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

[Ralf001]

12 hours ago, WhatMeWorry said:

You and Dean must be brothers, both losers.

 

I think "liars" is the word you are looking for.

[mania]

On 11/30/2023 at 6:16 PM, snoop1130 said:

The British citizen’s dire situation is compounded by the absence of travel insurance,

Don't roll the dice if you cant pay the price

[KanchanaburiGuy]

3 hours ago, mania said:

Don't roll the dice if you cant pay the price

.

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!]

 

😂

 

 

 

Edited December 2, 2023 by KanchanaburiGuy

[meauwnam]

Moron!

[JimTripper]

8 hours ago, The Fugitive said:

I was told that blood test is the main indicator of cancer. However, my mother's was normal four weeks prior to her death from metastatic disease. The readings only became abnormal at three weeks before death. No tumours visible on CT scan or endoscope. Tissue sample taken gave normal results upon analysis.

My understanding is that blood tests can't see it until it's already in your system. By that time you would exhibit symptoms anyway.

 

I used to ask for cancer markers on my annual exam and doctor said it's not a preventative measure.

[The Fugitive]

1 hour ago, JimTripper said:

My understanding is that blood tests can't see it until it's already in your system. By that time you would exhibit symptoms anyway.

 

I used to ask for cancer markers on my annual exam and doctor said it's not a preventative measure.

My mother had already been admitted to hospital because she was unable to eat. After a week she was discharged still unable to eat. A doctor told me a hospital should never discharge a patient who cannot eat. She had fluid in her abdomen which another doctor said was most likely ovarian cancer. She was vomitting 'coffee grounds' (blood from the stomach) and I called an ambulance as that was then an emergency situation. She was admitted into the Medical Investigation Unit of the same hospital and given a CT scan, endoscopy and, of course, blood tests. All returned cancer negative results at four weeks prior to death. It was only at three weeks prior to death from metastatic disease that the blood test results first indicated abnormality. A cancer specialist told me he couldn't find the primary cause of the cancer but that, unfortunately, had now become irrelevant.

[schvonsky1]

On 11/30/2023 at 11:46 AM, quake said:

Oh well.

No insurance. 

 

 

Yup and all because he thought he was the clever ass not getting travel insurance that is so cheap £1 a <deleted> day he will learn the hard way that’s if he survives no mercy for him and any other fcker that doesn’t get travel insurance!!!!!!!

[schvonsky1]

On 11/30/2023 at 7:46 PM, ukrules said:

Is Leukemia something that comes on out of nowhere?

 

Most travel policies will cover emergency treatment, they're not an alternative to health insurance

Exactly he <deleted> knew well he had this before he went to Thailand to nonce the girls karma for the <deleted> double douche 👌🏼

[EVENKEEL]

On 12/1/2023 at 7:02 AM, Smokey and the Bandit said:

Imagine what the bill would have have been in a private hospital, where they gouge you??

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

[ukrules]

On 12/1/2023 at 4:08 PM, thecyclist said:

Not sudden onset cancer, but it suddenly became symptomatic. He must have had it for a while without being aware of it.

 

Perhaps, but if you have a cancer diagnosis then getting any kind of travel insurance can be incredibly expensive - even if it's being treated and you just take a short holiday between active treatments assuming you disclose it - if you don't disclose it then it's the same as not having insurance as they will find out.

 

[QballQ]

On 12/1/2023 at 6:28 PM, Ralf001 said:

 

And prior to was in perfect health with zero ailments... I'l bet.

Pretty much, her bunions were playing up, but google says that isn't related to leukemia.

 

Fascinating that you find it so hard to believe that someone can just be diagnosed with cancer suddenly without symptoms. Almost as if you are denial that this could happen.

 

If you are worried, I would go to the hospital rather than denying something is wrong.....

[Ralf001]

4 minutes ago, QballQ said:

Pretty much, her bunions were playing up, but google says that isn't related to leukemia.

 

Fascinating that you find it so hard to believe that someone can just be diagnosed with cancer suddenly without symptoms. Almost as if you are denial that this could happen.

 

If you are worried, I would go to the hospital rather than denying something is wrong.....

 

I was diagnosed with Renal cancer in January this year, The tumour was detected in an MRI  scan for an unrelated matter.

 

 

Edited December 3, 2023 by Ralf001

[The Fugitive]

14 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

 

I was diagnosed with Renal cancer in January this year, The tumour was detected in an MRI  scan for an unrelated matter.

Proves the usefulness of scanners. I trust you are receiving all necessary treatment and hope that it all goes well for you.

[Ralf001]

4 minutes ago, The Fugitive said:

Proves the usefulness of scanners. I trust you are receiving all necessary treatment and hope that it all goes well for you.

 

Started pissing blood last month.

Heading to hospital in two weeks for removal.... if it has not spread.

If it has I will not go under the knife.

Edited December 3, 2023 by Ralf001

[Hammerite]

I personally turned up at a Thai private hospital with acute appendicitis and they would not admit me at all until they had a deposit from my credit card!! All my subsequent treatment had to be claimed for cup front on my card as the Insurance Company were so slow!!! (I got it back later). 

I assume public hospitals are different??

So Mr Penson and all his mates seemingly couldn't dummy up this amount between them for him to pay back later??? But they can all afford a holiday in Phuket???

Draw your own conclusions!!

[Ralf001]

3 minutes ago, Hammerite said:

I personally turned up at a Thai private hospital with acute appendicitis and they would not admit me at all until they had a deposit from my credit card!! All my subsequent treatment had to be claimed for cup front on my card as the Insurance Company were so slow!!! (I got it back later). 

I assume public hospitals are different??

So Mr Penson and all his mates seemingly couldn't dummy up this amount between them for him to pay back later??? But they can all afford a holiday in Phuket???

Draw your own conclusions!!

 

Yeah I fronted a large private hospital early this year... they would do nothing till they had a swipe of my credit.

[Mike Lister]

13 minutes ago, Hammerite said:

I personally turned up at a Thai private hospital with acute appendicitis and they would not admit me at all until they had a deposit from my credit card!! All my subsequent treatment had to be claimed for cup front on my card as the Insurance Company were so slow!!! (I got it back later). 

I assume public hospitals are different??

So Mr Penson and all his mates seemingly couldn't dummy up this amount between them for him to pay back later??? But they can all afford a holiday in Phuket???

Draw your own conclusions!!

That's against medical code of practise and against Thai law, it doesn't sound like it was very acute.

[Ralf001]

7 minutes ago, Mike Lister said:

That's against medical code of practise and against Thai law, it doesn't sound like it was very acute.

 

 

Thai law different between government and private hospitals perhaps.

 

I had to front my credit card for deposit... whilst insurance was sorted.

 

Insurance declined, I was on the hook for 250k.... and no more treatment until proof of payment presented.

 

Ended up doing 2 months in ICU at a different hospital.

[Mike Lister]

24 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

 

 

Thai law different between government and private hospitals perhaps.

 

I had to front my credit card for deposit... whilst insurance was sorted.

 

Insurance declined, I was on the hook for 250k.... and no more treatment until proof of payment presented.

 

Ended up doing 2 months in ICU at a different hospital.

Sure, I just had surgery in a private hospital two weeks ago, I had to front 200k before they would even begin. But that wasn't immediately life threatening, had it been so they would have had to treat me or transfer me, if stable, to a government hospital where the law requires me to be treated until stable.

[Ralf001]

5 minutes ago, Mike Lister said:

Sure, I just had surgery in a private hospital two weeks ago, I had to front 200k before they would even begin. But that wasn't immediately life threatening, had it been so they would have had to treat me or transfer me, if stable, to a government hospital where the law requires me to be treated until stable.

 

Yeah I transferred.

 

Was in induced coma, cardiac arrest 3 times in the meat wagon during transit.... Iam told.

 

Luckily my SS registered hospital is also a private hospital (I found out after the fact).

 

[QballQ]

59 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

 

Yeah I fronted a large private hospital early this year... they would do nothing till they had a swipe of my credit.

I hope it successful for you. 

 

 

[Mike Lister]

3 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

 

Yeah I transferred.

 

Was in induced coma, cardiac arrest 3 times in the meat wagon during transit.... Iam told.

 

Luckily my SS registered hospital is also a private hospital (I found out after the fact).

 

I had my thyroid removed at the CMU private hospital, it was brilliant, I couldn't have asked for anything better, anywhere in the world. Liverpool Loo was in the next room having a sense of humour transplant, sadly the op wasn't successful. :) 

[richard_smith237]

That such a comment draws such 'thumbs up' responses highlights what a complete cesspit this forum can be at times...

 

 

 

 

I'd ask all those posters who replied with some form of like to the above 'idiot' comment if they have always had 100% insurance for all eventualities, even when they were young....    

 

Of the 42 sanctimonious ayholes who liked the comment in some manner or form I'd put money on it that that some have no medical or health insurance and others have a cheap shi££y policy and they have no idea of the fall from grace they have should events take an unfortunate turn.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Mike Lister]

10 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

That such a comment draws such 'thumbs up' responses highlights what a complete cesspit this forum can be at times...

 

 

 

 

I'd ask all those posters who replied with some form of like to the above 'idiot' comment if they have always had 100% insurance for all eventualities, even when they were young....    

 

Of the 42 sanctimonious ayholes who liked the comment in some manner or form I'd put money on it that that some have no medical or health insurance and others have a cheap shi££y policy and they have no idea of the fall from grace they have should events take an unfortunate turn.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Indeed. As of 1 December I also am now one of those idiots. My insurance company wrote to me to say they wouldn't renew my policy, despite me never claiming on the policy and paying over 150k Baht per year. It seems they think I am too old to be safely be insured with them any longer and health insurers here can do that. I have zero chance of obtaining any sort of decent coverage at a sensible price so at age 74 I am once again uninsured. Fortunately I have enough capital to support me through most average scenario's but that's not the point.

[richard_smith237]

12 minutes ago, Mike Lister said:

Indeed. As of 1 December I also am now one of those idiots. My insurance company wrote to me to say they wouldn't renew my policy, despite me never claiming on the policy and paying over 150k Baht per year. It seems they think I am too old to be safely be insured with them any longer and health insurers here can do that. I have zero chance of obtaining any sort of decent coverage at a sensible price so at age 74 I am once again uninsured. Fortunately I have enough capital to support me through most average scenario's but that's not the point.

 

Thats awful and I sympathise...    Were you aware your insurance company had an age cut off policy ?

IMO - its wholly wrong that an insurance company is permitted to behave in this manner. 

I believe it is Thai based insurance companies that can get away with this behavior, where as overseas based insurance companies (i.e. based in US or UK etc) are under more strict regulation. 

 

Health insurance in old age is one of the concerns I have as a long termer here... 

Retirement is a long way off, but I worry about being in a similar situation - either priced out of insurance, or unable to secure insurance in the first place - we have access to the national health care if something very serious arises. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Mike Lister]

4 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

Thats awful and I sympathise...    Were you aware your insurance company had an age cut off policy ?

IMO - its wholly wrong that an insurance company is permitted to behave in this manner. 

I believe it is Thai based insurance companies that can get away with this behavior, where as overseas based insurance companies (i.e. based in US or UK etc) are under more strict regulation. 

 

Health insurance in old age is one of the concerns I have as a long termer here... 

Retirement is a long way off, but I worry about being in a similar situation - either priced out of insurance, or unable to secure insurance in the first place - we have access to the national health care if something very serious arises. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

They don't have an age cut off, they just decided it would be so and this was a global player that advertises on social network forums in Thailand and elsewhere..

[Hammerite]

I personally turned up at a Thai private hospital with acute appendicitis and they would not admit me at all until they had a deposit from my credit card!! All my subsequent treatment had to be claimed for cup front on my card as the Insurance Company were so slow!!! (I got it back later). 

I assume public hospitals are different??

So Mr Penson and all his mates seemingly couldn't dummy up this amount between them for him to pay back later??? But they can all afford a holiday in Phuket???

Draw your own conclusions!!

That's against medical code of practise and against Thai law, it doesn't sound like it was very acute.

 

Against medical law or not ,it happened. 

Not very acute ...they operated immediately and found I had a burst appendix, with GANGRENE and APENDIX CANCER showing up on biopsy. !! 

An emergency hemicolectomy was then performed to prevent spread of any cancer. After 3 weeks  when I was fit enough to fly I returned to blighty on a business class flight(paid by insurance for chemo as I didn't want to work away from home and be treated in Thailand which although the treatment would have been the same ...would not have been funded by my insurance)

Happily I fully recovered ☺ 

 

[richard_smith237]

42 minutes ago, Mike Lister said:

They don't have an age cut off, they just decided it would be so and this was a global player that advertises on social network forums in Thailand and elsewhere..

 

 

If it was Cygna Thailand - they were taken over by Chubb and all policies would not be renewed. 

https://thaiexpathealth.com/📢-attention-cigna-thailand-policy-holders/

 

 

If this is the case - its not because they wouldn't renew your policy - its because they wouldn't automatically renew everyones. 

 

In this case - the Chubb Group Thailand took them over and may have excluded you because of age - thats the issue with dealing with Thailand based insurance - they operate under rules we may consider unfair. 

[Hammerite]

51 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

Thats awful and I sympathise...    Were you aware your insurance company had an age cut off policy ?

IMO - its wholly wrong that an insurance company is permitted to behave in this manner. 

I believe it is Thai based insurance companies that can get away with this behavior, where as overseas based insurance companies (i.e. based in US or UK etc) are under more strict regulation. 

 

Health insurance in old age is one of the concerns I have as a long termer here... 

Retirement is a long way off, but I worry about being in a similar situation - either priced out of insurance, or unable to secure insurance in the first place - we have access to the national health care if something very serious arises. 

 

Not only Thai based insurance companies. Most companies have an age cut off regarding standard insurance  Mine is cheap until age 70. Then when 70 you have to get an individually assessed polilcy. If you have a number of health conditions this is likely to be unaffordable

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Mike Lister]

10 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

 

If it was Cygna Thailand - they were taken over by Chubb and all policies would not be renewed. 

https://thaiexpathealth.com/📢-attention-cigna-thailand-policy-holders/

 

 

If this is the case - its not because they wouldn't renew your policy - its because they wouldn't automatically renew everyones. 

 

In this case - the Chubb Group Thailand took them over and may have excluded you because of age - thats the issue with dealing with Thailand based insurance - they operate under rules we may consider unfair. 

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.