160,000 For Appendicitis Surgery!

[jerthesaint]

I just paid 160,000Bht for an appendicitis surgery at Bangkok Hospital in Pattaya??? The 160,000Bht included 2 nights stay (5,000Bht per night), appendectomy via laparoscopy, chest x-ray, Ultra-Sound, CT-scan, lab work and all the rest of the misc incidentals.

I am aware that appendicitis is often misdiagnosed, so I requested a lab analysis of the removed appendix to confirm the diagnosis. The lab confirmed the diagnosis of appendicitis, and I'm very happy with the medical care that I received at Bangkok hospital. I'm just curious if I'm a victim of Farang double pricing!! 160,000Bht is minuscule compared to the cost in the USA (20,000 to 30,000 USD), however it still seems high for Thailand.

Any thoughts or comments appreciated.

[wolfmanjack]

I just paid 160,000Bht for an appendicitis surgery at Bangkok Hospital in Pattaya??? The 160,000Bht included 2 nights stay (5,000Bht per night), appendectomy via laparoscopy, chest x-ray, Ultra-Sound, CT-scan, lab work and all the rest of the misc incidentals.

I am aware that appendicitis is often misdiagnosed, so I requested a lab analysis of the removed appendix to confirm the diagnosis. The lab confirmed the diagnosis of appendicitis, and I'm very happy with the medical care that I received at Bangkok hospital. I'm just curious if I'm a victim of Farang double pricing!! 160,000Bht is minuscule compared to the cost in the USA (20,000 to 30,000 USD), however it still seems high for Thailand.

Any thoughts or comments appreciated.

my wife had hers removed at a private hospital in Chiang Mai. A specialist was brought in during the middle of the night to do the surgery because of complications and the bill was only 30,000 baht. No CT scan though.

[ProThaiExpat]

Those of us who live elsewhere than BKK or Pattaya are often shocked by the prices paid for medical care in your cities at certain hospitals.

A VIP luxury room in the best hospital in Chaing Mai is 1800 baht a night.

I had a comminuted displaced fracture repaired with two operations and insertion of a stainless steel plate with a multiscrews and a pin and the orthopedic surgeons fee was 19,000 Baht.

Operating room was 3500 Baht. Anesthesioligist about the same as operating room.

Unless you had some complications that required something other than a standard appedectomy, I think you paid top Baht for your experience.

A Thai friend got food poisoning in Pattaya and spent three hours in a clinic recommended by the falang hotel and the bill was 3600 Baht. Way too expensive by Chiang Mai standards but perhaps since they don't expect to see a tourist again, they think they can get away with it.

There have been some posts on the most expensive hospital in Pattaya and if memory serves me well it was Bangkok Hospital.

[Gary A]

About a year ago I had acute appendicitis. I got to the Loei Ram private hospital about 3:30 in the afternoon and by 6:30 I was in surgery. I wasn't happy about having surgery in an up country hospital but there was NO way I could have made it to Bangkok. I was pleasantly surprised with the private room and great care given me. I had no more than got to the hospital and they were taking blood, doing X-rays and ultra sound. It was conventional surgery and the total bill for three nights was about 48,000 baht. It must have been a reasonable charge because my Thai LMG health insurance paid all except 15 baht. I think my wife had a Coke.

I have heard from friends that Bangkok Pattaya Hospital gouges nearly everyone with their HIGH prices.

[Casanundra]

I just paid 160,000Bht for an appendicitis surgery at Bangkok Hospital in Pattaya??? The 160,000Bht included 2 nights stay (5,000Bht per night), appendectomy via laparoscopy, chest x-ray, Ultra-Sound, CT-scan, lab work and all the rest of the misc incidentals.

I am aware that appendicitis is often misdiagnosed, so I requested a lab analysis of the removed appendix to confirm the diagnosis. The lab confirmed the diagnosis of appendicitis, and I'm very happy with the medical care that I received at Bangkok hospital. I'm just curious if I'm a victim of Farang double pricing!! 160,000Bht is minuscule compared to the cost in the USA (20,000 to 30,000 USD), however it still seems high for Thailand.

Any thoughts or comments appreciated.

Agreed the price is low and that you may not have been victim to Farang double pricing but they most certainly hiked up the prices with a few unnecessary tests. For example, since when did an appendectomy require a CT scan, chest x-ray and an Ultra sound?

Edited March 21, 2007 by Casanundra

[baabaabobo]

My son had acute appenicitis last year and was operated on in the Bangkok Phuket Hospital (same company)

3 Nights stay and the bill came to 48000 baht.

[leisurely]

Chest x-ray to check for fitness to tolerate anaesthesia and ultrasound scan to confirm diagnosis of appenicitis. CT scan, can't fathom that one out.

[Naam]

I'm just curious if I'm a victim of Farang double pricing!! 160,000Bht is minuscule compared to the cost in the USA (20,000 to 30,000 USD), however it still seems high for Thailand.

Any thoughts or comments appreciated.

had my appendix removed in the Greatest Nation on Earth about 15 years ago. went a few weeks later back to Europe and realized a huge swelling of the scar. flew to Thailand to spend as usual my vacation in Pattaya and consulted a surgeon in Pattaya International Hospital. they cut me open again, drained the pus and after a couple of weeks i was ok again.

when mentioning to the surgeon that the cost in the U.S. (including three days in the hospital) was around 18,000 dollars he was quite surprised and estimated the total cost in Thailand to be 40.000 baht maximum (at that time 1.600 dollars).

BUT... as mentioned already, that was fifteen years ago.

[Luckydog]

True the Queens hospital in Sattahip is more like a two star Hotel than a five star one. But the care is very good and the prices are reasonable.

Had a prostate biopsy done and stayed three days and it came to just under 10000bht including medication.

Glad to say the biopsy proved negative for cancer.....

[Sheryl]

Whether they charge differently for farang and non-farang I can't say but the total cost was indeed higher than it ought to have been. Part -- but only part -- of this may have been because it was laparscopic surgery; laporascopic procedures always cost more (and take more skill to do, although they are easier on the patient). Still, not that much more.

The room rate you quote is typical of the "international" hospitals these days, and anyway with a 2 nights stay would not account for much of the total cost. The CT scan -- unnecessary, I agree -- would normally only add about 10-15,000 Baht. Looks like the surgery itself must have been at least 100,000 baht which really is way too high.

An appie is a simple and very routine procedure, and doesn't need to be done at an "international" hospital. Of course the dilemma is that when appendicits hits, you don't have any way of knowing whether that's what it is or whether it is something less common/more complicated (for which an international hospital would be advisable) until you've been examined and by then you're already in the hospital...

You could try asking the hospital for a price list for different surgeries (just the surgery part), they should have one and if they don't, I would be very suspicious. If they do have one, you can compare to your bill. (Appie will have different price listed for laparscopic and open).

[lannarebirth]

I just paid 160,000Bht for an appendicitis surgery at Bangkok Hospital in Pattaya??? The 160,000Bht included 2 nights stay (5,000Bht per night), appendectomy via laparoscopy, chest x-ray, Ultra-Sound, CT-scan, lab work and all the rest of the misc incidentals.

I am aware that appendicitis is often misdiagnosed, so I requested a lab analysis of the removed appendix to confirm the diagnosis. The lab confirmed the diagnosis of appendicitis, and I'm very happy with the medical care that I received at Bangkok hospital. I'm just curious if I'm a victim of Farang double pricing!! 160,000Bht is minuscule compared to the cost in the USA (20,000 to 30,000 USD), however it still seems high for Thailand.

Any thoughts or comments appreciated.

I would guess overcharged by a factor of 3. I had laproscopic surgery last year to have my gallbladder removed. 1 day pre-op and 2 days post op in hospital, tests, ultrasounds, labwork, surgeon, operating room came to 48,000 B. The surgeon, staff and facilities were some of the best I've seen here. Here is their site: http://www.bcare-mc.com/indexeng.htm

[sendbaht]

Well, glad you are feel better. Not sure of the prices in Thailand but wife last year had her appendix removed here in Los Angeles. Doctor have to come in the middle of the night to operate. We only had to pay 10% of the bill. The bill was 26,000 US.

Thank goodness for health ins.

[solo siam]

Yes thats expensive, three times the cost of my wife having her baby by C-Section (including 5 days stay etc...) here at Bangkok-Phuket.

They even took out her appendix for free.

[h90]

Can remember from someone and it was 4000 Baht and got told that it is such a standard thing to do and it is also in Farangland not expensive.

But second hand story.....

I got mine done for free in Europe

[husky]

Had mine out at the same hospital including CT Scan but it's been a couple of years. It was gangreaus (infected) so I had to stay an extra night and it raised the cost some. The total was 70,000 and insurance paid it all (except for a massage gal that came in to give me a health massage).

As a side note, since the new construction at Bangkok Pattaya hospital I've noticed that the costs have nearly doubled. May be related to your experience.

[Ijustwannateach]

Had a tonsillectomy not too long ago, and even at the most expensive hospital in Bangkok it was only 50,000B... sounds like you way overpaid.

[backflip]

This thread reminds me of a discussion over a year ago. A guy's GF just gave birth to a healthy child, and the total cost was 40,000 THB for the vaginal delivery (at that time, 40K THB = $1000USD, approximately the cost of a one-day hospital room charge in the US. Mom was fine; the child was find; the guy was happy... until...another poster mentioned that his GF went to hospital "B", and the vaginal delivery was 38,000 THB. Poster #1 immediately called for a boycott of hospital "A". He felt he was cheated, that there was a conspiracy and and and. He completely forgot that the important things were his GF and child were OK. At that point, only the money mattered.

You're doing fine, and I suggest that you move on with your life.

[Jamie]

$30,000 for an appendectomy? That is unbelievable. No wonder over half the population can't afford to go see a doctor for even the most basic care. I know people come to Thailand and other countries for plastic surgery, heart surgery etc, but at those prices, you would be better off in the long run to fly there for something as simple as an appendectomy.

[think_too_mut]

$30,000 for an appendectomy? That is unbelievable. No wonder over half the population can't afford to go see a doctor for even the most basic care. I know people come to Thailand and other countries for plastic surgery, heart surgery etc, but at those prices, you would be better off in the long run to fly there for something as simple as an appendectomy.

OP paid about 10% of what it would cost in the US. I wonder if anyone in the US would go through each and every statement in the bill and question why it was necessary and why it cost what it does.

There, when issued with 30K bill for the same thing, just nod and accept whatever it is.

With (over) charging at leading Thai hospitals there appears to be a pattern (or what they are aiming at): almost all claims of expensive treatments in "ISO9001" hospitals land into the 10% ballpark of what the similar treatment would cost in the US.

Local hospitals do not count here. What I paid 120K baht (cesarean delivery, 3 days hospital) at Samitivej, a neighbour upcountry received not cheaper but for free in a local Wang Nam Yen hospital.

Another thing is, outsourcing of US Health is underway. It may come this year, if it hasn't already started: heath funds going to slash premiums for customers who accept to be flown overseas (Thailand, Malaysia) for treatments

The caricature (but true) of the problem is: GM and Ford pay more for health insurance for their employees than what they pay for steel to make cars!

[lmponder]

You got ripped off big time. I've been to BKK Hospital about 15 times for a variety of stuff. I'm going there again in 2 weeks for some minor surgery. I can't believe you got charged that much. That is beyond anything I can imagine. You cannot compare costs to the U.S. US medical costs are not even in the realm of rational. Your operation should not have cost more than 60,000. Not sure what the cost on the CT Scan since never had one there. I think this is a case of the hospital saying, well, its a foreigner with insurance, lets just make up a high number.

Unreal. I thought BKK Hospital didn't do this and was only an issue with Bummingrad (or whatever its called).

If you don't have insurance, I would fight them on this. Spend a few baht on a local lawyer from Sunbelt to walk in and ask for the last 10 billings for appendicitis's at the hospital and compare the costs. Of course they say no, your lawyer says, we'll see you in court and make vague references to imprisonment for fraud. I woudn't doubt if they all of a sudden found a "mistake" in your bill. Worth a shot.

I always get a price before I do anything major there, but I guess yours was an emergency.

[jerthesaint]

FYI....While I was being examined in the Emergency room of Bangkok Hospital, I was in contact with my family physician in the USA and he explained that:

1) Ultra sound is standard procedure, but not aways conclusive because of the varying position of the appendix. It's preformed both to eliminate the possibility of misdiagnosing appendicitis for renal stones, and if possible to confirm/determine the severity of the appendicitis.

2) The CT scan is preformed if the Ultra-Sound is inconclusive, and it is also required before laparoscopic surgery.

3) The chest X-Ray is standard procedure to determine fitness for anesthesiology.

4) Once diagnosed with appendicitis my Doctor, from the USA, suggested Laparoscopy vs standard surgery because recovery periods are shorter, and the risk of post operative infections are greatly reduced. However Laparoscopy is indeed more expensive.

As I stated before, I am completely thrilled with the medical service that I received at Bangkok Hospital. However when it was time to settle the bill the mannerisms of the administrators raised a big old warning flag. A simple request for an itemized bill was met by a flurry of phone calls, and 3 separate administrators giving me the proverbial 'run around'. 1.5 hours later nothing had evolved and since I wasn't exactly feeling 'tip top' so I just PAID, and told them I'd back in a few days time. I will post the results of my next visit to Bangkok Hospital!!

BackFlip.. in some aspects you're correct with the "be great full you're alive, and move on" sentiment (which I am). But your example and my situation are not directly linear. Because my situation was an emergency (no pre-pricing), if Bangkok Hospital Pattaya is indeed more expensive over all, then I have no qualms. I am simply trying to determine if this is the case, or if they intentionally padded my bill because of the Farang Factor.

A big 'THANK YOU' to ALL those that responded to my post. It's my first time posting and I'm thoroughly impressed with all the thoughtful responses. I will do my best to reciprocate!!

[too true]

That's an expensive operation for anyone who's not American, I think.

I had my appendix taken out in an old run down Soviet hospital in the Ukraine about 9 years ago. 5 days in hospital, but no meals, and the operation cost $100. Mind you, it was local anaesthetic and it wore off half way through the procedure. And they had no more to give me. And there were no machines to monitor my vital signs. And my arms were tied to the operating table with string. And they put their operating instruments on my chest. And my surgeon was 22 years old.

And my international insurance had expired the day before the operation. I could go on, but I think you get the picture. I lived through it, obviously, but at the time I would have given anything to turn back time and get the $4000 needed for the operation at the international hospital.

You might have been ripped off, but, believe me, there are worse things that that.

[ricardofel]

A GOOD STORY....Last June my son had a ruptured appendix in Udon Thani (was planning to do a week's work for Habitat for Humanity), was in the hospital overnite, thought he had food poisoning. Next am I had to fly to BKK for my hernia operation at Bumrungrad. I arranged for him to fly to BKK and get rushed to Bum...he got there by 8 pm, was in operating room by 9 pm. We shared a room together for 1 week...his cost for everything was about 110,000 baht.