Thai Government Reminds Hospitals They Cannot Refuse Emergency Patients, Including Foreign Tourists

[webfact]

 

The National Institute for Emergency Medicine (NIEMS) has confirmed its readiness to handle an expected increase in accidents during the New Year festival. The organization has already conducted drills for emergency medical teams to ensure preparedness.
 

The institute said significant focus in this matter is on the Universal Coverage for Emergency Patients (UCEP) system. The system is designed to protect emergency patients in critical conditions.
 

Under UCEP, patients are to be treated at the nearest hospital without any cost during the initial 72 hours until they are out of danger and can be safely transferred. Criteria for emergency critical conditions include unconsciousness, cardiac arrest, limb weakness, sudden abnormalities, severe physical and brain injuries threatening life, and conditions affecting breathing or circulation.

For non-critical emergencies, patients are advised to coordinate with their entitled hospitals or use their insurance first.
 

There have been instances where hospitals have refused patients, citing reasons like exceeding capacity. However, NIEMS emphasizes that, by law, hospitals must first admit patients without inquiring about their rights or financial status.

 

By Goongnang Suksawat

PRESS RELEASE

 

Full story: THE PHUKET EXPRESS 2023-12-22

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

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[findlay13]

Good luck with that.

[jacko45k]

Tell that to the dead guy's family!

[jcmj]

I brought my friend to the hospital as he was having his second stroke. It was clear and as soon as they got him into the emergency room, unable to speak and very weak, they came in with a credit card machine and asked for a deposit. I absolutely blew up, told them he has insurance and told her to get the hell out of there. The doctors came and did the bloodwork, confirmed their diagnosis and the lady came back and said they have to do an MRI. The lady came back again and wanted a deposit because it was an international policy. He was clearly upset and disoriented and I told them I would take care of it and just do the scans and help him. I did have to go to the registrar while he was getting his scans done and put a deposit down, even though he had insurance. So be warned. They always spout this BS about taking care of emergency patients but that’s clearly not the case. My friend ended up having a 3rd stroke and thankfully I was there pushing to get him treated or he may have been another well hid statistic. This definitely needs more attention and monitoring. 

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

However, NIEMS emphasizes that, by law, hospitals must first admit patients without inquiring about their rights or financial status.

Clearly some are ignoring this law.

[ChipButty]

They dont want you to die in their hospital, looks bad on their year end stats 

[Road Warrior]

2 hours ago, findlay13 said:

Good luck with that.

indeed !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[bbbbooboo]

3 hours ago, findlay13 said:

Good luck with that.

Good luck indeed, together with the callous indifference of Thais

[Bangkok Barry]

2 hours ago, hotchilli said:

5 hours ago, webfact said:

However, NIEMS emphasizes that, by law, hospitals must first admit patients without inquiring about their rights or financial status.

Clearly some are ignoring this law.

 

Can you tell me any law that is enforced in Thailand? They are treated like red traffic lights, as a suggestion, nothing more.

[Wrwest]

My experience in 2015. Went to Sriphat Hospital, Chiang Mai. Immediate emergency care. Diagnosis, I was having a Heart Attack. Catherization was already being used, they called RAM Hospital, they sent their ambulance for me as they could get me catheterized immediately. Result was a stent and two additional angioplasties (due to build up of scar tissue narrowing blood vessels at site of my 2005 by-passes). Nothing was mentioned about payment until I was recovering at RAM. No bill from Sriphat. I was registered already at RAM. They direct billed my insurance for $5000.00 USD (policy limit), and I paid the remainder of the bill. I have had only positive experiences with Chiang Mai healthcare.

[khunjake]

Its too late. My friend in Taipei already told me he heard about the Taiwanesetourist being refused treatment and passing away. It was all over the news and across social media last week apparently. It spreads like wildfire. Taiwanese were the up and coming tourist market but now the word has gone out. Come to Thailand and be denied emergency care regardless of having insurance or not.

[timendres]

In this case, more than a "reminder" is needed.

[superal]

The main problem being , that as soon as it becomes known that the patient is a foreigner , dollar signs light up in the Thai admin's eyes . Emergency treatment is secondary to how much money can be extracted from the suffering foreigner . 

As always in Thailand " Money Number One " , even in a life or death situation .

One could be forgiven if thinking that embassies and Ambassadors had ensured that emergency treatment for their countrymen ,whilst in Thailand , was fundamental and rigorously enforced . But I guess that is not in their brief  .

[Gknrd]

Same in all of there foreign third world countries. Credit card or no service.

[Poseidon]

Not very bright are they. Not only will this have spread around Taiwan like wildfire and put loads of them off. and single travellers like myself in the uk. But the main language in Taiwan is Mandarin. The Chinese are already worried about being victims of crime and not coming in, now they have been told they won't get medical care when unconscious having a heart attack in an ambulance regardless of there insurance. If the government had common sense the manager who made this decision would be thrown in prison and made an example of.

[hughrection]

1 hour ago, Poseidon said:

If the government had common sense

I was completely with you, until you typed this. :)

[khunjake]

Be sure to instruct your wife and/or loved ones to transport you to a public hospital in case of an emergency. This way you will surely be given care. In the case of private hospitals, i’m sure the government is message will fall on deaf ears as money is always the number one concern, not the patient’s care and wellbeing.

[daveAustin]

Government needs to get off its ass regards private hospitals as it does sorting the soi dog problem and other pressing issues. I’ve had pretty good experiences with public and private hospitals (as an outpatient) but there is clearly a thing with the latter regards money when one is in serious strife. They are a business first, healthcare provider second, and we all know routine treatment and medication are ridiculously inflated. Change your system, you greedy so ‘n sos!!!

[simon43]

On 12/22/2023 at 6:29 AM, jcmj said:

I brought my friend to the hospital as he was having his second stroke. It was clear and as soon as they got him into the emergency room, unable to speak and very weak, they came in with a credit card machine and asked for a deposit. I absolutely blew up, told them he has insurance and told her to get the hell out of there. The doctors came and did the bloodwork, confirmed their diagnosis and the lady came back and said they have to do an MRI. The lady came back again and wanted a deposit because it was an international policy. He was clearly upset and disoriented and I told them I would take care of it and just do the scans and help him. I did have to go to the registrar while he was getting his scans done and put a deposit down, even though he had insurance. So be warned. They always spout this BS about taking care of emergency patients but that’s clearly not the case. My friend ended up having a 3rd stroke and thankfully I was there pushing to get him treated or he may have been another well hid statistic. This definitely needs more attention and monitoring. 

What 'moron' posted a happy smilie on this post?

[Mike Lister]

5 minutes ago, simon43 said:

What 'moron' posted a happy smilie on this post?

I don't know but it's good reason for him to be banned or at least, posters names attached to emoticons.

[Henryford]

I would have thought most emergency cases would not be in a condition (unconsious etc) to make any payments (unless with friends). So the hospital has to either treat without initial payment or turn them away.  Does the term foreign tourists include expats? probably not.

[rgrdns]

On 12/22/2023 at 6:29 AM, jcmj said:

I brought my friend to the hospital as he was having his second stroke. It was clear and as soon as they got him into the emergency room, unable to speak and very weak, they came in with a credit card machine and asked for a deposit. I absolutely blew up, told them he has insurance and told her to get the hell out of there. The doctors came and did the bloodwork, confirmed their diagnosis and the lady came back and said they have to do an MRI. The lady came back again and wanted a deposit because it was an international policy. He was clearly upset and disoriented and I told them I would take care of it and just do the scans and help him. I did have to go to the registrar while he was getting his scans done and put a deposit down, even though he had insurance. So be warned. They always spout this BS about taking care of emergency patients but that’s clearly not the case. My friend ended up having a 3rd stroke and thankfully I was there pushing to get him treated or he may have been another well hid statistic. This definitely needs more attention and monitoring. 

I had the same experience with my Thai wife, she had a total breakdown, could barely stand on her feet or even speak, brought her directly to the ER, hospital assistance put her in a wheelchair but passed the ER towards a counter close by to check first if she has a SSO or personal medical insurance (she has both)...no words further.