Dual pricing: Retirees and expats may be charged more at Thai govt hospitals

[Mister Fixit]

10 hours ago, drbeach said:

Well you should have insurance, which will eventually become compulsory anyway.

 

I have insurance and pay nada, zero, zilch for treatment at a top tier hospital. Some public hospitals don't even treat foreigners...

Well, thanks for telling me how to live my life ...

 

You may pay zilch, nada etc, AT THE HOSPITAL, but you are paying through the nose beforehand by buying insurance, which is just really a bet and only enriches the insurance companies.  More fool you.

 

Those of us from a country which cares for its citizens and provides free healthcare at the point of use (albeit paid for from salary) don't need to worry about things like health insurance.

 

[SPREX]

7 hours ago, SPREX said:

 

[Mister Fixit]

10 hours ago, natway09 said:

And the big question is, what would your home country charge a "foreigner" for the same treatment?

In the UK, nothing for emergency work.  

 

They would charge medical tourists though, and rightly so.

[Mister Fixit]

4 hours ago, monkfish said:

Ok so a Thai person living in the UK should not be getting Free health care as they do and in fact they should be paying twice the price of an English person for the same service? Correct?

If a Thai is living in the UK on indefinite leave, he/she would have had to pay an NHS contribution as part of the process.  I think it is (or was a few years ago) £600.  

 

Then h'd get the same health care as a UK born person, so your attempt at muddling the facts is wrong.

[DavisH]

10 hours ago, alzack said:

THEY DONT WANT US  TIME TO MOVE ON GUYS

It's not a matter of "wanting us". The foerigners living here are such a small number that we could all disappear to tomorrow and the economy (Ok, Pattaya bars may be empty), will still go along as before. They prefer tourists who come an spend a lot of money and then <deleted> off. 

[lkv]

.

Edited September 5, 2019 by lkv

[DavisH]

15 hours ago, Zack61 said:

I’m free. One of the benefits of marrying a government employee 

Well its not FULLY free, but a substantial amount can be claimed back. Paid 2000 baht for a CT scan - normal price was 12-15000 baht if I recall. Never bother with private hospitals here. As my wife is Nursign college director she can usually has contacts so we can find a good specialist. Good doctors usually have long waiting lists too. 

[SPREX]

21 minutes ago, DavisH said:

Ce n'est pas une question de "nous vouloir". Les foerigners qui vivent ici sont assez peu nombreux. Ils préfèrent les touristes qui dépensent beaucoup d'argent, puis <supprimés>. 

Did you know how many foreigners have a long-stay visa with work permit our no and the nationality of the witch ?????

this information comes directly from the BIPCIS immigration report

I show more and more that the OECD countries !!!!!

if you want the total with all the countries involved, I will provide it

To many !!! 

Cordially 

 

 

 

Edited September 5, 2019 by SPREX

[monkfish]

2 hours ago, Mister Fixit said:

If a Thai is living in the UK on indefinite leave, he/she would have had to pay an NHS contribution as part of the process.  I think it is (or was a few years ago) £600.  

 

Then h'd get the same health care as a UK born person, so your attempt at muddling the facts is wrong.

I only see there a surcharge of £400 per year for Temporary stay over 6 months but I think that's reasonable they should have something like in Thailand and no age limits or pre existing conditions.
There's no mention of surcharge for permanent stay do you have link?

https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/nhs-services/visiting-or-moving-to-england/moving-to-england-from-outside-the-european-economic-area-eea/

Edited September 5, 2019 by monkfish

[SPREX]

No.			Item description	unit Count		Group  1			Group  2		Group  3
Section 3 Radiology service fees
3.1 Diagnostic radiology
IRM
1			MRI 1 small part or small organ	ครั้ง		8,000			12,000		15,000
2			MRI Diffusion	ครั้ง		3,600			5,400		7,200
3			MRI Perfusion	ครั้ง		5,500			8,250		11,000
4			Functional  MRI	ครั้ง		15,000			18,750		22,500
5			MR Tractography	ครั้ง		6,000			9,000		12,000
6			MR spectroscopy	ครั้ง		6,000			9,000		12,000
7			MRA 1 part	ครั้ง		5,400			8,100		10,800
8			MRV 1 part	ครั้ง		5,400			8,100		10,800
9			MRI +  MRA (nonbrain)	ครั้ง		13,000			16,250		19,500
10			MRA + MRV 1 part	ครั้ง		13,000			16,250		19,500
11			MRI + MRA + MRV	ครั้ง		16,000			20,000		24,000
12			MRA or  MRV 1 part	ครั้ง		9,000			12,500		15,000
13			MR SRT or SRS only	ครั้ง		5,000			7,500		10,000
14			MRI Brain	ครั้ง		8,000			12,000		15,000
15			MRI Brain  + MRA	ครั้ง		12,500			15,600		18,750
16			MRI + MRA Brain  + MRA Carotid	ครั้ง		13,500			16,870		20,250
17			MRI + MRA Brain  + MRV Brain  + MRA Carotid	ครั้ง		15,300			19,100		22,950
18			MRI Brain  + CSF flow	ครั้ง		12,000			15,000		18,000
19			MR Cisternography	ครั้ง		12,000			15,000		18,000
20			MRI Hippocampus	ครั้ง		10,500			13,100		15,750
21			MRI Pituitary gland	ครั้ง		10,500			13,100		15,750
22			MRI Base of skull	ครั้ง		10,500			13,100		15,750
23			MRI Cavernous sinus	ครั้ง		10,500			13,100		15,750
24			MRI IAC / Cranial nerve	ครั้ง		10,500			13,100		15,750
25			MRI 3D IAC	ครั้ง		5,400			8,100		10,800
26			MRI PNS	ครั้ง		10,500			13,100		15,750
27			MRI Nasopharynx / Oropharynx	ครั้ง		10,500			13,100		15,750
28			MRI Neck  / Larynx / Thyroid glands	ครั้ง		10,500			13,100		15,750
29			MRI TM joint	ครั้ง		8,000			12,000		15,000
30			MRI Orbits	ครั้ง		10,500			13,100		15,750
31			MRA Carotid	ครั้ง		12,000		15,000			18,000
32			MRI Chest	ครั้ง		10,500		13,100			15,750
33			MRV Chest	ครั้ง		12,000		15,000			18,000
34			MRA Pulmonary	ครั้ง		12,000		15,000			18,000
35			MRI Mediastinum	ครั้ง		10,500		13,100			15,750
36			MRI Upper / Lower abdomen	ครั้ง		10,500		13,100			15,750
37			MRI Whole abdomen	ครั้ง		15,000		18,750			22,500
38			MRI Breasts  (2 sides)	ครั้ง		12,000		15,000			18,000
39			MRI Breasts  (1 side)	ครั้ง		9,700		12,500			15,000
40			MRI Guided breast biopsy	ครั้ง		8,000		12,000			15,000
41			MRI Heart	ครั้ง		9,300		12,500			15,000
42			MRI Heart + perfusion	ครั้ง		12,000		15,000			18,000
43			MRI Heart  CgHD / cine	ครั้ง		12,000		15,000			18,000
44			MRI Heart screening  ASD	ครั้ง		9,300		12,500			15,000
45			MRA Heart	ครั้ง		5,400		8,100			10,800
46			MRA Thoracic/Abdominal Aorta	ครั้ง		12,000		15,000			18,000
47			MRA Upper/Lower Abdomen	ครั้ง		5,500		8,250			11,000
48			MRA Whole Abdomen	ครั้ง		6,300		9,450			12,600
49			MRV Upper/Lower  Abdomen	ครั้ง		5,500		8,250			11,000
50			MRI Pancrease	ครั้ง		10,500		13,100			15,750
51			MRCP only	ครั้ง		8,000		12,000			15,000
52			MRCP + upper abdomen	ครั้ง		12,600		15,750			18,900
53			MRV portal v.	ครั้ง		13,000		16,250			19,500
54			MRI Pelvic   cavity	ครั้ง		10,500		13,100			15,750
55			MR Urography (full tracts)	ครั้ง		12,000		15,000			18,000
56			MRI Kidney	ครั้ง		10,500		13,100			15,750
57			MRI Adrenal gland	ครั้ง		10,500		13,100			15,750
58			MRI Kidney   + MRA Renal artery	ครั้ง		11,500		14,370			17,250
59			MRA Renal   artery	ครั้ง		12,000		15,000			18,000
60			MRI Prostate	ครั้ง		10,500			13,100		15,750
61			MRI Prostate with special coil	ครั้ง		12,000			15,000		18,000
62			MRS Prostate gland	ครั้ง		6,400			9,600		12,800
63			MRI + MRS Prostate gland	ครั้ง		14,000			17,500		21,000
64			MRI Bone/Joint/Extremity	ครั้ง		8,000			12,000		15,000
65			MR Arthrography	ครั้ง		10,500			13,100		15,750
66			MRA Femoral artery/Peripheral  run off	ครั้ง		12,000			15,000		18,000
67			MRV Femoral  v.	ครั้ง		12,000			15,000		18,000
68			MRI Spine   1 part	ครั้ง		8,000			12,000		15,000
69			MRI Whole Spine	ครั้ง		18,700			23,375		28,050
70			MRI Myelogram	ครั้ง		4,000			6,000		8,000
71			MRI Myelography + spine	ครั้ง		12,500			15,600		18,750
72			MRI Brachial Plexus	ครั้ง		14,000			17,500		21,000
73			MRI L-S plexus	ครั้ง		8,800			12,500		15,000
74			MRI Sacral   plexus	ครั้ง		8,800			12,500		15,000
75			Using Ferucarbotran contrast medium	Vial		9,050			12,500		15,000
76			Using Gd contrast  medium,  additional  cost	10 ml.		2,000			3,000		4,000
77			Using Gd contrast  medium,  additional  cost	15 ml.		3,000			4,500		6,000
Interventional radiology
1			Angiography 1st  selective  vessel  requested	ครั้ง		20,000			25,000		30,000
2			Angiography 2nd or each following vessel requested	ครั้ง		4,800			7,200		9,600
3			Cerebral angio 4 vessels	ครั้ง		24,000			30,000		36,000
4			Transarterial oily chemoembolization	ครั้ง		22,000			27,500		33,000
5			Embolization (body)	ครั้ง		23,000			28,750		34,500
6			Embolization (neuro)	ครั้ง		25,000			31,250		37,500
7			AV fistulogram/venogram	ครั้ง		7,000			10,500		14,000
8			IVC filter	ครั้ง		20,000			25,000		30,000
9			PTBD /PCN 1 side	ครั้ง		16,000			20,000		24,000
Note No. 6-9 includes the cost of basic materials but does not include special needles catheter Special tools
10			Percutaneous Transhepatic Cholangiogram	ครั้ง		9,000			12,500		15,000
11			Peripheral Insertion of Central  Cath (PICC)	ครั้ง		8,000			12,000		15,000
12			Permanent cath / Double lumen	ครั้ง		9,000			12,500		15,000
13			Percutaneous  Transluminal Angioplasty	ครั้ง		23,000			28,750		34,500
14			Percutaneous Ethanol injection Therapy	ครั้ง		3,500			5,250		7,000
15			Revise Catheter	ครั้ง		3,500			5,250		7,000
16			US guided fine needle  aspiration	ครั้ง		2,300			3,450		4,600
17			US guided  PCD	ครั้ง		2,300			3,450		4,600
18			US guided  biopsy	ครั้ง		2,300			3,450		4,600
19			US guided  RF ablation	ครั้ง		2,300			3,450		4,600
20			CT guided biopsy	ครั้ง		4,500			6,750		9,000
21			CT guided  PCD	ครั้ง		6,000			9,000		12,000
22			CT guided  RF ablation	ครั้ง		6,000			9,000		12,000
23			LP for CT myelogram	ครั้ง		800			1,200		1,600

[Thailand Noobie]

Good luck with that one. At pattaya city hospital treatments are very poor and doctors do a lot of wrong conclusions, thank God I don't need to pay anything but still its annoying to go several time with the same problem to ptt city hospital. 

Not so funniest part was Wednesday I get to ptt city hospital because I had Dengue fever 3 weeks ago and last thing doctor said was that if I have any skin problems I need to go back. And I get them so I went to hospital and the doctor said I have syphilis and I said <deleted> can not have. But she insisted that we take blood test and that we did. After 3 hour I went to doctor again to check the results, there was another lady doctor and she was looking in to computer, I saw her eyes that she had hard times to tell something, so I just told her this ain't syphilis isn't it? And she say yes it's not, but she didn't know what's wrong and just says to me that it will disappear with the time.... right.

So again, good luck with ptt city hospital when you need to pay double or even triple payments.

[bbbbooboo]

Hmm.... what a diabolically cunning move. This will have expats and retirees flocking to live in Thailand?

[lkv]

In Europe, in places like Budapest, Hungary and others, an MRI for one segment costs about 150 euro full price, no insurance. That would be 5,000 baht currently. And good quality service.

 

Full body MRI maybe 425 euro (slightly less than x3).

 

Other places I got MRI with discount coupon for as low as 75 euro (not in Hungary though). All this is for uninsured. And quick service (2-3 days waiting time for regular price, maybe a week on discounts).

 

Insured in the public system it's free (or low priced), one month wait, done in the private system.

 

I don't really see how Thai hospitals are cheap. Medical tourism and all that. Maybe compared to the US, that is.

 

When I hear 10-12K baht for an MRI, I start laughing.

 

PS: All prices above are in the private system (clinics / hospitals).

Edited September 5, 2019 by lkv

[sunnyboy2018]

On 9/4/2019 at 9:50 AM, Tropposurfer said:

Private top medical coverage ... never going near a public hospital !

They are the same doctors!

[Jingjock]

Another nail in the coffin, it will not stop here, more to come i'm afraid. Charge the Thais the same in my country, that would make me happy

[Assurancetourix]

1 hour ago, sunnyboy2018 said:

They are the same doctors!

And I guess they have never heard of Hippocratic Oath

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hippocratic_Oath

 

 

[howbri]

Had a brain MRI in July at Bangkok/Pattaya since they were one of the few with the big MRI machine. Quoted 24,000 baht when finished charged me 29,000 baht. Only option was government hospital for about 16,000 but had to wait 3 months.

[wtfracing]

11 hours ago, Krataiboy said:

Simplistic rather than simple.  Presumably, you are unaware that many retirees have dependent Thai wives and families. For them, relocation is neither a desirable nor practicable option - even if it were affordable, which in many instances it is not.

 

The sudden hike in hospital charges is going to make a nasty dent in the household budgets of  retirees of modest means, already struggling to copy with the double whammy of high domestic inflation and a buoyant baht.

 

A little more empathy toward fellow expats under the lash and a little less of the "I'm all right, Jack" attitude would make this Forum a more friendly and enjoyable experience.

Well said could not agree more

[ICELANDMAN]

On 9/4/2019 at 7:45 PM, rumak said:

I think the MAJORITY of guys here (most of them with no desire to visit this forum) would not admit what you have written because for them live here is STILL very affordable and pleasant to live a relatively free and happy life.  (and yes, I include myself in that group and I have been here the better part of 30 years).

Good infrastructure.   Affordable housing and food....and medical care.   And very nice people if you choose to live away from the "hot spots".   I say this and believe me my glasses are no longer rose colored  ????

But certainly, like anywhere,  Thailand is not for everyone.  I wish them well as they buy their tickets to greener pastures.  

 

You have not answered my question, only by declaring in your imagination that you consider that Thai readers are readers outside of reality, including yourself. No one doubts that Thailand is still an acceptable country to live in but that the political situation is rapidly changing to our detriment, including the entire Thais people. Maybe time you open your eyes and stop dreaming

 

[Mister Fixit]

8 hours ago, monkfish said:

I only see there a surcharge of £400 per year for Temporary stay over 6 months but I think that's reasonable they should have something like in Thailand and no age limits or pre existing conditions.
There's no mention of surcharge for permanent stay do you have link?

https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/nhs-services/visiting-or-moving-to-england/moving-to-england-from-outside-the-european-economic-area-eea/

Clicking on the link at the head of that page gives you this - https://www.gov.uk/healthcare-immigration-application/how-much-pay

 

That mentions students on 2 year stays paying £600 so perhaps that's what I saw.

 

 

[rumak]

38 minutes ago, ICELANDMAN said:

You have not answered my question, only by declaring in your imagination that you consider that Thai readers are readers outside of reality, including yourself. No one doubts that Thailand is still an acceptable country to live in but that the political situation is rapidly changing to our detriment, including the entire Thais people. Maybe time you open your eyes and stop dreaming

 

you are more than welcome to your opinion..... but adding "Maybe time you open your eyes and stop dreaming" to your post does not add anything .  Just shows what type of Farang you are.  The type that Thais are increasingly sick of dealing with .   Try being nice and treating others with respect as many on this forum do.

Edited September 6, 2019 by rumak

[fulhamster]

On 9/4/2019 at 3:50 PM, monkfish said:

Will this mean dual pricing at private hospitals in the future?
 

In the future ?? Already happening and has been for years

 

[rabas]

You have not answered my question, only by declaring in your imagination that you consider that Thai readers are readers outside of reality, including yourself. No one doubts that Thailand is still an acceptable country to live in but that the political situation is rapidly changing to our detriment, including the entire Thais people. Maybe time you open your eyes and stop dreaming

 

rumas's view is reality for many long time stayers, some who came here long before retirement and are now well integrated. That does not mean the the laws are good or that they are not becoming significantly more difficult, they are. But that is outweighed by the good things about living here, which some don't see.

 

Edited September 6, 2019 by rabas

[VocalNeal]

16 hours ago, nchuckle said:

I don’t think you understand indirect taxes - it is on everyday spending- have you not noticed the 7% sales tax on everything including services you buy? So the more you spend the more tax you pay.

Yes I understand but nowhere near the same amount as direct income tax. That is where the real money is. So a retired expat with 100,000/mnth pension doesn't necessarily spend 100,000 a month so the tax will be less than 7,000 a month. 

 

A Thai person with a 100,000 monthly salary will pay 9,000 a month income tax plus 7% of what they spend which maybe the same as the retired expat.

 

Which is why the expat pays more at the hospital. 

[Gandtee]

2 hours ago, Assurancetourix said:

And I guess they have never heard of Hippocratic Oath

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hippocratic_Oath

 

 

Here, some take the hippocritic oath.

[SuwadeeS]

Thailand will lose more and more tourists, expats etc. 

Because of their decadent, arrogant dual pricing. 

Hopefully, It will go viral around the world and many

people change their destination to other countries.

Thailand needs a real lesson to learn:

 

Treat people equal!!!!!!!!!!!!

[DavisH]

10 hours ago, SPREX said:

Did you know how many foreigners have a long-stay visa with work permit our no and the nationality of the witch ?????

this information comes directly from the BIPCIS immigration report

I show more and more that the OECD countries !!!!!

if you want the total with all the countries involved, I will provide it

To many !!! 

Cordially 

 

 

 

Compared to 24 million + tourists per year, it's a drop in the ocean. 

[holy cow cm]

It is purely racist and nothing more than that. All of our respective countries should charge the Thai the same on the flip side, but then again our countries are more kind and consider all human beings the same. I would gather this decision comes from the private sector of the Elite rich Thai who are invested into the medical system and want to make money.

 

What next will come out of their brains for kicking us?

[DavisH]

3 minutes ago, SuwadeeS said:

Thailand will lose more and more tourists, expats etc. 

Because of their decadent, arrogant dual pricing. 

Hopefully, It will go viral around the world and many

people change their destination to other countries.

Thailand needs a real lesson to learn:

 

Treat people equal!!!!!!!!!!!!

They don't care about expats and tourists are generally either not aware of dual pricing or are willing to pay, given they may only visit the country once. It's only expats that seem bothered by dual pricing - the ones without health isurance I might add!

[DavisH]

If you are retiree - make sure you have enough money to cover all potential medical costs if you are not insurable. If not, go home. 

If you are an expat without insurance cover you deserve to get shafted.