Dual pricing in hospitals now ?

[Joinaman]

Hi there

had to go to hospital for some minor treatment that involved one or two nights stay

booked a private room in the state hospital, price 1,600 but a night 

turned up yesterday morning, got paperwork sorted and got a room organised 

while waiting for transport to room, lady tells me the price is now 2,000 baht because “ I’m a farang”

not happy and told her so, but not going to argue over it

gets settled into room, has first drip done, blood test and x ray , then wait for doctor to visit

when he comes , many hours later, he asks if I. Ok paying for room, and can I afford it, so I asked which price am I paying, 1,600, or 2, 000

to which he replied no, farang price is 3,200 now, and I want you to stay 5 nights now

i pointed out the room is old and dated, in an old section of the hospital, there is no soap or towels to wash my hands after toilet, no water to drink, you insist i have friend/ relative to help, and then want them to sleep on a 4 foot wooden settee , and you now want to double the price because I’m a farang ?

The treatment needed is only a hook up to a antibiotic drip for 10 minutes, twice a day, but he refused to allow me treatment without staying in the room 

even the nurse admitted it was bad, but the big boss had told them to double the price for farangs

Anyone else have this happens to them 

can’t fault the nurses, but the system stinks to high heaven 

 

[CharlieH]

That sort of "gouging" is disgusting, but to do it to someone who (sick) needs help etc is just beyond low ! 

Hate the apparent descrimination that goes on here in Thailand in many aspects.

 

Unfortunately been on the receiving end of it a few times too. What really irritates me is how they(some) feel its perfectly acceptable to do it purely because "you are not Thai".

[CharlieH]

Troll comment and subsequent exchange removed.

[scammed]

in a state subsidized hospital, its perfectly OK

to subsidize tax payers, i.e not you,

but what isnt OK is to change price after you accepted the terms,

speaking of which, do you have it written down somewhere the stated cost prior to the hustle ?

as per usual in thailand, whether

its a taxi fare or any other service/product,

always make an agreement beforehand

before you hand over money, and in case like a hospital, where you will get the service before you pay, have it written

Edited February 10, 2021 by scammed

[bwpage3]

Just remember, Thailand loves you.

 

Or is it Thailand loves your money?

[Moonlover]

Dual pricing in state hospitals was announced some 18 months ago. It came into affect in September 2019 and like it or not, that's the way it is. It's the law.

 

But I agree with @scammed they should got the price right first and also the number of nights the O/P was expected to stay.

 

Dual pricing at Thai public hospitals

[brewsterbudgen]

10 minutes ago, Moonlover said:

Dual pricing in state hospitals was announced some 18 months ago. It came into affect in September 2019 and like it or not, that's the way it is. It's the law.

 

But I agree with @scammed they should got the price right first and also the number of nights the O/P was expected to stay.

 

Dual pricing at Thai public hospitals

I would imagine that most foreigners have insurance so won't have to pay the "dual price" themselves.

[Joinaman]

1 minute ago, brewsterbudgen said:

I would imagine that most foreigners have insurance so won't have to pay the "dual price" themselves.

Most foreigners I know do not have insurance due to cost and age

whichwould not be such a problem if dual pricing did not exist

we already pay much more for the treatments, so why rip us off for the room prices, it has no bearing on the running costs 

but it was more the fact that the price increased by 100% from being given a room number, to actually staying in it , and even worse, such a poor room

anyone know why, in a hospital, which promotes cleanliness and hygiene, , they will not provide you with the facility to wash and dry your hands after using the toilet, and no hot water either ?

[Disparate Dan]

if this is true, it's a disgrace.

I don't believe the medical council, or whatever authority, condones this sort of thing - in particular the lack of hygiene, etc, let alone the cost gouging.

Name the place, and take the issue (preferably with someone Thai to explain) to the authorities.

 

[theoldgit]

Of course Thailand isn't the only country that charges foreigners a higher price for treatment in a taxpayer funded hospital.

 

In the UK, for instance, foreigners and UK Citizens living overseas, are charged 150% of the actual cost of treatment, however these charges are transparent and not, seemingly, made up on the hoof.

[Tarteso]

25 minutes ago, Joinaman said:

Most foreigners I know do not have insurance due to cost and age

Apart of the problem “dual price”..Can they pay the bill in the event of an accident or do they have to wait for good Samaritan?

[sandyf]

32 minutes ago, theoldgit said:

Of course Thailand isn't the only country that charges foreigners a higher price for treatment in a taxpayer funded hospital.

 

In the UK, for instance, foreigners and UK Citizens living overseas, are charged 150% of the actual cost of treatment, however these charges are transparent and not, seemingly, made up on the hoof.

I have to say I was a bit surprised at what was posted as I have never experienced any as you say "made up on the hoof". I have had elective procedures at 3 different government hospitals and every one had to be paid for in advance. The most recent was cataract surgery, second eye a year ago Dec. The invoice for each op was 3 full A4 pages, every last item listed and just the same price as Thais, couldn't be any more transparent.

[sandyf]

24 minutes ago, Tarteso said:

Apart of the problem “dual price”..Can they pay the bill in the event of an accident or do they have to wait for good Samaritan?

Back in 2003 I had an accident and had broken ribs. I was taken into Pattaya Memorial and they took my passport until they had been paid. Although I had insurance, they weren't interested, had to be cash. Never been to a private hospital since.

[Kwasaki]

1 hour ago, Joinaman said:

Anyone else have this happens to them 

can’t fault the nurses, but the system stinks to high heaven 

To be fair or not you don't say where the Hospital is located.

I guess Bkk,  Pattaya,  Phuket or CM maybe and a farang is expected to pay whether Insurance or cash, being Thailand I would say many govt hospital charge differently.

 

I done rounds a few times in different hospital, Private ones Govt and a Govt college one, noticed they were all very different.

Our local govt hospital is very fair, notice meds have gone up but still cheaper than Private hospitals, Doctors surgeries and Pharmacy's meds.

 

Not having a Thai wife with you is open season is another assumption I would say. ????

Once I was in a general ward for 2 nights OK but very noisy until a air-con room was made available, it had 6 beds and 700 baht a night, 2nd time about 2 years later it was 1000 baht a night, still the same today.

Don't know if they have single rooms.

One time in a private hospital the single room was as big as a ward, obviously room for many more but very few people in hospital.

The few experiences I've had with private hospitals is another story I steer clear of them.

[ivor bigun]

As i have said in another thread ,i have stayed 3 times now in Chonburi heart hospital ,our son was told same price for all ,and i must admit it was not expensive ,with good nursing , not been asked to pay upfront ,and in fact this last time when our son went to pick up my meds and pay after my angiogram  was asked if i was paying all now or some later(yes i was amazed as well) also before my last doctors appointment a couple of weeks ago got a phone call to say if i did not want to come in because of covid they could send my meds .which by the way are quite cheap compared to in a pharmacists.

[Sheryl]

Some government hospitals are doing this now, mainly ones located in places with a lot of foreigners.

 

Government hospitals which don't have many foreigners are usually not doing this. But that's nto much help if you live in an area where it is done.

 

There is no regulation against it, in fact the official government hospital price guide (which is widely ignored as most hospitals charge more) explicitly lists different pricing according to nationality. So no grounds for making a complaint.

 

Sounds like this is all in the past tense but for future reference, when it is just for IV antibiotics there is often a regimen option that is just once a day dosing in which case you can easily go in each day and have it done outpatient.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Joinaman]

3 hours ago, Tarteso said:

Apart of the problem “dual price”..Can they pay the bill in the event of an accident or do they have to wait for good Samaritan?

Many I know can, bu5 there will always be some that can’t 

just like many can’t get, or afford the high insurance premiums 

[Tarteso]

15 minutes ago, Joinaman said:

Many I know can, bu5 there will always be some that can’t 

just like many can’t get, or afford the high insurance premiums 

That’s exactly the risk to live as expat without insurance!.. especially at risk age

Edited February 10, 2021 by Tarteso

[Joinaman]

1 hour ago, Sheryl said:

Some government hospitals are doing this now, mainly ones located in places with a lot of foreigners.

 

Government hospitals which don't have many foreigners are usually not doing this. But that's nto much help if you live in an area where it is done.

 

There is no regulation against it, in fact the official government hospital price guide (which is widely ignored as most hospitals charge more) explicitly lists different pricing according to nationality. So no grounds for making a complaint.

 

Sounds like this is all in the past tense but for future reference, when it is just for IV antibiotics there is often a regimen option that is just once a day dosing in which case you can easily go in each day and have it done outpatient.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Well I’m out now, and the bill for one nights stay, plus 2 I’ve drips came to around 5,950 baht

no option for reducing drips, nor for having them as an outpatient, no room, no drips as the doctor kept telling us

lesson learnt, don’t rust even doctors. Or nurses unless it’s in writing .

just been to the private hospital, same drips, but as an outpatient is fine, so cost each day is half that of the state hospital, but with better service too.

for anyone who thinks I’m wrong, please feel free to ask at Sakon Nakhon main hospital for farang prices on private rooms .

I also liked the cold mushroom soup and the frozen burger for tea last night, all I had to do was hobble down the corridor and join the queue for the microwave oven in the corridor , almost as good as the cold corn soup and dry cornflakes this morning 

[Joinaman]

2 minutes ago, Tarteso said:

That’s exactly the risk to live as expat without insurance!

But like many, I find the insurance at  my age ridiculous, so always have funds, both here and in U.K. to cover these things

its not really about the price, which is a rip off for what is provided, but the way farang s are treated .. but it’s getting to the point where I could stay in a private hospital, with free WiFi , much better room, much better service and still cost almost the same 

 

[colinneil]

3 hours ago, sandyf said:

Back in 2003 I had an accident and had broken ribs. I was taken into Pattaya Memorial and they took my passport until they had been paid. Although I had insurance, they weren't interested, had to be cash. Never been to a private hospital since.

Find your post strange, in 1998 i was taken to Pattaya memorial hospital, by 2 farang friends.

I was taken into the emergency room, then i was in ICU 4, asked if i had insurance, yes was the answer.

Insurance company sent a fax from the UK, saying i was fully covered, i was never asked for 1 baht, everything taken care of by insurance.

After i was back in the UK i received paperwork from insurance company, saying please check sign and return, everything sorted.

[EricTh]

4 hours ago, Moonlover said:

 

 

Dual pricing at Thai public hospitals

 

I  just read that article.

 

Why should retirees be made to pay higher than those who are working in Thailand?

 

I mean if one has work permit, one should have more money than the retirees. 

 

This doesn't make sense.

 

In most other countries, retirees or senior citizens usually get a discount.

 

Edited February 10, 2021 by EricTh

[EricTh]

16 minutes ago, Joinaman said:

Well I’m out now, and the bill for one nights stay, plus 2 I’ve drips came to around 5,950 baht

no option for reducing drips, nor for having them as an outpatient, no room, no drips as the doctor kept telling us

lesson learnt, don’t rust even doctors. Or nurses unless it’s in writing .

just been to the private hospital, same drips, but as an outpatient is fine, so cost each day is half that of the state hospital, but with better service too.

for anyone who thinks I’m wrong, please feel free to ask at Sakon Nakhon main hospital for farang prices on private rooms .

I also liked the cold mushroom soup and the frozen burger for tea last night, all I had to do was hobble down the corridor and join the queue for the microwave oven in the corridor , almost as good as the cold corn soup and dry cornflakes this morning 

 

6000 baht for one night stay is ridiculous.

 

Even though there is double pricing in all hospitals but some hospitals charge a much lower fee.

 

Can you tell us which hospital is this? so we can avoid in the future.

 

 

 

Edited February 10, 2021 by EricTh

[brewsterbudgen]

4 minutes ago, EricTh said:

 

I  just read that article.

 

Why should retirees be made to pay higher than those who are working in Thailand?

 

I mean if one has work permit, one should have more money than the retirees. 

 

This doesn't make sense.

 

In most other countries, retirees or senior citizens usually get a discount.

 

I guess those who are working in Thailand are paying income tax and social security.  Foreign retirees are by definition not poor, as there is a financial requirement to get a retirement extension.

[BritManToo]

5 hours ago, Joinaman said:

Anyone else have this happens to them 

can’t fault the nurses, but the system stinks to high heaven 

 

Choose another hospital.

[brewsterbudgen]

2 minutes ago, EricTh said:

 

6000 baht for one night stay is ridiculous.

 

Even though there is double pricing in all hospitals but some hospitals charge a much lower fee.

 

Can you tell us which hospital is this? so we can avoid in the future.

 

 

 

From his previous post: Sakon Nakhon main hospital 

[BritManToo]

4 hours ago, brewsterbudgen said:

I would imagine that most foreigners have insurance so won't have to pay the "dual price" themselves.

My local hospital charges me 50bht extra per visit, same as for Thais not registered at that hospital, or Burmese using that hospital.

Edited February 10, 2021 by BritManToo

[wprime]

5 hours ago, CharlieH said:

That sort of "gouging" is disgusting, but to do it to someone who (sick) needs help etc is just beyond low ! 

Hate the apparent descrimination that goes on here in Thailand in many aspects.

 

Unfortunately been on the receiving end of it a few times too. What really irritates me is how they(some) feel its perfectly acceptable to do it purely because "you are not Thai".

 

This is pretty normal around the world. I go to a hospital in Australia and it's free, my partner does and she pays $300 minimum. Any treatment and that goes into 4-5 figures very quickly.

 

Governments subsidise treatment for local patients. Foreign patients are more likely to skip town to avoid paying the bill so they need to factor this in.

[scorecard]

5 hours ago, CharlieH said:

That sort of "gouging" is disgusting, but to do it to someone who (sick) needs help etc is just beyond low ! 

Hate the apparent descrimination that goes on here in Thailand in many aspects.

 

Unfortunately been on the receiving end of it a few times too. What really irritates me is how they(some) feel its perfectly acceptable to do it purely because "you are not Thai".

True, but what annoys me more is when you get an illogical excuse: 'Yes, room rate is higher because today is Wednesday'.

[EricTh]

7 minutes ago, brewsterbudgen said:

From his previous post: Sakon Nakhon main hospital 

 

Is this in Sakon Nakhon province? or is it just the name that is similar?