I thought healthcare in Thailand was supposed to be cheap?

[sandyf]

8 hours ago, brianthainess said:

I paid 1,500 baht for a blood test at government hospital. 

The Cancer hospital at Chonburi does a check up package for 1600 baht, 1300 for those without a prostate. Includes full bloods, urine and stool analysis, X-ray and ECG.

Downside, need to make appointment and results take about a month.

[Startmeup]

53 minutes ago, scorecard said:

Just for clarity... you quote many prices in Australia. Are these prices totally outside of OZ Medicare coverage, i.e. totally private doctor and path., scans etc costs?

Correct.

 

Blood tests either through Nutripath or imedical, the cheapest private blood tests im aware of. You can't get proper blood tests through a GP, for the most part. You get the basics that most people talk about. It's a start but it's not a "full bloods" test. Have a look on the imedical website to see how many hundreds of blood tests are available as opposed to the ten or so that most people are aware of. Example you will struggle to get tested for FT3/4 or TPO unless your TSH is out of the reference range from a GP. Your TSH is not always high/out of RR while having issues with the others. If you know about the others you might be able to convince the doctor to check it or not. Otherwise get your check book out. 

MRIs through Western Radiology. I got referred for a CT Scan but I chose to pay for an MRI instead. CT Scan would have been covered by medicare, free. All out of hospital MRIs in Oz are self funded, is my understanding but a referral is required from a GP. Most radiology providers are similarly priced for this service.

 

I didn't include any doctors fees in the prices I mentioned, most of them are free in Oz if going to a Bulk Billing (poor area) facility through medicare. Free Gp, Free cryo in house, free run of the mill blood/urine tests. Add $A80 for a full cost GP visit. You can add that fee for the MRI cost in Oz if you want. 

 

Skin procedures done through private skin cancer specialist clinics. A skin check might (or not can't remember) be rebated a little $180/190 cost with $50 rebate but there was no rebate on the surgical producers. Pathologist report/dressing changes if required/ Stitches removals included in cost of removals.  

[lopburi3]

1 hour ago, sandyf said:

and results take about a month.

I would call that a bit more than a downside.  

[lopburi3]

3 hours ago, crouchpeter said:

Do you understand the word "extensive"?

Yes but missed it in original read - read as expensive with these old eyes - sorry.

[Yellowtail]

My last visit to the urologist with bloodwork and a bladder scan was less than THB500 all in.

 

Saw the podiatrist a few weeks ago, prescription for new insoles, calloses removed, toenails trimmed (including an in-grown cut back) and a three-month supply of foot ointment ~ THB700  

 

Had a tooth x-rayed the other day, THB120 

[sandyf]

14 hours ago, lopburi3 said:

I would call that a bit more than a downside.  

Only if you are looking for diagnosis in which case you pay more for a faster service.

As a routine checkup it's a pretty good deal. I go every couple of years and the bloods are a good crosscheck on the more routine bloods from my usual hospital.

Each to their own.

[digbeth]

Took a relateive who got referred to a second or third tier private hospital to have an ultrasound where the local government hospital was too busy and they have a partnership with this private hospital, this was in very industrial part of Samut Prakarn and was surprised to see they were quite busy with middle eastern patients,

 

while they were close to the Airport, there are no good hotels nearby and bussing the relative in from Nana is gonna be tedious in traffic, but this hospital has team of translator just like in Bangkok Hospital or Bumrungrad. 

 

I doubt they'll be charging at the same level as Bangkok Hospital or Bumrungrad.

 

The business must be good that this 'brand' of hospital are sprouting locations with numbers like 4, 5  after their name all over the place, on the same stretch of road I also see different chain hospital doing similar deal, and they have JCI accreditation.

 

Probably only a few of those branch is the 'international' wing of their hospital and the bulk probably handles social security of the factory workers in the area 

[spidermike007]

On 3/5/2023 at 4:20 AM, jerrymahoney said:

South Dakota near bottom of hospital system quality rankings
-- May 11, 2022 

 

(The Center Square) – South Dakota is among the worst states in the nation for hospital safety, according to a new report.

 

The Leapfrog Group ranked South Dakota 45th after analyzing nearly 3,000 acute-care hospitals across the U.S. for patient safety. 

 

Only 10% of the hospitals it investigated in South Dakota received an "A" grade. 

 

https://www.thecentersquare.com/south_dakota/article_ce1211ae-d168-11ec-9b84-23090bca6ff2.html

 

 

 

 

American health care is vastly over rated, and if you do not have good insurance, forget about it.

[Yellowtail]

4 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

American health care is vastly over rated, and if you do not have good insurance, forget about it.

I have used American health care any number of times with no insurance, and it has been great. 

[jerrymahoney]

I remember late 1990's calling up a large orthopedic practice in Florida for what proved to be meniscus tear with MRI and arthroscopic surgery to follow.

 

When I first called the clinic, the receptionist asked:

 

'Who is your insurance?' Not 'DO you have insurance?'

[Felton Jarvis]

STILL a better system than anything the USA has.  NHS will eventually sort its problems out and go back to being the envy of the world.

On 3/5/2023 at 7:05 AM, NextG said:

Stupid people pay stupid prices. 
My dentist here is world class, conscientious and very generous. Her work was inspected and praised by dentists in the U.K. 

 

I have not yet had dental work done in Thailand, but prices seem to be on par with Colombia. I was quoted 3000 USD for a crown in the USA. I vacationed in Colombia and had the crown installed for 500 USD. Modern clinic and beautiful, mostly female staff.  The dental assistant actually held my hand while the dentist was drilling.  Definitely a unique experience. My USA dentist told me the work was top quality.

[Startmeup]

I notice the PM just got treated at Phramongkutklao hospital. Any reason why he would have chosen this one, has it got a good reputation?

[K2938]

24 minutes ago, Startmeup said:

Phramongkutklao hospital. Any reason why he would have chosen this one, has it got a good reputation?

Military hospital for military guy

[cnmltd]

On 3/4/2023 at 9:10 PM, stoner said:

some lady down the street from me. my wife found it. i could take a pic of the office for you if you want the info. 

I just saw that you are in Bkk. I am in Pattaya, so dont worry about it.

But thank you for your answer and kind offer. Appreciate it.

[brianthainess]

On 3/5/2023 at 4:12 PM, sandyf said:

The Cancer hospital at Chonburi does a check up package for 1600 baht, 1300 for those without a prostate. Includes full bloods, urine and stool analysis, X-ray and ECG.

Downside, need to make appointment and results take about a month.

Took 30 min at the Govt Hospital but it was only a blood test.

[sandyf]

22 minutes ago, brianthainess said:

Took 30 min at the Govt Hospital but it was only a blood test.

It is all about capacity. I have a bloodtest at Bang Saen every 6 months and that has been fairly consistant at about 2 hours, dropped a bit during the pandemic with a drop in numbers.

The cancer hospital is a check-up, not intended as diagnostic.

[lopburi3]

13 minutes ago, sandyf said:

The cancer hospital is a check-up, not intended as diagnostic.

Yes 30 minutes is fast but an hour to two is normal most places.  Still feel that a check up or diagnostic patient should not have to wait a month for routine blood test results.  Especially when cancer is in the name.

[hotandsticky]

On 3/2/2023 at 6:37 PM, IvorBiggun2 said:

I think dentist here are crooks. 

You are going to the wrong dentists.

[jayboy]

On 3/3/2023 at 8:27 PM, proton said:

Did this once at Bumrungrad years ago, wanted 500 baht for iburprophehn, declined it and went across the road and got the same for 50 baht. Next time I'm going government hospital

Still common practice and at dental clinics too.It always makes me laugh - the sheer chutzpah involved.

[IvorBiggun2]

10 minutes ago, hotandsticky said:

You are going to the wrong dentists.

How many visits does it take for a clean? How much for each clean? Would be nice to know how much others pay before telling how much I paid.   

[Sheryl]

25 minutes ago, IvorBiggun2 said:

How many visits does it take for a clean? How much for each clean? Would be nice to know how much others pay before telling how much I paid.   

I can get a very superficial clean at local dentist for 200 - 300 baht...emphasis on superficial. A little bit of scaling is about it.

 

Or I can get a really through clean for about 1500 baht at dental hospital, using special machines etc. . Huge difference in quality and how my teeth feel afterwards. Also get meaningful assessment of condition of my gums and tailored advice.   I opt for this one despite higher cost.

 

In both cases just one visit. Never heard of a cleaning needing more than one visit.

[lopburi3]

4 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

 

 

In both cases just one visit. Never heard of a cleaning needing more than one visit.

Actually I have - where only one side is done per visit when extreme cleaning required or medication/pain/bleeding issues.  But vast majority would be less than an hour visit for process - and perhaps a bit more for x-rays if required for issues found or suspected.

[Yellowtail]

1 minute ago, Sheryl said:

I can get a very superficial clean at local dentist for 200 - 300 baht...emphasis on superficial. A little bit of scaling is about it.

 

Or I can get a really through clean for about 1500 baht at dental hospital, using special machines etc. . Huge difference in quality and how my teeth feel afterwards. Also get meaningful assessment of condition of my gums and tailored advice.   I opt for this one despite higher cost.

 

In both cases just one visit. Never heard of a cleaning needing more than one visit.

My experience is the same as yours pricewise.

 

I did have a dentist in the US try to sell me a four-visit deep-scaling once. They use Novocain and do one quadrant at a time. 

[simon43]

On 3/5/2023 at 9:58 AM, superal said:

Sorry to tell you that the UKs NHS is in trouble with some patients waiting 2,3 or 4 years for non-urgent operations . Serious shortage of nurses & doctors and trying to get an appointment with your local doctor is a joke . Call them on the phone and you may be number 20 in a queue and finally get an appointment in 2 weeks time or a phone call consultation from the doctor with a 3 minute time limit . NHS say they are 100,000 nurses short . Could be the end in sight for the mismanaged NHS .

I moved back to the UK on February 7th with suspected prostate cancer.  I registered with a local GP and was seen by a doctor at that surgery 3 days later who referred me to the local hospital for diagnosis. 1 week later I had my first consultation, then another 1 week later.  I will have my biopsy in 3 days from now. I have been allocated a 'telephone buddy' who calls me regularly to remind me of my appointments and in case I have any concerns about my ailment and treatment.

 

Having not been in the UK for 21 years, I had 'saved up' some other ailments for the doctors!  I phoned my new GP to make an appointment and the call system put me at number 10 in the queue.  After 10 minutes wait, I was allocated a doctor's appointment for 2 days later.  At that appointment, I was allocated a walk-in anytime x-ray at the local hospital for this particular ailment.

 

For another ailment (eyes), I was given a very detailed eye examination and test which identified the problem (Rutin failed miserably to identify any problem at all!). Prism prescription lenses in a decent frame for just 25 quid from Vision Express were provided.

 

The only medical work done on the NHS which cost a bit was 80 pounds to have a dental bridge glued back in place... 5 minutes of work and thanks for your money!!

 

Meanwhile, having registered on the 7th of February, the NHS 'system' sent me a colon cancer testing kit through the post, and letters to remind me to have a free Covid vaccination, free flu and free pneumonia vaccination if I needed them.....

 

So far I'm pretty happy with the NHS response!

[Denim]

8 minutes ago, simon43 said:

Having not been in the UK for 21 years, I had 'saved up' some other ailments for the doctors! 

Why didn't you seek treatment in Thailand ? Just asking . ????

[Sheryl]

Just now, Denim said:

Why didn't you seek treatment in Thailand ? Just asking . ????

He originally did. What he needs (MRI guided biopsy of prostate possibly followed by cancer treatmwment,) is costly. His insurance co reviewed the requedt hor pre-approval and found he had failed to declare a (different) prostate condition  at time of application and revoked his policy acvordingly,  leaving him uninsured. There is a long thread on this.

[simon43]

13 minutes ago, Denim said:

Why didn't you seek treatment in Thailand ? Just asking . ????

Lol, if you check in another thread, I had expensive private medical insurance for many years.  When it came to make a claim, they accused me of trying to defraud them and cancelled my policy!  This was because I had failed to declare slight BPH (verbally diagnosed many years previously, but never mentioned by any Thai doctors during my annual health checks subsequently). Even though the BPH was unrelated to my suspected prostate cancer, the insurance company said that I should have declared it.....

 

Ho hum....

[The Fugitive]

55 minutes ago, simon43 said:

I moved back to the UK on February 7th with suspected prostate cancer.  I registered with a local GP and was seen by a doctor at that surgery 3 days later who referred me to the local hospital for diagnosis. 1 week later I had my first consultation, then another 1 week later.  I will have my biopsy in 3 days from now. I have been allocated a 'telephone buddy' who calls me regularly to remind me of my appointments and in case I have any concerns about my ailment and treatment.

 

Having not been in the UK for 21 years, I had 'saved up' some other ailments for the doctors!  I phoned my new GP to make an appointment and the call system put me at number 10 in the queue.  After 10 minutes wait, I was allocated a doctor's appointment for 2 days later.  At that appointment, I was allocated a walk-in anytime x-ray at the local hospital for this particular ailment.

 

For another ailment (eyes), I was given a very detailed eye examination and test which identified the problem (Rutin failed miserably to identify any problem at all!). Prism prescription lenses in a decent frame for just 25 quid from Vision Express were provided.

 

The only medical work done on the NHS which cost a bit was 80 pounds to have a dental bridge glued back in place... 5 minutes of work and thanks for your money!!

 

Meanwhile, having registered on the 7th of February, the NHS 'system' sent me a colon cancer testing kit through the post, and letters to remind me to have a free Covid vaccination, free flu and free pneumonia vaccination if I needed them.....

 

So far I'm pretty happy with the NHS response!

Most reassuring that our NHS is working as it should! They do like sending SMS. Please let us know how you go on.

[superal]

1 hour ago, simon43 said:

I moved back to the UK on February 7th with suspected prostate cancer.  I registered with a local GP and was seen by a doctor at that surgery 3 days later who referred me to the local hospital for diagnosis. 1 week later I had my first consultation, then another 1 week later.  I will have my biopsy in 3 days from now. I have been allocated a 'telephone buddy' who calls me regularly to remind me of my appointments and in case I have any concerns about my ailment and treatment.

 

Having not been in the UK for 21 years, I had 'saved up' some other ailments for the doctors!  I phoned my new GP to make an appointment and the call system put me at number 10 in the queue.  After 10 minutes wait, I was allocated a doctor's appointment for 2 days later.  At that appointment, I was allocated a walk-in anytime x-ray at the local hospital for this particular ailment.

 

For another ailment (eyes), I was given a very detailed eye examination and test which identified the problem (Rutin failed miserably to identify any problem at all!). Prism prescription lenses in a decent frame for just 25 quid from Vision Express were provided.

 

The only medical work done on the NHS which cost a bit was 80 pounds to have a dental bridge glued back in place... 5 minutes of work and thanks for your money!!

 

Meanwhile, having registered on the 7th of February, the NHS 'system' sent me a colon cancer testing kit through the post, and letters to remind me to have a free Covid vaccination, free flu and free pneumonia vaccination if I needed them.....

 

So far I'm pretty happy with the NHS response!

Pleased to hear you had good treatment on the NHS . I hope your prostate treatment goes well . My dental treatment in the UK last year ----- 1 tooth extracted for £120 on the NHS , little difference from going private .  Doctors appointments , where I live in the UK , are difficult to get and normally a phone consultation and they only let the phone ring 3 times , not answer within the 3 rings , they ring off . E.G. they said the doctor would call me at 14 30 pm but no call up to 15 30 hrs . So I went to make a cuppa and the phone rang 3 times (  landline ) . I was not quick enough and had to phone again for another appointment .  I guess it's pot luck on your locality . Non urgent appointments are offered up to 3 weeks away .

[dundas]

On 3/4/2023 at 1:28 AM, Startmeup said:

You leave the place with the highest skin cancer rates in the world and the most experience to get a check carried out to the place with one of the lowest skin cancers rates in the world because you save $100? Yikes.

On 3/4/2023 at 1:28 AM, Startmeup said:

You leave the place with the highest skin cancer rates in the world and the most experience to get a check carried out to the place with one of the lowest skin cancers rates in the world because you save $100? Yikes.

 

 

From my observation, the dermatologists I've seen here are both skilled and thorough, and used to working with people from Australia.