Can Farangs Use The Public Hospital System?

[hermespan]

Short story: Can we foreign expats/toursist use the general hospitals as an alternative to private hospitals?

long story: I have enjoyed the high standard (or at least higher priced) hospitals such as Bumrungrad, Samitivej, BKK-Pattaya etc. I have no complaint about them. I just am on a much stricter budget lately and don't need Mercedes when a Volkswagen will do. The consensus on this forum is that more important than tests is the interpretation of them. Perhaps get tests done at a provincial hospital then have results interpreted (at least as a second opinion if anything unusual shows up) by a specialist at an upper-end hospital?

details: I am considering getting in-depth tests done because the public health care system in my country considers them a 'waste of resources' unless definite risk are obvious. However, as a middle age man whose grandfather died of cancer of the guts I would like to have a colonoscopy for the first time in my adult life, and get an MRI of the head to rule out various organic causes of tinnitus. I don't mind slower wait times and a longer wait to get results. I am willing to pay more than locals if such is policy (I hear rates are up to 1/5th private hospitals). I don't require a perfectly English-speaking MD. And I needn't get care in BKK. I quite like CNX and have other reasons to go anyway. Eight years ago I received superior service at Chiang Mai's Maharaj Hospital clinic (not precisely a medical matter) than a three times the price private hospital in BKK. The only factor that might make me think twice about getting medical care at say the general hospital in Hua Hin or Nan is if they don't, at any price, provide hard copy of results (i.e. CD of scans).

Has anyone tried this strategy of using public hospitals alone or in combination with private care? I don't wish to abuse the tax-supported system, but I try for maxuimum value. Perhpas there is a forum that gets into details on this, for example, recommended specialist X as of 1/1/09 for southern thailand is hospital ABC, but for speciality Y it is worth going to northern thailand and seeing Dr. so-and-so. Of course, everybody in one place would be great, and totally unrealistic! I guess that university hospitals have different specialties. The second part of this post is rather a daunting task, and deserves a website of its own (medical tourism). My concern is more the immediate specific one in part one.

[edwardandtubs]

The policy of the Thai hospitals would be even stricter than the policy of your own country. They have very limited resources and only treat people who have something obviously wrong with them. Do you really think you can come to a third world country and expect doctors to put a camera up your bum just for your own peace of mind whilst people with serious conditions are waiting for treatment?

[torrenova]

The policy of the Thai hospitals would be even stricter than the policy of your own country. They have very limited resources and only treat people who have something obviously wrong with them. Do you really think you can come to a third world country and expect doctors to put a camera up your bum just for your own peace of mind whilst people with serious conditions are waiting for treatment?

I think the OP was willing to pay.

[hermespan]

"I think the OP was willing to pay."

Precisely

[H2oDunc]

A colonoscopy at Burunrad is around 20,000 baht. Cheap really for your own piece of mind. As for RI scans the local Tai hospitals will nothave expensive scanners and you wil have to pay. Farangs can use the local Thai hospitals for all other services and they are very cheap. For what you are after you will have to pay. Good luck.

[hermespan]

A colonoscopy at Burunrad is around 20,000 baht. Cheap really for your own piece of mind. As for RI scans the local Tai hospitals will not have expensive scanners and you wil have to pay. Farangs can use the local Thai hospitals for all other services and they are very cheap. For what you are after you will have to pay. Good luck.

Yes, Bumrungrad just advised me colonoscopy is 25K for procedure only, WITHOUT interpretation or anything extra. Brain MRI is 11.8K, combined with MRA brain scan both would be 17K. Now that I know the gold standard I can compare with CNX hospitals and provincial public ones.

Again, of course I will have to pay, the question is how much and which option is best value. Cheaper isn't always better. But, it's not like I expect any major problems, so no need to get the Mercedes when a Toyota will do.

[Davron]

I have had the misfortune of dealing with private hospitals recently. money is number one with most of them in my experience and I was totally shaken by the fact that my health was of secondary importance to their profits.

Thai friends then suggested that I use Sirirad public hospital in Bangkok. Consultations there cost Thai nationals thirty baht and aliens fifty baht.

I received the very best of medical treatment promptly and at reasonable cost. a CT scan was 14000 baht, blood tests were under 1000 baht, ultra sound stomach scan 2500 baht.

Many of their consultants have spent years in europe during their professional development and language barriers were not a problem. Many of these consultants work X days a week for private hospitals who charge their patients extortionate fees. Many private hospitals also do not have some of the scanning machines required and transfer their patients to Surirad hospital for scans etc.

Having both an Aortic anurism and fairly advanced and spreading cancer of the liver and colon that could have been diagnosed earlier had I used Sirirad in the first place my faith is now totally in the Thai public system at least within Bangkok

[coventry]

What you do is go and see a Government hospital doctor that has a private clinic, most do. By paying to see him for a consultation you will be fast tracked under him/her at the Government hospital.

[PeaceBlondie]

Search the Chiang Mai forum for Sripat Special Medical Services Clinic.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Maharaj-Nako...40&start=40

My CAT scan or MRI after my stroke in 2007 cost under 4000 baht, read by professor of neurology. Full physical exam with EKG, lab tests, chest x-ray should run less than 5000 baht, read by my heart specialist, next month.

[BigSnake]

From my experience yes you can for sure use the Public Hospital System(no 30 baht plan for you ) however it goes without saying the service is a bit on the slow side, both out/in service, so be ready for a long wait. Hope the budget thing improve for you in the near future so you can use private hospital when possible. Cheers, wish you Good Health and no need for Hospital(routine checkup ONLY)

[Mario2008]

Governemt Hospitals are open to everyone and that includes foreigners. You will have no problem, other then the language, in recieving care from government hospitals and they are much cheaper then private hospitals.

Quality can be a problem, as many doctors and nurses at government hopsitals are fresh from university and lack experience.

[hermespan]

What you do is go and see a Government hospital doctor that has a private clinic, most do. By paying to see him for a consultation you will be fast tracked under him/her at the Government hospital.

Er, what is the way to find such an MD? Research private clinics or hospitals? Any nuts and bolts suggestions? Hey, if there is a huge cost-savings, language issue would not be insurmountable. Perhpas hire a translator from medical university.

Thank you for these facts and the encouragemnet you have all provided.

[Robby nz]

The answer to your origional question is YES you can.

Tells of my experience, if you are in BKK and have a Thai speaking better half I would recomend you go to Pramonkutklow and registar, reception dont speak much , if any english, for colon tests ask for Dr Sahapon, a specialist with very good english.

[beano2274]

I got Thai Social Security, cost 432 baht per month, not sure about all the details, about how much and whatever.

My wife as a Thai National uses Paolo (Saphan Kwai BTS) very nice and clean, and most of the staff understand English, also Kasemrad is quite good.

[chrisyork]

We live in (very) rural Lopburi province and I have had a couple of occasions to use my local public hospital myself and of course there is always a family member in there! I now even have my own hospital card! I am deeply impressed with the standard of the doctors and nurses and general care there. Overall I would say the standard is about on a par with the UK NHS. Some things are notably better, others not quite as good. Our local hospital does fall down though on the availability of diagnostic equipment. Even the X ray machine is spectacularely elderly!

One option you might like to try is the "Christian Hospital" in Silom in Bangkok. It is aimed at Thai's and not falang, so language might be a problem, but it is notably cheaper than the big private hospitals (about a third?). It seems to have world class specialists and equipment and you also have the satisfaction of knowing that your fees are going to subsidise care of poor Thais. I have no agenda on the Christian bit and it doesn't seem to intrude with the staff.

Chris

[Sheryl]

Government hospitals will not do diagnostic tests on demand, only if your problem, in their judgement, requires it and they are pretty strict in their standards in that regard. There are also often long waiting lists for tests such as MRI, echocardigram etc -- another reason why they will not look favorably on someone wanting it on demand, even if paying full price.

(That said, the tertiary level government hospitals are an excellent source of inexpensive quality care for serious problems, if you don't mind the wait and some language barrier. And I would not hesitate to recommend their ERs in an emergency.)

There are, however, middle of the road options such as the various private but nonprofit hospitals (e.g. in Bangkok: Saint Louis, Bangkok Christian, Camellian) most of these have check-up packages which one can select from/ask for additional tests just as you can at the higher end hospitals but at much lower cost.

Also some of the mid-range smaller private hospitals (e.g. in Bkk: Phyathai, Chao Phya etc) are a good option especially for costly tests. I have used Phayathai (for myself & others) for MRIs and then taken the films to specialist at top end hospital, saving thousands of baht in the process. If you are going to do that, tell the hospital doing the film that you do not need an interpretation, just the film, as the radiologist's report doubles the cost and the specialist is going to do their own interpretation anyhow. This is if you are under a specialist's care and just want to avoid the high mark-up on diagnostic tests at the other hospital. if you are having the test just as a check-up, go ahead and get the interpretation done.

[coventry]

Er, what is the way to find such an MD? Research private clinics or hospitals? Any nuts and bolts suggestions? Hey, if there is a huge cost-savings, language issue would not be insurmountable. Perhpas hire a translator from medical university.

Thank you for these facts and the encouragemnet you have all provided.

Go to a government hospital, preferably with a Thai speaker, ask which doctor provides the service you want and ask if he has a private consultaion room. If not, just join the queue to see a doctor. That doctor then should give you the help you require.

I had a 'Hernia'. I went for a consultation with a surgeon at a government hospital, and waited nearly an hour to see him. He did the operation a few days later. I never paid any extra to be fast tracked as I was in no hurry.

Edited April 26, 2009 by coventry

[frenchFARANGbkk]

Hi,

Isn't Chula hospital the place to go to meet the best doctors and professors ?

At least what I heard.

Anybody has been to Chula hospital or Police hospital ?

Thanks for sharing information.

[Mario2008]

Bangkok has several oustanding private hospitals, but where would be best will also depend on what kind of medical help you seek.

[lopburi3]

In my opinion a public hospital is not the best choice for most people who can afford private, especially if not fluent in Thai - not because the doctors are bad but because they do not normally have the time to provide and often work in groups so you may have the named doctor one time and a junior member the next. A lot of mistakes are made (although private does not eliminate that risk). At an administrative level it gets much worse with open disdain of patients often being displayed by 'appointee' staff. If you want to have a better doctor/patient relationship try finding out if doctor has a private office - even those working full time at Chula may have (in a rear residence building). That way you have a private doctor and access to hospital/dispensary but payment will be higher. In hospital those paying do often get priority - and payment for rooms and testing often will approach second tier private hospital prices.

Wife has had several operations at Chula as her sister was a senior nurse there. She does not miss it.

[Datsun240Z]

I'm using the Bangkok Hospital when there. No problems so far. Have to wait a bit more than the Private ones.

[lopburi3]

Bangkok Hospital is private - the largest group of private hospitals in Thailand - and one of the most expensive.

[scorecard]

Sri Racha government hospital makes no distinction whatever about Thai and farang patients, either inpatient or outpatient. Not free but all of their charges are very small.

- Reception is very friendly, very welcoming and very customer focused. If your Thai is not strong and you arrive alone they will quickly find someone to help, no 'nuisance' attitude whatever.

- All their specialists are board certified, they have the most modern equipment / testing facilities available. All their specialist doctors speak advanced English, very good listeners, very nice 'bedside manner'.

- Nursing staff at the various outpatients areas are very professional, obviously well trained, again very freindly and very focused on making patients / visitors feel comfortable.

Three months ago in one visit I had: a range of blood tests, visited the eye specilaist, the ear specialist, and the dermatology specialist, also had a hearing test. All completed within about three hours. Reception organized for the nurses at the first specialist to take me to the next specialist and so on. They were all very focused.

- TOTAL BILL WAS 752BAHT including a small amount of medicine. They don't accept credit cards.

- A farang friend who is a retired doctor of medicine suggested I give this hospital a try. He has had two medical procedures completed at this hospital and he says their work was excellent, very careful to check everything and they have all the best equipment. He was quite impressed.

- What I also like is that the Thai patients were spoken to with absolute respect and made to feel very welcome, everything was explained politely and patients asked politely if they have further questions, and given a phone no. to call if needed.

Sri Racha is worth a try.

[scorecard]

Hi,

Isn't Chula hospital the place to go to meet the best doctors and professors ?

At least what I heard.

Anybody has been to Chula hospital or Police hospital ?

Thanks for sharing information.

After several serious mistakes with the so called '5 star' hospitals our family decision was to try the government hospitals:

- Chula hospital outpatients. I arrived and was 'ordered' to fill in the registration for. A quick question was met with total annoyance. I was shocked at the way I was spoken to, and the Thai out patients were spoken to very rudely. I didn't complete the registration form

- Police hospital inpatients. Family member was taken there several years back after an accident. Focus on patient care is lacking, we had to continuously request that simple matters be completed. Nursing attitude was just awful. I asked if I could visit at the time the doctor did his rounds so that I could speak with the doctor. I got a very quick strong rebuttal and told I was rude. The big ward was not air-conditioned. We asked if it was possible for family member to have a private room (after checking and discovering quite a number of pvt rooms were unoccupied) and we made it clear we were not asking for free favors. Response was abrupt and we were told rudely that pvt rooms are only available to VIPs. I won't go into details of the severe problems with claiming on private health insurance other than to say the problems were NOT with the actual insurance company.

[Datsun240Z]

Bangkok Hospital is private - the largest group of private hospitals in Thailand - and one of the most expensive.

Wow, and I thaught it was cheap

[scorecard]

Bangkok Hospital is private - the largest group of private hospitals in Thailand - and one of the most expensive.

Wow, and I thaught it was cheap

I guess it's relative to whether you have cover from your employer, what your used to paying back home etc.

I'm aware of a farang who recently had a procedure at one of the two '5 star' hospitals in Pattaya.

- The procedure was to insert two 'shunts' (tiny hollow tubes to hold veins open).

- Completed within less than one hour.

- Procedure done by inserting tubes with lights / cameras / tiny manipulating fingers, etc.

Cost - 700,000Baht. (Luckily the guy had best possible insurance cover, which covered the full bill.)

[anon25424354]

For all the foreigners out there who are looking for a decent, inexpensive hospital. Try the following:

Private hospitals that are not to pricey try Phyathai. My mom had her breast cancer surgery there. My total cost 70,000 all inclusive.

Compared to Bumrungrad it would have cost me 150,000 Baht.

Another Private hospital is Paolo Memorial, thats where I go for my OB/GYN and other medical checkups. Good service and care. Not too pricey.

For Government Hospitals I recommend Chula and Siriraj Hospitals.

If your the kind of person that won't mind the wait or not to fussy about getting excellent service. Then you should give these two hospitals a try.

The best Government Hospital on my list is Siriraj Hospital near Phra Pin Klao on the other side of the river. This is where the BIG guy goes himself.

Again, if you can handle a little wait time, be less demanding about prompt service, be a little humble or down to earth .... you're sure to save big bucks.

Mind you that they serve all walks of life and some of the staff really work their butts off so smile and be patient.

These two Government Hospitals have state of the art equipment and are maintained and supported by the Royal Family.

Most of their doctors are education and have graduated from excellent and TOP Universities in England, U.S.A, Germany etc.

Therefore your medical treatment there should be second to none.

Just make sure you bring a Thai friend who can help translate or fill out the forms for you.

[TerryLH]

"For Government Hospitals I recommend Chula and Siriraj Hospitals."

I believe these are the hospitals associated with the medical faculties at Chulalongkorn U and Mahidol U.

Since they are teaching hospitals they usually are well funded as far as up to date equipment is concerned.

The head doctors are well educated, as noted by some other posters.

In CM there is a hospital associated with CMU, but I don't know the name of it.

For Khon Kaen University, it's Srinakarin Hospital.