Hospital Prices Going Up

[mark100]

We live in Pattaya and have always used the Bangkok/Pattaya hospital and although it is a little expensive l've always been happy with the service and level of care.

l had a quote a year ago to remove a varicose vein from my leg the approx cost was 30,000 baht, due to circumstances l never had it done then. l just rang the hospital to check if the price had gone up and they are now asking for 90,000 baht for the operation and 18,000 baht for every day lm in hospital.

Could anyone recommend a cheaper hospital in Bangkok or elsewhere that would have close to the same standards as the Bangkok/Pattaya.

Many thanks

[Pushit]

We live in Pattaya and have always used the Bangkok/Pattaya hospital and although it is a little expensive l've always been happy with the service and level of care.

l had a quote a year ago to remove a varicose vein from my leg the approx cost was 30,000 baht, due to circumstances l never had it done then. l just rang the hospital to check if the price had gone up and they are now asking for 90,000 baht for the operation and 18,000 baht for every day lm in hospital.

Could anyone recommend a cheaper hospital in Bangkok or elsewhere that would have close to the same standards as the Bangkok/Pattaya.

Many thanks

Bangkok Christian Hospital, Silom Rd Bkk. If we have any Problems we go there, reasonable prices.

[ChiangMaiAmerican]

If those prices are being applied by all of Thailand's private hospitals the days of Thailand being the top destination for medical tourists will be fast drawing to a close. India, The Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore and a host of other countries are now aggressively entering the medical tourism market. According to one medical website, in the US, the most expensive medical market in the world the average cost of treating varicose veins is $200-$600. 90,000 baht is much more than that. If what you say is true another economic strength in Thailand is about to be destroyed.

Edited September 12, 2007 by ChiangMaiAmerican

[qualtrough]

Those prices are outrageous. I was just in Paat Rangsit hospital in Pathum Thani for two nights with the flu receiving treatment with Tamiflu. Nice private room with TV, etc. Total bill was 9200 Baht for the entire stay and all-in including medicine. I have used them over the years and our two children were born there. Nothing but praise for them so far. 18,000 Baht a day for a room, who are they kidding??

[mark100]

We live in Pattaya and have always used the Bangkok/Pattaya hospital and although it is a little expensive l've always been happy with the service and level of care.

l had a quote a year ago to remove a varicose vein from my leg the approx cost was 30,000 baht, due to circumstances l never had it done then. l just rang the hospital to check if the price had gone up and they are now asking for 90,000 baht for the operation and 18,000 baht for every day lm in hospital.

Could anyone recommend a cheaper hospital in Bangkok or elsewhere that would have close to the same standards as the Bangkok/Pattaya.

Many thanks

Bangkok Christian Hospital, Silom Rd Bkk. If we have any Problems we go there, reasonable prices.

Thankyou

[mark100]

If those prices are being applied by all of Thailand's private hospitals the days of Thailand being the top destination for medical tourists will be fast drawing to a close. India, The Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore and a host of other countries are now aggressively entering the medical tourism market. According to one medical website, in the US, the most expensive medical market in the world the average cost of treating varicose veins is $200-$600. 90,000 baht is much more than that. If what you say is true another economic strength in Thailand is about to be destroyed.

l checked the price first, then got my wife to ring thinking l may have been quoted a falang price, but it was the same.

There was a post about the same hospital on the Pattaya forum a while back a lady was quoted well over 100,000 baht for a caesaren section, we paid 34,000 for the same operation 3 years ago at this hospital !!

Maybe it is just the Bangkok/Pattaya where the prices have risen so significantly, l'm really not sure about other hospital's in the area, but for sure l will be checking now l refuse to pay this much.

[mark100]

Those prices are outrageous. I was just in Paat Rangsit hospital in Pathum Thani for two nights with the flu receiving treatment with Tamiflu. Nice private room with TV, etc. Total bill was 9200 Baht for the entire stay and all-in including medicine. I have used them over the years and our two children were born there. Nothing but praise for them so far. 18,000 Baht a day for a room, who are they kidding??

My daughter was born there and has spent alot of time there due to breathing problems, we have never had any problems the place is first class, but at these prices l will have to look elsewhere.

[cclub75]

If those prices are being applied by all of Thailand's private hospitals the days of Thailand being the top destination for medical tourists will be fast drawing to a close. India, The Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore and a host of other countries are now aggressively entering the medical tourism market.

I don't know for the other, but for Bumrungrad in Bangkok, we have the same move. It's obvious. Inflation on many items : doctors fees, drugs etc.

[BalthazarBeefheart]

I did notice recently when I went to see a GP at BNH here in BKK there was a charge for B80 for nursing fees. I know it is peanuts but all it could have been for was the nurse checking my weight and blood pressure which i am sure always was provided free.

I don't know if it is my imagination but I have always been happy with the service at BNH now things don't seem quite the same to me. I wonder if anyone else has noticed a difference.

Cheers BB

[backflip]

"My daughter was born there and has spent alot of time there due to breathing problems...the place is first class, but at these prices l will have to look elsewhere. "

According to you, your daughter doesn't deserve first class medical care; she only deserves cheap medical care.

[Westerner]

We live in Pattaya and have always used the Bangkok/Pattaya hospital and although it is a little expensive l've always been happy with the service and level of care.

l had a quote a year ago to remove a varicose vein from my leg the approx cost was 30,000 baht, due to circumstances l never had it done then. l just rang the hospital to check if the price had gone up and they are now asking for 90,000 baht for the operation and 18,000 baht for every day lm in hospital.

Could anyone recommend a cheaper hospital in Bangkok or elsewhere that would have close to the same standards as the Bangkok/Pattaya.

Many thanks

This is absolutely outrageous! I think BPH will price itself out of business.

[Captain Chaos]

"My daughter was born there and has spent alot of time there due to breathing problems...the place is first class, but at these prices l will have to look elsewhere. "

According to you, your daughter doesn't deserve first class medical care; she only deserves cheap medical care.

That's an idiotic conclusion to draw - you don't know his financial circumstances ...

[Sheryl]

It's not just BPH. All the big "international" hosps seem to have significantly raised their rates. Even the Bangkok Dental Hospital has, I jsut paid double what I used to for a simple check-up and cleaning and one filling.

OP - I suggest you look at St Louis Hospital or try Phayathai 2 Hospital (St Louis will probably be the cheaper) you can email to get a rate quote and details of the doctor's credentials at :

St. Louis = go to their website www.saintlouis.or.th and click on "contact us"

Phayathai 2 = <[email protected]>

Both hospitals have websites.

At this point in time, I think Saint Louis is probably the best value for money for inpatient care and surgical procedures. The quality of care there is fine for anything that is not unusual. It does not, however, have anywhere near the same range of specialists as Samitivej, Bumrungrad & Bangkok Hosp (of which BPH is an affiliate). This makes the latter three still worth going to for outpatient specialty consultations and for inpatient treatment of other than routine problems....if you have insurance.

[Penkoprod]

If those prices are being applied by all of Thailand's private hospitals the days of Thailand being the top destination for medical tourists will be fast drawing to a close. India, The Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore and a host of other countries are now aggressively entering the medical tourism market. According to one medical website, in the US, the most expensive medical market in the world the average cost of treating varicose veins is $200-$600. 90,000 baht is much more than that. If what you say is true another economic strength in Thailand is about to be destroyed.

Obviously, medical tourists dont fit into Thai idea of being "Quality" ones

Penkoprod

[Sheryl]

P.S. Try this doc at Saint Louis, specializes in vascular surgery:

Dr. Mawin Vongsaisuwon

[mark100]

"My daughter was born there and has spent alot of time there due to breathing problems...the place is first class, but at these prices l will have to look elsewhere. "

According to you, your daughter doesn't deserve first class medical care; she only deserves cheap medical care.

Before you make judgements about my situation get your facts straight pal. My daughter is covered by the best insurance money can buy, l was referring to myself when l said l would look elsewhere for my operation, my daughter will continue to go to the Bangkok/Pattaya. l do not have insurance for myself other than accident cover so i will be looking for a cheaper hospital, to have my vein removed.

For your information my daughter has been ill since she was born 3 years ago and went to the Bangkok/Pattaya every 7-10 days for breathing problems, the insurance would only cover about half of this because we went so often, so l footed the bill which at the last count was over 4 Million baht.

Thankfully she is better now and has'nt been to hospital for 2 months, the last bill was 90,000 on top of the insurance so don't ever accuse me of not giving my daughter the best medical care available.

l am classed as 40% disabled from my time serving in the parachute regiment in the UK and recieve disability benefits for my injuries.

l continue to work as a personal trainer in the UK and Thailand despite waiting to have 4 operations for my injuries, l support my 2 teenage sons in the UK and my wife and 3 year old girl in Thailand.

Maybe you should think about what you are saying next time, l could'nt do more to look after my family and will continue to do so in the future!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[chiang mai]

Yes prices are/have going up at all private hospitals. Bumrungrad used to post the cost of a range of common procedures on its website and these are no longer there. A recent routine consultation at Bumrungrad produced a bill of 1,500 baht whereas I might have expected 7-800 last year. I still believe that the private and teaching hospitals in Chiang Mai offer the best combination of sensible cost and good quality healthcare.

[mark100]

If those prices are being applied by all of Thailand's private hospitals the days of Thailand being the top destination for medical tourists will be fast drawing to a close. India, The Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore and a host of other countries are now aggressively entering the medical tourism market.

I don't know for the other, but for Bumrungrad in Bangkok, we have the same move. It's obvious. Inflation on many items : doctors fees, drugs etc.

Bumrungrad was my next move so thanks for the advice.

[mark100]

Yes prices are/have going up at all private hospitals. Bumrungrad used to post the cost of a range of common procedures on its website and these are no longer there. A recent routine consultation at Bumrungrad produced a bill of 1,500 baht whereas I might have expected 7-800 last year. I still believe that the private and teaching hospitals in Chiang Mai offer the best combination of sensible cost and good quality healthcare.

Thankyou for replying

[mark100]

I did notice recently when I went to see a GP at BNH here in BKK there was a charge for B80 for nursing fees. I know it is peanuts but all it could have been for was the nurse checking my weight and blood pressure which i am sure always was provided free.

I don't know if it is my imagination but I have always been happy with the service at BNH now things don't seem quite the same to me. I wonder if anyone else has noticed a difference.

Cheers BB

Thankou for replying

[mark100]

"My daughter was born there and has spent alot of time there due to breathing problems...the place is first class, but at these prices l will have to look elsewhere. "

According to you, your daughter doesn't deserve first class medical care; she only deserves cheap medical care.

That's an idiotic conclusion to draw - you don't know his financial circumstances ...

My thoughts exactly

[mark100]

Yes prices are/have going up at all private hospitals. Bumrungrad used to post the cost of a range of common procedures on its website and these are no longer there. A recent routine consultation at Bumrungrad produced a bill of 1,500 baht whereas I might have expected 7-800 last year. I still believe that the private and teaching hospitals in Chiang Mai offer the best combination of sensible cost and good quality healthcare.

A few people have said Chiang Mai, thankyou for replying.

[RHCP]

Yes prices are/have going up at all private hospitals. Bumrungrad used to post the cost of a range of common procedures on its website and these are no longer there. A recent routine consultation at Bumrungrad produced a bill of 1,500 baht whereas I might have expected 7-800 last year. I still believe that the private and teaching hospitals in Chiang Mai offer the best combination of sensible cost and good quality healthcare.

I have also seen this creeping up of fees in recent years. Standard doctor's fees were typically 400-500 two or three years ago but now they are 600-800 baht. A routine blood test that I use to have done at Samitivej was 200 baht a few years back but now is around 500 baht. Inflation alone can't justify these increases.

[tonydabbs]

18,000 baht for every day lm in hospital.

Something is wrong here. No hospital in Thailand charges that much for room, board and nursing care. Bangkok General Hospital, from my experience, seems to offer the highest priced rooms. Their low-end private room is about 9,000 baht per day for room, board, nursing care and service charge.

Bumrunggrad recently raised their room rates. They now charge 5,660 baht for private room, board, nursing care and service charge. Their semi-private room is 3,065 baht and a four bed is 2,365 baht per day.

When checking hospital room rates, by the way, always make sure that the price you are being quoted includes the cost of Room, Food (board), Nursing Care and Service Charge; because when you get the final bill those charges will be on it.

The only possible justification for charging 18,000 baht per day is that she will have to stay in an Intensive Care Unit and will require constant nursing care and supervision.

Or...they are planning to put her in the hospital "Presidential Suite."

[Sateev]

Simply put, ALL for-profit hospitals will charge what the market will bear.

Bumrungrad has marketed itself as the premier hospital in SE Asia (whether true or not), and during early marketing they had reasonable pricing. Now, at their current stage of the business cycle, they are milking it for all it's worth.

Rightly, or wrongly, they are in the position to do so.

Less farang/middle easterner oriented venues do not command the same fees, and can be just as good, with the possible exception of not having all the latest (expensive) hardware.

One thing to remember is that the doctors charge whatever they think they can get, and the hospital has NO input to the doctor's fee structure. Dual (or variable) pricing is the norm, and WILL extend to a Thai woman, if accompanied by a farang man.

On a practical note, I have used Paolo Memorial in Saphan Kwai, and they are reasonable, with good specialists, etc. I have Thai Social Security insurance, though, so the prices are fixed. I suspect the same price monkey business goes on everywhere, if you pay cash.

Sateev

[mark100]

18,000 baht for every day lm in hospital.

Something is wrong here. No hospital in Thailand charges that much for room, board and nursing care. Bangkok General Hospital, from my experience, seems to offer the highest priced rooms. Their low-end private room is about 9,000 baht per day for room, board, nursing care and service charge.

Bumrunggrad recently raised their room rates. They now charge 5,660 baht for private room, board, nursing care and service charge. Their semi-private room is 3,065 baht and a four bed is 2,365 baht per day.

When checking hospital room rates, by the way, always make sure that the price you are being quoted includes the cost of Room, Food (board), Nursing Care and Service Charge; because when you get the final bill those charges will be on it.

The only possible justification for charging 18,000 baht per day is that she will have to stay in an Intensive Care Unit and will require constant nursing care and supervision.

Or...they are planning to put her in the hospital "Presidential Suite."

Can assure you l've checked the price many times and the price is 18,000 baht, the last time my daughter was in they charged 18,000 a day which l believe included basic nursing care, medication etc, was all charged on top.

The operation is for myself not my daughter but the price is still the same, and l've just checked with my local private hosipital in the UK and they will remove my vein for £1500 all in, intital consulation, operation , aftercare and an overnight stay in the hosiptal, thats cheaper than Thailand, amazing.

Maybe these huge price rises are confined to the Bangkok/Pattaya, but looking through the previous posts in does'nt seem the case.

[mark100]

Simply put, ALL for-profit hospitals will charge what the market will bear.

Bumrungrad has marketed itself as the premier hospital in SE Asia (whether true or not), and during early marketing they had reasonable pricing. Now, at their current stage of the business cycle, they are milking it for all it's worth.

Rightly, or wrongly, they are in the position to do so.

Less farang/middle easterner oriented venues do not command the same fees, and can be just as good, with the possible exception of not having all the latest (expensive) hardware.

One thing to remember is that the doctors charge whatever they think they can get, and the hospital has NO input to the doctor's fee structure. Dual (or variable) pricing is the norm, and WILL extend to a Thai woman, if accompanied by a farang man.

On a practical note, I have used Paolo Memorial in Saphan Kwai, and they are reasonable, with good specialists, etc. I have Thai Social Security insurance, though, so the prices are fixed. I suspect the same price monkey business goes on everywhere, if you pay cash.

Sateev

Thankyou for replying.

[mark100]

Yes prices are/have going up at all private hospitals. Bumrungrad used to post the cost of a range of common procedures on its website and these are no longer there. A recent routine consultation at Bumrungrad produced a bill of 1,500 baht whereas I might have expected 7-800 last year. I still believe that the private and teaching hospitals in Chiang Mai offer the best combination of sensible cost and good quality healthcare.

I have also seen this creeping up of fees in recent years. Standard doctor's fees were typically 400-500 two or three years ago but now they are 600-800 baht. A routine blood test that I use to have done at Samitivej was 200 baht a few years back but now is around 500 baht. Inflation alone can't justify these increases.

Thankyou for replying.

[gguy]

I recently checked on the cost of some procedures at BPH.

The price was three to four times higher than the same procedure same doctor as 3 years ago. I have my bill from three years ago.

These are simple inpatient procedures.

OUTRAGEOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[expatgaz]

LETS ALL BOYCOTT PBH.