Government Hospital Bill

[BrianBkyn]

My girlfriend's mother just had an operation at the Buriram Govt hospital. It was for brain cancer. So a serious operation. Had it priced at Bumrungrad for 600,000 but the mother wanted to do it closer to home. Just got the bill. 261,000. Not outrageous compared to a private hospital but it still shocked me. How can a Thai living in Buriram possibly afford that and I thought these govt hospitals were supposed to be near free. Has anyone had any experiences like this? I once paid for a friend to have a baby (not mine) at the govt hospital in Bangkok. Came to 6,000 baht. I have the bill (in Thai) so I don't think it is a rip-off but just really surprised. 

[scubascuba3]

I wonder sometimes if they get wind a farang might pay

[Orinoco]

35 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

I wonder sometimes if they get wind a farang might pay

Or even worse, the family are in on it.

You need to see the complete bill with your own eyes.

This could never happen in Thailand, could it 

[bbko]

Why not ask the girlfirend?  "Tilac, why hospital bill so much?"

 

I've seen government hospital bills bumped up because the family chose other upgrades; private room, different meds, private nurse.

[flexomike]

41 minutes ago, bbko said:

Why not ask the girlfirend?  "Tilac, why hospital bill so much?"

 

I've seen government hospital bills bumped up because the family chose other upgrades; private room, different meds, private nurse.

also was this done in the area that she is registered in

[Onerak]

2 hours ago, BrianBkyn said:

I once paid for a friend to have a baby (not mine) at the govt hospital in Bangkok. Came to 6,000 baht.

My GF (mother of my daughter also) told me the first two babies are for free in Thailand government hospital. Optional items can be purchases at a very reasonable price. Of course 6K seems very reasonable price. 

[Onerak]

2 hours ago, BrianBkyn said:

Just got the bill. 261,000.

261K vs 600K seems reasonable but still think they may have opted for private rooms and a few extra services for which they had to pay. 

[motdaeng]

last year a thai friend of us had a brain tumor removal at the government hospital.

total cost because of the private room (about 10 days) 25,000 thb!

 

[scubascuba3]

Shouldn't the cost be checked up front? no.1 rule in Thailand

[FritsSikkink]

1 hour ago, Orinoco said:

Or even worse, the family are in on it.

You need to see the complete bill with your own eyes.

This could never happen in Thailand, could it 

He has the bill, try to get brain surgery in any other country for less than 261,000 thb.

[scubascuba3]

11 minutes ago, FritsSikkink said:

He has the bill, try to get brain surgery in any other country for less than 261,000 thb.

He's not talking about a farang, it's a thai and usually paid for if 30 baht scheme

[KannikaP]

12 minutes ago, FritsSikkink said:

He has the bill, try to get brain surgery in any other country for less than 261,000 thb.

NHS in UK.

[FritsSikkink]

10 minutes ago, KannikaP said:

NHS in UK.

Only for citizens 

[FritsSikkink]

12 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

He's not talking about a farang, it's a thai and usually paid for if 30 baht scheme

If you go to your designated hospital or inform them and get approved because you need to go somewhere else as you don't live in the neighborhood anymore.

[Orinoco]

19 minutes ago, FritsSikkink said:

Only for citizens 

That are official residents.  many lie.

[Sheryl]

3 hours ago, bbko said:

Why not ask the girlfirend?  "Tilac, why hospital bill so much?"

 

I've seen government hospital bills bumped up because the family chose other upgrades; private room, different meds, private nurse.

 

Indeed these add-ons must be paid for but would nto come near the amount mentioned.

 

That sounds like full pay, which would occur only if she went to a hospital other than the one where she is registered under the Universal (AKA "30 baht") scheme.  This is probably what happened.

 

Thais can get care for free but must do so at the registered hospital or at a hospital they refer to (which is what they will do if treatment they cannot provide is required).

 

OP I suggest you clarify where the mother in law is registered under the govt scheme. Also suggest you post the bill, with identifying information blacked out.

 

And do not pay it if you have not already. Something is wrong.

[BrianBkyn]

This is I believe the closest hospital to her. She lives in Buriram. They wanted a private room but could not get it. She was there for five days. The odd thing is her father had a stroke 3 weeks before, went to the same hospital, they had to drill into his brain, was there for five days and the bill came to a few thousand baht. Which is what I was expecting here. I asked my gf and got the I don't know reply. Her sister handled the whole thing. Again I have an itemized bill in Thai which I can't read. Maybe they had to bring in a specialist. 

[BritManToo]

Who is being asked to pay? 

If its you, just say no. 

 

If its someone else, why are you looking at the bill. Sounds to me like someone is trying to scam you. 

[Sheryl]

22 minutes ago, BrianBkyn said:

This is I believe the closest hospital to her. She lives in Buriram. They wanted a private room but could not get it. She was there for five days. The odd thing is her father had a stroke 3 weeks before, went to the same hospital, they had to drill into his brain, was there for five days and the bill came to a few thousand baht. Which is what I was expecting here. I asked my gf and got the I don't know reply. Her sister handled the whole thing. Again I have an itemized bill in Thai which I can't read. Maybe they had to bring in a specialist. 

How close it is to her is not the issue. It is whether she is registered there under the govt scheme. If this is the govt hospital that covers the location where she is listed in a tabian ban then her care would be covered. Otherwise she would have needed a referral letter.

 

Specialist has nothing to do with it and would not cost extra.

 

It looks to me like she was charged the entire cost, as if she did not come  under the govt scheme (though I would know more  if you posted the bill). Either a mistake was made or she is listed in the system as being under a different hospital and did not get a referral letter.

[motdaeng]

20 minutes ago, BrianBkyn said:

This is I believe the closest hospital to her. She lives in Buriram. They wanted a private room but could not get it. She was there for five days. The odd thing is her father had a stroke 3 weeks before, went to the same hospital, they had to drill into his brain, was there for five days and the bill came to a few thousand baht. Which is what I was expecting here. I asked my gf and got the I don't know reply. Her sister handled the whole thing. Again I have an itemized bill in Thai which I can't read. Maybe they had to bring in a specialist. 

???? ???? ????

[FriendlyFarang]

2 hours ago, BrianBkyn said:

I asked my gf and got the I don't know reply.

Then tell her she can pay it by herself, with her own money.

 

Sounds like some type of scam. Should have cost 30 baht if medically necessary, plus maybe a little bit out of pocket for a private room or so if she chose this (costs 1-2k or something like that per night extra in a government hospital)

[BrianBkyn]

I have been with this girl for 9 years and she has never asked me for anything expensive. But I wonder if her family is pressuring her - especially her sister who handled all of this. I sent the bill to a friend who has a Thai gf and asked him to send it on to her. If you would really like to look at it I would be glad to post it. 

[Sheryl]

20 minutes ago, FriendlyFarang said:

Then tell her she can pay it by herself, with her own money.

 

Sounds like some type of scam. Should have cost 30 baht if medically necessary, plus maybe a little bit out of pocket for a private room or so if she chose this (costs 1-2k or something like that per night extra in a government hospital)

Certainly he should not pay it, but nothing at all wrong with him trying to help the family figure out and address what happened.

 

If this was indeed a government hospital, then:

 

1. they may have failed to find the patient listed in their computer and wrongly charged her when it should have been charged to the "30 baht" scheme. It does sometimes happen. If so, can be corrected assuming they have not yet made the mistake of paying.

 

OR

 

2. she might not be listed in tabian ban in that location (many Thais fail to change their house registration when they move). In that case might be too late to avoid the cost but at least they will know what to do for future.

 

But we need to see the bill to be sure it really is a government hospital. I have seen reports of this sort turn  out to have been a private hospital.

[Sheryl]

Just now, BrianBkyn said:

I have been with this girl for 9 years and she has never asked me for anything expensive. But I wonder if her family is pressuring her - especially her sister who handled all of this. I sent the bill to a friend who has a Thai gf and asked him to send it on to her. If you would really like to look at it I would be glad to post it. 

Yes, I would look at it. Please post or if you prefer, send it ot me by PM

[BrianBkyn]

2 hours ago, Sheryl said:

Yes, I would look at it. Please post or if you prefer, send it ot me by PM

I sent it to you. Thanks. I appreciate any clarity on this. If it is legit, I will be happy to pay for it. 

[lopburi3]

The only thing I can imagine is multi CT/pet scans (which are expensive even in government hospitals) and she not authorized to use that hospital under 30 baht plan.  Normal government/top private difference is much more 2.x times in my experience (more than 10x at private hospital for me a few years ago).

[BrianBkyn]

3 minutes ago, lopburi3 said:

The only thing I can imagine is multi CT/pet scans (which are expensive even in government hospitals) and she not authorized to use that hospital under 30 baht plan.  Normal government/top private difference is much more 2.x times in my experience (more than 10x at private hospital for me a few years ago).

Ya possibly but we got an estimate from Bumrungrad that was 700,000 and this was about 40% of that- which just seems strange. This was definitely her hospital - she has been going for tests for the past couple months at basically no cost - her husband went for a stroke and op and it was 6,000. So a big difference between 6,000 and 261,000 and I am curious why. 

[lopburi3]

1 hour ago, BrianBkyn said:

Ya possibly but we got an estimate from Bumrungrad that was 700,000 and this was about 40% of that- which just seems strange. This was definitely her hospital - she has been going for tests for the past couple months at basically no cost - her husband went for a stroke and op and it was 6,000. So a big difference between 6,000 and 261,000 and I am curious why. 

I am in full agreement it is very strange - if not unbelievable.  

[Sheryl]

5 hours ago, lopburi3 said:

The only thing I can imagine is multi CT/pet scans (which are expensive even in government hospitals) and she not authorized to use that hospital under 30 baht plan.  Normal government/top private difference is much more 2.x times in my experience (more than 10x at private hospital for me a few years ago).

I have seen the bill. No scans shown. Cost of the surgery alone, not including any specialized equipment or meds, is over 95K baht which I have never seen in a government hospital.

[scubascuba3]

1 hour ago, Sheryl said:

I have seen the bill. No scans shown. Cost of the surgery alone, not including any specialized equipment or meds, is over 95K baht which I have never seen in a government hospital.

what do you think then?