Are hospitals required by law to provide cost estimate to patients before surgery ?

[bruin]

The greed claws came out at bbk hospital Khon kaen early this year. Pre op procedure and estimate from doctor all changed once the limits of my insurance were noted. Broken leg tibia, 2 procedures first reset bone then go home come back 2 weeks to install a metal plate. Next day that changed, you must stay here for the 2 weeks cannot go home. Oh so what has changed? Nothing but $$ 

About 1 million total.

See my other post above. It's regarding the redux of prior fix on broken leg. Now 3 surgeries broken tibia 1.1+

[nickmondo]

to say you got ripped off is an understatement

3 weeks ago i had inguinal hernia repair at Hua Hin Government hospital.

I was in for 2 nights, VIP single room, food, meds, nurses, everything...........19,000 baht.

I had open repair.

I shopped around big time before choosing which hospital

all the private hospitals would give me an estimation, then ask me to sign a disclaimer stating, but if this, but if that.........etc..........i walked away each time......could see through them easily.

nearest quote i could get was 100k, but if, bla bla bla

 

[edwardflory]

Many foreigners do NOT know that they can use a Thai Military Hospital once you are registered at THAT hospital. Many doctors are US or UK trained, English is usually not a problem.  COST: you pay the SAME cost as Thai civilians using the military hospitals.  It is slightly more expensive than govt civilian hospitals, way way less than a private hospital.

[daveAustin]

17 hours ago, Mike Lister said:

Phitsanulok Thailand!

Shorthand is PLok, not Pits. ????
 

19 hours ago, Bill97 said:

OP did not get estimate before operation which he should have.  His mistake and now he blames others.  
 

No law to protect people who do not have common sense.

Bit harsh. Yes, op should have ensured estimate before undergoing knife, but, even if you obtain one, it’s  not a guarantee that you won’t be ripped. 

[proton]

20 hours ago, Bill97 said:

OP did not get estimate before operation which he should have.  His mistake and now he blames others.  
 

No law to protect people who do not have common sense.
 

 

Nurse told him he would get one

[proton]

7 minutes ago, edwardflory said:

Many foreigners do NOT know that they can use a Thai Military Hospital once you are registered at THAT hospital. Many doctors are US or UK trained, English is usually not a problem.  COST: you pay the SAME cost as Thai civilians using the military hospitals.  It is slightly more expensive than govt civilian hospitals, way way less than a private hospital.

Got a list of them in Bkk area?

[Mike Lister]

3 minutes ago, daveAustin said:

Shorthand is PLok, not Pits. ????
 

 

Not to be pedantic but Plok is an abbreviation, Pits is shorthand. 

[scorecard]

19 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

I know its difficult to name... but which hosptial ???....   somethinggrad, somethingvej, somethingkok? 

 

Any procedure my Wife and I have had at Hosptials in Bangkok have all required pre-authorisation from insurance and thus a cost estimate was provided (the final costs usually being below this). 

 

So.. its very strange that they hospital failed on this.

Additionally, you are quite right, the cost seems extremely excessive for what is a relatively simple procedure.

 

A recent procedure (knee arthroscopy) was estimated to cost 360,000 baht at Bumrungrad, the actual cost was about 60,000 baht less than the estimate. 

 

QUOTE:  "I know its difficult to name... but which hosptial ???....   somethinggrad, somethingvej, somethingkok? 

 

I guess many meembers will get your point.

 

If the OP did go that hospital then WHY?

 

The place is well known to have outrageous charges.

 

Plenty of options.

 

[fondue zoo]

11 minutes ago, proton said:

Many foreigners do NOT know that they can use a Thai Military Hospital once you are registered at THAT hospital.

This needs more clarification.

[Celsius]

20 hours ago, Searat7 said:

This experience would never happen to a Thai person.

Or a green or blue person

[kennw]

19 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

Yes, especially when they have to wake up an unconscious one and ask them if they agree ????

I asked a major private hospital one time for an estimate of cost for appendix operation, the nurse took 20 mins to come back to me with the answer, "it is up to the doctor" 

[Lamphen]

Earlier this year I received various cost estimates from private hospitals for my knee replacement in writing. They followed up by phone and email asking for a confirmation. I honestly do not know if that was legally required though. However, as all of them were very expensive, I went to a public hospital and got a verbal range-indication of the cost (half of the cost in a private hospital). I accepted verbally, nothing in writing. after surgery they presented an invoice lower than their cost-indication.

I was lucky, I had the time to explore various alternatives, no urgency.

[CMBob]

With respect to the OP's question, I'm doubtful there are many consumer protection laws here in Thailand (that either exist or are actually followed) that require doctors or hospitals to advise of all costs ahead of time.  Prices for any procedure here are typically far below prices in the west and, should the cost be a relatively important concern to anybody, asking the doctor or hospital ahead of time isn't that hard to do.

 

Yet, I just had hernia surgery last week at Chiangmai RAM hospital and they told me (without my asking) the range of expected cost days ahead of time (and the final cost was at the low end of the range given). No complaints from me (was second hernia surgery I've had at CM RAM and thought they treated me well and fairly both times). 

[TimeMachine]

22 hours ago, Don Chance said:

What ha

What happens if you don't pay or don't have the money?

They investigate if you have the ability to pay first. For example if you have a visa card or not. If they deem you unable to pay they tell you to go elsewhere.

[Digitalbanana]

22 hours ago, Searat7 said:

The amount was over 600,000 b

You always know a shakedown is about to happen when you enter a hospital where someone is playing a grand piano in the lobby.

[Mike Lister]

7 minutes ago, Digitalbanana said:

You always know a shakedown is about to happen when you enter a hospital where someone is playing a grand piano in the lobby.

Very true. They teach in MBA business schools to be wary of companies with marble foyers and soft comfortable couches surrounded by vases of fresh flowers, that's very true.

[shackleton]

If your insurance company  is paying not a problem 

Usually has to be cleared first with them and the hospital ???? 

Unless a emergency 

If you are personally paying I would have asked first who knows what they could charge ????

[Sheryl]

2 hours ago, nickmondo said:

to say you got ripped off is an understatement

3 weeks ago i had inguinal hernia repair at Hua Hin Government hospital.

I was in for 2 nights, VIP single room, food, meds, nurses, everything...........19,000 baht.

I had open repair.

I shopped around big time before choosing which hospital

all the private hospitals would give me an estimation, then ask me to sign a disclaimer stating, but if this, but if that.........etc..........i walked away each time......could see through them easily.

nearest quote i could get was 100k, but if, bla bla bla

 

Comparing an open repair at an upcountry  government hospital with laporascopic  repair at a Bangkok  private hospital is apples and oranges to say the least 

Usual cost for this at a for profit private hospital is around 250k or so not counting pre op tests. Could reach 300 if at the most expensive hospitals and/or more costly room selected. 

 

Which still of course leaves the OP blatantly overcharged. 

[Dante99]

2 hours ago, proton said:

Nurse told him he would get one

[JTXR]

Remember, of course, that an estimate from a hospital is like one from a car mechanic.  It's just an "estimate," and it's not unusual to have the bill come in higher due to the problem "turning out to be more complicated....", etc.).  My wife and I go to 2 different private hospitals in BKK for different issues.  One of them has proven much more reliable in their estimates.  I won't name them for obvious legal reasons, but it's good to try to research a hospital's reputation when it comes to estimates.

[The Fugitive]

3 hours ago, nickmondo said:

to say you got ripped off is an understatement

3 weeks ago i had inguinal hernia repair at Hua Hin Government hospital.

I was in for 2 nights, VIP single room, food, meds, nurses, everything...........19,000 baht.

I had open repair.

I shopped around big time before choosing which hospital

all the private hospitals would give me an estimation, then ask me to sign a disclaimer stating, but if this, but if that.........etc..........i walked away each time......could see through them easily.

nearest quote i could get was 100k, but if, bla bla bla

I had same (open repair) + mesh in 2000 in U.K. under NHS. All went well AFAIK and no problems since. Not pleasant on a large 'Nightingale' style ward. Guys shouting out random thoughts all night, others saying; 'shut up'. Female nurse yelling; 'show some compassion, he's very ill'. Male nurse (ex parachute regiment) panicking running up and down the ward when a patients drain came out. Definitely worth paying for a private room! 

[keithkarmann]

3 hours ago, nickmondo said:

to say you got ripped off is an understatement

3 weeks ago i had inguinal hernia repair at Hua Hin Government hospital.

I was in for 2 nights, VIP single room, food, meds, nurses, everything...........19,000 baht.

I had open repair.

I shopped around big time before choosing which hospital

all the private hospitals would give me an estimation, then ask me to sign a disclaimer stating, but if this, but if that.........etc..........i walked away each time......could see through them easily.

nearest quote i could get was 100k, but if, bla bla bla

 

Had my inguinal hernia op at Si Samrong government hospital last year and that cost close to 19000 baht including five nights. Am ready for another hernia op and will have no problems going back to a government hospital again. But I will get an estimate from Rajavej hospital as that will be more convenient.

[keithkarmann]

1 hour ago, CMBob said:

With respect to the OP's question, I'm doubtful there are many consumer protection laws here in Thailand (that either exist or are actually followed) that require doctors or hospitals to advise of all costs ahead of time.  Prices for any procedure here are typically far below prices in the west and, should the cost be a relatively important concern to anybody, asking the doctor or hospital ahead of time isn't that hard to do.

 

Yet, I just had hernia surgery last week at Chiangmai RAM hospital and they told me (without my asking) the range of expected cost days ahead of time (and the final cost was at the low end of the range given). No complaints from me (was second hernia surgery I've had at CM RAM and thought they treated me well and fairly both times). 

Is it too much to ask you how much you paid for the hernia op?

[The Fugitive]

2 minutes ago, keithkarmann said:

Had my inguinal hernia op at Si Samrong government hospital last year and that cost close to 19000 baht including five nights. Am ready for another hernia op and will have no problems going back to a government hospital again. But I will get an estimate from Rajavej hospital as that will be more convenient.

Interesting, mine was on the left. Does that mean I'm susceptible to same again on the right?

[NoshowJones]

23 hours ago, Don Chance said:

What ha

What happens if you don't pay or don't have the money?

I always say no one can get what you haven't got. One reason why the vast majority of my money is always out side of Thailand.

[Mike Lister]

I have an estimate of 200k/300k to remove a cancerous thyroid, at Bangkok hospital, I also have an option to have it done at Suan Dok/Maharaj but I don't have a figure for that yet. The surgeon works out of Sriphat which is the semi private arm of Suan Dok, can anyone confirm whether the Suan Dok option is definitely cheaper?

[NoshowJones]

23 hours ago, terryq said:

On what basis do you allege this?

 

Some private hospitals will try to rip off anybody Thai of Foreign. Plenty of reports.

 

 

I met a farang in Pattaya who went to see about treatment in a well known public hospital, he was asked for 500 Bt upfront even before seeing a doctor. the hospital was full of waiting Thai patients.

Am I to believe that all these Thai's waiting for treatment had paid 500Bt at the reception in advance, or does it only apply to farangs?

[gt162]

3 hours ago, edwardflory said:

Many foreigners do NOT know that they can use a Thai Military Hospital once you are registered at THAT hospital. Many doctors are US or UK trained, English is usually not a problem.  COST: you pay the SAME cost as Thai civilians using the military hospitals.  It is slightly more expensive than govt civilian hospitals, way way less than a private hospital.

Yes, many foreign students all over the world apply to American school system for free tuition at the expense of US tax payers. Vast majority try to stay in America and few do go back to their countries, especially after making good money. Very common practice.

[Pumpuynarak]

4 hours ago, bruin said:

Next day that changed, you must stay here for the 2 weeks cannot go home. Oh so what has changed? Nothing but $$ 

BINGO, my mate discharged himself because of exactly the same disgusting practices, he was paying not an insurance company. Is it any wonder insurance premiums are skyrocketing ?

 

[NoshowJones]

2 hours ago, TimeMachine said:

They investigate if you have the ability to pay first. For example if you have a visa card or not. If they deem you unable to pay they tell you to go elsewhere.

Even if it was an emergency?