Healthcare costs Australia Vs Thailand

[Celsius]

I am Canadian and have compared private healthcare costs in Montreal (where there is a thriving private healthcare industry) to Thailand.

 

Most costs are cheaper in Montreal.

 

This got me curious and wanted to compare the same healthcare costs to Australia. To my surprise (come on, not really), most of the procedures in Aussie private hospitals are cheaper than Thailand. 

 

https://www.bupa.com.au/health-insurance/surgery-cost-calculator

 

mind you this is BUPA and it is probably already an overpriced quote. 

 

 

I think I may just fly to a medical holiday in Australia when I have an issue and deal with competent doctors who I am sure when something goes wrong will not charge me extra for their screw up.

 

 

 

 

Edited August 9, 2023 by Celsius

[observer90210]

World class private hospitals in Thailand.  are a pure scam regarding their rates and if you can, get treatment in the west.

 

Cannot say however for the govt. hospitals in Thailand that are said to be reliable at a lower cost.

[still kicking]

5 hours ago, Celsius said:

I am Canadian and have compared private healthcare costs in Montreal (where there is a thriving private healthcare industry) to Thailand.

 

Most costs are cheaper in Montreal.

 

This got me curious and wanted to compare the same healthcare costs to Australia. To my surprise (come on, not really), most of the procedures in Aussie private hospitals are cheaper than Thailand. 

 

https://www.bupa.com.au/health-insurance/surgery-cost-calculator

 

mind you this is BUPA and it is probably already an overpriced quote. 

 

 

I think I may just fly to a medical holiday in Australia when I have an issue and deal with competent doctors who I am sure when something goes wrong will not charge me extra for their screw up.

 

 

 

 

I guess it all depends on your age I am a pensioner have no private insurance anymore, doctor visits are free so are public hospitals and medication are virtually next to nothing but if you are talking about private insurance, they are not cheap I just have extras for glasses or dentists.

[scubascuba3]

There is an India option, yes don't laugh, much cheaper than Thailand and English speaking and high standard apparently, we need scouts to go and check, only one BM seems to go there

[still kicking]

6 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

There is an India option, yes don't laugh, much cheaper than Thailand and English speaking and high standard apparently, we need scouts to go and check, only one BM seems to go there

I am in the west now 

[save the frogs]

13 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

There is an India option, yes don't laugh, much cheaper than Thailand and English speaking and high standard apparently, we need scouts to go and check, only one BM seems to go there

Couldnt you just get quotes by calling clinics in India rather than having to fly there? 

 

Edited August 9, 2023 by save the frogs

[scubascuba3]

2 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

Couldnt you just get quotes by calling clinics in India rather than having to fly there? 

 

Yes I'm sure emails and calls, but it's only 2 hours away and I'd rather check it out get a feel for it, maybe after the calls and emails

[scubascuba3]

9 minutes ago, still kicking said:

I am in the west now 

I was referring to another poster who was eventually diagnosed with stomach cancer, quick cheap tests in India led to the diagnosis, if he stayed in Thailand he probably wouldn't have found out

[save the frogs]

1 minute ago, scubascuba3 said:

Yes I'm sure emails and calls, but it's only 2 hours away and I'd rather check it out get a feel for it, maybe after the calls and emails

so go do some reconaissance and let us know. 

also, i wonder if there's an expat forum like this one for expats in india where they discuss healthcare. 

[Sheryl]

34 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

I was referring to another poster who was eventually diagnosed with stomach cancer, quick cheap tests in India led to the diagnosis, if he stayed in Thailand he probably wouldn't have found out

Actually the cheap tests there initially led to a wrong diagnosis altogether

[scubascuba3]

Just now, Sheryl said:

Actually the cheap tests there initially led to a wrong diagnosis altogether

Yes but then led to a correct diagnosis eventually, if he'd stayed in Thailand he probably wouldn't have got the tests due to costs

[save the frogs]

I did a quick google search for healthcare in India.

 

https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=164405

 

The flipside is private health care sector where the medical aid is far superior but ethics go out of the window in the greed for money.

Corporate hospitals offer extremely good health care but be wary of doctors who would suggest and subject you to tens of unnecessary medical tests for a simple diagnosis. If you appear uninformed, you are sure to be taken for a ride by the corporate doctors. Hefty medical bills and a colossal and shocking waste of your time and energies!

 

[BangkokHank]

8 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

There is an India option, yes don't laugh, much cheaper than Thailand and English speaking and high standard apparently, we need scouts to go and check, only one BM seems to go there

I had a colonoscopy done in Chennai some years ago for less than USD 100. Luckily I have a (farang) friend there with whom I can stay if I ever need to go back.

[scubascuba3]

20 minutes ago, BangkokHank said:

I had a colonoscopy done in Chennai some years ago for less than USD 100. Luckily I have a (farang) friend there with whom I can stay if I ever need to go back.

Hotels are pretty cheap i hear

[carlyai]

I think if you look into it, Australia will work out a lot more expensive.

Visa, accommodation, hospital accommodation costs, travel insurance, airfares. 

Also if you need robotic surgery, not cheap.

Also any scans at private hospitals are very expensive and their doctors really only like the scans from their establishments. The specialists no how to use their computers with the local scans.

[simple1]

9 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

There is an India option, yes don't laugh, much cheaper than Thailand and English speaking and high standard apparently, we need scouts to go and check, only one BM seems to go there

My Indian urology surgeon here in Oz warned me to be cautious in India. Apparently there is a fair amount of fraud e.g. taking money for tests, then not processing them, even though such practises puts a patient's life at risk.

[scubascuba3]

2 minutes ago, simple1 said:

My Indian urology surgeon here in Oz warned me to be cautious in India. Apparently there is a fair amount of fraud e.g. taking money for tests, then not processing them, even though such practises puts a patient's life at risk.

I've wondered that also in some Thailand labs so both places be careful 

[jcmj]

I’ve found that the private hospitals in Thailand, mainly Bumrungrad and Bangkok hospitals are very good. Of course I have Thai insurance that covers anything in patient. The staff are very helpful and the doctors I have are top notch. I guess everyone has their own opinion, but I think they are much better than many in the states. Plus the cost of insurance is much lower. No matter where you are, you really should check out the doctors credentials and success stories from friends or colleagues recommendations. 

[Tropposurfer]

Australia has a very high cost (one of the worlds most expensive - ex the insane American costs for procedures) for and elected, private care).

As a foreigner you will pay cash on the nose for any surgery.

 

I checked out bi-lateral hip replacements before retiring in LOS. At home the cost for excellent best surgeon was $50K AUD m(St Vincents Private Orthopaedic Hospital, Sydney).

Could get the same for $37 K in Bumungrad in far better conditions.

 

Don't let anyone tell you medical costs are cheaper in Oz that LOS because that is a fallacy.

 

Yes, if you go to Bumungrad Hospital as one of the most expensive and top flight LOS hospital you will pay somewhere near comparable costs but this is for care that dwarfs Australian care quality by far!

 

BNH, Samitvej, Chula Hospitals as examples are much more reasonable and offer superb care and cheaper costs to Australia.

If you are an Australian citizen you are covered my our national health scheme called Medicare ... but this system is under severe strain and inadequate for almost its entire scope of operations this means wait lists for elective/non-emergency surgeries are horribly blown out in nearly all the States.

[Yme]

Go to Chennai, India. About a 1/3 of the cost of Thailand. Mostly UK trained. Very advanced hospitals and highly-trained staff.
All give price estimates by email after you send them your material. Kauvery is one to check and Apollo another.
Hotels area cheap, so are tuk-tuks. Chennai is mostly vegetarian so you need a hotel with a good resto next door. Hotel Apple Residency is worth checking out. Careful where you step. 

Prices from a few years ago. incl private room + food. Airport transfer India. 
Chennai angiogram and 1 Abbot USA DE coronary stent $6,000, 2X $7,000, 6 x $10,000 
Bumrungrad $14,000, 2X $20,000 (a friend) 

 

Edited August 10, 2023 by Yme

[gearbox]

The emergency health care is free for Oz citizens and PRs, and that's what costs a lot and matters. One can stay in ICU as long as is necessary, and pay nothing. The elective procedures won't break the bank. Many are also free in the public hospitals but there is long waiting list.

Edited August 10, 2023 by gearbox

[LarryLEB]

On 8/9/2023 at 8:14 PM, Celsius said:

 

 

Edited August 10, 2023 by LarryLEB

[LarryLEB]

On 8/9/2023 at 8:14 PM, Celsius said:

...This got me curious and wanted to compare the same healthcare costs to Australia. To my surprise (come on, not really), most of the procedures in Aussie private hospitals are cheaper than Thailand. 

 

https://www.bupa.com.au/health-insurance/surgery-cost-calculator

 

mind you this is BUPA and it is probably already an overpriced quote. 

 

 

I think I may just fly to a medical holiday in Australia when I have an issue and deal with competent doctors who I am sure when something goes wrong will not charge me extra for their screw up.

 

 

 

 

My reply:  I just checked the above website for the cost of a colonoscopy.  The Australian average cost was $2,165.  At 23.03 THB to the Australian dollar (as of today), that works out to 49,864 Baht.  I had a colonoscopy done in Pattaya at BHP in June 2022.  The total cost was just under 21,000 Baht.  So that is at least one procedure which is much cheaper at a private hospital here in Pattaya.  I didn't use insurance, but paid cash for the procedure.

 

This was the third colonoscopy I have had at BHP in Pattaya.  The first found some pre-cancerous polyps, so money well spent.  

Edited August 10, 2023 by LarryLEB

[natway09]

Let me tell you there are specialists in their field & there are specialists, (anywhere in the world). Thailand for example: a hip replacement, cannot beat Bangkok Hospital but would never go there for dentistry. Kidney & liver problems go straight to BNH. If possible for any brain surgery try & get

a consult with Ramathidobi  (public). Their knowledge & expertise as a teaching hospital is immense

Horses for courses, as we say.

 

[Sheryl]

Bickering/flaming posts have been removed.

 

Please keep it civil. 

[natway09]

Incidently for major procedures (private or public) Australia are years behind the big 5 here in Thailand