Colonoscopy. Are We Allowed To Make It In A Public Hospital?

[geovalin]

January 2011, it's time to begin a new topic about colonoscopy.

I understand that in the beautiful private hospital, price is between 20 and 30,000 THB.

I have only "in patient" insurance so I have to pay myself as colonoscopy is OPD.

I trust the public hospitals even if the conditions are kinda rough BUT

What is the price in such establishment?

Are we allowed to go there (I have a one year visa)?

Any experience?

Thank you

[sanuk21]

Hi

In the west this procedure is done as a private outpatient with a gastroenterologist specialist and anesthetist specialist.

The anesthetist's only job is to monitor your "comfort" and keep you "under" while the gastroenterologist performs the procedure removing polyps and taking biopsies etc.

In the west as a public outpatient I think the gastroenterologist alone performs everything....so more there is more chance of you waking up......

The colonscope is a reuseable item and requires sterilization between patients. Sterilization can be difficult ..... I would looking for a hospital with the highest quality control in this area.

Sanuk

[phaethon]

"Colonoscopy. Are We Allowed To Make It In A Public Hospital?"

Not unless you are medically qualified and have a work permit.

[peanut]

I would suggest checking with the insurance company first. Some procedures are included in the IPD insurance even though they are performed out patient.

[geovalin]

"Colonoscopy. Are We Allowed To Make It In A Public Hospital?"

Not unless you are medically qualified and have a work permit.

Maybe there is a misunderstanding.

"Make" was not the correct word, sorry, I meant "undergo". I'm not a doctor who wants to practice an operation.

Or maybe you mean that to be patient in a public hospital we need a work permit?

[geovalin]

I would suggest checking with the insurance company first. Some procedures are included in the IPD insurance even though they are performed out patient.

You are correct. It's what I was told yesterday at the Paolo hospital. They was supposed to check (they copied my license permit and insurance card)and to call me back... No news, yet.

[Sheryl]

Certainly you are allowed to use the services of a government hospital, and I would not worry about the quality of the care provided it is a large tertiary facility in Bangkok.

I am less sure how easily you can get a colonoscopy done on demand at one, though. Might have to run a gauntlet of interns/GPs first to establish the need exists. But no harm in trying. Be sure to bring a Thai speaker with you though as navigating the outpatient services at these places can be daunting. Lost of red tape and all signs, forms etc are in Thai.

Military hospitals are another low cost option.

Lastly the non-profits, while costing more than government hospitals, cost substantially less than the private for profit hospitals. About 15,000 all inclusive at Saint Louis if you opt for the cheapest room (a ward room - you're there just for the prep and then until the sedataion wears off.)

[diabeticsurvivor]

Try this Bangkok Health Clinic at BKK Mediplex Bldg, 2nd fl. on Ekamai (close by the bus terminal) http://digestivebangkok.com/

My dad had colonoscopy for 12500 THB in early Jan. They do have a combo package for both endo and colonscopy for 15000 THB.

Associate Professor Rungsun Rerknimitr, he is a pro and holds American board certification.

Tel: 02-712-0335 through 7

[Thanyaburi Mac]

b 16,091 at Vibhavadi Hospital, a private one, in 2007.

Mac

[Robby nz]

I have had a couple at the army hospital in BKK but only as a part of overall treatment.

I have my doubts that they will do one as a elective procedure as they see a huge number of patients every day and therefore concentrate in treating those who have something wrong.

[Bagwan]

I have a friend whose family have a history of bowel cancer and so undergoes an annual check up. After canvassing the private hospitals in Pattaya who talked in telephone numbers he took himself down to the Queen Sirikit who performed a colonoscopy for a fraction of the price. He did say that he was given low priority and had to wait until all the Thai patients had been attended to.