Warning to expats: Surgery of any kind in Thailand can come with a hefty price tag

[Jonathan Fairfield]

 

Image: Daily News

A cautionary tale about the cost of medical treatment should act as a warning to expats and other visitors in Thailand.

Surgery and medical care at hospitals does not come cheap.

Daily News reported on the case of a Thai man who busted his kneecap while enjoying the latest craze in Thailand - surf skating.

His girlfriend went on line on the page "Tassama West" to say how for the want of a thousand baht's worth of protective gear her boyfriend would be laid up for months.

And face a bill running into hundreds of thousands of baht.

He had been surf skating at The Crystal car park in the Lad Prao area one night.

He banged his knee and was taken to hospital. The Xray at the first hospital was bad news - it was not a dislocation but a break of the patella. 

He was transferred to a specialist at another hospital in the area and was soon facing costs of 360,000 baht as screws needed to be inserted.

And he would need to rest up for anywhere between 3 and six months.

This tale related to surf skating but should act as a warning to people in Thailand who might enjoy things like cycling, running, riding motorcycles.

Even just walking down streets with their potholes and unguarded covers could be hazardous.

You name it, even a small accident could mean goodbye to large sums of money if you're not properly insured. 

Those that are should check their policies but above all people should think about proper protection when engaging in anything risky. 

Don't be caught out! 

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2021-03-19

 

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[robblok]

That is why expats should have some insurance or enough money to self insure. 

[bdenner]

At 71 I'm virtually uninsurable now but in saying that I have been self insured (when it comes to health) all my life.

Had a domestic accident 2 months ago, splintered a section of my knee cap and tissue damage to my lower leg and foot. In short 6 days in the BKK Hospital Udon which included surgery.

Thus far 140K Baht (AUD $6000) = absolutely no problem. I'm so far in front of the game just looking at the ridiculous premiums I would have paid over the years.

[robblok]

2 minutes ago, bdenner said:

At 71 I'm virtually uninsurable now but in saying that I have been self insured (when it comes to health) all my life.

Had a domestic accident 2 months ago, splintered a section of my knee cap and tissue damage to my lower leg and foot. In short 6 days in the BKK Hospital Udon which included surgery.

Thus far 140K Baht (AUD $6000) = absolutely no problem. I'm so far in front of the game just looking at the ridiculous premiums I would have paid over the years.

I lost money on insurance.. and I dont mind. Its a peace of mind for me. But im in a different age bracket as you. I wound not care about 160k baht that is not a problem. I am talking about the things that cost around a million and stuff like that. 

[Surelynot]

Just had a Ultrasound, MRI and biopsy, along with medication to treat an infection from the biopsy......all in must have cost around 200k.

[bdenner]

9 minutes ago, robblok said:

<Snip> I am talking about the things that cost around a million and stuff like that. 

My (pre/post Covid) strategy for that situation is to get stabilized and onto the 1st available flight to my home country.

[Shuya]

What ever happen to free universal healthcare for Thais? 

[KamnanT]

45 minutes ago, bdenner said:

My (pre/post Covid) strategy for that situation is to get stabilized and onto the 1st available flight to my home country.

Which works if your home country's socialised health care system is available to non-residents.  Increasingly, governments are restricting access by citizens who reside overseas (UK, Australia and Canada are all examples). I suspect it will only get more restrictive as populations age and resources get stretched.

[Ireland32]

I had Burst Appendix Septic Shock , 1. 2 million cash my insurance had lapsed BEWARE...every damn day I’m in agony but they bring credit card reader to my bed everyday nonstop Damn Ridiculous I couldn’t get better stressing over this 

[aussie11950]

Its called "skate boarding" in Australia.
Sorry for his pain

[robblok]

27 minutes ago, KamnanT said:

Which works if your home country's socialised health care system is available to non-residents.  Increasingly, governments are restricting access by citizens who reside overseas (UK, Australia and Canada are all examples). I suspect it will only get more restrictive as populations age and resources get stretched.

Netherlands too.. i mean if you cant prove you lived there and pay Dutch health insurance you can't get it for "free" . 

Plus just think about the diseases / operations you can't that are needed right away.

[robblok]

22 minutes ago, Ireland32 said:

I had Burst Appendix Septic Shock , 1. 2 million cash my insurance had lapsed BEWARE...every damn day I’m in agony but they bring credit card reader to my bed everyday nonstop Damn Ridiculous I couldn’t get better stressing over this 

Insurance has lapsed ? You mean you forgot to pay ?

But yes it sucks but can't blame the hospital for wanting to get paid for the service they provide.

[Wiggy]

2 hours ago, Jonathan Fairfield said:

surf skating

Looks like skateboarding to me.

[bradiston]

Personal Accident Insurance costs a fraction of health insurance, which I can't get. Under 10k pa. Slipping over in the bathroom, skateboarding (as if) and a million other every day occurrences covered. It's better than nothing, and quite possibly, hundreds of thousands of bahts' worth better! But of course, YMMV.

[ukrules]

This is why I maintain an annual health insurance which covers me for everything.

 

You never know when the unexpected will happen, we hope it never comes but it could be right around the corner.

 

[Upnotover]

33 minutes ago, Wiggy said:

Looks like skateboarding to me.

Is it 1974 already in Bangkok?

[Crusader]

Still amazes me how many expats here do not have insurance...but their choice.  On the Thai side, my wife gets all her health bits free (treatment & medication) at a hospital here in Bangkok.

[Dave Aarons]

I've been here for 15 years and always self insured.

Just over a year ago I suffered an Abdominal Aortic rupture from which, most people die.

Quick response by all concerned at two different hospitals and my life was saved.

Cost, 1.4m Baht, followed 3 months later by a further operation to repair an Incisional  hernia at 300,000Baht.

Not cheap but what price do you put on life.

I had always thought that if anything serious developed such as cancer I would fly home for treatment but in an emergency situation that choice is not there.

[RichardColeman]

A lot of my friends use agents for staying in Thailand, probably as high as 80-90%, I have no issues with agents, they live and support Thai families and children on the little they have and are happy , content with their lives and make no demands on Thailand.

BUT.

These same people are now growing very old and in need of things like hip replacements. I know many that are nearly housebound now due to having no money for operations. A friend of mine went to a hospital to ask how much for a hip replacement and was escorted out by security when he voiced his irate response at the price !

I - and my wife - both plan to live in Thailand for as long as we can but move back to the UK when serious ill health and the need for any old age operation are required. Insurance is ridiculous after 70/75 and that will be when it would be time to leave for me

 

[fvw53]

About 10 years ago I got a crack in my meniscus .....and I got here a quote of 300.000 Baht ...so I returned to my home countriy (EU member state) where the meniscus was taken away in 15' for free ...Here they estimated three to four days of stay in the hospital but in my home country I checked in during morning hours and left back home two hours after the surgery 

[Dave Aarons]

3 minutes ago, fvw53 said:

About 10 years ago I got a crack in my meniscus .....and I got here a quote of 300.000 Baht ...so I returned to my home countriy (EU member state) where the meniscus was taken away in 15' for free ...Here they estimated three to four days of stay in the hospital but in my home country I checked in during morning hours and left back home two hours after the surgery 

I had a similar experience about 3yrs ago and like you, went back to my home country (UK) and got it done in half a day, more than £1000 cheaper.

[malibukid]

i needed surgery and was quoted 300K at Bumagrad.  flew home to the States.  85,000.00 and Medicare picked up the tab.

[tgw]

and don't forget to read the fine print on insurance policies, because many have absolutely hilarious exclusions, such as people won't be covered as a passenger on a motorcycle if they don't have a motorcycle permit themselves. lol. that's the one I remember, but there are plenty more scammy insurance policies, be warned.

 

[KannikaP]

1 hour ago, Wiggy said:

Looks like skateboarding to me.

 

[Isaan sailor]

As long as I can afford it, I have catastrophic high deductible health insurance.  Keeps premium down to a more reasonable level.  When I reach 71, I may have to self insure.

[KarenBravo]

50 minutes ago, Dave Aarons said:

I've been here for 15 years and always self insured.

Just over a year ago I suffered an Abdominal Aortic rupture from which, most people die.

Quick response by all concerned at two different hospitals and my life was saved.

Cost, 1.4m Baht, followed 3 months later by a further operation to repair an Incisional  hernia at 300,000Baht.

Not cheap but what price do you put on life.

I had always thought that if anything serious developed such as cancer I would fly home for treatment but in an emergency situation that choice is not there.

Self insured = Uninsured.

[KarenBravo]

35 minutes ago, RichardColeman said:

A lot of my friends use agents for staying in Thailand, probably as high as 80-90%, I have no issues with agents, they live and support Thai families and children on the little they have and are happy , content with their lives and make no demands on Thailand.

BUT.

These same people are now growing very old and in need of things like hip replacements. I know many that are nearly housebound now due to having no money for operations. A friend of mine went to a hospital to ask how much for a hip replacement and was escorted out by security when he voiced his irate response at the price !

I - and my wife - both plan to live in Thailand for as long as we can but move back to the UK when serious ill health and the need for any old age operation are required. Insurance is ridiculous after 70/75 and that will be when it would be time to leave for me

 

Even as a UK citizen, you will have to live in the UK for 6 months before you can access the benefits of the NHS at a reasonable price.

If your illness can't wait for 6 months, you're stuffed.

[RichardColeman]

1 minute ago, KarenBravo said:

Even as a UK citizen, you will have to live in the UK for 6 months before you can access the benefits of the NHS at a reasonable price.

If your illness can't wait for 6 months, you're stuffed.

That's why you plan as far ahead as possible, knowing things happen in old age and our bodies fall apart and wear out.

BUT.

This link says if you return you get free health care - though I appreciate you could be at the end of the list you're joining. Emergency care is always free anyhow.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/using-the-nhs-when-you-return-to-live-in-the-uk

I go back to the UK every nine months now to visit my tenant and pick up my 9 months of tablets - which are more costly than the flight. The UK freely supplies 'certain' tablets to all nationals for certain illnesses without a need for 6 months wait - I know this as I deal with a top Oxford pharmacist for my own tablets

 

[bkk6060]

Most I know have no insurance. And too many actually think they are self insured.  What is that exactly?  Having 100,000 b in the bank? Fools thinking. How much is a major accident or heart issue going to cost? Start at 3 million b then up and you may actually consider it.

Edited March 19, 2021 by bkk6060

[worgeordie]

A Thai friend of the wife, just been in hospital for removal of Gallstones,

378,000 THB, the hospital is a well know one in Chiang Mai, no meals

provided, everything extra, even charge for rental of Saline stand ,120 THB,

3,500 THB for room, it was keyhole surgery so lucky only in for 3 nights.

regards Worgeordie