Rising cost of medical and dental care in Phuket - Discussion

[LivinginKata]

A recent posted comment stated that dental care for implant rose from 20,000 baht to 60,000 baht, Hardly a bargain. My Thai wife paid 50,000 at a high quality dental clinic in Phuket last year. Pang Mai.

 

Today I awoke with a red eye. Straight off to my regular BKK Phuket optician for an opinion. Turned out to be inflammation of eyeball and treatment of drops prescribed - cost 5,500 baht - Pang Mai.

 

What made my eyes open is that a few years back the Doctor fee was 800 baht, last year 1,200 baht, today 1,850 baht. This for the same man. Usual host of add-ons - retrieve file 200 baht, eye test/blood pressure  320 baht, eye scan etc 2,200 baht, 2 small eye drop bottles 1,100 baht.  For sure the visit was first class, but how much more can the BKK group milk us ... We can afford to pay but many cannot.

 

Let's have a spirited discussion.

[baansgr]

Dental implants have never been 20,000 in 14 years I know of., cheapest always at least 38k and that was years ago, have been almost 50k cheapest rising to 80k for US or Euro for 7-8 years.

Dental care in Thailand is abysmal, all they want to do is extract and implants. The dentist here in Pattaya wanted to extract 8 teeth and with implants was over half a million Baht plus. Went to the Phillipines, extracted 3 and repaired the rest for around 4,500 Baht..

[LivinginKata]

5 minutes ago, baansgr said:

Dental implants have never been 20,000 in 14 years I know of., cheapest always at least 38k and that was years ago, have been almost 50k cheapest rising to 80k for US or Euro for 7-8 years.

Dental care in Thailand is abysmal, all they want to do is extract and implants. The dentist here in Pattaya wanted to extract 8 teeth and with implants was over half a million Baht plus. Went to the Phillipines, extracted 3 and repaired the rest for around 4,500 Baht..

 

Good reply, Just what I want to know. Wife had treatment on 4 teeth, only one implant, rest crowns. Total cost 130,000 Baht. You seem to say its much cheaper to travel outside Thailand. How is the quality of treatment. I ask because I now need quite a bit of dental repairs. 

 

Edited January 15, 2019 by LivinginKata

[schlog]

LIK do you have their expat card?

Wow 1850 baht for doctor fee is over. Usually 800-1200 baht. 1 week ago i paid 1200 baht.

 

About dental check dental department at Mission. About 50-70% cheaper then BHP and also good.

[LivinginKata]

46 minutes ago, schlog said:

LIK do you have their expat card?

Wow 1850 baht for doctor fee is over. Usually 800-1200 baht. 1 week ago i paid 1200 baht.

 

About dental check dental department at Mission. About 50-70% cheaper then BHP and also good.

 

No. Don't have card. I am going in tomorrow to 'complain' about prices. Doc wants me tomorrow for follow up. I am not paying another 5 grand for him to say - all ok. I already know/feel it's going away. No red eye. I will ask for a free follow up ... I wish.

 

We do dental stuff at quality clinics, not hospitals. Last time I went to mission it was a zoo. Too many people milling about. No parking.

[baansgr]

1 hour ago, LivinginKata said:

 

Good reply, Just what I want to know. Wife had treatment on 4 teeth, only one implant, rest crowns. Total cost 130,000 Baht. You seem to say its much cheaper to travel outside Thailand. How is the quality of treatment. I ask because I now need quite a bit of dental repairs. 

 

Personally I feel the treatment is far better in the PI. Befor you decide to trot off there you may want to do some research or check expat forums there for more details but for me its the only place I would go. Gave up with the butchers here in Pattaya. The cost of your wifes treatment sounds about right for Thailand, she probably had root canals also with the crowns?

[LivinginKata]

40 minutes ago, baansgr said:

Personally I feel the treatment is far better in the PI. Befor you decide to trot off there you may want to do some research or check expat forums there for more details but for me its the only place I would go. Gave up with the butchers here in Pattaya. The cost of your wifes treatment sounds about right for Thailand, she probably had root canals also with the crowns?

 

I agree about the PI ... in the past. Now under the BKK umbrella the prices have increased towards BKK Phuket prices. I always use(d) the PI for annual checks and my rheumatologist. In years past a 500 baht flat fee to see doc. No extras other than blood works if necessary. All the records recovery, usual pulse meter, weight stuff included. These days it's aligned with BKK PKT. I found my rheumatologist has his own clinics (2) and I go there and pay 200 baht Thai price. I am embarrassed to pay such a small fee so we give gifts to his kids gifts at Xmas and other Thai events. 

 

Yes, also root canal treatment. The procedure and service were first class. No complaints there. Expensive ... I think yes.

Edited January 15, 2019 by LivinginKata

[huuwi]

9 hours ago, baansgr said:

Personally I feel the treatment is far better in the PI. Befor you decide to trot off there you may want to do some research or check expat forums there for more details but for me its the only place I would go. Gave up with the butchers here in Pattaya. The cost of your wifes treatment sounds about right for Thailand, she probably had root canals also with the crowns?

I guess you go to Manila for your dentist apointment.

Can you give more details please.

[Old Croc]

I would have thought the cost of international travel and accommodation would tend to offset any savings made from a cheaper procedure.

[schlog]

BHP expat card is free and worth to register for.

https://www.phukethospital.com/contact/expatriate-privilege/

 

Dental department at Mission is in the new building near parking. It is totally different then the hospital. No zoo no waiting - appointments only. Parking never a problem.

 

I would give it 4☆ while BPH is 5☆. After all the years for me only BPH dental or mission dental are the way to go. Small "quality" clinics tried two and will not try a third.

 

I always wonder why people save on their own health. PI no thanks.

[Old Croc]

1 hour ago, schlog said:

BHP expat card is free and worth to register for.

They sent me one of these without it being applied for, and immediately stopped giving me the higher level of discounts from my fully paid Chivawattana  membership. I had to protest to get nearly 3000 baht in refunds.

Apparently the Chivawattana company have disappeared, from the Phuket hospital at least.

 

As a frequent customer of BPH, seeing 4 specialists regularly, I have noticed all prices have risen of late. Most doctors fees are now 1200, up from 1000, and a couple of years before that, 800. I had lens replacement surgery some months back and still have regular follow-ups. The eye doctor is more expensive than the others and the cost of their eye drops are a ripoff. They do charge extra fees for testing on specialized eye equipment. 

 

The cost of pathology, blood letting and medicines have also risen in recent months. I take one very expensive drug daily, costing about 135 baht each tab. They recently raised the price of this by several baht a tab.

Edited January 16, 2019 by Old Croc

[NamKangMan]

20 hours ago, LivinginKata said:

 

Good reply, Just what I want to know. Wife had treatment on 4 teeth, only one implant, rest crowns. Total cost 130,000 Baht. You seem to say its much cheaper to travel outside Thailand. How is the quality of treatment. I ask because I now need quite a bit of dental repairs. 

 

 

You may wish to make enquiries with some dentists in Ho Chi Minh City - Vietnam. 

 

On some of my visa runs there I have met some tourists visiting Vietnam mainly for the purpose of receiving dental work. 

 

I then asked around some expats and was told the dental work in Vietnam is very good. 

 

Two expats told me of there personal experience with dentists in Vietnam and spoke very highly of the standard of work, and the affordability. 

 

I have not had any dental work done either here, or in Vietnam, so it's secondhand information, but you may wish to check it out.

[NamKangMan]

 

In relation to the soaring medical and dental costs on Phuket, perhaps it's simply "Thai Business 101."

 

"Customer go down.  Put price up."

[hansgruber]

6 hours ago, NamKangMan said:

 

In relation to the soaring medical and dental costs on Phuket, perhaps it's simply "Thai Business 101."

 

"Customer go down.  Put price up."

They have a monopoly now. The BDMS group owns the lot. 

It's either government hospital or BDMS group hospitals on Phuket. 

 

Prices weren't so bad until they acquired the Samkong hospital. 

[Rawairat]

Agree the prices have gone up and keep rising now BPH own most of the private hospitals. Recent skin cancer op I had was very expensive, 3 cuts and a biopsy on each total B100,000. I was quoted B20,000 when I asked back in Australia plus whatever the biopsy would cost there, don’t think it would come to B80,000?

There is the travel costs but I am going to do it on my annual trip in future.

[inThailand]

With the Bangkok hospital chain owning the majority of all non Phuket government hospitals, their monopoly prices were expected. After a dismal high season they aren't going to go down. 

[ChipButty]

We had to go to Phuket International a couple of months ago with my wife and having been there a few times over the years of living here then business for them has certainly gone down on one occasion the place was empty

[ChipButty]

24 minutes ago, inThailand said:

With the Bangkok hospital chain owning the majority of all non Phuket government hospitals, their monopoly prices were expected. After a dismal high season they aren't going to go down. 

Dont worry the new government are having a crackdown on all these monopolies, so the say

[madmitch]

The comments here are all quoting prices in Thai Baht. With the strength of the baht against most other countries, anyone from overseas, including travel and health insurance companies, is getting a double whammy on the price rise.

[inThailand]

1 hour ago, ChipButty said:

Dont worry the new government are having a crackdown on all these monopolies, so the say

Yeah, what happened to publishing their costs? Just another false promise or was it another brain fart? 

[Old Croc]

I understood this thread, on an expat forum, to be about rising medical costs for those of us who live here.

Medical tourism, for many reasons, is a completely separate discussion point and prices can not really be compared.

Other countries are going to be cheaper than Thailand for some procedures, but travel costs need to be factored in. For those who just want cheaper, regardless of other factors, might I suggest India?

[ChipButty]

15 minutes ago, Old Croc said:

I understood this thread, on an expat forum, to be about rising medical costs for those of us who live here.

Medical tourism, for many reasons, is a completely separate discussion point and prices can not really be compared.

Other countries are going to be cheaper than Thailand for some procedures, but travel costs need to be factored in. For those who just want cheaper, regardless of other factors, might I suggest India?

Do you have experience of hospitals in India?

[Old Croc]

2 minutes ago, ChipButty said:

Do you have experience of hospitals in India?

I've studied prices for several procedures hence my "cheaper" statement. 

[LivinginKata]

On 1/16/2019 at 8:42 AM, schlog said:

BHP expat card is free and worth to register for.

https://www.phukethospital.com/contact/expatriate-privilege/

 

 

I enquired about the ExPat card while I was in today. Only discounts pharmacy and room rates. No discount for doctor and medical services. Not much use to me as would be zero discount on the bill. I buy the meds at outside pharmacies. My health insurance pays for all inpatient costs.

 

I kick up such a fuss about the rising costs that I got today eye check follow up at no charge. Back again next week for further follow up.

 

Looking for a new eye clinic in Phuket. Any recommendations ..... 

 

 

[ChipButty]

10 minutes ago, Old Croc said:

I've studied prices for several procedures hence my "cheaper" statement. 

Now you can fly Phuket to Mumbai dont know how much

[polkop11]

Medical expenses have been rising steeply for the 6 years I am aware of. Bangkok Hospitals are major driving forces and allow the others to follow uphill.

 

[Old Croc]

39 minutes ago, ChipButty said:

Now you can fly Phuket to Mumbai dont know how much

I know because I have previously checked it. I even know flight times for  the new India - Phuket routes. However, it's off topic.

Look at other threads if you're that interested. 

[pierrenoel]

Quote

 

yes he is right go to india,i got dental implants,nobel biocare 20,000 baht and implant from  south korea brand in india for 14,000 with crown for both,i got health checkup with everything 91 tests,blood psa xray,echo,heart,tread mill test for 2500 baht,in bankok hos phuket it is 38,000 for the same test.Go chennai india ,flight is 3 hours from bkk  air asia and about 5 to 6000 baht round trip if you buy 2 month before you go,same for any surgery or glasse,sun glasse,prescription,power,it is for noting,for eyes to eyes hospital,they make everyting for very cheap price.

[Naamblar2014]

4 hours ago, Rawairat said:

Agree the prices have gone up and keep rising now BPH own most of the private hospitals. Recent skin cancer op I had was very expensive, 3 cuts and a biopsy on each total B100,000. I was quoted B20,000 when I asked back in Australia plus whatever the biopsy would cost there, don’t think it would come to B80,000?

There is the travel costs but I am going to do it on my annual trip in future.

So there is the answer.  Thailand is far too expensive.  More expensive than Australia.  No need to compare minimum wages of both countries for a fair comparison.  Thailand are flat out more expensive.. Don't even bother considering that a person in Thailand earns 300baht minimum,  but a bill could be 100,000 baht.  Come on it really is ridiculous Now. Even being charged 5500 baht for an eye check and some drops... Seriously,  like some people earn in a month.

[xylophone]

On 1/15/2019 at 8:00 PM, schlog said:

LIK do you have their expat card?

Wow 1850 baht for doctor fee is over. Usually 800-1200 baht. 1 week ago i paid 1200 baht.

 

About dental check dental department at Mission. About 50-70% cheaper then BHP and also good.

I have that card but it means very little as regards "discounts" and just last week I had to visit the dermatologist at Bkk Phuket hosp and the consultation fee/appt was 1500 baht!!

 

I asked if they had made a mistake as it was nowhere near that amount previously and they said that was the price!

 

Not only that they charged me the 200 baht for the BP test (at least that's what I think it's for) when I refused to have it.............the reason being that just having walked briskly from the car park and to the Drs reception, they wanted to take my BP there and then, so I suggested that one needed to rest/relax before having it, and they didn't like that very much. In addition they are always asking questions and talking to you when doing it.......another no-no.

 

There are both some good and bad things about the place, but for the price they charge, everything should be first class.