Medical Check-Up

[Lucifer]

Haven't read past the first few pages, but, where is the best place to have a complete medical check up in Bangkok?

Ta.

[Sheryl]

Different people have different opinions on that.

Personally -- and I've tried quite a few places -- they all do the tests efficiently. None of them do a proper job of advising you as to what tests to get, so you have to do your homework first. Do not assume that just because a "package" is listed as being for someone of your age and sex it has what you need. And do not feel constrained by the packages on offer, you can "add on" other tests. In fact one often does better at less cost to choose a low end package and selectively add on to it than to go with a high end package, which may still fail to provide something you really need while simultaneously including things you really don't.

Where I do find meaningful difference is in the quality and thoroughness of the physician review of results. The only place which has met my standards in that regard is Samitivej. Other places have ranged from very poor to absolutely horrific, usually in the direction of overlooking significant findings (which, of course completely defeats the purpose), but sometimes also in the direction of raising unnecessary alarm.

Wherever you go, be sure to look over all the test results yourself and insist on a discussion/explanation of any that are outside normal range, the normal values are usually shown to one side and abnormal results highlighted.

If you go to Samitivej, which I do recommend, ask for either Dr Anchana or Dr Phuchai, both are extremely thorough

[Lucifer]

Thank you Sheryl.

I have one more question, that is, can I remain anonymous? The reason is that I don't want any Insurance companies in the west, knowing my results, as this might jeopardise future

insurance policies.

[Sheryl]

Most hospitals wil request a copy of your passport so this would make using a different name difficult. You can try saying you don't have it with you and see, I don't know how that would go over.

Hospitals cannot legally release information without your consent. I would still worry about results being shared with a Thai based insurance company given the way things work here (and you'd probably have to sign something that gives them authority to get your records anyhow in the course of getting a policy) but I think the risk of information somehow getting to a Western based company is much less unless you subsequently filed a claim under that policy for care received at that same hospital. Not zero, but less.

Depending on what your concerns are it might be possible for you to get those tests done elsewhere, e.g. HIV test can be doen anonymously at the Thai Red Cross.