Govt takes concrete steps to stop overpricing at private hospitals

By THE NATION

 

File photo

 

PRIVATE HOSPITALS will no longer be allowed to hit patients with huge bills after authorities introduced clear legal measures yesterday to curb hefty prices.
 

The new regulations, controlling the price of medicines, medical supplies and medical services, went into effect yesterday.

 

Many patients go to private hospitals to avoid the crowds and long queues at state medical facilities, but many find themselves being “ripped off”.

 

Now, with so many complaints filed against private medical facilities, the government can no longer turn a blind eye. Earlier this year, Foundation for Consumers secretary-general Saree Ongsomwang said that in one case, the medical bill went beyond Bt23 million. 

 

In another case, a patient was charged Bt30,000 for a simple diarrhoea complaint. 

 

“If hospitals involve many specialists for simple symptoms, like a headache or stomach ache, only to charge the patients a hefty fee, then that can be grounds for complaint and legal action,” Internal Trade Department’s director-general Wichai Phochanakit said yesterday. 

 

He added that any hospital or executives found guilty of delivering unnecessary treatment and overcharging patients face the risk of seven years in jail and/or a fine of Bt140,000. 

 

From yesterday, hospitals joined importers, exporters, manufacturers and distributors, in having to declare purchasing and selling prices for their goods. The new rules cover 3,892 medicines, medical supplies and medical services listed in the Universal Coverage for Emergency Patients. 

 

“The failure to do so will result in a jail term of up to one year and/or a fine of Bt20,000 plus a Bt2,000 daily fine throughout the period of delay,” Wichai explained. He said the prices declared by hospitals will be displayed on his department’s and the hospitals’ websites. 

 

“Private hospitals are also required to display a QR code on their websites so patients can conveniently check the prices,” he continued. 

 

A recent review found that at some private hospitals, medicines were being sold at prices that were 29.33 per cent to 8,766.79 per cent higher than their cost price. In other words, the price difference could be anything between Bt10.83 and Bt28,862 per unit. 

 

For instance, Orfarin costs Bt2 per unit, but is on average sold at some private hospitals for Bt13.7, and in some as much as Bt36 per unit. Amphotericin-B costs Bt452, but is on average sold for Bt937 in some hospitals. The price of the medication can even go as high as Bt2,200 in some places. 

 

“Our new rules aim to ensure fair prices. We will significantly expand the number of medicines, medical supplies and medical services covered under the new regulations,” Wichai said. 

 

He added that from now on, private hospitals must inform patients, if asked, of the estimated cost of treatment. 

 

“Also, under the new regulations, prescriptions must include the generic and trade names of a medicine, what form the medication is in, the amount and consumption instructions,” he said. “Bills should also specify the per-unit price of the medicine.”

 

Wichai added that hospitals failing to comply with this stipulation can face up to five years in jail and/or a fine of Bt100,000. 

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30370308

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2019-05-31

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The hospitals in the U.S. have been overcharging patients for years and nobody bats an eye.

Great job for Thailand ensuring patients have reasonable prices.

Edited May 30, 20197 yr by SanookTeufel

56 minutes ago, webfact said:

Wichai added that hospitals failing to comply with this stipulation can face up to five years in jail and/or a fine of Bt100,000.

How do you jail a hospital?

I am so glad it's concrete steps they're taking. Those wooden ones can get really slippy, especially after it rains.

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Wichai added that hospitals failing to comply with this stipulation can face up to five years in jail and/or a fine of Bt100,000. 

won't change a thing; can't put the hospital in jail and 100K means nothing to them

I am so glad it's concrete steps they're taking. Those wooden ones can get really slippy, especially after it rains.

Should it not be a ramp?

It's good they aren't just stitching up farang

Concrete shoes for hospital admin would be more appropriate...

You are often disappointing with your self centred comments;
many Thai attend these private hospitals ; much more than the farang actually.

It is therefore a very good thing for them and also for their insurance which will have less exorbitant expenses to settle.

like taxis and bikes on footpaths, this is yet another crackdown forgotten already

Everytime you get a procedure done at the hospital you will receive this laundry list of charges the will make you scratch your head what were they for, the government with all it's good intentions can not stop the hospitals who are private business and are there to make as much money as quickly as possible, to add some items to the end bill to cover any government restrictions i'm sure...

Normally its go in for bruised finger and the first question they ask is what type of room would you like, as it would be best to stay one night, to check there will be no complications!

1 hour ago, YetAnother said:

won't change a thing; can't put the hospital in jail and 100K means nothing to them

But if they took away their licence to operate as a hospital that would be more of an outcome?

Don't know if this has anything to do with the new measures or whether she just ran into a good doctor but two nights ago my daughter had to take my 6 year-old grandson to hospital to remove something that was stuck in his ear. After trying a local clinic followed by the general hospital, both of whom couldn't remove the object, she ended up at a private hospital.

 

The doctor on duty had two goes at trying to remove it, including putting him in some sort of straightjacket, which he managed to get out of, before calling for an ENT specialist who also tried before concluding that the only way they would be able to get it out would be to give him a general anaesthetic.

 

They were there for over an hour, involved two doctors, including one that had to be called in from home, and at the end of it the hospital charged them.........   nothing!

 

They didn't even pressure her to have the required treatment there, told her they could book him in for 10:30 the following morning but that she was free to go back to the general hospital and get it done there which would be a lot cheaper.

So they can no longer over charge Thais, so someone needs to make up the shortfall. Bend over falang. 

Oh yes, now the private hospitals have to be sure to put the brown envelop in the right pocket.

32 minutes ago, nahkit said:

Don't know if this has anything to do with the new measures or whether she just ran into a good doctor but two nights ago my daughter had to take my 6 year-old grandson to hospital to remove something that was stuck in his ear. After trying a local clinic followed by the general hospital, both of whom couldn't remove the object, she ended up at a private hospital.

 

The doctor on duty had two goes at trying to remove it, including putting him in some sort of straightjacket, which he managed to get out of, before calling for an ENT specialist who also tried before concluding that the only way they would be able to get it out would be to give him a general anaesthetic.

 

They were there for over an hour, involved two doctors, including one that had to be called in from home, and at the end of it the hospital charged them.........   nothing!

 

They didn't even pressure her to have the required treatment there, told her they could book him in for 10:30 the following morning but that she was free to go back to the general hospital and get it done there which would be a lot cheaper.

In your opinion,  why do you think they didn't charge at least something for their services,? everybody's time is worth something  ....????

37 minutes ago, legend49 said:

But if they took away their licence to operate as a hospital that would be more of an outcome?

And for a corporate business trading as a private hospital, a minimum infringement fine SHOULD be 500k up to 1 Mill. Bht. With a possible hospital license suspension for 1-6 months in severe infringement instances.. 

 

A 20k to 100k fine is only a slap on the wrist if they are caught. A paltry sum that is worth the risk for hospitals as they'd recoup that with one new patient.. More of a joke.. 

It didn`t seems to be the right step - but good anyway

since we expats may be required to buy health care insurance this should decrease the cost of the insurance. Hummm. Ram hospital gave my 'I feel ok ' daughter after a 2 day stay in the hospital a drug list to buy from them that totaled ... I hate to say the number now because I was so upset. it was certainly beyond 5 (I think 11). The 4 nurses showing me the drugs said each one to be taken before breakfast. I am sure that would have been very harmful even fatal results.

The cost at private hospitals will skyrocket again if expats must have insurance. that is how USA works. We will see what happens...although we all probably think we already know.

My doctor got 3 patients in 1 day from over medication - way to many unnecessary pills. If you are going to the main hospitals get 2 or more opinions from some of the outpatient clinics. The main private hospitals have procedures to follow most are unnecessary and expensive. NO insurance ask for a discount on the bill they will give it to you.

5 minutes ago, ebean001 said:

since we expats may be required to buy health care insurance this should decrease the cost of the insurance. Hummm. Ram hospital gave my 'I feel ok ' daughter after a 2 day stay in the hospital a drug list to buy from them that totaled ... I hate to say the number now because I was so upset. it was certainly beyond 5 (I think 11). The 4 nurses showing me the drugs said each one to be taken before breakfast. I am sure that would have been very harmful even fatal results.

The cost at private hospitals will skyrocket again if expats must have insurance. that is how USA works. We will see what happens...although we all probably think we already know.

Why are you using private hospitals?

I use government hospitals all the time, very reasonable prices if a bit slow.

I'm retired so no great demands on my time, I can just as easily read a book at the hospital as I can at home, 7-11 across the road if I'm hungry or thirsty.

 

My last bill was 77bht, 50bht foreigner charge+ 25bht for 1 months pills + 2bht for disposable gloves.

OK for over-priced medical, but I sure pay for high quality Doctor treatment in private hospitals, witch I cant get in government hospitals.!!!!

5 hours ago, webfact said:

 

In another case, a patient was charged Bt30,000 for a simple diarrhoea complaint. 

That would give u the shits.

Anyone with a reasonable grasp of economics knows that price control is a very bad idea based upon false premises.

5 hours ago, SanookTeufel said:

The hospitals in the U.S. have been overcharging patients for years and nobody bats an eye.

Great job for Thailand ensuring patients have reasonable prices.

Still very pricey,but OK,at least a bit lower,as I hope!

2 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

It's good they aren't just stitching up farang

Noooo!!... But if they cannot rip off their own

Countrymen now, the Ferrang charges will be even higher to make up the shortfall!!

I am going to treat my stone in kidneys in Europe ,cos. here ESWL or operation is too pricey,even in state hospitals.In private hospitals ,treatment is 4-6 time more pricey at least.

Insurance in Thailand mostly does not want to cover kidney problems for people older than 60 years or cover just partly!

5 hours ago, webfact said:

He added that any hospital or executives found guilty of delivering unnecessary treatment and overcharging patients face the risk of seven years in jail and/or a fine of Bt140,000. 

I've never seen a case go to court, let alone prosecute & carry out the action !!!!

People who are sick, need help are being robbed.... it's scandalous & Thailand does turn a blind eye and let it carry-on!

I've never seen a case go to court, let alone prosecute & carry out the action !!!!
People who are sick, need help are being robbed.... it's scandalous & Thailand does turn a blind eye and let it carry-on!

You hang around the courts waiting to see if hospitals are charged with overcharging and track the penalties?