Cost Of Full Medical Check

[MrHammer]

Hi guys

A friend of mine has been feeling dizzy and unwell for some time. He is going to Thailand next month and would like to get some tests done, as getting checked up where he lives takes a long time with refferals etc.

Anyway, I dont have a lot of experience with thai hospitals so does anyone know how much this would cost:

Bloodworks: All kind of infections (not incl. std's), bloodsugar, thyroid basicly everything

MRI

Inner ear examination

Eye examination

So how much to drop and where to go?

Much Appreciated!

[Martian]

You could go to almost any hospital and receive adequate service and get answers to these types of tests. The price can be rather inexpensive to approaching the same as in a western country.

I've always gone to Bangkok Nursing Home Hospital (not necessarily for old people as the name suggests) on Soi Convent between Sathorn and Silom. It is one of a few Thai hospitals that meet western accreditation, etc. It is more costly than many Thai hospitals but less than most Western hospitals. Bumringrad (sp?) is also a highly touted hospital with western accreditation and a little more costly than most hospitals. It is off Suhkumvit around Soi 10 or something????? These are in Bangkok.

If you're friend would like to travel within Thailand, go to Chiang Mai university hospital for excellent care at a greatly reduced cost. Air Asia has inexpensive airfares and Chiang Mai travel costs are among the lowest in the country.

No idea about what an MRI costs in Thailand but I would think you could see a doctor, get a complete blood test board done and not spend over $200 US at the better Bangkok hospitals mentioned above. I might be all wet but that is a guess.

The last time (4 years ago) I was in the BKK Nursing Home hospital I saw a doctor, had some blood tests, x-rays, saw a specialist and received some prescription medicine for about 2,400 Baht.

Perhaps someone who has had these types of services lately can share their experience.

Regards

[Tyke]

Hi guys

A friend of mine has been feeling dizzy and unwell for some time. He is going to Thailand next month and would like to get some tests done, as getting checked up where he lives takes a long time with refferals etc.

Anyway, I dont have a lot of experience with thai hospitals so does anyone know how much this would cost:

Bloodworks: All kind of infections (not incl. std's), bloodsugar, thyroid basicly everything

MRI

Inner ear examination

Eye examination

So how much to drop and where to go?

Much Appreciated!

If your friend needs a complete package then I would recommend Bumrungrad. It costs 13000 baht - see the hospital web site. I compared Bumrungrad with BNH, St Louis on Sathorn and BKK Christian hospital and like for like they work out about the same but Bumrungrad has everything in 1 package and runs the scheme like clockwork - the others have a core set of tests and anything extra has to be added on. Look at the hospital web sites for more info. I do think your friend should go for the full package - it's well worth it, although collecting some of the body stuff is a bit embarrassing. It's surprising what's lurking beneath our skin awaiting a few probes!

[MrHammer]

Thank you both.

13000 baht is actually cheap to me considering it Bungrungrad and it includes MRI yes?

Is Bungrungrad MUCH better than others? I have been there a few times and it is very good service, but what about others?

BTW. The one in Chiang Mai, will they speak english?

[Tyke]

Thank you both.

13000 baht is actually cheap to me considering it Bungrungrad and it includes MRI yes?

Is Bungrungrad MUCH better than others? I have been there a few times and it is very good service, but what about others?

BTW. The one in Chiang Mai, will they speak english?

Check the Bumrungrad web site, as previously suggested. What is really important is the doctor - they often visit different hospitals so the hospital is less important - I usually use St Louis nearby but I suggest Bumrungrad becasue of the inclusive health checkup package only and they have the check up system finely tuned.

[Riley'sLife]

I doubt that MRI is included in any standard Health Check Package, especially one costing 13,000Baht. CT scans and MRI are available at most large hospitals in Bangkok and at several provincial hospitals. Cost will depend on which part/s of the body are to be scanned.

The availability of tests is not really the issue, but rather the clinical staff's ability to correctly interpret the results. A single health check is not as useful as having say, annual checks, where comparisons can be made. Thai doctors like to give good news rather than bad, and often will interpret results as "normal" because they fall within certain, often arbitrary, parameters.

Most Thai doctors do speak English although they may be reluctant to do so.

Make sure that your friend obtains all the test results to take away. At some hospitals CT Scan information can be obtained on disc for second opinions back in your homeland. - more convenient than carrying the very large negatives.

Identical tests can be carried out at wildly differing costs. For example the following basic checks:

PE, BMI, VS, UA, CBC, FBS, BUN, Cr, Chol, Trig, HDL, LDL, SGOT,SGPT, ALK, PSA, TSH, EKG, ABI,Whole Abdomen US, Chest XR cost just 980Baht at my local Government Provincial Hospital. The identical checks at the local Provincial International Hospital cost 5,200Baht and include a Thai meal while you wait to see the quack! Meanwhile, in Bangkok it could cost 1000+Baht just for whole abdomen ultrasound, for example.

[MrHammer]

I doubt that MRI is included in any standard Health Check Package, especially one costing 13,000Baht. CT scans and MRI are available at most large hospitals in Bangkok and at several provincial hospitals. Cost will depend on which part/s of the body are to be scanned.

The availability of tests is not really the issue, but rather the clinical staff's ability to correctly interpret the results. A single health check is not as useful as having say, annual checks, where comparisons can be made. Thai doctors like to give good news rather than bad, and often will interpret results as "normal" because they fall within certain, often arbitrary, parameters.

Most Thai doctors do speak English although they may be reluctant to do so.

Make sure that your friend obtains all the test results to take away. At some hospitals CT Scan information can be obtained on disc for second opinions back in your homeland. - more convenient than carrying the very large negatives.

Identical tests can be carried out at wildly differing costs. For example the following basic checks:

PE, BMI, VS, UA, CBC, FBS, BUN, Cr, Chol, Trig, HDL, LDL, SGOT,SGPT, ALK, PSA, TSH, EKG, ABI,Whole Abdomen US, Chest XR cost just 980Baht at my local Government Provincial Hospital. The identical checks at the local Provincial International Hospital cost 5,200Baht and include a Thai meal while you wait to see the quack! Meanwhile, in Bangkok it could cost 1000+Baht just for whole abdomen ultrasound, for example.

thanks for the info!

as far I understood the MRI is to look for brain abnormality regarding the dizzyness.

do you have any idea in what price range this is?

[Riley'sLife]

At a local Provincial hospital CT scan would be about 4500Baht and MRI about 7000Baht.... these figures are not current but 12 months old. Undoubtedly Bkk would be more expensive so maybe this is not too helpful for you.

Has your friend already had Meniere's Syndrome eliminated as a diagnosis?

[Riley'sLife]

At Ramkamhaeng Hospital, Bkk the cost of chest CT Scan with marker dye was 24,500Baht and MRI lower body was 12,000Baht.plus associated minor costs maybe another 600 Baht for both (not each). That's current and in Bkk, but not for the head... hope that helps. Either way it will be cheaper and quicker in Thailand but the radiologist's diagnostic skills and experience are of utmost importance. Always choose by recommended physician rather than by hospital, as Tyke mentioned.

[MrHammer]

At Ramkamhaeng Hospital, Bkk the cost of chest CT Scan with marker dye was 24,500Baht and MRI lower body was 12,000Baht.plus associated minor costs maybe another 600 Baht for both (not each). That's current and in Bkk, but not for the head... hope that helps. Either way it will be cheaper and quicker in Thailand but the radiologist's diagnostic skills and experience are of utmost importance. Always choose by recommended physician rather than by hospital, as Tyke mentioned.

Ok, I will pass this on, thanks for all answers!

[PeaceBlondie]

Doctors spéak English except in small local hospitals. In the big hospitals, even most nurses speak medical English. CMU Hospital, no problem/

[OxfordWill]

"my friend" says bumrungrad well known for hiring unqualified doctors and is more about profit than most hospitals

but many others around and price varies

[Tyke]

"my friend" says bumrungrad well known for hiring unqualified doctors and is more about profit than most hospitals

but many others around and price varies

I wouldn't go by rumours from 'friends' - although in my experience, it is true that Bumrungrad doctors do overprescribe (rather than mis-prescribe) medicines to profit the hospital - this does not apply to the health checkup system where no prescriptions are involved (although any follow-on treatments may be). I doubt that they would employ unqualified doctors - that's <deleted>. They have some kind of international accreditation system and are well-known for medical tourism which is very lucrative - they would not jeapodize that for the sake of a few cheaper doctors. The experience and qualifications of all the doctors are clearly displayed on their web site for patients to choose from.

[Fore Man]

"my friend" says bumrungrad well known for hiring unqualified doctors and is more about profit than most hospitals

but many others around and price varies

I wouldn't go by rumours from 'friends' - although in my experience, it is true that Bumrungrad doctors do overprescribe (rather than mis-prescribe) medicines to profit the hospital - this does not apply to the health checkup system where no prescriptions are involved (although any follow-on treatments may be). I doubt that they would employ unqualified doctors - that's <deleted>. They have some kind of international accreditation system and are well-known for medical tourism which is very lucrative - they would not jeapodize that for the sake of a few cheaper doctors. The experience and qualifications of all the doctors are clearly displayed on their web site for patients to choose from.

I concur; Bamrungrad is a professionally-staffed hospital if not a profit-driven one. MRIs here in Chiang Mai run between THB 8000 to as high as THB 20,000. I had a complete physical last year at the Special Medical Unit at CMU's hospital (Maharaj) that ran only THB 4,000. The year before I had the same done at Chiang Mai Ram I for THB 17,000 but that included a colonoscopy that ran THB 11,000. I also agree with a previous poster who cautioned to make sure you get an accurate assessment of normal versus abnormal or borderline normal. If any tests come up out of limits, get a retest within 30 days to validate it.

[chalks]

I concur; Bamrungrad is a professionally-staffed hospital if not a profit-driven one.

Concur x2. Bumrungrad is profit driven, but they're not stupid. All their doctors' credentials are on their website, and they were the first Asian hospital to achieve JCI accreditation. I have been there with everyday problems like fever etc. and been prescribed expensive medicines I can get at the pharmacy next door much cheaper - hint: you can have meds taken off your bill. However they have earned such a good international reputation for medical tourism by being good at the more complex stuff, which includes good doctors!

As a price point, I had a checkup (blood, urine, chest X-Ray, vision) for 4,000 there at their new check-up center. In and out in a couple of hours, everything on the same floor with friendly staff leading me to the different checkpoints. X-Rays are digital, lab results straight into the computer system, the doc gets the results from everything instantly on his PC - I asked about that. Their computer system is also integrated with their Pharmacy and their accounting, so you pay your bill and get your drugs on the way out the door! I've heard in the US it can take days or weeks to get your bill, and I have a really hard time understanding how a system could be so bad!

All that said, I've heard Bumrungrad is comparable in cost to other "good" hospitals in Bangkok like Phaya Thai and Bangkok Hospital (it is the closest for me so no reason to venture). I did go to the cheaper Police Hospital(?) once and I definitely needed my "translator"! but it was cheap. And nasty. Back to Bumrungrad ever since. I've also been to small hospitals in Pai and Krabi and their English was sketchy and their service terrible - both times I had to wait many hours, and although they spoke English it wasn't very good. But at least they were extremely cheap. We're talking 2-300฿ including meds, although it did take most of the day both times.

Final points - Bumrungrad has accomodation (read: hotel) on-site which may be handy, and many other hotels nearby. They are on Sukhumvit Soi 3 with a side entrance on Soi 1 - a favourite rat-run for taxi drivers. Also means you can get in from either direction from Sukhumvit (Soi 3 is one way).

[chakatee]

Why do the whole lot at once for dizziness?

If there's no previous history start with an ENT specialist (relatively cheap investigations, relatively high chance that the cause is to be found there). Heart and neurological investigation will be advised by this ENT specialist if he/she doesn't find the cause.

Of course if there's a history (vascular disease, hyperlipidemia, ...) first start with a specialist in that field.

As you say your friend has been having this for some while, it doesn't sound as a life-saving matter here so saving time by targetting all possibilities at once might not be cost-efficient.

[taxout]

Agree with the above. Start with an appropriate specialist.

The check-up programs are something of an assembly line designed for folks with no serious medical complaints. And at least at Bumrungrad, the program doesn't seem to attract the finest doctors on the staff.

[Tyke]

The check-up programs are something of an assembly line designed for folks with no serious medical complaints. And at least at Bumrungrad, the program doesn't seem to attract the finest doctors on the staff.

??? This doesn't make sense. The check up is to find out if there are any health problems. Why have a check up if good health is well-established?

And how do you know the doctors on the program are not the best available?

[PeaceBlondie]

Whether you generally have good or poor health, an annual checkup can provide further baselines, alert the doctors to changes, etc. I will go in this week for my checkup which will be added to the last three checkups and six years of personal data. 4,000 baht including x ray and EKG, interpreted by my long-time heart specialist. A week later I will ask my neurologist-professor to check it also. Average cost for seeing specialist, 300 baht. Worth every satang.

[Sheryl]

AStart with an appropriate specialist.

The check-up programs are something of an assembly line designed for folks with no serious medical complaints. And at least at Bumrungrad, the program doesn't seem to attract the finest doctors on the staff.

Starting with a specialist works well only if one is reasonably certain of the type of problem. I find that even the best specialists tend to have tunnel vision and to miss things outside their area of specialization. So whenevere it is not totally clear what type of specialist would be required, and especially if the patient has not had a recent physical, starting with a check up package is not a bad way to go -- provided the physicians who review the results are thorough and competent. It will also often save money on the diagnostic tests as the check-up packages are competitively priced.

I must say that personally I have been unfavorably impressed with the check-ups at Bumrungrad, specifically with the quality and thoroughness of the analysis of results which is the single most important aspect of the whole process. I've seen them miss important abnormal findings or draw conclusions/make recommendations by rote which clearly did not fit the particular patient's history -- not once but time and again. Basically any hospital can run the tests and will do so accurately enough but they aren't worth more than the paper the results are printed on unless a competent and interested physician takes the time to carefully review them.

I've been quite happy with the Wellness Center at Samitivej, both Drs Anchana and Phichai I find to be very thorough.

[Nacho]

Hi guys

A friend of mine has been feeling dizzy and unwell for some time. He is going to Thailand next month and would like to get some tests done, as getting checked up where he lives takes a long time with refferals etc.

Anyway, I dont have a lot of experience with thai hospitals so does anyone know how much this would cost:

Bloodworks: All kind of infections (not incl. std's), bloodsugar, thyroid basicly everything

MRI

Inner ear examination

Eye examination

So how much to drop and where to go?

Much Appreciated!

Just had my yearly medical for work done last month at Chiang Mai Ram 1 which is the most expensive hospital in Chiang Mai and one of the top hospitals in the country, cost just over 7000 baht, took around 6 hours in the hospital and they checked all the below.

Morphology

Height (m): Weight (kg): BMI:

Respiratory System

Examination of chest. If 'Abnormal', please give details:

Normal

Abnormal

Predicted: Actual:

FEV1

FVC

FEV1/FVC

Cardio-Vascular System

Examination of cardio-vascular system, including heart sounds. If 'Abnormal', please give details:

Normal

Abnormal

BP mmHG: Resting ECG*: Post-exercise

ECG*:

Exercise Testing

Type of test used:

Results:

Central Nervous System

Examination. If 'Abnormal', please give details:

Normal

Abnormal

Peripheral Nervous System

Examination. If 'Abnormal', please give details:

Normal

Abnormal

Musculo-Skeletal System

Examination. If 'Abnormal', please give details:

Normal

Abnormal

* as required

Ears (attach copy of audiogram if performed)

Examination of ears, including external canal, drums and eustachian tube function. If 'Abnormal', please give details:

Normal

Abnormal

Audiogram performed: Yes No

Vision

Examination of eyes and fundus. If 'Abnormal', please give details:

Normal

Abnormal

Urology

Genito-urinary examination. If 'Abnormal', please give details:

Normal

Abnormal

Urinalysis: Protein Sugar Blood

Integument

Examination of skin. If 'Abnormal', please give details:

Normal

Abnormal

Radiography

Chest – PA insp. and

exposure films:

Long bone X-rays*:

Haematology*

Haemoglobin: Full blood

count:

Sickle test

Edited January 17, 2009 by Nacho

[chakatee]

even the best specialists tend to have tunnel vision

especially the best specialists tend to have tunnel vision , otherwise they probably wouldn't be the best in their field.

[BangkokPattayaHospital]

I recommend you to see the ENT Specialists. Dizzy, spinning, nausea or vomiting, vertigo, ringing in one ear or tinnitus (chronic ringing in the ears) is a sensing of sensorineural hearing loss. Therefore, if hearing loss is suspected, it is important that the advice of a doctor specializing in diseases and conditions of the ear. I recommend BANGKOK HOSPITAL PATTAYA, their have a specialist name Dr. Parichart Samanuhat, M.D. she is a Hearing Speech Balance Tinnitus specialist.

Edited January 19, 2009 by bph

[Groongthep]

The check-up programs are something of an assembly line designed for folks with no serious medical complaints.

??? This doesn't make sense. The check up is to find out if there are any health problems. Why have a check up if good health is well-established?

Yes it does, it make a lot of sense. Everyone over 40 should have at least a routine check-up once a year. Doctors the world over have been saying for years that early detection is the key to savings lives. The dangerous assumption that one should wait until they get sick before getting their health checked probably leads to millions of premature deaths every year.

[geriatrickid]

I am planning on one of the major checkups I was wondering how long it takes from start to finish (excluding the vision segment). As well, how long does it take to get the lab work back? I don't suppose anyone has experience with the Phuket International or the Bankok International in Phuket? I don't want to have to fly into BKK for this.

many thanks.

[OxfordWill]

I wouldn't go by rumours from 'friends' - although in my experience, it is true that Bumrungrad doctors do overprescribe (rather than mis-prescribe) medicines to profit the hospital - this does not apply to the health checkup system where no prescriptions are involved (although any follow-on treatments may be). I doubt that they would employ unqualified doctors - that's <deleted>. They have some kind of international accreditation system and are well-known for medical tourism which is very lucrative - they would not jeapodize that for the sake of a few cheaper doctors. The experience and qualifications of all the doctors are clearly displayed on their web site for patients to choose from.

Many lawsuits, several "pending", even has a dedicated website to warn people, which I wont post but it has been posted on this forum previously.

personally Ive never used it. Never will either, too much choice one can avoid any doubt and go elsewhere.

[Sheryl]

I am planning on one of the major checkups I was wondering how long it takes from start to finish (excluding the vision segment). As well, how long does it take to get the lab work back? I don't suppose anyone has experience with the Phuket International or the Bankok International in Phuket? I don't want to have to fly into BKK for this.

many thanks.

Will depend on what tests you have done, as well as how early in the morning you show up.

Generally speaking, if it is a comprehensive physical (eg Stress Test, abdominal ultrasound) it will take most of the morning and then you'll get your results/see the doctor early afternoon. Might need more time if also having a colonoscopy (and for that of course you need to make arrangement in advance for the prep)

For a more basic check up could be in and out by lunch if you show up first thing.

I haven't heard anything re the 2 hospitals you mention but my general guidance applies, i.e. the tests will all be done OK but need to ensure that the doctor who reviews them takes a reasonable amount of time, is thorough and doesn't overlook or shrug off any abnormal or borderline results. If you get the sense that is was a cursory review, go over the results yourself afterwards (they'll give you the full report) and can then arrange to see approrpiate spoecialist for any areas of concern.