webfact Posted September 4, 2019 Share Posted September 4, 2019 Dual pricing: Retirees and expats may be charged more at Thai govt hospitals File photo Foreigners who receive medical treatment or services at a government hospital in Thailand may pay significantly more than Thai nationals and those from neighbouring countries under new guidelines. According to the guidelines published in the Government Gazette on 30 August, a new tiered pricing structure will come into effect from 30 September. The pricing structure separates foreign patients into three groups: Foreigners from neighbouring countries (including Laos, Burma, Cambodia, Vietnam) Foreigners working or studying in Thailand (Non B, ED, M) Foreign retirees and tourists (Non O, TR, VOA) Under the new pricing structure foreigners from neighbouring countries have relative parity with Thai nationals when it comes to what they are charged for treatment. However, foreigners who work or study in Thailand look set to be charged significantly more, while retirees and tourists will be charged more than any other group. Details of the new pricing structure were spotted by Thaivisa members on Sunday. (See ongoing discussion here). On Monday, Coconuts Bangkok listed some examples of where retirees and tourists will be charged double that of a Thai national for treatment. Under the new guidelines, a Thai national would pay 160 baht for a HIV test, where as retirees and tourists would be charged 320 baht, Coconuts reported. The new guidelines were published in the Government Gazette: http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2562/E/218/T_0004.PDF A translation of the first four pages can be found below. The first four pages define which group a foreign patient is categorised under and also explains that prices listed are the “maximum charges or ceiling price” for services. The document would also suggest that pricing is ultimately determined by each hospital as to how much patients are charged. However, the new guidelines would appear to give hospitals legal scope to charge foreign patients more than Thai nationals or those from neighbouring countries for the same treatment. The news comes after the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) in August announced it will hold an inquiry into a hospital in Prachuap Khiri Khan province following complaints from a Dutchman who said he was overcharged for treatment because he was a foreigner. The man, who had launched a four year campaign for justice, received treatment for cancer. He claimed he was forced to pay a 300 baht service fee for each treatment, when a Thai person receiving the same treatment would be charged just 50 baht. -- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2019-09-04 Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking Thailand news and visa info 2 1 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Mango Bob Posted September 4, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted September 4, 2019 No matter what a Thai government hospital charged I would never use one. I been to one with my wife The doctor was an idiot. I knew more than he did. 42 5 6 8 19 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post monkfish Posted September 4, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted September 4, 2019 (edited) Well this should please those who are happy to pay more Thai's club what next dual pricing at supermarkets and restaurants. An example from the link below For example, an HIV test costs 160 baht if you’re Thai. It goes up to 240 baht for working expats and then to 320 baht for retirees and tourists. Or, a spinal MRI examination will cost Thais 18,700 baht. That jumps to 23,375 baht for working expats and 28,050 baht for retirees and tourists. https://thethaiger.com/news/national/foreigners-crying-foul-over-the-new-dual-pricing-policy-at-thai-public-hospitals Will this mean dual pricing at private hospitals in the future? Edited September 4, 2019 by monkfish 7 3 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Tropposurfer Posted September 4, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted September 4, 2019 Private top medical coverage ... never going near a public hospital ! 5 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Fred31 Posted September 4, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted September 4, 2019 5 minutes ago, Mango Bob said: No matter what a Thai government hospital charged I would never use one. I been to one with my wife The doctor was an idiot. I knew more than he did. Well, you think you do, and that's what matters, right? 20 1 2 16 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post monkfish Posted September 4, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted September 4, 2019 6 minutes ago, Mango Bob said: No matter what a Thai government hospital charged I would never use one. I been to one with my wife The doctor was an idiot. I knew more than he did. I only use public hospitals never had a problem very good service apart from Pattaya that the worst in Thailand. 23 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post faraday Posted September 4, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted September 4, 2019 I had a Spinal MRI at a Government hospital about 18 months ago, & it cost 8000 baht. 9 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post worgeordie Posted September 4, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted September 4, 2019 (edited) So we are paying much more,so the service will be much better .......no i thought not. Every 2.5 months I have to attend a Government Hospital, have to get there by 4.30, so I can get the test done,see the nurse, then the doctor arrives about 8,30,if you don't get there soon,you could be there all day,no complaints about the hospital,I did use a Private Hospital before,service about the same,but doctors always trying to get you to pay for extra tests,and not happy when you told them you wanted to fill the prescription outside. I am the only Farang that attends this hospital,but there's a lot of Burmese,sick, pregnant.just hope the costs don't rise too much,but its not much anyway,its the medizine that is the cost. regards worgeordie Edited September 4, 2019 by worgeordie add on 18 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post RotMahKid Posted September 4, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted September 4, 2019 (edited) 10 minutes ago, monkfish said: No matter what a Thai government hospital charged I would never use one. I been to one with my wife The doctor was an idiot. I knew more than he did. I was admitted in a private hospital for lung problems, after 2 days I was replaced to the government hospital because there they had the Lung specialist and could do a bronchoscopy. So ask if they have the specialist in the private hospital before they start to "treat" you lol, very often they don't have them! They will not see me in private hospitals anymore! Edited September 4, 2019 by RotMahKid 16 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Morakot Posted September 4, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted September 4, 2019 In most countries old age pensioners pay less, in Thailand they will pay more! 36 6 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post bdenner Posted September 4, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted September 4, 2019 (edited) No problem with this at all. Make sure the patients passport details are accurately recorded. If they do a runner on the bill get em at Immigration. Or do as the Bangkok Hospital does and charge a fee/deposit to walk through the door! I payed 50K Baht at the door, spent 3 days in their CCU for a total of 62K - Money very well spent without insurance. Edited September 4, 2019 by bdenner 8 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post 2long Posted September 4, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted September 4, 2019 I teach English to a surgical oncologist who says that this is standard practice and has been for some time. It's not news. As for some comments already, such as knowing more than the doctor and only going to private hospitals.... I wonder what makes these people bother to comment... oh now I know. ????????????♂️ 16 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post mercman24 Posted September 4, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted September 4, 2019 funny how peoples experiences differ, 2 years ago i went to the gov hospital, in Soi Bukhow ? seen a doc, blood test, urine sample, x ray, see doc again, get tablets, pay bill 1200, baht, best service ever, (and they will be asking 40,000 baht for out patient treatment,) how in gods name did they conjure up that figure 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Is this real Posted September 4, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted September 4, 2019 (edited) Is anyone surprised by this? 2 and 3 tier pricing is endorsed by the government. They don't want you here anyway, but, will make more from you until you leave or die. Edited September 4, 2019 by Is this real 29 3 5 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post rumak Posted September 4, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted September 4, 2019 27 minutes ago, webfact said: However, the new guidelines would appear to give hospitals legal scope to charge foreign patients more than Thai nationals or those from neighbouring countries for the same treatment. The news comes after the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) in August announced it will hold an inquiry into a hospital in Prachuap Khiri Khan province following complaints from a Dutchman who said he was overcharged for treatment because he was a foreigner. yes indeed. article says he was charged 250 baht more per visit than a Thai person. He then launched a "four year campaign for justice". Let's all send a big thank you to this Farang for standing up to the injustice. Now we ALL can pay for his campaign. Hey, but now its written as the law . How i wish Farangs would just keep their mouths shut. But that is probably like wishing Thais would stop eating somtam. 19 2 6 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Angry Dragon Posted September 4, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted September 4, 2019 4 minutes ago, Morakot said: In most countries old age pensioners pay less, in Thailand they will pay more! old age pensioners who earned their salary and paid taxes back in their home country and then come to Thailand to retire will pay more. fixed it for ya! 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Vacuum Posted September 4, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted September 4, 2019 Quote Dual pricing: Retirees and expats may be charged more So, it's official now? 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post losworld Posted September 4, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted September 4, 2019 more ways to <deleted> off retirees brilliant work thailand.... 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post hansnl Posted September 4, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted September 4, 2019 Instead of offering a reasonable priced insurance for those who pay taxes in Thailand, spend huge amounts of money here, the government decided to milk even more out of expats. A good thing to decide if you dont use your brains. Exports tumbling down, tourism tumbling, and next let us hunt the expats living here away, the ones paying taxes, investing money, and so on. Vietnam, Birma, Laos, Phillipines, Indonesia, Malaya are standing ready...... Idiots! 14 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neeranam Posted September 4, 2019 Share Posted September 4, 2019 Expstd working get social security, as fo some retirees. Doesn't mention this. When I retire, I will keep the 432 baht health insurance. Good to see Thailand keeping up with developed countries. 1 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post watcharacters Posted September 4, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted September 4, 2019 If government hospitals are subsidized by the Thai government, I wonder why foreigners are allowed to use them in the first place? 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post rumak Posted September 4, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted September 4, 2019 4 minutes ago, Morakot said: In most countries old age pensioners pay less, in Thailand they will pay more! Yes, but a LOT LESS than they would in almost any western country. Its all relative..... i have learned not to complain when the oil change and tune up costs me 175 baht on my motorcycle. Should i make a face and say that two years ago it cost me 160 baht ? I smile and think how bloody cheap things are here compared to US or Canada. 9 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post kellersphuket Posted September 4, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted September 4, 2019 well that's one way to make foreigners feel welcome here. keep up the good work!???? 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neeranam Posted September 4, 2019 Share Posted September 4, 2019 Would a retiree in the USA get more expensive hispital fees. Thought so. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post losworld Posted September 4, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted September 4, 2019 Just now, rumak said: Yes, but a LOT LESS than they would in almost any western country. Its all relative..... i have learned not to complain when the oil change and tune up costs me 175 baht on my motorcycle. Should i make a face and say that two years ago it cost me 160 baht ? I smile and think how bloody cheap things are here compared to US or Canada. That is not the point. What if a thai received the oil change and you see his bill is 150 and yours is 300 would you roll over and be happy? 7 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angry Dragon Posted September 4, 2019 Share Posted September 4, 2019 3 minutes ago, hansnl said: Instead of offering a reasonable priced insurance for those who pay taxes in Thailand, spend huge amounts of money here, the government decided to milk even more out of expats. A good thing to decide if you dont use your brains. Exports tumbling down, tourism tumbling, and next let us hunt the expats living here away, the ones paying taxes, investing money, and so on. Vietnam, Birma, Laos, Phillipines, Indonesia, Malaya are standing ready...... Idiots! reasonable priced insurance for expats who pay income taxes in Thailand is already offered. in fact participation in the plan is mandatory for all who pay income taxes. i guess this is yet another reason to move from permanent residency to Thai citizenship before I retire. Class 2 ain't bad, but can't beat Class 1. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SammyT Posted September 4, 2019 Share Posted September 4, 2019 Just here for the angry retiree expats who don't get that many Thais pay taxes which actually go toward these hospitals. The response hasn't disappointed. Thanks team. 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post zhounan Posted September 4, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted September 4, 2019 The solution is simple: move to another Country, let Thailand to Thais. 9 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jethro69 Posted September 4, 2019 Share Posted September 4, 2019 14 minutes ago, worgeordie said: So we are paying much more,so the service will be much better .......no i thought not. regards worgeordie I doubt that the service will be better, but it will probably cut the waiting list. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post bluesofa Posted September 4, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted September 4, 2019 Now IIRC, a while back there was a discussion in another topic about dual pricing, where someone said the Thai constitution forbade discrimination on the basis of nationality? First of all, did I remember that correctly? Secondly, has the frog-kisser and his henchman rewritten the constitution to remove that clause (assuming it was there originally)? 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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