prices.

[scubascuba3]

And another one....also Brittish?
 
For sure thailand will soon make a law where ALL foreigners will have to show their travelinsurance before they can enter the country.
 
This is something from the last few years, why is it? Time for big warnings on tv in the West where most come from. And also teachers at schools should tell the students how important insurance is.
 
 
 
 
 

Fine, bring it in, will cost £20 a year to get annual travel insurance certificate

[Suradit69]

22 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

I wonder if they just make the bill up and add loads of padding.

The "padding" would be what we all pay to cover the losses incurred after they treat people who couldn't be bothered paying for insurance and can't pay the bill.

 

Most hospitals, especially those run as businesses, don't have magic money machines that cover the expenses of patients who fail to pay ... so everyone's tab has to be raised to cover the shortfall.

[Letseng]

They all seem to come from penniless families when it comes to paying bills for family members. 

How can these travellers afford the holiday?

 

 

[richard_smith237]

2 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

Sheryl, what would you recommend doing when an ambulance is called say in Pattaya area, what Government hospital would you recommend?
For small things i don't mind going to a private one but for something that could cost a lot I'd rather go the government route and take my chances.

Also if you are sent to a private hospital initially because you are unconscious can you be transferred to a government one?

My guess is that anyone would recommend getting adequate medical insurance.

 

Yes, of course, too late now... but your question is ‘what would you recommend doing?’ Which I assume means future events,  in which case, prepare and protect yourself by getting insurance....

 

.....Otherwise ensure you have enough money accessible by a 3rd party to cover the potential costs of medical care and accept the risk that one day you may have to pay out (you’ll also need a trusted 3rd party of course).

 

you also consider that a hospital may not give you first class care until you can show you can pay for it. This is where good meducal insurance and a card in your wallet comes into its own....

 

 

[scubascuba3]

My guess is that anyone would recommend getting adequate medical insurance.

 

Yes, of course, too late now... but your question is ‘what would you recommend doing?’ Which I assume means future events,  in which case, prepare and protect yourself by getting insurance....

 

.....Otherwise ensure you have enough money accessible by a 3rd party to cover the potential costs of medical care and accept the risk that one day you may have to pay out (you’ll also need a trusted 3rd party of course).

 

you also consider that a hospital may not give you first class care until you can show you can pay for it. This is where good meducal insurance and a card in your wallet comes into its own....

 

 

You seem to be answering a different question.

I have adequate insurance thanks, but in the future I'll probably self insure. I'll carry bank cards and credit cards. So good to know the best government hospitals. Everyone has to weigh up their own risks and whether its worth buying health insurance 50k-150k a year. I know in the case of my parents in the UK who are with Bupa their insurance premiums went up to such a high amount that they considered cancelling which maybe is what Bupa wants, when people need it the most.

Lots of people are self insuring in Thailand, others will try gofundme and others will just die

 

[Sheryl]

27 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

Lots of people are self insuring in Thailand, others will try gofundme and others will just die

 

Actually from what I have seen,  very, very few people self-insure. Instead what we have are uninsured people who think that is called "self insured". It is not.

 

Self-insured = you have 1-5 million baht (3-5 if you want the option of using private hospitals) set aside for medical care, readily accessible, and you have some means of replenishing it as it is used.

 

By and large the people who find health insurance too expensive are retrirees with no new income coming in and no way of doing the above.

 

Health insurance is not only for the purpose of ensuring access to health care; it is also to help protect financial assets.

 

 

[stevenl]

2 hours ago, Colabamumbai said:

Many people buy travel insurance, they have motorcycle accidents, then discover that they are not covered.

Doesn't mean motorbike riding is not covered. Look at the policy example given, motorbike riding is covered, no additional premium, provided the policy holder has a valid DL and wasn't riding impaired.

[jenny2017]

2 minutes ago, stevenl said:

Doesn't mean motorbike riding is not covered. Look at the policy example given, motorbike riding is covered, no additional premium, provided the policy holder has a valid DL and wasn't riding impaired.

And was wearing a helmet. Insurance policies are mostly so tricky that you really have to read it thoroughly through. If someone is suffering from severe head injuries it's pretty easy to find out if he/she wore a helmet.

[jenny2017]

1 hour ago, Sheryl said:

Actually from what I have seen,  very, very few people self-insure. Instead what we have are uninsured people who think that is called "self insured". It is not.

 

Self-insured = you have 1-5 million baht (3-5 if you want the option of using private hospitals) set aside for medical care, readily accessible, and you have some means of replenishing it as it is used.

 

By and large the people who find health insurance too expensive are retrirees with no new income coming in and no way of doing the above.

 

Health insurance is not only for the purpose of ensuring access to health care; it is also to help protect financial assets.

 

 

Wise words, thanks, Sheryl. 

[Captor]

On 3/23/2018 at 2:58 PM, glegolo said:

Yes I am also interested in what the outcome will be. Just to give something back to you. I can relate the following happening to my friend. He was operated on at a privat hospital,,,, it was a heart-surgery (stentoperation).. The insurance-company should and promised to pay for the check, up as well as the first baloon or stent... It was just one stent, so my friend thought,, great I am good....

 

But when it come down to it, the insurance-company <deleted> my friend over, and didnt pay a single shit. and left him with a bill of 193.000 baht.... My friends wife went down to the boss of the economic department at this hospital, and explain that the insurance-co screwed them over....

 

The hospital than asked. how much do you have? His wife said 153.000 in the bank. Well they said, pay that and all good.

 

So looking forward to your report...

 

glegolo

What insurance company was that?

[ericthai]

15 hours ago, LolaS said:

I have a free treatments also, and I am not thai, it is called insurance, you should try it sometime,

 

if they didnt had insurance, they can eighter take a loan or negotiate. in case of farang I would just go

really, so would not live up to your responsibility of payment for something they did to help you and just screw them and leave?? No wonder the government wants to force people to get insurance.  Actions like what you propose is exactly why expats are getting harassed by Thai officials.  

[punchjudy]

I know of one thai hospital that kept someone sick in ICU just so they could collect the 30k a day.

 

When he was transferred to another hospital...... miraculously he was sat up in bed smiling within 24 hours.

 

 

[scubascuba3]

Actually from what I have seen,  very, very few people self-insure. Instead what we have are uninsured people who think that is called "self insured". It is not.
 
Self-insured = you have 1-5 million baht (3-5 if you want the option of using private hospitals) set aside for medical care, readily accessible, and you have some means of replenishing it as it is used.
 
By and large the people who find health insurance too expensive are retrirees with no new income coming in and no way of doing the above.
 
Health insurance is not only for the purpose of ensuring access to health care; it is also to help protect financial assets.
 
 

I agree lots of expats are just hoping for the best and don't get hit with a giant bill. Pensions in the UK are more flexible these days where you can vary the drawdown amount

[stropper]

you never hear of the good experiences here in thailand, well here goes, second new hip at the kings hospital bangkok, 420k bart, absolutely first class, better than bumengrad, cost exactly the same cost as the first hip replacement  two years before , other quotes over 800k, walked out after 4 days , all pain gone, but flying back to udon i slipped on the escalator, i was stupid  but we could not find the lift at don mueng,  cut a long story short i must have moved the new hip, 10 days later feeling a bit frisky, stupidly, went for a up market position and the hip popped out,  unbeleiveable pain, worst boom boom of my life. i live on our farm 150ks from udon, two ambulance came , they got me to our local hospital, hip xray, its bad, i was suicidle with the pain, off to the government hospital in ambulance,  two surgeons  xray again,  maybe it will go back  in , 8pm on the operating table wake up in a private room, 750 bhart a day, in traction that i have to stay strapped up in for  for  7 days, finally times up but have to have my hip under some traction for another 2 weeks, ambulance home to farm, all up cost, wait for it 27k bart, i was after all the stories here on tv  expecting at least 100k, so there you go , beleive it or not but my advice in the land of smiles is always go to a government hospital first, for major surgery always get a quote and what you are going to get, and inspect  the premises. the government hospital at udon  thani was first rate as were all the staff, i was lucky as one of the resident surgeons was being trained by my surgeon in bangkok i found out later. Personally i have had the best of medical care since being in thailand, it is half the price of any thing in australia, and from my past experiences , much better and more professional, i could tell some stories  about aus, especially my hips, at 71 new hips all new teeth , playing golf again off 5, walking the course,  can smile again with mouthful of new teeth, feel great and having a ball with what time is left, so there you go bye

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

sories about aus 

[jackdd]

Regarding the questions about the ambulance.

As far as i know (my GF is a nurse and also worked in ER before, so sometimes she was in the ambulance car), it is as follows (in Udon):

The ambulances belong to a hospital. In general when the ambulance is called the nearest hospital will send one of their ambulances (In case that they are not free it can of course also be from another hospital).

In case that you are conscious you can tell them if you want to be taken to another hospital, which they would do.

In case that you are unconscious they would of course take you to "their" hospital. If you wake up in a hospital where you don't want to be you can request to be transferred. In this case the hospital where you want to be will be informed and they send an ambulance to pick you up and take you there.