If you have been overcharged by a private hospital in Thailand you can contact them

[ubonr1971]

Last month I felt I was overcharged by a Dr at large private hospital. 

 

After paying the bill I wasn't happy with the final price based on the service provided. So the next day i called the main number and asked for the email address of the complaints dept. A few weeks later I received a phone call from the hospital and they refunded me 500 thb. It wasn't the money but the principle of the matter to be honest. 

 

I was impressed with their response and thought I would share this with other westerners on this forum. Im wondering after the icon drama, many companies are trying to do better and keep their precious names out of the press cycle. 

 

All the best...

[Lorry]

Not every private hospital has a complaints department  (just like Western companies).

[scubascuba3]

Surprising, they are more likely to just ignore the email

[jippytum]

I have unfortunatly been a regular at both private and government hospitials over the years. 

 

On many occasions i have had occasion to query what i considered to be overcharging when presented with my bill. If the cashier can not explain they usually refer you to customer relations. 

A polite enquiry as to perceived overcharging has often resulted in a correction and reduced settlement. 

Because of my  health insurance excess and 10% refund for no claims i often request an estimate prior to treatment and  may decide to pay myself. 

[bkk6060]

Had a skin surgery at one of the major hospitals awhile back.  Paid for the surgery which included everything according to them.  Went back a week later for an appt. and a nurse saw me. She took off a bandage ( very small like the ones at 7-11) and put a new one on that was it.

Then, I was handed a bill which identified the cost of the bandage as 750b.

Total BS, I complained to the nurse and left without paying.   Maybe there is a warrant for my arrest.

[The Old Bull]

55 minutes ago, bkk6060 said:

Had a skin surgery at one of the major hospitals awhile back.  Paid for the surgery which included everything according to them.  Went back a week later for an appt. and a nurse saw me. She took off a bandage ( very small like the ones at 7-11) and put a new one on that was it.

Then, I was handed a bill which identified the cost of the bandage as 750b.

Total BS, I complained to the nurse and left without paying.   Maybe there is a warrant for my arrest.

They are happy, they will get a 750฿ tax deduction for a 15฿ bandage

[fittobethaied]

I am really surprised that these private hospitals have been allowed to charge these exorbitant prices without posting prices or at least giving quotes for services and materials before they are requested. Name me one other industry where one buys a product or service without first knowing the price so that one may make an informed decision before giving the go ahead to purchase? They have been taking advantage of the public for way too long, and it needs to stop. Where are our advocates who can take these grievances before the proper government authorities? Even some of the government hospitals are getting in on the scam. I was recently diagnosed with Leukemia and was charged 7000 Baht per month for medication that I must take the rest of my life. After complaining to my doctor multiple times, she made contact with a local supplier in Bangkok and sourced the very same med from the same manufacturer for 700 Baht per month, so the hospital was charging me 10 times as much for the same medication. After having lived in Thailand for 15 years and knowing what I know about the way business is conducted in this country, I would suspect that many palms are being greased all the way from the prescribing doctor to the managing director of the hospital to the Minister of Health who allows this travesty to continue unabated. Someone prove me wrong!