Comprehensive Medical Check-up In Chiang Mai

[Asmerom]

"Only slightly more expensive !!".

http://www.ramhospital.com/check__up_program.htm 14,142 baht

http://www.cmed.cmu.ac.th/container-eng/?p=45 4,590 baht

Compehensive Health Check Ups for elderly men ; comparative prices.

I am talking about for the tests that I have done and the examples that Eek presented. I have no idea if this physical is pretty much the same in both places, or not. However, if it is the same as other clinics, the price for a check up seems way out of line : Ulysses G.

The above two pages clearly indicate that RAM is THREE TIMES MORE EXPENSIVE than Sripat for a Comprehensive Health Check for elderly men and even more so for women however reluctant people may be to admit it. Ram is more expensive. OK?

The RAM exam does however include: Eye Exam, Ultasound of Upper Abdomen and an Excercise Stress Test. These do not appear in the Sripat Check-up. For these and probably more comfort and convenience you pay 10,000 baht extra.

As everyone says, each to his own.The personal touch may be lacking in either of these two, though many think that Dr Greg Greer (at Sripat) is a close appoximation. But the constant dissension about relative expense really should die a quick death in the face of the two tables above.Its ON RECORD. ITS IN PRINT. It simply cannot be ignored. It does come up regularly. Strange.

14,142/4590. There's a 1 at the front of one. It does make a difference. And the difference will probably still be there next month.

Edited February 20, 2010 by Asmerom

[Ulysses G.]

The RAM exam does however include: Eye Exam, Ultasound of Upper Abdomen and an Excercise Stress Test. These do not appear in the Sripat Check-up. For these and probably more comfort and convenience you pay 10,000 baht extra.

I have been told that at least two of these tests are fairly expensive. Maybe the price is not as lopsided as you have suggested?

[PeaceBlondie]

Maybe I'm a Cheap Charlie. I get my eye surgeons's check-up separately, for 500 baht. Never had an ultrasound of upper abdomen suggested. Never needed a stress stress suggested. 3500 baht.

[elektrified]

One very important thing that Dr. Morgan offers in her physical exam that Sripat does not is an ultrasound of the lower abdomen which covers the liver and prostate, among other organs. Two very important things for "older men", especially if these older gents have an affinity for alcohol like so many in C.M. do. She has to pay another doctor to perform and interpret this and then issue a report. She will even arrange to have you picked up and transported to the other doctor. The doctor she sent me to was an older Chinese woman who had been a radiologist for many years. She was very competent and also spoke perfect fluent English. Dr. Morgan discovered that the statin drugs I had been taking which were given to me by doctors in USA, Europe and Thailand were actually damaging my liver.

Dr. Morgan's physical exam is exactly that. She is not an "arm chair" doctor like a couple of the doctors at Sripat. She really checks you out carefully. Regardless of what some posters said in another thread recently about how a doctor does not need to lay a hand on you in a physical exam; rather just study the reports... Nonsense...B.S. You can not tell if a patient has an enlarged prostate, a hernia, or a number of other conditions without actually examining the patient. Dr. Morgan leaves no stone unturned. She is the best doctor I have been to since I was a child in the USA.

My physical exam at Dr. Morgan's was 100 Baht less than my last physical exam at Sripat and I got a heck of a lot better care. Having said that I still go to Sripat to see a specialist on occasion and my child who was born there gets excellent care there from the pediatric department.

Edited February 20, 2010 by elektrified

[PeaceBlondie]

Does the lovely Thai doctor stick her finger up an old man's rear end? Male Thai doctors don't.

[Priceless]

Does the lovely Thai doctor stick her finger up an old man's rear end? Male Thai doctors don't.

Yes, she does

/ Priceless

[millwall_fan]

Dr Tawatchai sticks his finger up your bum for the prostrate test too....Ok I'm beginning to see why some choose Dr Morgan!

Still, by letting an older man stick a digit up my arse I save 3,000 baht on Dr Morgan's fees. I guess I'll continue to tolerate that essential invasion!!

I've been going to him for my annual for over 10 years now. He's got all my medical records and knows all about my medical history. Amd he's only 500m down the road from my Pub!!

[Asmerom]

ASMEROM : The RAM exam does however include: Eye Exam, Ultasound of Upper Abdomen and an Excercise Stress Test. These do not appear in the Sripat Check-up. For these and probably more comfort and convenience you pay 10,000 baht extra.

ULYSSES :

I have been told that at least two of these tests are fairly expensive. Maybe the price is not as lopsided as you have suggested?

I agree.I dithered about saying RAM was "THREE" times more expensive when I ought really to have said only TWICE as expensive when these extras are accounted for. And of course, that statement does not apply to all procedures. But it does apply clearly to The Medical Check Up for Elderly Men. Its MORE expensive for women.

[Ulysses G.]

After sometrhing like 15 years of going there, I much prefer Dr Tawatchai for my annual physical anyway, but any more sleep tests, I'm going to RAM.

[PMNL]

Does the lovely Thai doctor stick her finger up an old man's rear end? Male Thai doctors don't.

Misleading statement regarding medical procedures.

I found the post is mis-leading as you see another poster had the test done at Loi kroh clinic with the male doctor.

There are 3 tests to evaluate if one needs to go for biopsy to check if they have prostate cancer.

1. Digital Rectal Examination

2.Ultrasound Prostate

3. Blood Test for PSA

[Priceless]

Does the lovely Thai doctor stick her finger up an old man's rear end? Male Thai doctors don't.

Misleading statement regarding medical procedures.

I found the post is mis-leading as you see another poster had the test done at Loi kroh clinic with the male doctor.

There are 3 tests to evaluate if one needs to go for biopsy to check if they have prostate cancer.

1. Digital Rectal Examination

2.Ultrasound Prostate

3. Blood Test for PSA

I don't know about other places, but Dr Morgan's check-up includes all three. Since my best friend of >40 years (himself a doctor) died of prostate cancer three years ago, I'm rather keen on having all the tests that are available

/ Priceless

[PeaceBlondie]

Glad to hear it's done here, sometimes. Always had the rectal and PSA done in the West; never had the rectal done here.

[Ulysses G.]

Dr Tawatchai sticks his finger up your bum for the prostrate test too....Ok I'm beginning to see why some choose Dr Morgan!

If you cry a little he leaves you alone. He only did it to me once!

[vagabond48]

Does the lovely Thai doctor stick her finger up an old man's rear end? Male Thai doctors don't.

Misleading statement regarding medical procedures.

I found the post is mis-leading as you see another poster had the test done at Loi kroh clinic with the male doctor.

There are 3 tests to evaluate if one needs to go for biopsy to check if they have prostate cancer.

1. Digital Rectal Examination

2.Ultrasound Prostate

3. Blood Test for PSA

I never heard of the ultrasound prostrate test, so I have never asked nor was it offered to me here with Dr Tawatchais at the Loi Kroh clinic or in the US.

Dr Tawatchais has only given me #1 and #3.

I guess I'll do some research to determine its usefulness.

[PMNL]

It is ultrasound lower abdomen which experienced radiologist can measure the prostate and calculated into cc.

[Sparkles]

ASMEROM : The RAM exam does however include: Eye Exam, Ultasound of Upper Abdomen and an Excercise Stress Test. These do not appear in the Sripat Check-up. For these and probably more comfort and convenience you pay 10,000 baht extra.

ULYSSES :

I have been told that at least two of these tests are fairly expensive. Maybe the price is not as lopsided as you have suggested?

I agree.I dithered about saying RAM was "THREE" times more expensive when I ought really to have said only TWICE as expensive when these extras are accounted for. And of course, that statement does not apply to all procedures. But it does apply clearly to The Medical Check Up for Elderly Men. Its MORE expensive for women.

Before I decided to go with Dr Morgan's comprehensive health check I went to to RAM Hospital , 4th floor ,and spoke at length to an English speaking nurse responsible for providing costs and explaining details of the health check up. I walked away with a 2 page personal print out listing some 26 items ,inc ultrasound , X ray,no eye sight test (Over 60 age category) She also advised that if had I undertaken any tests recently, that were covered in her estimate, I was welcome to delete them which would reduce the cost. The total cost was..............5969 baht.The only query I had was that you have no appointment ,you just turn up and hope that a herd of other people have not decided to choose that day. Not wishing to be on a production line and wanting a more personal approach and follow up I chose Dr Morgan and couldnt be happier.

Finally its an important issue and rather than relying on web sites and hearsay etc take the time to go in person and have it explained to you in detail then you can make an informed decision.

[Asmerom]

I walked away with a 2 page personal print out listing some 26 items ,inc ultrasound , X ray,no eye sight test (Over 60 age category) She also advised that if had I undertaken any tests recently, that were covered in her estimate, I was welcome to delete them which would reduce the cost. The total cost was..............5969 baht.The only query I had was that you have no appointment ,you just turn up and hope that a herd of other people have not decided to choose that day. Not wishing to be on a production line and wanting a more personal approach and follow up I chose Dr Morgan and couldnt be happier.

Finally its an important issue and rather than relying on web sites and hearsay etc take the time to go in person and have it explained to you in detail then you can make an informed decision.

What an amazingly confusing and arrogant post !!

You walked away with a print-out of 26 items but you fail to give any indication of what that comprehensive list costs. You throw out the eye test, as apparently your'e under 60, deduct unspecified tests because you may have had them recently, deduct those you don't want for other reasons,and finally come up with a completely unaccounted for figure of 5969 baht. And no one has the slightest idea of what tests this covers and, more to the point, it is completely useless in making a price comparison between the two or three contenders, which I for one was at pains to make clear.

No thanks for this utterly obfuscating contribution to an increasingly tiresome thread which seems to drive many people to twist and turn the facts to suit their own emotional peferences.

You chose Dr. Morgan and could'nt be happier. I wonder if this great doctor could administer a prescription for clear logical argument. You're in dire need of it. "Its an important issue."

[Ulysses G.]

Are you a shareholder at Sripat?

Edited February 22, 2010 by Ulysses G.

[Asmerom]

Are you a shareholder at Sripat?

I'm sure you'll be as surprised as anyone to receive a reply to such a frivolous and irelevant question. But the answer is ; No, just a patient, with experience of both hospitals and being one, has absolutely no bearing on a person's regard for the facts, reverence for the truth and aversion to sloppy thinking.

[PeaceBlondie]

There are no private shareholders at Sripat. RAM, Dr. Morgan, and Loi Roh Clinic are for-profit.

[Ulysses G.]

I guess that no one saw the smiley, but I do wonder why some people can not accept the fact that other doctors and hospitals have their good points too. The only reason that I have written anything negative about Sripat is because some posters kept saying it is so much better than RAM and I tried it and do not agree at all.

[PMNL]

There are no private shareholders at Sripat. RAM, Dr. Morgan, and Loi Roh Clinic are for-profit.

You are right, there are no shareholders at SRIPAT but it is a profit section of Suandok hospital.

Whatever you pay there apart from the tablets and room rates go to staff pocket.

Sripat was attacked by the univesity congress in BKK a few years ago because they use goverment facilities to make their own money.

No personal attack. I do use them and they are good( if you really know how to arrange appointment) but just want to clarify that they also FOR-PROFIT.

[PeaceBlondie]

I did not mean to be trashing competitors. Nor do smilies mean much. If Sripat earns some bucks, I can't tell.

[Ulysses G.]

It might be fair to say that Sripat is the least expensive hospital that caters to Westerners, but when I did my sleep test, they requested that I bring a Thai to spend the night and act as interpreter. I refused as I thought that my Thai was up to the task - it was - and I did not want to drag some poor Thai person along. However, I was surprised that they did not have an English speaking staff member for a fairly expensive procedure.

Edited February 23, 2010 by Ulysses G.

[elektrified]

It might be fair to say that Sripat is the least expensive hospital that caters to Westerners, but when I did my sleep test, they requested that I bring a Thai to spend the night and act as interpreter. I refused as I thought that my Thai was up to the task - it was - and I did not want to drag some poor Thai person along. However, I was surprised that they did not have an English speaking staff member for a fairly expensive procedure.

That really surprises me U.G. When my child was born there and subsequently went back there for a several nights when he was sick, I had the chance to chat with quite a few nurses; some quite lovely. I would guess that as much as 75% of the nursing staff spoke fluent English. Some of them had even been on holiday to the USA. Every one of the doctors spoke English of course. Even at the Suan Dok side of the complex, many of the nurses speak English. So that is strange what you experienced.

[Oneman]

(duplicate)

Edited February 23, 2010 by Oneman

[Oneman]

I walked away with a 2 page personal print out listing some 26 items

What a thoughtful and helpful post !!

Thank you, Sparkles, for writing about your experience on this topic, with many useful and specific details.

-- Oneman

Chiangmai

.

And thank you, Asmerom, for helping me to add to my "ignore user" list on this forum.

Those wishing to be ignored clearly identify themselves.

[Asmerom]

And thank you, Asmerom, for helping me to add to my "ignore user" list on this forum.

Those wishing to be ignored clearly identify themselves.[/i]

Good Gracious !!

I was starting to believe I'd never make it on to your august "IGNORE LIST". I've been tying desperately for weeks now to achieve this goal and now at last I can relax .Of course you won't be able to reply to this note of appreciation (as I'm to be ignored) unless you just take a quick, illicit peep. I give you leave to do so and I promise I won't complain. But if you do, please take care to wear a face mask, a pair of thick goggles and possibly gloves .........just in case you get infected with some dread disease. You never know with these deliquent scoundrels.

And for the folks; Here speaketh the prudent Oneman, I quote :

"My ignore list is now 410 names (July, 2009).

I didn't do it all at once, just a minute here and there over many months.

That means I will never again be subjected to profane, inane, off-topic, or stupid posts from any of those users.

And that has changed my experience of Thai Visa from a pain, into worthwhile reading."

I can only gloat over the many who may have failed in their vain attempts to join this illustrious list of 410-and-counting happy campers. My advice is to, Be Bolder,more profane,more inane,more off-topic,more stupid. There's simply not enough of these things in evidence. Please try harder, folks. And you too may join the few.Swell our number.

Just one point Oneman don't you think you're being a bit lax in the being-up-to-date department. July 2009 is a long time ago. Surely your count is now way above 410 and I think you'e being very modest in not boasting that this figure could well have doubled by now.

Thanks once again; much appreciated.

[Ulysses G.]

It might be fair to say that Sripat is the least expensive hospital that caters to Westerners, but when I did my sleep test, they requested that I bring a Thai to spend the night and act as interpreter. I refused as I thought that my Thai was up to the task - it was - and I did not want to drag some poor Thai person along. However, I was surprised that they did not have an English speaking staff member for a fairly expensive procedure.

That really surprises me U.G. When my child was born there and subsequently went back there for a several nights when he was sick, I had the chance to chat with quite a few nurses; some quite lovely. I would guess that as much as 75% of the nursing staff spoke fluent English. Some of them had even been on holiday to the USA. Every one of the doctors spoke English of course. Even at the Suan Dok side of the complex, many of the nurses speak English. So that is strange what you experienced.

That is interesting and I do not doubt that it is true, however, the medical technician that handled my sleep test seemed not to understand a word of English and did not bring anyone in (a nurse) to help her out.

She had to ask me a series of questions throughout the night and ask me to do certain things and when I did not understand some questions, we would work it out together by her showing me, rather than using the English word.

They had warned me in advance, so I was not angry, but I was still surprised at how little English that she knew.

[Ulysses G.]

And thank you, Asmerom, for helping me to add to my "ignore user" list on this forum.

Those wishing to be ignored clearly identify themselves.[/i]

Good Gracious !!

I was starting to believe I'd never make it on to your august "IGNORE LIST". I've been tying desperately for weeks now to achieve this goal and now at last I can relax.

I also retain a prominent position on that exalted list - of what very well might be 1,000 names by now - and I like to think that I earned my position honorably.

Welcome aboard brother!

Edited February 23, 2010 by Ulysses G.