What happens if we cannot pay the hospital bill ?

[geovalin]

 

A Canadian national is in Ramathibodi (public hospital but his service looks like more or less private).

Even with a good pension, he's broke due to bad investments and wrong affective choices.

We, his friends, will give 200 K. He's still in ICU. We expect the bill to be, at least, 600 K.

The Canadian cannot have any insurance (too old, too sick). The family will not give any penny. The Canadian embassy will not help.

He does not have the 400 K.

 

What can the hospital do ?

1- keep him until he pays ?

2- accept a payment in 6 / 10 months ? His pension is big enough. In this case, which kind of guaranty the hospital can ask ? We, the friends, are ready to keep the ATM cards to avoid other mistakes from the guy himself.

3- expel him ? He's not a tourist.

4- inform the immigration => is his extension (due in August) in jeopardy ?

 

The Canadian Embassy still issues a certificate to obtain the yearly visa extension but, as the Embassy knows about the case, do you think they could refuse to issues the certificate ?

 

[utalkin2me]

Why pay any unless you pay it all? 

 

If he had no friends he may get kicked out with no bill and sent back to his country which has top notch health care for free. 

[oxysong]

Cannot get blood out of a stone.   If he is private ,the hospital will ramp up that bill unmercifully,get him out of ICU into govt.hospital section.  Negotiate price with govt.hospital,they cannot do anything,except expel him eventually

[scubascuba3]

I'd be tempted not to pay for him. Op says he has a good pension, why didn't he save to have money in the bank for this. 600k isn't a lot for someone on a good pension

[Olmate]

10 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

I'd be tempted not to pay for him. Op says he has a good pension, why didn't he save to have money in the bank for this. 600k isn't a lot for someone on a good pension

Already explained in the OP, he blew it. Agree no point in part paying, just negotiate a payment plan on his release with his pension money as the means.

[scubascuba3]

Already explained in the OP, he blew it. Agree no point in part paying, just negotiate a payment plan on his release with his pension money as the means.

Yeah i agree. I wouldn't be fan of financially supporting someone who pissed it up the wall.

 

 

 

Family not giving money speaks volumes. Also i doubt he has a good pension. Many guys lie about money. Ever met anyone who admits to not having much?

 

[Sheryl]

He (or you, on his behalf) needs to speak to the billing dept -- NOT cashier but someone higher up -- and, after paying what he can, negotiate a monthly payment plan for the balance.

 

If his accomodations look private he is probably in a "special room" which adds to the cost. Ask for transfer to ward room.

[connda]

If he has friends/family back home, then consider a GoFundMe page.

It's irrelevant whether he 'should of' saved money, blah blah blah.  You have to deal with his present position and condition.  Work with that.  

Also, start accepting that people die.  It just is.  At my own age - pushing 70 - if my health went south and I needed extraordinary care, like ICU, in order to live longer.
Honestly?  Make me comfortable, get my pain medication, and let nature take it course.  
After you accept your mortality, things get a lot easier.  But not everyone is Buddhist, and not all Buddhists are Kammathana.  Let go, and you can handle whatever come - you get well...Cool!  You die...Cool.  It just like that.  


 

[RickTik]

Maybe the guy should just not sweat the bill.

After all, the Master Race Elites have a plan for him:

[steven100]

Pay whatever he can and get the hell outta there and on the next plane back to Canada.

He clearly can't afford to live in Thailand.

 

A good example of why Thailand hospitals are becoming concerned with giving farang any medical treatment without proof of funds.

 

 

 

Edited June 10, 2019 by steven100

[rumak]

28 minutes ago, connda said:

Let go, and you can handle whatever come - you get well...Cool!  You die...Cool.  It just like that.  

unfortunately aren't most of us somewhere in the middle ?   the concept of mind over matter has been around for a long time.   The concept is great.   But reality does not often play along.

[Moti24]

"What happens if we cannot pay the hospital bill ?"

 

You go on the list of foreigners who are ****in-it-up for the rest of us!

[emptypockets]

 Unless he has PR status or is naturalised he IS a tourist albeit on 12 month extensions of stays. Why don't people understand this simple fact?

[1FinickyOne]

My sympathies for the fellow and for his friends who now feel some guilt and responsibility...

 

it does not sound like he will get much better and then who will pay for his meds and care.

 

there is no reason why thai doctors and nurses and staff should be respinsible either... 

 

is this the type of thing that will make insurance mandatory? 

[me4175]

I'd just talk to their accounting department and suggest that he'll pay off the remaining portion in monthly instalments. He's not the first such case and they're happy about every patient who has a credible intention to settle his dues eventually.

I don't think he needs to worry about the hospital taking any actions to get him arrested or deported. After all, if he's going home, their chance to get the money will be close to zero.

[bkk6060]

interesting that his family is unwilling to help.

Hmmm, says a lot wonder why?..

Edited June 10, 2019 by bkk6060

[Mapguy]

An unfortunate case.  There seem to be two things to do.  First, negotiate a payment schedule with the billing department, and, for continuing care, move him to as government hospital, which should be a lot less expensive.  Second, consult with the Canadian Embassy on facilitating his return to Canada and also with his Province's support system for near-indigent residents.

[madmen]

1 minute ago, Mapguy said:

or continuing care, move him to as government hospital

And what do you think the very first thing they are going to want to see is?

Hospitals are now more weary than ever about treating farang in part because of this guy

[BritManToo]

The private hospitals all wanted money in advance from me.

How did this guy get 600kbht credit?

[HHTel]

1 hour ago, vinniekintana said:

There's a good chance he may not come out the ICU alive...am I right?

I would pay in small increments (but well below the accumulated costs) and wait and see..

Make known to the admin. that you are NOT family (or they will come after you)

 

If he passes away ,stiff them!

If not...cook up some deal 

 

 

A friend of mine died in hospital some years ago leaving a large bill.  The hospital would not release his body until the bill was paid which was going up by 2,000 baht a day for cold storage.

A bunch of friends held a fund raising party which took many donations (the more that was drank, the more that was donated!)

After paying the hospital, they did then release his body.

[VocalNeal]

Ramathibodi is a teaching hospital so rates should be reasonable. 

 

As has been said arrange for him to pay in instalments after treatment. As a gesture pay the first 200,000 and then.....

 

They won't keep him in ICU if he doesn't need to be there. 

 

Guilian-Barre? Expensive medication?

[moe666]

1 hour ago, vinniekintana said:

There's a good chance he may not come out the ICU alive...am I right?

I would pay in small increments (but well below the accumulated costs) and wait and see..

Make known to the admin. that you are NOT family (or they will come after you)

 

If he passes away ,stiff them!

If not...cook up some deal 

 

 

That is the issue right there that is creating a problrm for people. Stiff them what a attitude to have toward the people working to make or keep you healthy. The hospital will keep his passport

[Just Weird]

7 hours ago, geovalin said:

 

A Canadian national is in Ramathibodi (public hospital but his service looks like more or less private).

Even with a good pension, he's broke due to bad investments and wrong affective choices.

We, his friends, will give 200 K. He's still in ICU. We expect the bill to be, at least, 600 K.

The Canadian cannot have any insurance (too old, too sick). The family will not give any penny. The Canadian embassy will not help.

He does not have the 400 K.

 

What can do the hospital ?

1- keep him until he pays ?

2- accept a payment in 6 / 10 months ? His pension is big enough. In this case, which kind of guaranty the hospital can ask ? We, the friends, are ready to keep the ATM cards to avoid other mistakes from the guy himself.

3- expel him ? He's not a tourist.

4- inform the immigration => is his extension (due in August) in jeopardy ?

 

The Canadian Embassy still issues a certificate to obtain the yearly visa extension but, as the Embassy knows about the case, do you think they could refuse to issues the certificate ?

Why not ask the hospital?

 

1-  Yes

2-  Yes

3-  Hospitals cannot expel (you mean deport, presumably?) anyone.

4-  Yes, but what would be the point of informing Imm?  Doubtful that his extension would be affected, he hasn't done anything illegal (or has he?)

 

Regardless of his illness, and the Embassy's being aware of it, if he has the required income why would the Embassy staff refuse to confirm it?  That would just give them problems as they would then have to be involved in his deportation and also then justify an action that they couldn't justify.

Edited June 10, 2019 by Just Weird

[jimmjam]

As the famous boxer Ivan Drago Once said "If he dies he dies"

jokes aside I would wait until its absolutely needed to help pay.

[Just Weird]

1 hour ago, emptypockets said:

 Unless he has PR status or is naturalised he IS a tourist albeit on 12 month extensions of stays. Why don't people understand this simple fact?

It is of no consequence at all but do you really think he's here on a tourist visa or a Non-O?

[connda]

1 hour ago, steven100 said:

He clearly can't afford to live in Thailand.

If I have a hospital bill anywhere in the world, that means that the patient need to leave the country and not pay the bill - In your esteemed opinion that is.
Hmmm.

How about arranging a payment schedule with the hospital and paying your debts?
That's what responsibly people do.  

[Just Weird]

48 minutes ago, from the home of CC said:

did he drink himself into this position?...

How would it matter?

[Just Weird]

31 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

The private hospitals all wanted money in advance from me.

How did this guy get 600kbht credit?

The bill hasn't got that high yet, judging by what he was quoted as saying the OP is just guessing that it could.

[orchis]

I know personally of a man who couldn't pay the bill in Bangkok Christian Hospital, an officer of the hospital accompanied him to his apartment upon discharge and confiscated his passport which was held until payment (2009). 

[BritManToo]

59 minutes ago, kenk24 said:

it does not sound like he will get much better and then who will pay for his meds and care.

This is an unusual case for a government hospital.

I went to hospital today, doctor + 2 months meds (175 pills) and the bill was 225bht.

Meds from GH are cheap as chips.