Cost Of Medical Treatment

[Dradam]

I just read a story about how foreigners pay anywhere from 2 to 5 times as much for medical care as native Thais. At first, I was shocked thinking this was incredibly unfair. Then I realized that foreigners have much higher standards of medical care that is accepted. Thailand has an enormous range in the cost of procedures.

Let me ask the following question. If you decided (or needed) to have these preocedures, how much would you pay for them (these prices are all available in Thailand):

1) Breast augmentation (20000 Baht, 60000 Baht, 100000 Baht)

2) Dental Exam (200 Baht, 500 Baht, 1500 Baht)

3) Cataract Surgery (30000 Baht, 60000 Baht, 120000 Baht)

4) LASIK Surgery (30000 Baht, 55000 Baht, 80000 Baht)

I personally would pay the highest price available. Some people might argue that the highest price might not be the highest quality. I strongly believe there is a highly linear relationship between quality and cost. I have rarely found this to be untrue.

[Braccobaldo]

..maybe the best is in the middle...

[lopburi3]

Your read a story?

And how did it explain the price difference?

AFAIK the price charged by different facilities is the same for everyone unless you participate in a special plan. That foreigners pay more would be because they (and many Thai that can afford it) line up at the higher priced hospitals for treatment. Do they get better treatment? Probably most of the time they do because doctors will not be as rushed for time and can afford more tests. Is it worth it? Hopefully.

[WhiteShiva]

I just read a story about how foreigners pay anywhere from 2 to 5 times as much for medical care as native Thais.  At first, I was shocked thinking this was incredibly unfair.  Then I realized that foreigners have much higher standards of medical care that is accepted.  Thailand has an enormous range in the cost of procedures. 

Let me ask the following question.  If you decided (or needed) to have these preocedures, how much would you pay for them (these prices are all available in Thailand):

1) Breast augmentation (20000 Baht, 60000 Baht, 100000 Baht)

2) Dental Exam (200 Baht, 500 Baht, 1500 Baht)

3) Cataract Surgery (30000 Baht, 60000 Baht, 120000 Baht)

4) LASIK Surgery (30000 Baht, 55000 Baht, 80000 Baht)

I personally would pay the highest price available.  Some people might argue that the highest price might not be the highest quality.  I strongly believe there is a highly linear relationship between quality and cost.  I have rarely found this to be untrue.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Not sure what cataract surgery is, but if I was doing LASIK, I would not be a Cheap Charlie - sc@w that one up, and you will be regretting it....

[ProThaiExpat]

There are so many hospitals trying for the falang's business that prices are more or less competitive and you can even see many posted on websites.

For major surgery, investigate the surgeons background and interview him, choosing the one with the best qualifications possible and the one you feel most comfortable with. Finding a Thai doctor with bedside manner is a rarity in my experience.

I am impressed on all fronts with Yanee hospital and their prices are posted on their web page.

[Dradam]

..maybe the best is in the middle...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That is an interesting choice. Can I ask what the rationale behind it is?

The story is actually a best-selling book. It explained the difference as a deliberate act by Thai hospitals to set a double-set of pricing. One for foreigners and one for Thais.

I am aware of many hospitals who do this. Some have one price for tourists and one for locals expats as well.

I frequently see the following decisions by people seeking medical care:

1) Choose the Highest price - assume that generally the highest priced is due to the most experienced surgeons, greatest demand for that surgeon, greatest demand for that service, new technology, etc. If it wasn't, supply and demand would force a similar price among all providers.

2) Choose the Medium price - assume that the highest priced service is overpriced, the lowest priced is unsafe, the middle would therefore be both safe and yet save a little.

3) Choose the Lowest price - assume that all similar treatments are virtually identical. Increased price offers no additional increased value. Or else the service is safe by itself and therefore no need to spend extra.

I actually feel that the true decision should be completely independent of price.

[Dragonman]

..maybe the best is in the middle...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That is an interesting choice. Can I ask what the rationale behind it is?

The story is actually a best-selling book. It explained the difference as a deliberate act by Thai hospitals to set a double-set of pricing. One for foreigners and one for Thais.

I am aware of many hospitals who do this. Some have one price for tourists and one for locals expats as well.

I frequently see the following decisions by people seeking medical care:

1) Choose the Highest price - assume that generally the highest priced is due to the most experienced surgeons, greatest demand for that surgeon, greatest demand for that service, new technology, etc. If it wasn't, supply and demand would force a similar price among all providers.

2) Choose the Medium price - assume that the highest priced service is overpriced, the lowest priced is unsafe, the middle would therefore be both safe and yet save a little.

3) Choose the Lowest price - assume that all similar treatments are virtually identical. Increased price offers no additional increased value. Or else the service is safe by itself and therefore no need to spend extra.

I actually feel that the true decision should be completely independent of price.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

This is why "snob value" is excluded from the laws of supply and demand, and why people buy expensive designer goods made in the same factory as those sold in the local market.

[think_too_mut]

This is why "snob value" is excluded from the laws of supply and demand, and why people buy expensive designer goods made in the same factory as those sold in the local market.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

In the year of 1996 there were 165 000 expats in Thailand (with working visas), add their families to the figure. Westerners, Japanese, Koreans, Chinese...

Their "mission" there entitled them to the full access to the best health care Thai can provide.

Thais had heard the call - their response was - get world class licenses and well manage Bumrungrad, Samitivej and xxx (Pattaya, Sattahip, Chonbury, Chantabury) Bangkok Hospitals.

My doctor from the Samitivej told me - "no skilled people have stayed at 12K baht in the state hospitals. We have all moved on. The world's best equipment (Sattahip Naval Hospital) are idling, nobody knows how to operate it."

[bakachan]

i looked at some of the prices and services offered at yanhee hospital and it appears

they are primarily a vanity clinic offering plastic surgery, sex change and hair transplants.

http://www.yanhee.net/Others/Aboutus.html

"We wish everyone to possess a healthy, youthful body and good-looking

personality, which are the fundamentals to a happy life."

i've just got to have the "good-looking personality" transplant!

Prices are definately cheaper than the west. especially on the facelifts.

i have a friend that paid 10,000 us and they charge 2,000.

they even have a message board. i wonder if the dissatisfied patients posts

get deleted?

money $$ does attract the best and brightest but i also take into consideration

where the doctor went to medical school. i wonder if its considered impolite to ask

him where he/she was trained and where he spent his residency.

Edited August 19, 2005 by bakachan

[Dradam]

i looked at some of the prices and services offered at yanhee hospital and it appears

they are primarily a vanity clinic offering plastic surgery, sex change and hair transplants.

http://www.yanhee.net/Others/Aboutus.html

"We wish everyone to possess a healthy, youthful body and good-looking

personality, which are the fundamentals to a happy life."

i've just got to have the "good-looking personality" transplant!

Prices are definately cheaper than the west. especially on the facelifts.

i have a friend that paid 10,000 us and they charge 2,000.

they even have a message board. i wonder if the dissatisfied patients posts

get deleted?

money $$ does attract the best and brightest but i also take into consideration

where the doctor went to medical school.  i wonder if its considered impolite to ask

him where he/she was trained and where he spent his residency.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

All the doctors that I have spoken to see Yanhee as a supply of cheap plastic surgery with questionable quality. The Thai movie stars do not go there for plastic surgery, they go to more reputable Thai or even overseas clinics.

I have seen alot of bad plastic surgery though among US Hollywood actresses who pay very high doctors fees for the "best" overseas doctors. The plastic surgery among elite Thais by Thai doctors is actually quite good. On the other hand, I have seen some horrible plastic surgery in Thailand (and Europe and USA) and the doctors don't even realize how bad the job was.

LASIK is another area where the doctor is the most important factor. Technology is important as well but picking the wrong doctor is worse than picking the wrong technology. In other words, variation in results between doctors is more significant than the variation in the same doctor with different lasers.

The same can be said of plastic surgery. An excellent doctor is aided by technology but lack of skill can not be replaced by better technology.

It is certainly not impolite to ask a doctor for credentials. (medical school, residencies, experience) Even more important is to find out actual results. Some of the best doctors in America did not graduate from Ivy league schools. Talking to people who had the surgery or getting referrals from other doctors is certainly a better choice. Many embassies have a doctor that you can ask for a referral.

[LoveDaBlues]

i looked at some of the prices and services offered at yanhee hospital and it appears

they are primarily a vanity clinic offering plastic surgery, sex change and hair transplants.

http://www.yanhee.net/Others/Aboutus.html

"We wish everyone to possess a healthy, youthful body and good-looking

personality, which are the fundamentals to a happy life."

i've just got to have the "good-looking personality" transplant!

Prices are definately cheaper than the west. especially on the facelifts.

i have a friend that paid 10,000 us and they charge 2,000.

they even have a message board. i wonder if the dissatisfied patients posts

get deleted?

money $$ does attract the best and brightest but i also take into consideration

where the doctor went to medical school.  i wonder if its considered impolite to ask

him where he/she was trained and where he spent his residency.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

All the doctors that I have spoken to see Yanhee as a supply of cheap plastic surgery with questionable quality. The Thai movie stars do not go there for plastic surgery, they go to more reputable Thai or even overseas clinics.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

What are the more reputable Thai clinics (over Yanhee)?

[Dradam]

What are the more reputable Thai clinics (over Yanhee)?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I would list the following as the top clinics:

Preecha Aesthetic Institute

Bangkok Dermatology Center

TRSC International LASIK Center

These are the top hospitals:

Bumrungrad

BNH

Bangkok

At hospitals and clinics, there can be both excellent doctors and less than proficient doctors. Do not accept the name of the hospital as guaranteeing the best quality. There are as many bad doctors at Bumrungrad as there are good ones. Do as much research as possible and meet with more than one doctor if possible.

[LoveDaBlues]

What are the more reputable Thai clinics (over Yanhee)?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I would list the following as the top clinics:

Preecha Aesthetic Institute

Bangkok Dermatology Center

TRSC International LASIK Center

These are the top hospitals:

Bumrungrad

BNH

Bangkok

At hospitals and clinics, there can be both excellent doctors and less than proficient doctors. Do not accept the name of the hospital as guaranteeing the best quality. There are as many bad doctors at Bumrungrad as there are good ones. Do as much research as possible and meet with more than one doctor if possible.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

thanks!