What was your biggest medical bill and why?

[kannot]

Lobotomy, I decided it was the only way I could  fully integrate, got the Wife to do it, still have the  scar and mood swings and the need to post on TV

[Jonnapat]

Prostate cancer 10 years ago, radical prostatectomy with robot assistance.

Siriraj hospital ( government) 340,000, great service.

Bangkok hospital quoted 600,000 without robot.

Insurance paid.

[Kerryd]

47 minutes ago, wgdanson said:

Please tell me more

 

45 minutes ago, giddyup said:

Accident insurance.

Bangkok Bank offers a "Health 1st" medical coverage plan through Bangkok Life Assurance. I was paying 27,000 a year but this year the bank recommended I go with "Protection Plan 2" which has the same In Patient coverage (up to 930,000 baht per admission) but less Out Patient coverage (most minor things I go to the hospital for I was just paying for in cash anyways). The lower plan costs 21,000/year.

 

The other thing is a "PA 1st VIP" plan through Bangkok Insurance Public Company Limited. My understanding is that it is additional medical coverage of up to 100,000 baht per accident if I am on (riding/driving) a motorcycle (of any type) or the victim of an assault or a victim of political violence. It looks like there are also benefits for loss of life or limb.

That one costs me 5,900 baht a year
Fore 8,900 baht/year I could go with the higher plan that provides coverage up to 150,000 baht per incident (and a higher payout if I'm injured/killed).

[giddyup]

1 minute ago, Kerryd said:

 

Bangkok Bank offers a "Health 1st" medical coverage plan through Bangkok Life Assurance. I was paying 27,000 a year but this year the bank recommended I go with "Protection Plan 2" which has the same In Patient coverage (up to 930,000 baht per admission) but less Out Patient coverage (most minor things I go to the hospital for I was just paying for in cash anyways). The lower plan costs 21,000/year.

 

At what age?

[khunPer]

Infection in a foot from an insect bite in 2014 – itching, and wearing sandals and walking bare-feet easily exposed to bacterial infection; expected it would heal itself with some natural remedies, which it didn't, and when a antibiotic cure from the pharmacist also failed and part of foot becoming dark blue, I finally headed to a hospital – 3 night with antibiotic drop at the island Samui's supposedly cheapest hospital I paid 52,595 baht. Felt it was overpriced – but I'm not a regular user of doctors and hospitals, som have no possible comparison – but it anyway cured the bad bacterial infection, and it was bad, and the staff was kind and took really good care of me, so I shall not complain. However, I'll consider to use the island's fine government hospital next time, as I'm self-insured.

 

Specified bill was 2,500 a night for standard inpatient accommodation; 1,500 a day for nursing and midwifery; 4,000 a day for two doctor's visit (a Thai and a foreigner, don't know why I needed two, the Thai spoke perfect English); 2,000 for first day's admitted doctor fee, and 9,006 for medicine injection (i.e. antibiotic drop); 3,110 for laboratory test (to find which bacterial infection I had); the remaining almost 15,000 baht was for wound dressing, fluid, medical supplies (more than 5,000 baht for Betadine, and Saline salt water), and "home kit" (antibiotic pills and the mandatory Paracetamol painkillers).

 

Two follow up visits at the hospital was another 2,650 baht in total.

 

I've one used the government hospital for a (quite bad) dengue fewer infection – feeling as bad as the infamous man-flu; was at one point thinking that's it's it...???? – cleared it outpatient with two visits, good service, and fees so small that I hardly recall, but total less than 1,000 baht a visit, including laboratory; doctors fee; and "home kit".

 

Apart from these two hospital visits I had one visit in my Scandinavian home-country, one night in an overcrowded gangway together with numerous other patients; didn't see a doctor before next day, as hardly any doctors are available outside normal work hours (8-15, week-ends excluded); asked if I could go home now, as I felt Okay and there was no reason staying here, which the doctor agreed in, but I was still hospitalized and should come back tomorrow morning for doctor's rounds, and also have a blod-test and x-ray of my lungs, since I had been travelling in East Asia (it was that time when everybody feared SARS virus); the third day I saw a third doctor, who said that there was something wrong with my T-cells in the blood test, but they had no idea what it was, so there was nothing they could do, and there should also be some x-rays somewhere, but he hadn't seen them, but someone had probably looked at them, and if there was something wrong, that someone had probably mentioned it; I asked if I could go home now – so much for free heath care in what's supposed to be one of the World's best health care systems – and I decided that this, my first vist to a home-country hospital, should also should be my last; I prefer a Thai hospital, there are kind doctors 24/7, and they seem to know what to do...????

[Kerryd]

9 minutes ago, giddyup said:

At what age?

Not sure. I've had it for a couple years now but I'm just a young lad of 57.

 

I missed the renewal this year as I received a letter (all in Thai of course) but thought that it would be automatically renewed like I thought it had been last year. I went in to the bank to see when I could get my new card and they asked if I wanted to renew the policy. Because I was late, I had to go for a medical check before they'd approve it. 

They asked which hospital I normally go to (Bangkok Pattaya) and they arranged an appointment for me. A rep from the bank (very nice) showed up while I was waiting and sat there until we were finished and then paid the bill ! 

I think I only had to do that check-up because I'd let the policy lapse, even if it was just by 2 weeks. Funny too, I don't recall ever doing a medical check when I first got the policy.

 

(I think I have it on "automatic" renewal now but will make sure I check with the bank beforehand next year just to be sure.)

[khunPer]

23 minutes ago, giddyup said:

At what age?

Their brochure said 65 a few years back, and renew only till 70...????

 

EDIT: You can read more here, it says renewal up to 80-years for that plan.

Edited October 10, 2018 by khunPer

[soisanuk]

4 hours ago, Tchooptip said:

Both eyes for cataract the same day?

No - day 1 for left eye, one night in hospital, day 2 morning exam of left eye before proceeding to do right eye.

[balo]

MRI Scan of my back at Bumrungrad. 40k.

[ross163103]

Bone spur in shoulder (keyhole surgery), around 123,000 baht, Bangkok Pattaya.

[banK]

2016 - partial removal of  lung (stage 1 lung  cancer) and in same hospitalisation AAA open repair with stent.

Length of stay just over a month Bkk Bkk hospital.

 

Cost - 3 million baht. Insurance paid.

 

banK

[DJ54]

Trouble  breathing laying down to sleep. Went to BH Udon Thani Heart not strong enough to process fluids so basically backing up. 8 tests related to heart, blood tests etc Diuretic IV to reduce fluids. 

2 Month supply 5 medications. 

 

Hospital Including Dr. 7,000 baht. Medications 12,000 baht. Asked Dr. if generic brands were available. Yes but have to be ordered not 

stocked. Dr. Advised all but 1 of the medicines can be bought over counter at local pharmacy. Dramatically reduced cost including the 

1 from local hospital in Kumphawapi @ 1800 month. 

 

3 years ago Heart stent operation in China. Taiwan Dr. China/Taiwan operated hospital. Private room 3 days. $4,000 USD same procedure in US $31,000.00 USD.

 

25 years ago (age 39) Quad Bi-Pass in USA $140,000.00 USD thankfully I had company insurance paid it all. I think $100 deductible. 

 

Unfortunately now uninsurable and Self pay. My younger sister asked why would I stay in ASIA instead of back to US. Told her if I get critically ill I’ve a chance of surviving  and afford the bill in US no way. She said that’s a good reason and I didn’t get the usual yap. 

 

 

All in all very satisfied with the Dr.,hospital and cost here in Thailand. Great value for the money

[tutsiwarrior]

I broke my leg last year and had surgery (metal plate and a bunch of screws) and 3 nights in a private room for about 22000 baht...out patient treatment afterwards was extra but cheap except for the odd x-ray...at a gov't military hospital...I have no insurance...

 

there was also a lot of lab work included as I'm in my late 60s and have diabetes and high BP and they were nervous about the surgery...no general anesthesia, just an epidural...after the surgery they only gave me panadol for the pain which was a drag, I had brought some tramadol with me but they took it off me when I checked in...I believe that they wanted to discourage any moving about after the surgery and I had my MiL and a 20 y.o. niece with me that were a great help with keeping me fed, gettin' to the toilet and etc...

 

 

[strabel23]

17 hours ago, Kerryd said:

Couple years ago I needed surgery for a torn rotator cuff injury.

 

2 nights in the hospital (Bangkok-Pattaya Hospital), surgery for the rotator cuff and to remove a small bone spur that was aggravating the initial injury. Total - 300,000 baht. (Not including the costs I'd paid over the previous month when they had me doing physio and getting cortisone shots that did absolutely nothing.)
 

I didn't remember that I had bought coverage from Bangkok Bank but the bank reminded me about it when I went to get a cashier's cheque to pay for the operation.

 

Insurance ended up covering 160,000 of the costs. If I'd remembered I had it and used it (when the hospital first told me how much it was going to cost) they may have covered it all (or they should have covered it all). 

I'd been expecting to pay the full cost so when it turned out I was only going to have to cover less than half I was somewhat relieved.

 

just curious, before the surgery did you have full range of shoulder movement and how did it turn out?

[samsingsong]

January this year, 700,000 Baht Bangkok Pattaya Hospital. Extremely nasty leg infection. 2 weeks in hospital on 2-3 different anti-biotic drips pretty much around the clock. Travel insurance company paid.

 

On discharge, as they pushed me out in a wheelchair, a nurse noticed I still had on the cheap grubby 2 week old hospital slippers. So they pushed me into another cashier's room to pay for them. They went to all the trouble of raising an invoice, printing it and putting it into an envelope for.... 80 Baht. Unbelievable!

If I still hadn't been spaced-out from all the meds I would have taken the rotten slippers off and thrown them! 

[lopburi3]

8 hours ago, DJ54 said:

Told her if I get critically ill I’ve a chance of surviving  and afford the bill in US no way.

Expect you could obtain insurance at least in the USA under current rules and you seem to be close to Medicare age.  Not saying to do - but at least a possible option if ever needed.

[Kerryd]

6 hours ago, strabel23 said:

just curious, before the surgery did you have full range of shoulder movement and how did it turn out?

The pain had gradually increased to the point where I was having problems sleeping or doing little things like putting on a shirt (or taking one off). Initially the pain was like a "pinched nerve" that goes away after a couple of days. After a couple weeks though it had gotten to the point where it was a relief when it was only a "dull ache" instead of the stabbing pain that was happening more often.

I actually found myself cradling my arm like you would if it was broken (trying to stabilize it so that it doesn't move and cause more pain).

 

Did the surgery and the pain was gone. Obviously you take it easy for the first little while, but I was able to sleep normally and dress/undress without problem.

I waited for 3 months until I started exercising again. Used light weights (maybe half of what I'd been doing before) and took it easy but within a couple days I was getting an dull pain in the shoulder joint. Took a week off and then tried again. The pain came back again so I stopped exercising altogether.

 

3 months later I tried again. Same thing, light weights and easy routine. This time there was no pain. Took it easy and worked my way back up gradually to where I was able to use the heaviest weights I'd been using before (even had to buy some additional ones).

 

It's been a little over 2 1/2 years now since I had the surgery and once in a blue moon I will get a small ache in the shoulder. Could be arthritis though (apparently the Doc noticed some when he had the camera in the shoulder socket during the surgery). It's minor and infrequent so it's not a concern.

 

In addition to the exercising (with the weights and machines) I've also taken a few trips on the Harley and had to lift the bike up a couple times (once after a minor accident) and the shoulder never bothered me at all. (The bike is about 325 kgs "dry weight" and bit of a ***** to lift if it ever goes over on it's side for any reason.)

I haven't tried doing any chin-ups though. I'm working on dropping a few kilos before I try that again ! It occurred to me (after I injured the shoulder of course) that the last time I'd done chin-ups was something like 12 years earlier, when I was also something like 25 kilos lighter as well ! Maybe if I can get back down into the mid-60 kg range I may try again. Got a ways to go though so it won't be any time soon !
 

[scubascuba3]

I've also taken a few trips on the Harley and had to lift the bike up a couple times (once after a minor accident) and the shoulder never bothered me at all. (The bike is about 325 kgs "dry weight" and bit of a ***** to lift if it ever goes over on it's side for any reason.)

 

 

 

 

Re lifting up a heavy bike, there's good youtube clips where a slip of a woman easily lifts it up by a particular technique of using legs rather than arms. Found it below. 

Link has been removed......but worth searching on youtube "how to lift a fallen motorcycle demonstration at Harley-Davidson stand"

 

 

 

 

 

[Kerryd]

38 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

Re lifting up a heavy bike, there's good youtube clips where a slip of a woman easily lifts it up by a particular technique of using legs rather than arms. Found it below. 

Link has been removed......but worth searching on youtube "how to lift a fallen motorcycle demonstration at Harley-Davidson stand"

I've seen it. Before that clip I'd never seen anyone (guy or girl) do it like that and afterwards it was like "sheesh, why didn't I think of that ?".

 

When I was a wee youth (8 going on 9) dad told me that I shouldn't ride a (motor)bike unless I could lift it up from the ground by myself. Maybe a good thing I didn't know how to do the "leg lift" back then or I might have started riding big bikes sooner !

[brianthainess]

On 10/9/2018 at 1:24 PM, dabhand said:

Some five years back I had a bout of dengue fever (hemorrhagic) which meant I was laid up in Bangkok Pattaya hospital for 4 nights. Total cost was about Bt70k but I was covered, at that time, by a company paid Bupa policy. 

 

I have been covered by company paid insurance ever since I started working overseas - nearly 40 years in total. That was the most expensive treatment that I needed to be settled, so the various insurance providers have made a small fortune out of me (the yearly charge in the final years was approx. Stg2,300). The company coverage stopped in 2015 as I went part time and now stump up for Aetna coverage.

I did think about self insuring but, sods law, after a working life of minimal medical issues, my luck would eventually give out!!

5 weeks in isolation with T.B. govt hospital total about $5000 included western food and MRI scan (10,000 baht ) meds. after for 1 year a few k every month but hey i'm not dead.

 

 

[steve73]

Herniated lumbar disc - requiring keyhole surgery, in 2012, age 52, at Bangkok Rayong hospital, 2 nights - 185k.  BUPA initially approved it but then welshed, so I had to pay myself.  Decided I might as well self insure from then on...

One year later - same disc herniated again, and same surgery, but just 1 overnight - 150k... No problems since.

This year, Dengue - 5 nights in Sri Hospital, drips, etc, but no surgery - 55k.   

[kannot]

21 hours ago, Jonnapat said:

Prostate cancer 10 years ago, radical prostatectomy with robot assistance.

Siriraj hospital ( government) 340,000, great service.

Bangkok hospital quoted 600,000 without robot.

Insurance paid.

Thanks for that info, I ask as I have a family  history of this, Grandad died from it and also my Father 3  years ago ( aged 86 both of them)

Did u have any problem with it afterwards everything "back to normal".

Im still too young yet but after seeing  the pain My Father went thru in his last 6  months Im opting to have my prostate removed when Im older.

[kannot]

On 10/10/2018 at 7:16 AM, lopburi3 said:

Below at mid and upper price private hospitals.  Don't even try to self insure if you are at an age/condition to obtain valid insurance.  Below were without any complications - prices can get very high if there are. 

 

In my experience would not want to depend on using cheaper government hospital as had required operation canceled on operating room table due no ICU available and told would be 3-5 months before a new queue available.

 

Cataracts removed/single vision lens - 100k (4 years ago)

Thyroid removed - 100k (5 years ago)

2 plain stents - 360k (5 years ago)

Radical cystectomy w/ileal (cancer) - 1m (about 80k at gov hospital if queue available) (2 years ago)

Urethra removal (cancer) - 220k (current)

Skin cancer removals by plastic surgeon in range 25-35k each

 

Blimey, hope things are ok for you now thats a load of work.

[TSF]

A few years ago went to Khon Kaen Hospital, Sirikit Heart center, had lengthy check up by heart specialists with several tests, bill at the end of the day was about 2500 Bt. 

 

Had an attack of shingles last year, saw a doc in Pattaya, got some meds and cream, that was about 600 Bt.

 

Had a bad chest infection a couple years ago, went to Bua Khao Clinic in Pattaya and had 3 shots of super-duper antibiotics in the bum, one per day X 3 days...300 Bt per shot....knocked those bugs right out.

 

I'm 71  and blessed with good health. I have accident insurance but no health cover. I don't get sick often, maybe once a year I need see a doc for something and usually pay a bill of around 500-600 Bt including meds.

 

Touch wood I'm healthy for my age, but if I had any serious health issues I would no longer be living in Thailand, but would return to reside full-time in Australia where I am covered by medicare + the pensioner health care card.

 

 

[balo]

1 hour ago, steve73 said:

Herniated lumbar disc - requiring keyhole surgery, in 2012, age 52, at Bangkok Rayong hospital, 2 nights - 185k

Did you try B vitamins and exercise  I had the same problem at 50 , then the doctor in a BKK hospital told me I needed pinhole surgery . I wanted a second opinion from my doctor in Europe. He told me to wait 6 months and start on a heavy dosage of Vitamin B6 and B12.  

After 7 months I was cured , no pain . 

But we are all different built, worked for me. I just don't trust doctors here. 

 

 

 

[worgeordie]

This is years ago, but 25K, for ultrasonic treatment to

break up a kidney stone,it was a Government hospital,

they had only gotten the machine a couple of weeks before

so I don't think they really knew how to use it,for a few days

later I was pissing blood,bits of which I took to be kidney,

it was supposed to be for several treatments,but I never

returned,and for several weeks later could not really eat,

felt very lethargic,lost about 8 Kg, but sadly put it back on

again.never had problem with kidney stones since,but did

pass one about 5 years ago.size of small pea.

regards Worgeordie

[giddyup]

42 minutes ago, TSF said:

 

Touch wood I'm healthy for my age, but if I had any serious health issues I would no longer be living in Thailand, but would return to reside full-time in Australia where I am covered by medicare + the pensioner health care card.

 

You would still be covered assuming you have had regular return visits and maintain an address in Australia. Otherwise, I believe after 7 years away you are no longer covered by Medicare.

[scubascuba3]

Did you try B vitamins and exercise  I had the same problem at 50 , then the doctor in a BKK hospital told me I needed pinhole surgery . I wanted a second opinion from my doctor in Europe. He told me to wait 6 months and start on a heavy dosage of Vitamin B6 and B12.  
After 7 months I was cured , no pain . 
But we are all different built, worked for me. I just don't trust doctors here. 
 
 
 

I have degenerated L3/4 disc, the thing that's helped me the most where now there is no pain is cycling a lot where without even trying you strengthen your core

[steve73]

3 hours ago, balo said:

Did you try B vitamins and exercise  I had the same problem at 50 , then the doctor in a BKK hospital told me I needed pinhole surgery . I wanted a second opinion from my doctor in Europe. He told me to wait 6 months and start on a heavy dosage of Vitamin B6 and B12.  

After 7 months I was cured , no pain . 

But we are all different built, worked for me. I just don't trust doctors here. 

 

 

 

I'd been suffering a little off and on for about 5-6 years years (initial diagnosis, in UK, was pulled muscle - rest).. then over the last year or so it got progressively worse, trying traction/chiro, etc.. and for the last month I was immobile & in agony.  Walked out of the hospital 12 hours after the surgery with no more pain (until a year later), and that time I didn't even try anything else.. MRI indicated the same problem, and got it trimmed immediately.  Over 5 1/2 years now and totally pain free.  Money well spent.

[rickudon]

in 8 years only about 100 baht in Thailand for antibiotics (toothache). Guess i have been lucky. Do get chronic problems checked out while living in the UK, but that's free..... just a few doctors visits and tests.