If a medical emergency in CM, which hospital would you want to be taken to if insured and if not insured?

[JimmyJ]

If insured then cost is not important and one would want the best quality/best doctors/best emergency room.

 

And if not insured, or if insured but pre-existing so not covered, which one if cost vs. quality becomes an important issue?

[Lungstib]

I had a m'bike crash out near Chiang Dao and badly smashed my lower leg, 5 fractures and bone out through the skin. The pick-up rescue truck loaded me up and I asked to be taken to the Nakhornping hospital outside of C Mai. They took me to Chiang Dao because they get a payment. After an hour they suggested I needed the facility of an operating hospital. So first off, where you hope to be sent is not necessarily where you end up.

 By the time I got to the C Mai hospital it was 3 hours after my crash, 38C and the pain was considerable. I was left on a trolley for a couple of hours, then x-rayed again and then left to wait some more. Because I had a coffee at 7.45 a.m. I was told there had to be a 8 hour delay before surgery. I was not even trusted to rinse my mouth with water for all that time. Almost 12 hours after the crash I had an operation and was finally put in a bed on the ward. Who knows if it was because of this delay but 4 days later I had a raging infection, a bright pink leg. I did mention to my doctor that if a VIP had been brought in after a crash would they be made to wait 8 hours without a drink. He declined to answer. I think its fair to suggest that after this experience the Nakhornping would not be my choice again. 

[BritManToo]

5 minutes ago, Lungstib said:

I think its fair to suggest that after this experience the Nakhornping would not be my choice again. 

I always prefer the NakornPing too.

Don't understand the infection as they always give antibiotics after a road accident.

As for the delay, same in the UK after I broke my arm, 8hrs wait after consuming. 

Edited December 9, 2018 by BritManToo

[beau thai]

it would depend on the nature of the emergency but I would choose Bangkok Hospital for the most professional expertise and care.   I have endured bad experience of nursing care and related inadequate procedures at Ram. twice.

[orang37]

Maharaj Hospital (aka "Suan Dok"), the huge medical center, the "teaching hospital" associated with the University, on Suthep road. For non-Thais, you would receive services through the Sriphat administrative unit located in the building with the same name.

 

In my experience, you will receive "special attention" as a foreign national, and it is likely you will be treated by the best specialists in Chiang Mai, professors at the medical school ... who also practice at other "premium" hospitals, like Ram, where you will pay much more (for services, medicines, procedures, admin costs) as they gouge every baht they can out of farangs.

 

~o:37;

[CALSinCM]

In Chiang Mai, Maharaj Hospital emergency room.

[JoePai]

The nearest one !!

[scorecard]

1 hour ago, beau thai said:

it would depend on the nature of the emergency but I would choose Bangkok Hospital for the most professional expertise and care.   I have endured bad experience of nursing care and related inadequate procedures at Ram. twice.

 

Yes but have you checked if your health insurance company will cover that hospital?

I ask because we have good health insurance for my Thai son, his Thai wife and 3 kids with a well recognized health insurer operates all over Asia, biggest and most highly rated in Japan, their is one hospital in CM they will not reimburse to, and they ensure policy holders know this, guess which hospital it is? 

 

Edited December 9, 2018 by scorecard

[FritsSikkink]

2 hours ago, BritManToo said:

Don't understand the infection as they always give antibiotics after a road accident.

 

You get the infection very quick. Then they give you antibiotics and it will take days for the medicine to win the fight against the infection.

[ramrod711]

Depends on the problem really. For Xrays of injured limbs, prescriptions and minor treatment I go to Lanna hospital because they're competent, cheap and usually prompt and I don't have insurance. My wife does have insurance, she goes to the new wing at Lanna where she gets treated like a VIP. For more serious stuff I go to Ram, they usually call for a specialist from Sri Pat where the doctors are great, the waiting times are not.

[JimmyJ]

4 hours ago, scorecard said:

 

Yes but have you checked if your health insurance company will cover that hospital?

I ask because we have good health insurance for my Thai son, his Thai wife and 3 kids with a well recognized health insurer operates all over Asia, biggest and most highly rated in Japan, their is one hospital in CM they will not reimburse to, and they ensure policy holders know this, guess which hospital it is? 

 

 

Which health insurance company is that?

[Lacessit]

I drive very carefully here. Of course, I won't be able to do much about a stroke except hope they take me to Maharaj.

For everything else, it's a plane ticket to Australia with free and prompt treatment using private health cover.

[scorecard]

2 hours ago, JimmyJ said:

 

Which health insurance company is that?

Please check your Private Messages.

 

[scorecard]

We have used Rajavet hospital many times including when kids have been sick and we wanted and got quick attention, also one time for my sons' wife, all covered by medical insurance, hospital took the insurance cards without hesitation, no cash cost whatever. Quite happy with their professionalism and care.

 

Also one time son's Thai M-I-L was visiting, she was suddenly quite ill, no insurance, excellent care, good focus. Private room (but she felt isolated and lost even with her daughter sleeping in the room with her), however the nurses went out of their way to make her feel relaxed. Reasonable price.

 

[maybefitz]

3 years ago, broken leg, referred to McCormick. They wanted to operate and insert pin for120,000 bt. Wife, a nurse, said no, so transferred to Nokornping. Young surgeon there said it was a clean break, no movement so in a caste. 30,000 bt covered by motorbike insurance. Very professioal in all aspects, so Nokornping for me.

[atyclb]

20 hours ago, Lungstib said:

I had a m'bike crash out near Chiang Dao and badly smashed my lower leg, 5 fractures and bone out through the skin. The pick-up rescue truck loaded me up and I asked to be taken to the Nakhornping hospital outside of C Mai. They took me to Chiang Dao because they get a payment. After an hour they suggested I needed the facility of an operating hospital. So first off, where you hope to be sent is not necessarily where you end up.

 By the time I got to the C Mai hospital it was 3 hours after my crash, 38C and the pain was considerable. I was left on a trolley for a couple of hours, then x-rayed again and then left to wait some more. Because I had a coffee at 7.45 a.m. I was told there had to be a 8 hour delay before surgery. I was not even trusted to rinse my mouth with water for all that time. Almost 12 hours after the crash I had an operation and was finally put in a bed on the ward. Who knows if it was because of this delay but 4 days later I had a raging infection, a bright pink leg. I did mention to my doctor that if a VIP had been brought in after a crash would they be made to wait 8 hours without a drink. He declined to answer. I think its fair to suggest that after this experience the Nakhornping would not be my choice again. 

 

 

iv fluid ONLY is preferred when clearly going to have general anesthesia. that is why nothing by mouth after midnight in the case of elective surgery. at least 7 0r 8 hours clean. related to safety

[Loaded]

where would you go for an emergency at night when the OPs have closed?

[Loaded]

OPs - Out Patients

[1FinickyOne]

It is often the individual doctor that is most important. Some doctors work at a couple of different hospitals. For general care I might choose maharaj.. though i have never been there it is a teaching hospital and has a good reputation. 

[wwest5829]

Heart attack Dec. 2015. Requested to be taken to Sriphat, they had someone more critical than me already in the cath operating room. They called RAM and found they could take me right away, RAM sent their ambulance for me. Stent, and two angios, one week stay. One of the reasons I chose to retire to Chiang Mai was availability of excellent healthcare. Uninsured because of pre-existing heart issues. Bill was $11,000. Also have experience with sandpapering myself from motorbike fall. Taken to closest hospital = Doi Saket. Cleaned up, tetanus shot, antibiotics and ambulance took me home. Bill was $10.00. So.....depends.

[Burma Bill]

13 hours ago, scorecard said:

We have used Rajavet hospital many times including when kids have been sick and we wanted and got quick attention, also one time for my sons' wife, all covered by medical insurance, hospital took the insurance cards without hesitation, no cash cost whatever. Quite happy with their professionalism and care.

 

Also one time son's Thai M-I-L was visiting, she was suddenly quite ill, no insurance, excellent care, good focus. Private room (but she felt isolated and lost even with her daughter sleeping in the room with her), however the nurses went out of their way to make her feel relaxed. Reasonable price.

 

Yes, I agree. After an accident slipping in the shower of my hotel room I was rushed to the RAJAVET(J) Hospital. This is a private hospital near the Ping river to the south of the Night Bazaar. The operation and subsequent medical care was very professional. Fortunately I had accident insurance with Bangkok Bank and the medical expenses were efficiently processed without any worry for me. The hospital does not have all the "Hilton Hotel" glitz like the Ram and Bangkok Hospitals and, therefore, is far better on the wallet. 

[sawadee1947]

An absolute rediculous question. 

If I get a life threatening accident I choose the best hospital no matter what the costs would be. 

[eyecatcher]

3 hours ago, sawadee1947 said:

An absolute rediculous question. 

If I get a life threatening accident I choose the best hospital no matter what the costs would be. 

did you make someone aware of your choice in case you are unconscious?

[eyecatcher]

A lot of these emergency vehicles that look like old tow trucks are all freelancers who are paid a commission for every delivery.

As you can expect, hospitals are competing with eachother for business and those old tow trucks often go to the hospitals who are paying the most for a drop off.

 

wife was flat out on the road last year in Nimmen, they were not very happy to drive to Rajavej rather than drop off at RAM/Sirip/Lanna which are all much nearer and no doubt paying a higher commission in the city.

 

A UK ambulance is actually a mini hospital and the paramedics and emergency response teams are able to carry out surgery under general anaesthetic on the roadside.

These  tow truck crews here are tree surgeons, snake catchers and wasp nest removers by day!

makes you think what we did leave behind...it wasn't all bad.

[sawadee1947]

7 hours ago, eyecatcher said:

did you make someone aware of your choice in case you are unconscious?

Of course. It sticks in my car and on my ID, on my passport, at by bedside, on my door bell, on my wife's forehead, on my tongue, on my.... s. Satisfying answer? 

[arithai12]

6 hours ago, sawadee1947 said:

Of course. It sticks in my car and on my ID, on my passport, at by bedside, on my door bell, on my wife's forehead, on my tongue, on my.... s. Satisfying answer? 

So, which one?

Anyway, if you are in life threatening situation (knock on wood) and unconscious, be assured that the rescue workers will take you where they think it's best, not to a place written on your dashboard.

 

And correctly so. Surely if you have e.g. a heart attack you want the nearest decent hospital, not the very best if it's very far. After you are stabilized, conscious and able to take decisions, maybe you can change.
 

As for me (insured), I have used mainly RAM for my issues over several years, and I was generally satisfied with some doctors (not all) but I found their nurses hopeless in many cases. I shouldn't complain too much really, because back in my home country the service would be usually worse. Lately I have been turning more and more to BKK Hospital.

[eyecatcher]

9 hours ago, sawadee1947 said:

Of course. It sticks in my car and on my ID, on my passport, at by bedside, on my door bell, on my wife's forehead, on my tongue, on my.... s. Satisfying answer? 

I couldnt care less tbh, I was being sarcastic.

[XGM]

I'd go for RAM in both scenarios (insured or not). Over the last year we had one (light) emergency treatment there as well as several outpatient visits. The bills were fair in my opinion.

 

In one visit to Bangkok Hospital I found the costs much higher, waiting time longer and overall service and communication with doctor less pleasant. I will need a really good reason to go back there.

Edited December 11, 2018 by XGM

[elektrified]

It depends on what the emergency is...heart attack, stroke, etc. Auto accident? Other accident? Other?

 

Adult or child?

 

Day or night?

 

During the daytime, there are numerous qualified surgeons and other specialists available at Chiang Mai Ram for an emergency; especially cardiac, neurology.

 

During the middle of the night, the most experienced specialists are at Nakhornping Hospital. Most of the other hospitals E.R. are staffed by young, minimally experienced doctors at night. Most do not have pediatric specialists at night. NONE except Nakhornping have eye surgeons on call at night. Nakhornping may not be the most beautiful, but they may save your life and stabilize you until you are transferred to another hospital of your choice during business hours.

 

There is no "one fits all."

 

[Sparkles]

On 12/9/2018 at 7:07 PM, Lacessit said:

I drive very carefully here. Of course, I won't be able to do much about a stroke except hope they take me to Maharaj.

For everything else, it's a plane ticket to Australia with free and prompt treatment using private health cover.

Depends on your injuries /illness.Airlines have tightened up of late to anyone who is visibly in some distress.Its due to their insurance requirements and duty of care for passengers if you were to fall off the perch while in flight there might be a problem for them.

Edited December 12, 2018 by Sparkles