Hua Hin hospital finally to repay money to "fleeced" farang cancer sufferer, Damrongtham

[sambum]

5 hours ago, cardinalblue said:

A lot of effort for such little money...

 

i guess it was principle....

I guess so! He should also be given another 20,000 baht for their obvious timewasting, and his distress caused by the numerous trips he had to make to try and recoup the money that he was illegally charged!

 

And "He was told by the office that he would be receiving 20,000 baht from Hua Hin Hospital and the Department of Public Health by the end of this month. They noted that his campaign for payment started in 2016. "  In which case he should have a substantial amount added to it for loss of interest - I am sure if the money had been owed to the hospital, they would be making some additional charges for "late payment"!

 

 

Edited December 1, 2018 by sambum

[crazykopite]

Every time I or my wife have visited a public hospital we have always paid it might be for medication , seeing the doctor , having an X-ray and we have always been given a receipt including any breakdown if it were for multiple items . When my wife had an operation I was given a cost before the op took place we have always found the Government Hospitals to provide a very good service and very affordable. We are both farangs on an extension of stay  ( retirement ) I think the word FLEECED is unfair.

[donim]

2 hours ago, huainnews said:

  I've been visiting the hospital, on a Saturday, for over ten years for quarterly check ups and didn't realise for a long time that there was this surcharge of 300 Baht for falangs, it's shown on your bill as 'nursing services'.

  They don't always seem to deduct it and I understand that even the Thais have to pay 200 Baht themselves at weekends on top of their normal 30 Baht fee which covers all services.

There was this 30bath scheme, still is but paying the 30bath is scrapped. 

Hospitals who are still asking for the 30bath are filling jar for snacks, at the hospital near me there's a sign saying DO NOT PAY 30 BATH on top of the counter, my wife said they are a fair hospital.

It is 0 bath for who have (compulsory) insurrance, and pikar (invalids) and thai people in the social welfare program.

 

And for the case of the Dutchman, I would do the same.

 

Rgds

[Formaleins]

Good for him! Well done. I hope he can battle that illness too in the future.

[Trollmann]

I did a root channel treatment at Hua Hin hospital about a year ago. My girlfriend did exactly the same root channel treatment (molar 46 and she molar 47). The price was listed on the wall in dual language, thai and english said 3500 baht. In the chair and before opening my mouth the dentist said the price is 5000 baht. I said why the price list outside said 3500 and nothing about foreigner price. They said that the root channel treatment and a few other treatments have special foreigner price. I asked for the special secret price list for foreigners but they said they dont have and can not get it. They also charged me addititional 300 for nursing service for foreigner for every consultation, but they charge only 50 baht for nursing service for my girlfriend. I also paid 1000 bath at next consultation preparing for crown, and later 3900 baht for the crown to be fitted.

[huainnews]

  Cannot fault the government hospital, I go to see the doctor in clinic 7 every three months to check on my blood pressure, sometimes having blood tests as well. Total cost including medication for BP, Insomnia and vitamins for the next 90 days rarely exceeds 1,000 Baht.

  Two years ago I had a hernia operation which, including 4 nights in a private room, was 18,000 Bt.

Someone I know had a similar operation in one of the towns private hospital, the same surgeon but it cost them 60,000 Baht!

   The 858 Baht our Dutch friend was charged, if it was for every visit, sounds to me as though it was for some specialist treatment or technology. The 'additional charge' being something which as Bill Murray would say, was 'lost in translation'

 

 

[Thaiwrath]

16 minutes ago, huainnews said:

  Cannot fault the government hospital, I go to see the doctor in clinic 7 every three months to check on my blood pressure, sometimes having blood tests as well. Total cost including medication for BP, Insomnia and vitamins for the next 90 days rarely exceeds 1,000 Baht.

  Two years ago I had a hernia operation which, including 4 nights in a private room, was 18,000 Bt.

Someone I know had a similar operation in one of the towns private hospital, the same surgeon but it cost them 60,000 Baht!

   The 858 Baht our Dutch friend was charged, if it was for every visit, sounds to me as though it was for some specialist treatment or technology. The 'additional charge' being something which as Bill Murray would say, was 'lost in translation'

 

 

Totally agree.

I went to see my specialist yesterday at my local Government hospital, consultation, 100 Tramadol and 40 Dicloxacillin capsules, total bill 210 baht.

I also go to weekly physiotherapy there, including ultrasound, electrolysis, hot pack, then half an hour in the exercise room, and the bill for that is 180 baht !

[Kasset Tak]

I had 7 nights (private room) in a government hospital and my Thai friends checked the bill for everything and in the end the bill came down 3,500 Baht from the initial 12,500 to just 9,000 as the hospital had charged 500 Baht a day for "companion(!?)" that no one could explain what it was!?
So there is really a need to check what they are charging you for and contest any thing that is wrong before you pay.
On the other hand, one of my friends (foreigner) ended up in the government hospital with a minor heart attack so he spent a night in the ICU with heart monitors and everything. His bill ended at... 275 Baht including medication!

[KittenKong]

4 hours ago, TheDutchEngineer said:

It has been an exhausting time with so many lies, from management cost for foreigners to foreigner tax and than there was this vip clinic. Hopefully I can focus on my health from now on and may justice prevail. 

Well done.

[silver sea]

2 hours ago, cyberfarang said:

A 2 years hassle all for 20000 baht and also considering the doctors probably saved his life during his treatment.

 

He may have done more harm than good, because at Thai hospitals the word soon gets around and maybe next time won`t be so committed to saving this man`s life. Not a wise move in my opinion.

 

You must be very wealthy that you can talk so lightly about 20,000 baht. For me, it represents two month’s rent for my hotel room in Hua Hin; so a lot of money.

 

This man has no job and seems to be of very limited means. 

 

Your comment in the final paragraph is pure speculation; maybe even wild speculation.

 

Fortunately, most of us on this thread are still capable of feeling compassion for a man who is not only struggling with a life threatening illness, but, over a period of two years or more, has had to deal with an incompetent, and, perhaps at times, deceitful bureaucracy.

 

Maybe the word will get round Thai hospitals, and so next time they will be more committed to charging everyone the correct fees. A wise move in my opinion.

[Gandtee]

7 hours ago, marko kok prong said:

I find it strange a man who looks after Goats could get fleeced.

You must be kidding.

[hugocnx]

7 hours ago, KiChakayan said:

Could someone explain to me what's wrong with this? I and/or my insurance pay when I get medical treatment...

 

The fact the hospital will refund 20K means more than enough. A bit fishy.

Edited December 1, 2018 by hugocnx

[DonMeu]

This is one  thing out of hundreds that foreigner.s  are over charged for. It is a shame and disgrace the government lets them get away with.  Charging triple prices and more to us. If a Thai went to another country and was over charged what would they say.  It is a shameful thing overcharging tourist as well as those of us that live here. Shame on you Thailand. I love this country but enough is enough when it comes to over charging.

[chickenslegs]

5 hours ago, guest879 said:

its not over yet. he still hasn't got the money. 

It will probably come in the form of a giant cheque, presented by the hospital 'top brass', as though it is some sort of charitable act.

 

[bhatmasterson]

8 hours ago, CharlieH said:

hardly call a 300 baht charge being "fleeced", yes it may have been incorrect but far from "fleeced"

If the hospital overcharged him and they knew that they were overcharging him then fleeced is the correct wording.

[Bill Miller]

I use a government hospital, and would like it if an option to pay 200 baht extra for "express" service was available.
I pay 200 baht each visit as a foreigner, and there is a notice (somewhere) that some services will cost more for foreigners, but it is all up front, and I do not think I have been "fleeced" by my particular hospital, though medecine could maybe be cheaper.
Good luck!

[Benmart]

9 hours ago, cardinalblue said:

A lot of effort for such little money...

 

i guess it was principle....

When one has little money, a little is a lot. My standard of what constitutes a little or a lot, has no bearing on this man's financial status.

[Krataiboy]

Mercifully, I have never had to endure the kind of illness that the unfortunate gentleman at the centre of this correspondence has endured. However, I have been here considerably longer than he has and attended Hua Hin hospital on many occasions, though not for some time.

 

In the past, falangs visiting this hospital were able pay a small sum (two or three hundred baht to the best of my recollection) to jump the queue. I remember feeling rather guilty about being able to afford this privilege, but consoled my fact that my age and physical predicament justified the decision. 

 

Interestingly, the last time I was there the young lady who spoke English and usually dealt with any foreigners who arrived and kindly arranged this "fast track" facility was not in evidence and it was not offered. 

 

In numerous visits, which have included an Emergency necessitating an overnight stay, I have never been charged an admission fee, but fully expected to be charged and invariably was for every other service I received, from physician and nursing fees and medication to overnight stays.

 

It has always been my understanding that falangs, even though married to a Thai national as I am, are not covered by the government health scheme and are treated as private, fee-paying patients by government hospitals, albeit usually at lower prices than those charged at private hospitals, such as the Bangkok Hospital and Saint Paulo hospital in the town.

 

I might add that after moving from Hua Hin to Cha Am, I have been treated in exactly the same way by the local government hospital here, and billed for all treatment, services and medication. 

 

Have I and they got it wrong all these years? If so, presumably I can claim back a small fortune (though I won't, as the service has always been pretty good, the prices more than reasonable and the cash-strapped national health scheme clearly needs the money even more than I do!

[Wake Up]

I am sure this has been a difficult journey but I admire your courage and determination and hope you get your money back and find some relief from your medical issues. I am also happy to read about a Thai marriage where both are together and no one is claiming the Thai women are only in it for the money. You are a good courageous man and a lot of us have benefited from reading about your fight for justice and we are pulling for you to recover from your health issues.  

Edited December 1, 2018 by Wake Up

[OneEyedPie]

11 minutes ago, Wake Up said:

I am also happy to read about a Thai marriage where both are together and no one is claiming the Thai women are only in it for the money.

Not so fast. Only time will tell.

[waders123]

They should be forced to pay not only the money back but also interest and pay him for the time and trouble spent on getting it back.  If Thailand wants to be equal and run in the same circles as other countries they need to set and enforce standards that are the same as the other countries in that circle.

[Bendi]

 If he went to a goverment hospital, the fee is about 60 bath to talk to a doctor. Minimum sallary in thay is about 300bath a day.

Bin to goverment hospital several times. Never charge me more than thais. Go there fore my dental check. 1 time every year. Pay 180 bath if everything is ok. Just cleaning. Fixed a filling costed me 230 bath. Cut my self in an minor knife misshandling. 13 stitches, 340 bath and medicin included. Offcorse they stole his money.

And so what he loves goats????and have a life.

Better than to sit on the bare stol and thalk shit about people.

Thumbs up for him, and for the rest.. thumbs up????

[bbbbooboo]

hmmm.....isn’t fleecing farangs standard practice in the LOS(that’s why they smile?)

[kannot]

13 hours ago, TheDutchEngineer said:

The ministry of public health (bangkok and Prachuap) did cover the hospital and I got no help from them

Very "telling"  to know they will always cover their owns asses.

I hope you can enjoy  the rest of your time without these VILE people doing this sort of thing yet I fear its endemic and many simply give up the fight.

[Retiredandhappyhere]

13 hours ago, cyberfarang said:

A 2 years hassle all for 20000 baht and also considering the doctors probably saved his life during his treatment.

 

He may have done more harm than good, because at Thai hospitals the word soon gets around and maybe next time won`t be so committed to saving this man`s life. Not a wise move in my opinion.

Perhaps, fora man as poor as the OP, the 20000 rebate could also be a life-saver.  If you had a serious illness and the hospital saved your life but then charged you excessively for the treatment, would you consider it OK because "they saved your life"?

[brianthainess]

18 hours ago, CharlieH said:

hardly call a 300 baht charge being "fleeced", yes it may have been incorrect but far from "fleeced"

+ 858 baht Admission fee. yes he was fleeced.

[British Bulldog]

18 hours ago, CharlieH said:

hardly call a 300 baht charge being "fleeced", yes it may have been incorrect but far from "fleeced"

I think it may be the 858 baht that was unexplained ?

[xen]

Even if Mr Buse had medical insurance, many insurance policies, and i am targeting travel insurance in particular, exclude "terminal" medical conditions like cancer. Many exclude people who take blood thinners. They do not want to pay and the most serious conditions you have to excess to be covered or pay out of your own pocket. Maybe this was why he was charged. You need to to do your homework before buying medical/travel insurance esp the pre-existing condition clauses.

[spidermike007]

It is fairly hard for me to relate to this post. I am not a rich man. But, I find the public hospitals here to be extremely fair, with their pricing. Even a visit to Bangkok Hospital, to see an orthopedic specialist, get some x-rays, and an exam costs me $60. At a private clinic in the US, probably $300-400. A visit to the emergency room of a hospital in the US, costs $2,000 and up. For an hour visit. In a public hospital here, that same visit is about 600 baht. They are charging so little to the Thai people, due to universal health care. And that is a very good thing for the people. They have to make up for it, to some extent with us. What is the issue with that? I am quite happy with the medical care here, and the associated costs. No complaints from me.

 

A good friend of mine got in a bad motorcycle accident some time ago. He almost lost his leg. He got his first of 11 operations at Bangkok Hospital Samui. It costs him over a million baht. They wanted to do a second procedure. They quoted him 1.4 million baht. He decided to transfer to Bangkok. He was quoted 460,000 baht for the same procedure, at a top private hospital there. The surgeon told him that he worked at a public hospital too, and could do the same operation there, for alot less money. He told him he would get him a quote. In the interim, my friend called a buddy in San Diego, who is an orthopedic surgeon. Since my friend is a retired chiropractor, who knew all the terminology, and explained what he needed, and asked for the best price. His friend called him back, and quoted him $960,000, with cash discounts! The local surgeon got back to him, and told him he could do it for 46,000 baht. He transferred, and they did all the rest of his procedures. So, 1.4 million at Bangkok Hospital, 460,000 at the other private hospital in Bangkok (I think it was Vejthani Hospital), and 46,000 at the public hospital, with an excellent surgeon. VS. 32,000,000 baht in the US. Again, no complaints from this peanut gallery.

[JimP]

200 KM rides on a motorcycle couldn't have helped his prostate....unless he installed a finger massage up there while he rode.  Glad he got some compensation, though.