Hospital charging more for foreigners

[actonion]

2 hours ago, The Fugitive said:

Thanks for your info! Bangkok Hospital are good for screening. Many promotions. My Thai Mrs was screened for breast cancer, cost 2,900 baht. It was positive so the next stage was biopsy. That was 26,000 baht. However, the doctor suggested that treatment be carried out in the Government Hospital Cancer Centre. Fair play for that. Do you know what type of hysterectomy your wife had?  My mother had a complete hysterectomy in UK. Unfortunately, at that time, it was the practice to leave one ovary in-situ to avoid the need for Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). My mother developed ovarian cancer, albeit 40 years later. A doctor told me that, in their wisdom, the NHS has killed thousands of women by doing that.

My Mrs  went for an Annual  smear test with the Gynie doctor while i was having the  prostate  procedure, they found stage 2 cancer  which is why they said she needed a full hysterectomy, she is now on  hormone replacement,  they have now suggested  she has a  follow up Scan, these annual checks  apparently go on for 5 years following her operation..she is gaining weight very fast,despite her dieting

[Sheryl]

2 hours ago, The Fugitive said:

 Do you know what type of hysterectomy your wife had?  My mother had a complete hysterectomy in UK. Unfortunately, at that time, it was the practice to leave one ovary in-situ to avoid the need for Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). My mother developed ovarian cancer, albeit 40 years later. A doctor told me that, in their wisdom, the NHS has killed thousands of women by doing that.

 

It is NOT recommended -- by any public health or medical authority -- to remove healthy ovaries in premenopausal women  undergoing hysterectomy unless the woman has specific risk factors for ovaraian cancer. The disadvantages  of a "surgical menopause" far outweigh the advantage of preventing ovarian cancer in the small percentage of women  who go on to develop it (about 2% overall, highest incidence being well after menopause).  In women past menopause,  it is more of a toss up decision and there is a lack of consensus.  Some doctors believe it is best to remove in that case while others  recommend keeping the ovaries in if no special risk factors, since even after menopause they continue to produce small amounts if hormones which, among other things, help protect against osteoporosis.

 

Cancer can occur in virtually any organ of the body, this does not warrant the removal of healthy organs.

 

 

[Sheryl]

Inaporopriate/unhelpful post removed

[The Fugitive]

16 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

 

It is NOT recommended -- by any public health or medical authority -- to remove healthy ovaries in premenopausal women  undergoing hysterectomy unless the woman has specific risk factors for ovaraian cancer. The disadvantages  of a "surgical menopause" far outweigh the advantage of preventing ovarian cancer in the small percentage of women  who go on to develop it (about 2% overall, highest incidence being well after menopause).  In women past menopause,  it is more of a toss up decision and there is a lack of consensus.  Some doctors believe it is best to remove in that case while others  recommend keeping the ovaries in if no special risk factors, since even after menopause they continue to produce small amounts if hormones which, among other things, help protect against osteoporosis.

 

Cancer can occur in virtually any organ of the body, this does not warrant the removal of healthy organs.

Thank you for your informed and balanced report. It is reassuring that the UK NHS got things right back in 1971 when my mother had her hysterectomy. The doctor was obviously speaking with hindsight; i.e. he wouldn't have been in my house watching my mother vomiting 'coffee grounds' if the NHS had removed both ovaries 40 years earlier. Incidentally, she was then admitted to our local Medical Investigation Unit. The doctor in charge was adamant that she hadn't got cancer. CT scan revealed no tumours, gastro endoscopy reported cancer negative and, the most reliable indicator, blood tests, returned normal results four weeks prior to death. He told me it couldn't be cancer and the fluid in her abdomen was a symptom of heart failure, which is treatable. He told my mother she was 'fixable'. Unfortunately, one week later, blood tests reported 'abnormal' and a more senior doctor noted raised lymph nodes under her arms. She died of metastatic disease three weeks later.

[BangkokHank]

1 hour ago, thecyclist said:

Not fine by me. And I told them so. Said I would have the cataract done in Vietnam, which I did at a private hospital for less than what Queen Sirikit would have charged me. No waiting, premium service. Scr.w LOS. 

Where did you have your cataract operation done in Vietnam? (I recently had a skin cancer operation done in Nha Trang for about US$500, and I visited an eye hospital in Da Lat to get their prices for a cataract operation, which I will need someday.)

[scubascuba3]

1 hour ago, thecyclist said:

Not fine by me. And I told them so. Said I would have the cataract done in Vietnam, which I did at a private hospital for less than what Queen Sirikit would have charged me. No waiting, premium service. Scr.w LOS. 

Good, i think more and more people will start getting ops abroad

[MangoKorat]

11 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

Who knew ..the braces scam

Try getting them to believe its a scam though.

[OneManShow]

10 hours ago, Sheryl said:

One can largely avoid the former by not getting medications from the hospital,  buying from outside pharmacy instead.

I've already experienced this at Rankhamhaeng hospital. I paid ฿9000 for my medications and then I found it at a pharmacy in Chaeng Wattana at ฿2500. At the same hospital cystoscopy costs ฿20,000-22000 (I guess it is done by the Dr without any report for the patient), but in Chaeng wattana public hospital (cystoscopy plan) costs 10,000 for Thai and 15000 for foreign. 

[OneManShow]

10 hours ago, ChipButty said:

Im not saying any names which place is 3500 baht, we found a clinic just a normal blood test was only 250 baht, the one I needed for yesterday was to check cholesterol was 550 baht,

I always use a "lab", especially for general urine test that costs ฿70. 
PSA test ฿650, no matter Thai or farang price is the same. 

[thecyclist]

9 hours ago, BangkokHank said:

Where did you have your cataract operation done in Vietnam? (I recently had a skin cancer operation done in Nha Trang for about US$500, and I visited an eye hospital in Da Lat to get their prices for a cataract operation, which I will need someday.)

I had it done at the Saigon eye clinic, Tây Ninh branch. They have a branch in Dalat, too. Prices differ somewhat from branch to branch, the one in  HCMC being the most expensive. 

[jaideedave]

On 1/21/2025 at 5:46 PM, phetphet said:

Hospital already have dual pricing: Self Pay price and Medical insurance price. So I wouldn’t be surprised if they also offered a cheaper or discounted price for Thais.

 

I have a regular Dr I see at Queen Sirikit Navy Hospital,Sattahip.

Posted on the wall in the main waiting room is a notice stating various levels of fees.

Foreign workers- free  assuming Myanmar,Cambodians

Foreigners resident-fee x 1.5

Foreigners non resident tourists- fee x 2

I have another appointment next month and will take a pic to confirm.

[herfiehandbag]

On 1/21/2025 at 4:21 PM, Purdey said:

I am interested to know how one finds out what locals pay as opposed to foreigners. Is there a dual language price list?

Certainly in the government hospitals there are a number of charging scales, depending on whether you are a foreigner, privately insured Thai, or a Thai who belongs to one of a number of government health schemes, or are a Thai using the "30 Baht" scheme.

 

Whether or not our impending tax status will make a difference I somehow doubt - but perhaps?

 

I have a long term open wound on my foot which has to be dressed daily. My local hospital used to charge me B50 a day, then the price was raised to B180 a day. The head nurse suggested I go to the local health clinic who charge me B80 for every two visits. They are not open Saturday and Sundays, so I go to the hospital at weekends and public holidays. Initially they charged me B220, which then after a couple of visits came down to B120. Baffling!

 

Private hospitals probably charge as much as they think that they can get away with! Our nearest private hospital, a Christian foundation offers a discount for Christians, although " Catholic pay full price"!

[nickmondo]

i have been here many years now, and unfortunately the over pricing is rife from market stalls to hospital treatments.

I have had my hospital appointments at Siriraj Gov Hospital in Bangkok.

Like a football crowd in there every day, but at least i have been getting good treatment very affordably.

so this is clearly one of the exceptions.

for reference, the hospital is sponsored by the Royal Family, and treated Rama 9.

just buying flowers to plant in the garden, i went in the garden centre, each flower 60baht.  

sent my gf in there alone the next day, same flowers, 20 baht.

same in the fresh markets, i dont go into them, my gf goes alone, but if i do buy stuff, only stuff with the price clearly marked.

[nickmondo]

18 minutes ago, herfiehandbag said:

Certainly in the government hospitals there are a number of charging scales, depending on whether you are a foreigner, privately insured Thai, or a Thai who belongs to one of a number of government health schemes, or are a Thai using the "30 Baht" scheme.

 

Whether or not our impending tax status will make a difference I somehow doubt - but perhaps?

 

I have a long term open wound on my foot which has to be dressed daily. My local hospital used to charge me B50 a day, then the price was raised to B180 a day. The head nurse suggested I go to the local health clinic who charge me B80 for every two visits. They are not open Saturday and Sundays, so I go to the hospital at weekends and public holidays. Initially they charged me B220, which then after a couple of visits came down to B120. Baffling!

 

Private hospitals probably charge as much as they think that they can get away with! Our nearest private hospital, a Christian foundation offers a discount for Christians, although " Catholic pay full price"!

indeed, the pricing is baffling.........but dont try and understand it.......its just how they are.

[nickmondo]

i paid 19,000 baht for an inguinal hernia repair, open surgery.

Hua Hin Gov Hospital, inc 2 nights in private room

quoted anything from 100,000 to 200,000 in the various private hospitals i checked.

18 months ago, and not had any recurring issues, scar healed nicely

[soalbundy]

On 1/21/2025 at 4:51 PM, Purdey said:

Thanks, this is interesting. I recently requested a colonoscopy in May. The doc said about 10,000 baht. Seems reasonable but now I am not so sure.

That's actually cheap

[soalbundy]

19 minutes ago, herfiehandbag said:

Certainly in the government hospitals there are a number of charging scales, depending on whether you are a foreigner, privately insured Thai, or a Thai who belongs to one of a number of government health schemes, or are a Thai using the "30 Baht" scheme.

 

Whether or not our impending tax status will make a difference I somehow doubt - but perhaps?

 

I have a long term open wound on my foot which has to be dressed daily. My local hospital used to charge me B50 a day, then the price was raised to B180 a day. The head nurse suggested I go to the local health clinic who charge me B80 for every two visits. They are not open Saturday and Sundays, so I go to the hospital at weekends and public holidays. Initially they charged me B220, which then after a couple of visits came down to B120. Baffling!

 

Private hospitals probably charge as much as they think that they can get away with! Our nearest private hospital, a Christian foundation offers a discount for Christians, although " Catholic pay full price"!

The local village clinic treats me for free for such things, last time I used them I had burnt my stomach and arm from burning cooking oil (kitchen accident) the dressings were changed every day for a week, nobody mentioned payment, they knew that I lived in the village.

[nana kid]

i AM IN Bangkok Christian Hospital    now     In a bed               Cashier look me in the eye and said BCH does not charge

different.   I seem to remember drugs are cheaper than my famous local big famous hospital too

Have also not seen  any Upsell            

[madone]

On 1/21/2025 at 4:21 PM, Purdey said:

I am interested to know how one finds out what locals pay as opposed to foreigners. Is there a dual language price list?

Simples, bring a thai friend with an identical medical condition 

[Negita43]

I have used private hospitals in the past but now I use a government hospital.

The private hospital doctors are often government doctors moonlighting for extra cash.

[Bob12345]

On 1/21/2025 at 3:55 PM, OneMoreFarang said:

 

Are they charging more for exactly the same service and maybe exactly the same medication?

 

In my limited experience hospitals and doctors in hospitals want to make money. If they can sell you something more expensive then they will do that.

Recently I had a little accident at home. Before I visited a hospital I checked about the possible treatments on the internet. When I arrive in the emergency room a doctor suggested to do this and that and whatever. I told him that I heard somewhere that maybe x (a cheaper and probably medially better solution). He was a little reluctant but then he agreed that that would also be an option (where he and the hospital would make a lot less money). So that's what we did. I paid about 3500 THB.

 

Obviously, it is not always possible to check in advance about the options. But if possible, people should do that. And they should ask if there are cheaper procedures compared to what the doctor suggests first.

It seems to be that most of them want to make money. That is their very first priority.  

 

 

 

A doctor has probably seen similar injuries many times before and has to rule out other causes and further complications. If you are willing to run those risks and want to draw your own conclusions then its your right. Just sign the waiver that you go against medical advice and keep your fingers crossed you gambled correctly. 

[ChipButty]

6 minutes ago, Negita43 said:

I have used private hospitals in the past but now I use a government hospital.

The private hospital doctors are often government doctors moonlighting for extra cash.

I'm the same, They have massively improved the government hospital in Phuket, only one thing they need to do now, is improve the food, no big deal there is a 7/11 out the front and an Amazon coffee shop in the hospital, 

I think they was trying to have me over with a private room, 3500 baht per day, I keep meaning to tell my wife to call and ask how much, Makes me wonder are the doctors on commission. 

[bradiston]

On 1/21/2025 at 6:03 PM, Upnotover said:

I used to go to Queen Sirikit near Rayong and for sure, there was a notice on the wall telling that foreigners paid more (I think 50%).  Absolutely fine by me.

I have a mate who gets his blood sugar checked there. It costs him 180 THB. I pay minimum 1200 THB per visit at Bangkok Pattaya hospital just to see a doc.

[Negita43]

3 minutes ago, ChipButty said:

I think they was trying to have me over with a private room, 3500 baht per day, I keep meaning to tell my wife to call and ask how much, Makes me wonder are the doctors on commission. 

In Korat 1,900 a day not luxury but acceptable last time I was there for a colonoscopy 3 nights and treatment 16,000 Baht

[edwardflory]

Most do not know that a foreigner ( once registered at the hospital and has the ID card ) can use a THAI MILITARY HOSPITAL. 

 

VERY slightly more expensive than Thai civilians hospitals, WAY way way less than a private hospital.

 

Many of the MILITARY Dr's are US or UK trained - English not a problem.  You pay the same cost as Thai's.

 

I do NOT know if they accept children ( I've seen kids at mine ) or insurance, I'm too old for both.

[thesetat]

On 1/21/2025 at 3:55 PM, OneMoreFarang said:

 

Are they charging more for exactly the same service and maybe exactly the same medication?

 

In my limited experience hospitals and doctors in hospitals want to make money. If they can sell you something more expensive then they will do that.

Recently I had a little accident at home. Before I visited a hospital I checked about the possible treatments on the internet. When I arrive in the emergency room a doctor suggested to do this and that and whatever. I told him that I heard somewhere that maybe x (a cheaper and probably medially better solution). He was a little reluctant but then he agreed that that would also be an option (where he and the hospital would make a lot less money). So that's what we did. I paid about 3500 THB.

 

Obviously, it is not always possible to check in advance about the options. But if possible, people should do that. And they should ask if there are cheaper procedures compared to what the doctor suggests first.

It seems to be that most of them want to make money. That is their very first priority.  

 

 

Sorry to burst your bubble but, I have health insurance that pays for my medical but does not pay for the evening clinics. The government hospital that i normally go to charged me 400 baht for their evening clinic. But the next day they made me return to pay another 800 baht. Their reason for this was because they charged me the Thai rate by mistake. So it has nothing to do with service, There is a large hike in the costs for both government and private hospitals. 

[Randy99]

On 1/21/2025 at 2:24 PM, Ralf001 said:

Phayathai in Sriracha has been good to me... check out their locations in Bangers.

Phaya Thai hospital in Si Racha has been my worst nightmare.  Had two, yes 2 stiches removed there.  In attendance for this highly dangerous and life saving procedure were a  Plastic Surgeon and two nurses.  It took all of two minutes, if that.  They charged an obscene amount.  Had an operation there too.  Insurance only paid half because of what they called inflated prices and un-necessary procedures.  Never going back!

[georgegeorgia]

On 1/21/2025 at 7:46 PM, Hellfire said:

In Thailand, it seems that robbing foreigners has become an officially sanctioned activity. Unfortunately, there’s little any of us can do to change this reality. On the bright side, there’s a certain equality in their approach—foreigners are robbed indiscriminately, regardless of nationality, race, or any other factor.

 

 

Not this little black duck 

[OneMoreFarang]

1 hour ago, Bob12345 said:

A doctor has probably seen similar injuries many times before and has to rule out other causes and further complications. If you are willing to run those risks and want to draw your own conclusions then its your right. Just sign the waiver that you go against medical advice and keep your fingers crossed you gambled correctly. 

 

Yes, and also no.

If a doctor sees an injury, then I guess he must assume that it might have happened in a dirty environment. And maybe the patient does not tell the doctor the whole truth.

If the patient is sure that it happened in a clean environment, and he knows he does tell the truth, then the patient has maybe good reasons not to pay for additional things which are not necessary in his specific case.

 

It is a fact that at least in some Thai hospitals making money is the main objective for the doctors.

[OneMoreFarang]

32 minutes ago, thesetat said:

Sorry to burst your bubble but, I have health insurance that pays for my medical but does not pay for the evening clinics. The government hospital that i normally go to charged me 400 baht for their evening clinic. But the next day they made me return to pay another 800 baht. Their reason for this was because they charged me the Thai rate by mistake. So it has nothing to do with service, There is a large hike in the costs for both government and private hospitals. 

And according to you that is always the same in every clinic and hospital in Thailand? 

I visited only a few hospitals and a few clinics over the 30 years that I live in Thailand. Maybe you visited hundreds of them or you researched this in detail.