22 hours ago, jerrymahoney said:

So when in Thailand, given some of the examples above, it's always important to carry your self-insurance card.

Also worth registering your details at local hospitals in the area you are living.

 

 

On 8/11/2025 at 6:50 PM, KannikaP said:

My dear Mrs just diagnosed Cervical C, stage not known yet. IF she needs life saving treatment, it will cost her (ME) Bht 30 per day. 

Last year I had my Gall Bladder out at the local University Hospital. Full job, 1 night in bed, all meds and a successful outcome, with check-up later.= Bht 40,000

Here is a shocking comparison...  I had my appendix removed at a private hospital in the Chonburi area.  The cost was 140,000 Baht (6 nights in hospital and a Cat Scan; the latter I deem totally unnecessary) AND THAT WAS 12 YEARS AGO!!  When I presented to the doctor with great pain in lower right trunk, she didn't know what my ailment was!  I had to suggest appendicitis.

 

Even my insurance agent was shocked at the high price.  Happily, however, the insurance company paid the bill up front.  I did not have to file a claim later.

 

So, I agree, better to go to a government hospital.

37 minutes ago, LarryLEB said:

Here is a shocking comparison...  I had my appendix removed at a private hospital in the Chonburi area.  The cost was 140,000 Baht (6 nights in hospital and a Cat Scan; the latter I deem totally unnecessary) AND THAT WAS 12 YEARS AGO!!  When I presented to the doctor with great pain in lower right trunk, she didn't know what my ailment was!  I had to suggest appendicitis.

 

Even my insurance agent was shocked at the high price.  Happily, however, the insurance company paid the bill up front.  I did not have to file a claim later.

 

So, I agree, better to go to a government hospital.

Yes, private hospitals here are expensive. 

Compared to  the US (and China/HK/SGP), they are often still cheap.

But they are a lot more expensive than Europe or Australia (both, if paid yourself,  out of pocket, not subsidized, are cheaper than here).

 

On the other side, the level of care in low-level or provincial government hospitals (places like Ladkrabang Hospital or Amnat Charoen Hospital) doesn't compare to top-end private hospitals (which would be Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital or Bangkok Korat Hospital, resp.). 

The guy in Ladkrabang refused to go to a private hospital (even he had insurance), because he felt (correctly) being ripped off. He died.

He shouldn't have opted for a cheap government hospital.

The guy in Amnat Charoen was finally brought by his insurance to Korat.

His stay in Amnat provincial hospital was dirt cheap, a lot of money saved. 

The bill in Korat was 2,000,000. He should have gone to a private hospital in Ubol in the first place.

 

On 8/11/2025 at 11:05 PM, scubascuba3 said:

 Not in Pattaya, ambulance crew apparently get more money if they take to BPH

 

Even a scene of accident brown shirt has to call up an ambulance which by nature will be owned/operated by a local Pattaya hospital.

 

As a downed farang they're not dumping you onto the Sawang Boriboon pickup flat bed

2 hours ago, Regyai said:

 

Even a scene of accident brown shirt has to call up an ambulance which by nature will be owned/operated by a local Pattaya hospital.

 

As a downed farang they're not dumping you onto the Sawang Boriboon pickup flat bed

A friend was given the choice, helps if conscious , opted for Jomtien Hospital 

7 hours ago, NanLaew said:

 

Correct. Recently, an elderly foreigner, with no insurance, going for a CT angiogram at Queen Sirikit in Khon Kaen had to deposit 100k. The procedure, that didn't require further intervention, finally cost under 30k. The balance was refunded before he checked out. The higher deposit being held would have enabled them to proceed immediately if the angiogram indicated the need for stenting.

I guess he had chest pains? They usually avoid a CT angiogram or CT with contrast on older folk (contrast is bad for the kidneys and can lead to serious side effects). Assuming he was checked for chest pains, and no further interventions, did they give him an angina prescription?

On 8/14/2025 at 11:39 AM, jerrymahoney said:

So when in Thailand, given some of the examples above, it's always important to carry your self-insurance card.

That's what I do. Never had to pay a deposit. Showed them the card, they rang the insurer (overseas). If unconcsious it's in my wallet. However a big private hospital in Khon Kaen (not Q Sirikit), wasn't able to phone overseas to my insurer when a family member was taken ill and admitted there (can you imagine, the billing dept. of a private hospital can't make an overseas call)? So I had to do a cash transfer.

28 minutes ago, ronnie50 said:

a big private hospital in Khon Kaen (not Q Sirikit), wasn't able to phone overseas to my insurer when a family member was taken ill and admitted there (can you imagine, the billing dept. of a private hospital can't make an overseas call)? So I had to do a cash transfer.

They use email,  not phone calls,  for insurance confirmations. 

It's good to know the email address that your insurance uses for emergencies (it may not be their general email address).

An email to the general email address  (like info at myinsurance.com) will probably get lost in the bureaucracy. 

 

1 hour ago, ronnie50 said:

I guess he had chest pains? They usually avoid a CT angiogram or CT with contrast on older folk (contrast is bad for the kidneys and can lead to serious side effects). Assuming he was checked for chest pains, and no further interventions, did they give him an angina prescription?

 

Good information on how it can be stressful for older people, possibly with pre-existing conditions, thanks.

 

I have no idea of his medical condition or symptoms, but I think we can assume that the procedure was after a referral by a cardiologist. You just don't walk in and ask for one because you self-diagnosed on the internet.

 

A friend of mine, in his early 50's, retired military who lived a healthy lifestyle, was suddenly afflicted with extreme tiredness and lack of energy. After two days, he went for a check up and diagnosis. Initial tests revealed circulatory issues that warranted further examination. They performed a CT angiogram where he had two stents inserted. Discharged on the third day, right as rain. He didn't experience any chest pain before or after, only overwhelming fatigue.