British citizen stranded in Thai hospital with a 400,000 baht plea to escape

[richard_smith237]

2 hours ago, Mike Lister said:

That's correct, but they are part of a larger group which one might have expected would offer alternatives yet this didn't happen. None of which changes the outcome, there are valid reasons for people not having health insurance, one wouldn't plan for it to be that way but it does happen, through no fault of the individual.

 

Absolutely agree...    and having insurance is not a measurement of whether a person is an idiot or not...

 

However, he who'd make such a judgement most clearly is - as are those who'd support statement of such. 

[BritManToo]

23 hours ago, EVENKEEL said:

Imagine a private room with cable TV, a menu card for meals.

I was in the public ward of a government hospital, I had my phone, internet, HBO Go and headphones. There was a 7-11 in the hospital and you could order through the 7-11 app, and they'd bring it to your hospital bed.

 

Sadly I was too ill to bother with any of that.

[kwilco]

Since 1994, I've carried tissues in my pocket in Thailand - it sounds like these people were pretty unprepared for their visit to the Kingdom.

[kwilco]

1 hour ago, richard_smith237 said:

and having insurance is not a measurement of whether a person is an idiot or not...

what does it say then? I suppose you don't have insurance and feel uncomfortable about the nomenclature

[kwilco]

On 12/2/2023 at 7:21 AM, KanchanaburiGuy said:

.

Oh, I dunno.

 

When your odds are 99:1....... 99 small wins vs one big-time loser...... 

 

........And when you do lose and you have to go see a doctor or go to a hospital......... it may be only, say, 1 time in 20 that it'll be something so serious that you wouldn't be able afford it, anyway (because medical care in Thailand is comparatively cheap).........

 

........ You're now looking at 1999:1 odds that not having insurance will bite you in the arse!

 

19 times out of 20, if something unpleasant happens on your trip, you can afford to pay for it, anyway (in relatively inexpensive Thailand, anyway.) And you can afford it why?....... Well, because you saved a bunch of money by NOT buying insurance........ the 99 times out of a hundred you didn't need it!

 

When the odds are only 1 in a hundred that you'll need to see a doctor or go to a hospital........ and only, say, one in 20 that it'll turn out to be something beyond your ability to pay, anyway.........

 

Then........ "Don't roll the dice if you cant pay the price"....... should only factor into it if you're being overwhelmed by fear!

 

Because ....... realistically speaking........ it's probably only one time in two thousand that having insurance will actually prove worthwhile!

 

The rest of the time.... The other 1999 times....... you either came out with extra dollars in your pocket....... or....... the bad thing that happened to you was affordable, anyway!

 

(Hell, for all we know, you might walk out of your insurance-financed hospital stay....... and get hit by an ambulance as you're walking away! -------- Cuz' life is full of risks! So we avoid the ones we can....... and insure against ones we can reasonably anticipate.)

 

Personally, I don't think 2000:1 odds against facing unaffordable medical expenses when I travel....... is a reasonable reason to spend the extra money for travel insurance.

 

In terms of risk assessment.........

 

When throwing those dice........

 

I like the idea of 99 winners

~vs~ 

one big loser!

 

Because......... even if I'm a loser....... I only lose an unaffordable amount...... 1 in 20 times! (2000:1 odds, altogether)

 

Insurance companies live and die on people's ability to assess risk. They become huge, highly profitable companies ~mostly~ because people do it so poorly!

 

**************

 

Insurance companies primarily exist to sell FEAR. If they can get you to buy into the FEAR they're selling.......they can get you to buy INSURANCE!

 

[Insert PT Barnum quote here!]

 

😂

 

 

 

I'd say tht poor risk assessment is a very common characteristic of both tourist and expats in Thailand

[theblether]

Insurance prices have gone crazy the last few years. Single trip insurance is now over for £200 in my case, pre-pandemic I'd expect to pay £120. The cost of not having insurance is too high, though. 

 

I have three policies, one for up to thirty day trips worldwide, another one I use for Thailand for trips up to sixty days ( £200 plus ) and I always take out the annual Bangkok Bank insurance at 6,000 baht for accident cover. I've claimed on that once and the whole process was a breeze. 

 

For those of you that live in Thailand uninsured, have a look at the multi-claim Bangkok Bank accident policy which costs just over 8,000 baht. From memory, 150,000 baht max payout per accident claim. I don't think it's amazing value but if your home country insurers refuse to cover you, it's better than nothing. 

[V8M8]

On 11/30/2023 at 7:57 PM, bob smith said:

Legally, there is nothing the hospital can do to stop a patient walking off the premises. 

Not True. It is the same as any business. If you don't pay you can't leave. Car Dealer, "Oh yes of course, take the car and don't pay, that's fine with me" Drug Dealer, " Oh yes of course, take you weed and leave, that's fine with me but I will shoot you"

Stupid argument to say that there is nothing to stop anyone leaving a hospital without paying, why should that be any different?

[Chelseafan]

I'm probably going to get it in the neck but holiday insurance should be compulsory.

It can be collected through the cost of the airline ticket in the same way the depature tax is.

 

 

 

 

[jacko45k]

On 12/1/2023 at 10:42 AM, dogfish180 said:

Rather than rushing to the nearest hospital knowing you don't have insurance doesn't seem logical to me. Wouldn't you just change your flight ticket and go home if you were feeling unwell? This all sounds very fishy!

Depends on the symptoms I expect....there certainly could be many that would make the daunting task of a 12 hour flight worrying.... even if the carrier would let a sick person on the plane. In the hospital he looks bedridden... last time I checked they don't let bedridden people on flights.  People with blood issues can bring on heart attacks under stress. 

Have a friend currently unwell to the point of needing help.... subjected to a 4 hour wait in A and E at a Government hospital, and nurses there who have limits as to what they will do for you.. vey unsympathetic. One would need family or friends with you.

[scottiejohn]

1 hour ago, jacko45k said:

In the hospital he looks bedridden

Have you visited him?

If not then your ability to diagnose that a patient is bedridden from a photograph is amazing!   

Just think what Health Services worldwide could save by hiring you!

[Mike Lister]

8 hours ago, theblether said:

Insurance prices have gone crazy the last few years. Single trip insurance is now over for £200 in my case, pre-pandemic I'd expect to pay £120. The cost of not having insurance is too high, though. 

 

I have three policies, one for up to thirty day trips worldwide, another one I use for Thailand for trips up to sixty days ( £200 plus ) and I always take out the annual Bangkok Bank insurance at 6,000 baht for accident cover. I've claimed on that once and the whole process was a breeze. 

 

For those of you that live in Thailand uninsured, have a look at the multi-claim Bangkok Bank accident policy which costs just over 8,000 baht. From memory, 150,000 baht max payout per accident claim. I don't think it's amazing value but if your home country insurers refuse to cover you, it's better than nothing. 

I agree, except the maximum age is 65 as I recall.

[jacko45k]

6 minutes ago, scottiejohn said:

Have you visited him?

If not then your ability to diagnose that a patient is bedridden from a photograph is amazing!   

Just think what Health Services worldwide could save by hiring you!

Have you?

Last I heard leukemia is quite serious. When you did your medical degree in Delhi did they tell you otherwise?

[Mike Lister]

1 minute ago, jacko45k said:

Have you?

Last I heard leukemia is quite serious. When you did your medical degree in Delhi did they tell you otherwise?

Careful, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi is one of the highest rated medical training facilities in Asia, he may know what he's talking about. :))

[BritManToo]

12 hours ago, kwilco said:

what does it say then? I suppose you don't have insurance and feel uncomfortable about the nomenclature

I had insurance, broke my jaw in an accident, insurance refused to pay (claimed it was cosmetic so not covered), I've never had insurance since (except to comply with Thai law).

 

It's saved me a lot of money.

[Ralf001]

3 hours ago, jacko45k said:

 In the hospital he looks bedridden...... last time I checked they don't let bedridden people on flights. 

 

Does not appear to be hooked up to too much machinery so might not bedridden.

 

Go fund me says they were expecting clearance to fly within days

Edited December 4, 2023 by Ralf001

[BritManToo]

3 hours ago, jacko45k said:

Have a friend currently unwell to the point of needing help.... subjected to a 4 hour wait in A and E at a Government hospital, and nurses there who have limits as to what they will do for you.. vey unsympathetic. One would need family or friends with you.

Tell your friend, nurses like tips, 100bht goes a long way.

 

Last month I was seen almost instantly in A&E, obviously they treat life or death illness first.

Screaming in pain and bleeding on the floor get instant treatment.

[Ralf001]

7 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Tell your friend, nurses like tips, 100bht goes a long way.

 

Last month I was seen almost instantly in A&E, obviously they treat life or death illness first.

Screaming in pain and bleeding on the floor get instant treatment.

 

Having been in and out of hospital numerous times this year I can confirm the nurses in the ward rooms love receiving flowers and chocolates.

[The Fugitive]

11 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

I had insurance, broke my jaw in an accident, insurance refused to pay (claimed it was cosmetic so not covered), I've never had insurance since (except to comply with Thai law).

 

It's saved me a lot of money.

That's diabolical! Nobody breaks bones for fun. What type of insurance was it? Annual health cover, Personal Accident Plan or motor insurance etc.? 

[BritManToo]

4 minutes ago, The Fugitive said:

That's diabolical! Nobody breaks bones for fun. What type of insurance was it? Annual health cover, Personal Accident Plan or motor insurance etc.? 

PA insurance from the Thai 'green' bank.

[KanchanaburiGuy]

My wife is a retired Thai teacher. Because we are married, I also get full medical coverage through the government.

 

One day, we were at the hospital for some issue, I forget what. My wife....... ever the shrewd manipulator........ wanted to get some pain medication stronger than Para, so she told them I was having pain in my right knee, and that Para wasn't working. I wasn't. No pain in my right knee!

 

What's worse, because I don't speak Thai, I had no idea she had even told them this! 😂

 

So, the "doctor" signals for me to hold out my right leg straight. I do.

 

Seven seconds.

 

He looked at my knee for seven seconds. He never touched me nor asked me any questions, but he diagnosed the 55-year old version of me with "Rheumatoid Arthritis!"

 

Seriously, a seven second diagnosis!

 

This was at the big government hospital in Kanchanaburi. My wife got the meds she wanted; I got stuck with "Rheumatoid Arthritis" in my permanent medical record after a seven-second "diagnosis!" 😂

 

Now, about that not-even-from-the-doctor claim of "maybe leukaemia"......... 

 

*************

 

(PS -- 11 years later, and I STILL don't have "Rheumatoid Arthritis!")

 

***************

 

(PPS -- I should note, though, that this was my ONE "bad experience" at a government hospital. I've been treated for about half a dozen different things and have always been pleased with my treatment.

 

Have stayed inpatient on four occasions for one to four nights. Always clean and tidy. [Although I did thrice pony-up 800 baht for a "VIP" private room! (Probably at least 1000 bucks in the U.S.!) The one time in a 4-bedder because no "VIPs" available...... was also clean and tidy!] 

 

Really, even if I was paying full boat for the treatment I've received, I'd have no complaints other than long waits in the waiting room, sometimes. But given that I'm getting it all for free......... that seems like a pretty petty thing to complain about! If you KNOW it's going to be 2 or 3 or 4 hour wait, you can plan for that!

 

[You're number 76 and they're on number 32........ Five minutes per person, 44 people ahead of you. You can probably leave for at least 2-3 hours and come back to a short-ish wait!] 😂)

 

 

Edited December 4, 2023 by KanchanaburiGuy

[jacko45k]

1 hour ago, BritManToo said:

Tell your friend, nurses like tips, 100bht goes a long way.

 

Last month I was seen almost instantly in A&E, obviously they treat life or death illness first.

Screaming in pain and bleeding on the floor get instant treatment.

Thx for the tip on tipping......

She was in some pain, actually only discharged  a few days before but suffering.....so went back. I am sure each hospital varies..... as stated, waited 4 hours A&E. 

[KanchanaburiGuy]

1 hour ago, BritManToo said:

I had insurance, broke my jaw in an accident, insurance refused to pay (claimed it was cosmetic so not covered), I've never had insurance since (except to comply with Thai law).

 

It's saved me a lot of money.

.

You always want to keep in mind when dealing with insurance companies and claims........

 

........They make their money by saying "No!"

 

Saying "Yes" costs them money; saying "No!" makes them money. So, a lot of times, "No!" becomes their automatic, default answer!

 

"First, say 'No.' Maybe they'll believe you and stop asking!"

 

And with a certain percentage of the population, they're absolutely correct! So........ that's what they do!

 

A lot..........!

 

if you're making a claim with an insurance company, always, always, ALWAYS remember the saying....... "The squeaky wheel gets the grease!"

 

They don't make their money by being good guys and helping you. They make their money by saying "No!"

 

Any money they make by saying "No"......... goes DIRECTLY  to their bottom-line profits!

 

ALways fight it when an insurance company says "No!" ALWAYS!

 

***********

 

It's the exact same thinking that goes into add-on sales, and why a business should ALWAYS be trying to get you to buy add-ons: "You want fries with that?" "You really should have undercoating and glare protection, y"know?" "You can add renter's insurance onto your auto policy at a great price. Did you know that?"

 

On anything they can get you to add-on beyond what you INTENDED to buy....... Gross Profit = Net Profit! Their cost of doing business is covered by what you INTENDED to buy....... the only thing you might've bought! So, for anything they can get you to add-on after that........ Gross Profit = Net Profit!

 

You want fries with that?

 

😂

Edited December 4, 2023 by KanchanaburiGuy

[KanchanaburiGuy]

11 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

Thx for the tip on tipping......

She was in some pain, actually only discharged  a few days before but suffering.....so went back. I am sure each hospital varies..... as stated, waited 4 hours A&E. 

.

My wife is in America right now. When she comes back, she will probably have at least 20 lipsticks with her. Two of these might be for her.

 

The rest will be little bribes (*ahem* "gifts") she gives to nurses, secretaries, Gov't officers, etc., even doctors........ "From America!"

 

A lipstick to a male Police Major? Sure, he's got wife and three girlfriends, right? 😂 Maybe give him TWO!

 

[John Drake]

16 hours ago, BritManToo said:

There was a 7-11 in the hospital

 

If that didn't make you sick, nothing will.

[kwilco]

4 hours ago, BritManToo said:

I had insurance, broke my jaw in an accident, insurance refused to pay (claimed it was cosmetic so not covered), I've never had insurance since (except to comply with Thai law).

 

It's saved me a lot of money.

Clearly not the whole story - and how failing a claim would justify not having future insurance is illogical.

One thing your story shows in accidents DO happen.

Not getting the right cover in future is just cutting off your nose to spite your face - which already needs fixing apparently.

[crazykopite]

Should of taken out holiday insurance or made sure he had enough funds to pay his bill better start up a go fund me page that seems to be the norm these days 

[Mr Meeseeks]

On 11/30/2023 at 8:03 PM, NorthernRyland said:

The hospital if horrible I'm sure but "just washing with a hose" is more sanitary by far. I really wish people in the west would be able to understand this.

Temperatures below freezing mean a very cold wash in the middle of winter. 

[jak2002003]

On 11/30/2023 at 8:23 PM, Liverpool Lou said:

There has to be a first time that a condition is discovered so, yes, it could be said that it came out of nowhere if there weren't any symptoms previously but the article doesn't say that leukemia has been diagnosed, his mate just said it could be that and that he is very anaemic.

And why would that cause his blood to be all over the sheets? 

 

His friend is a doctor to diagnose that? 

 

 

[persimmon]

The article says he didn`t buy travel insurance because of a pre-existing condition . This can be a problem . Last year I visited the GP in the UK for a very minor condition and was referred to a specialist . Thanks to the NHS waiting times , I couldn`t conclude the treatment before my trip abroad . I found getting travel insurance very difficult , indeed one company told me I was " un-insurable " because I had an undiagnosed medical condition . The best quote I could find eventually was c . £ 700 , the year before it was c. £ 170 .

[Ralf001]

3 hours ago, persimmon said:

The article says he didn`t buy travel insurance because of a pre-existing condition . 

 

Claims he did not buy because of a pre-existing knee injury.... sound like a BS excuse to not buy IMHO.