High Medical Cost In Pattayas Private Hospitals

[dandare11]

Was quoted $8000 and $ 12000 US for urgent knee surgery and informed the tagged on extras would add up to a third on the price in two of Pattayas private hospitals.Looked and booked a flight to Goa,last week at 13500 baht return,MRI scanned with Siemens Megaton at 60 GBP,( that is some piece of equipment) operated on for $250.

Took the heart stress test before the op,somebody looked it up last week at 12000 baht at one of the Pattaya hospitals ,took same test in Goa for 1600 baht,doctor and nurses in attendance throughout (needed to,stressed anybody out the test) .Was seen within two hours of arriving in Goa too,the doc did not mind examining me in a bar drinking the beverages named below either.

Cancer screening prostate,colon,few others too,plus blood work, thrown in for free, but probably part of the $250 final fee,never asked. Great service,they advertise themselves at being one tenth the cost of medical care compared to Thailands and so it proved by a wider margin

Low cost airline is starting up services to Goa from BKK shortly,so will bring air fares down with a bump,like to see how those greedy Bs in Pattaya hospitals will survive when medical tourism takes effect.

Good for shopping too,Titanium framed glasses ,varifocal lenses at 63 GBP,pharmacy prices about a third of Thailands, superb shaving tackle , brushes and razors shaving lathers,cannot get them in Thailand,used to though,phones etc , good exchange rate there too,opposite of Thailands at the mo. Biggest bargain by far Tuborg lager and Bud at 30 pence a bottle,legless all day,every day,happy days

you will need a visa for entry to India,but they do medical ones cheap,me? I got a five year one(not the medical kind)

Edited October 3, 2011 by dandare11

[Boater]

hang on , i thought thailand was the world ' Hub ' on medical tourism.....

[hotandhumid]

I'm tired of paying these large bills at the so called best hospitals, I have health cover but that is only for in-patient stuff. I've paid bt13,000 recently for pills to sort out my digestive system (build up of acid) thing is I don't trust the govt hospitals...

[hotandhumid]

I did the heart stress test at BPH recently and it was 3.5k so I don't know where youa re getting the 12k from.

[PattayaParent]

Did you get your India visa in Bangkok Dan?Last time I got one it was a hassle, but worth it in the end.

[Darrel]

"Was quoted $8000 and $ 12000 US for urgent knee surgery and informed the tagged on extras would add up to a third on the price in two of Pattayas private hospitals.Looked and booked a flight to Goa,last week at 13500 baht return,MRI scanned with Siemens Megaton at 60 GBP,( that is some piece of equipment) operated on for $250. "

Seems a surprisingly large price difference, and it makes me wonder about what you may or may not be getting.

Would be interesting to know how much a government hospital here would have charged for the same work; everyone knows that the private hospitals here charge an arm and a leg (sorry).

[jmac]

This all sounds worthy of further investigation. Would you provide more details, such as hospital name and recommendations for lodging?

[RabC]

Phrasing this very carefully so as to not sound racist, I have done enough work with both Thai and Indian "Professionals" to know I would not trust an Indian to give me an aspirin. But hey its your life and your wallet, guess will be a lavish wake with all the money you saved.

[barryofthailand]

You all should start using Phayathai hospital in sriracha. Much better health care, and prices.

Barry

[dandare11]

I did the heart stress test at BPH recently and it was 3.5k so I don't know where youa re getting the 12k from.

"Was quoted $8000 and $ 12000 US for urgent knee surgery and informed the tagged on extras would add up to a third on the price in two of Pattayas private hospitals.Looked and booked a flight to Goa,last week at 13500 baht return,MRI scanned with Siemens Megaton at 60 GBP,( that is some piece of equipment) operated on for $250. "

Seems a surprisingly large price difference, and it makes me wonder about what you may or may not be getting.

Would be interesting to know how much a government hospital here would have charged for the same work; everyone knows that the private hospitals here charge an arm and a leg (sorry).

This all sounds worthy of further investigation. Would you provide more details, such as hospital name and recommendations for lodging?

Was not more than two weeks ago individual quoting twelve thousand for stress test.

The cheaper one came in from Sri Ratcha or whatever the name is,the other from Pattaya hospital,suppose they were covering themselves.

The Goan hospital (there are many) but went to Vintage hospital, Panjim , first class hospital,they do cancer surgery ,heart ,you name ,about an hour from the airport,most Brit residents in Goa use that one .Accomodation comes to five pounds a night staying in Candolim,on sea shore ,magnificent beaches and sea,but am paying low season rates.

For information I caught the 4 30 am bus to Ekkami (spelling) 112 baht,asked driver to let me off at airport stop,half the bus got off there anyway,110 baht taxi and was in airport at 6 am for Kingfisher flight at 8 30 changing in Mumbai.

Would scan more details but still in Goa where it is sunny and hot ,not like the cloudy days there,and Tuborg beer is still 30 pence a bottle(was an hour ago),but will be too blind drunk to notice in another hour. Back next week,keep in touch and I will put more details your way

Got visa in UK had 5 year one now for three terms ,but this one will be the last ,up on Oct 2013

The Siemen imaging MRI scanner at the diagnostics centre was breathtaking in its entirety,far more thorough than the Phillips that I believe is used in Pattaya hospitals.

Indian doctors are OK,most are trained in the UK or USA anyway

Edited October 3, 2011 by dandare11

[LennyW]

The OP, from his own admission has long since fled to Spain, so i guess this is a bit of a shit stir??

Maybe he has found out that Spain is not all he hoped and now in a round about way is trying to promote Goa??

No Spanish forums for u then Dandare11, boring!!!

[Ulysses G.]

Fly to Chiang Mai and use a government hospital next time.

[janverbeem]

The OP, from his own admission has long since fled to Spain, so i guess this is a bit of a shit stir??

Maybe he has found out that Spain is not all he hoped and now in a round about way is trying to promote Goa??

No Spanish forums for u then Dandare11, boring!!!

Might even be that the OP knows Thailand,Spain and Goa only from wikipedia.

Edited October 3, 2011 by janverbeem

[Darrel]

Maybe he has found out that Spain is not all he hoped and now in a round about way is trying to promote Goa??

Goa (and a few other parts of India) do sound nice. I would be very tempted to try them as a retirement destination, if India didn't restrict visa duration and home ownership by non-Indians. Cant really see the point of trying to make a long-term home in a country that throws you out regardless after 180 days. Maybe I'll do a long stop-over there one year.

I think that many countries demonstrate a surprising lack of imagination in this respect, unlike Thailand which makes it very simple for decrepit farangs like me.

[jmac]

You all should start using Phayathai hospital in sriracha. Much better health care, and prices.

Barry

I used to use Phayathai but since they were bought out by a big chain, they seem to have adopted the BPH business model. If they have given this up I would be interested in knowing.

You are right, the care was good.

[dandare11]

The OP, from his own admission has long since fled to Spain, so i guess this is a bit of a shit stir??

Maybe he has found out that Spain is not all he hoped and now in a round about way is trying to promote Goa??

No Spanish forums for u then Dandare11, boring!!!

Long since fled Spain?,never lived there or had a house there! Now Now Lenny,you still stuck with your properties on the dark side? getting even darker now,never mind eh!.

Yes lived and owned property in Goa years ago,but always knew it was best alternative for medical care,probably the best in the world on quality and pricing. Just want the low cost airline to commence operations and Ill be over there 2 or 3 times a year at least

One thing about Goa is it is damned cheap,made to measure best cotton shirts under a fiver well made,better than the stuff they throw at you in Patts.

I'll bring you a Nokia phone Lenny half price here,if we meet up Ill give it to you,but on the other hand I might not.

[gamini]

What is wrong with Thai government hospitals? They are a fraction of the price of private hospitals, many are well equipped. I used to see 3 different specialists at Bumrunggrad. They all also work at government hospitals and I now see them at these and get charged about 10% of what I get charged at private hospitals. Some are better than private hospitals. One in particular is Mahiaraj in Chiangmai. .

[JSixpack]

Phayathai . . . seem to have adopted the BPH business model.

What are you saying exactly? Examples?

[Naam]

I did the heart stress test at BPH recently and it was 3.5k so I don't know where youa re getting the 12k from.

i do the stress test twice a year in BPH and have never paid more for that single procedure than 2,600 Baht.

[joedee]

These posts interest me a lot as I have spent the last 8 years living 6 to 8 months <BR>per year in Goa. I own property there and operate a business..<BR>Am currently in Pattaya but will be returning in the next week or 2 with my family...<BR>The costs in Goa are substantially less then Pattaya for most things.<BR>However, the standard can be much lower,>> as is pointed out by the OP saying that <BR>a Doctor was prepared to examine him in a bar....(would you trust that Doctor, maybe get him a drink first eh!)<BR>If you are going to visit Goa for medical tourism I would advise you to be very thorough in <BR>your choice of facility and the Doctors you use. There is NO comeback if they F#*k IT UP....<BR>There are full medical facilites in Goa for everything. I know about them. I have 2 children born <BR>in Goa, know many people who have had works done, had MRI scans, much dental work, <BR>friends in traffic accidents, appendicitus(??) and a friends father had a stroke.. All things taken care of very well.<BR>But I have heard of many mistakes also....(as per every country I guess)..<BR><BR>Goa is a wonderful place if you like beach life, booze and Indian food...and it's a very very <BR>friendly place. BUT, it is very under developed by comparison to Pattaya...If your a luxury lover <BR>then don't even think about it.<BR>The accomodation prices are much much higher than Pattaya if you want a bit of luxury.<BR>If someone paid a fiver a night for staying in Candolim in Goa then it must have been a <BR>real dump and very basic....(ok for your dog,>> but not mine!)<BR>Yes Tubourg beer can be 30p a bottle along with Bud but you have <BR>to get it from the supermarket(not so super by the way). As for the claims of handmade shirts for a fiver <BR>much better than in Pattaya and titanium glasses at 63 quid...I can tell you straight,,YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR!!.<BR>I know, I've bought it....<BR>That said, I love Goa because life is on the beaches, restaurants, bars, shops, nightlife...and a great relaxed atmosphere<BR><BR>If any body would like some GENUINE and ACCURATE info I will be happy to help....Don't believe all you might see on a Snappy website!!!<BR>But most of all PLEASE NOTE that in GOA you will not get the quality of surroundings you can get <BR>in the Bangkok Pattaya Hospital>>>>>(by a long way)and also the prices of course!!!!..)<BR>Plus I would like to point out that there are no direct flights to Goa from BKK at this time of posting(I wish)

[dandare11]

These posts interest me a lot as I have spent the last 8 years living 6 to 8 months <BR>per year in Goa. I own property there and operate a business..<BR>Am currently in Pattaya but will be returning in the next week or 2 with my family...<BR>The costs in Goa are substantially less then Pattaya for most things.<BR>However, the standard can be much lower,>> as is pointed out by the OP saying that <BR>a Doctor was prepared to examine him in a bar....(would you trust that Doctor, maybe get him a drink first eh!)<BR>If you are going to visit Goa for medical tourism I would advise you to be very thorough in <BR>your choice of facility and the Doctors you use. There is NO comeback if they F#*k IT UP....<BR>There are full medical facilites in Goa for everything. I know about them. I have 2 children born <BR>in Goa, know many people who have had works done, had MRI scans, much dental work, <BR>friends in traffic accidents, appendicitus(??) and a friends father had a stroke.. All things taken care of very well.<BR>But I have heard of many mistakes also....(as per every country I guess)..<BR><BR>Goa is a wonderful place if you like beach life, booze and Indian food...and it's a very very <BR>friendly place. BUT, it is very under developed by comparison to Pattaya...If your a luxury lover <BR>then don't even think about it.<BR>The accomodation prices are much much higher than Pattaya if you want a bit of luxury.<BR>If someone paid a fiver a night for staying in Candolim in Goa then it must have been a <BR>real dump and very basic....(ok for your dog,>> but not mine!)<BR>Yes Tubourg beer can be 30p a bottle along with Bud but you have <BR>to get it from the supermarket(not so super by the way). As for the claims of handmade shirts for a fiver <BR>much better than in Pattaya and titanium glasses at 63 quid...I can tell you straight,,YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR!!.<BR>I know, I've bought it....<BR>That said, I love Goa because life is on the beaches, restaurants, bars, shops, nightlife...and a great relaxed atmosphere<BR><BR>If any body would like some GENUINE and ACCURATE info I will be happy to help....Don't believe all you might see on a Snappy website!!!<BR>But most of all PLEASE NOTE that in GOA you will not get the quality of surroundings you can get <BR>in the Bangkok Pattaya Hospital>>>>>(by a long way)and also the prices of course!!!!..)<BR>Plus I would like to point out that there are no direct flights to Goa from BKK at this time of posting(I wish)

I know not which part you frequent fiver a night Sea Shell Inn, Antonio guest Candolim, look it up on the web,suggest you visit and tell them its a dump,,but as I said low season,next month up three fold no doubt,No supermarket prices for Bud or Tuborg ,bar prices, Dangui Optitions yes 63 quid world class, quality shirts under a fiver actually four pounds 60 p Lived there for 10 years ,sold house for 4x what I paid for it,escaped with it all in black plastic bag,tax man sought me initially for profits on share dealing on Bombay stock exchange,gees those were the days,but then caught on about capital gains tax on house ,never came back for two years

Not making mistake of buying again in foreign land especially with visa requirement, still I came out it well,bit too well sometimes ,got to pass through immigration on way out,they may nab me there

[Rimmer]

Lets not get into discussing parts of India please, this can be done by PM and off the board.

[timekeeper]

These posts interest me a lot as I have spent the last 8 years living 6 to 8 months <BR>per year in Goa. I own property there and operate a business..<BR>Am currently in Pattaya but will be returning in the next week or 2 with my family...<BR>The costs in Goa are substantially less then Pattaya for most things.<BR>However, the standard can be much lower,>> as is pointed out by the OP saying that <BR>a Doctor was prepared to examine him in a bar....(would you trust that Doctor, maybe get him a drink first eh!)<BR>If you are going to visit Goa for medical tourism I would advise you to be very thorough in <BR>your choice of facility and the Doctors you use. There is NO comeback if they F#*k IT UP....<BR>There are full medical facilites in Goa for everything. I know about them. I have 2 children born <BR>in Goa, know many people who have had works done, had MRI scans, much dental work, <BR>friends in traffic accidents, appendicitus(??) and a friends father had a stroke.. All things taken care of very well.<BR>But I have heard of many mistakes also....(as per every country I guess)..<BR><BR>Goa is a wonderful place if you like beach life, booze and Indian food...and it's a very very <BR>friendly place. BUT, it is very under developed by comparison to Pattaya...If your a luxury lover <BR>then don't even think about it.<BR>The accomodation prices are much much higher than Pattaya if you want a bit of luxury.<BR>If someone paid a fiver a night for staying in Candolim in Goa then it must have been a <BR>real dump and very basic....(ok for your dog,>> but not mine!)<BR>Yes Tubourg beer can be 30p a bottle along with Bud but you have <BR>to get it from the supermarket(not so super by the way). As for the claims of handmade shirts for a fiver <BR>much better than in Pattaya and titanium glasses at 63 quid...I can tell you straight,,YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR!!.<BR>I know, I've bought it....<BR>That said, I love Goa because life is on the beaches, restaurants, bars, shops, nightlife...and a great relaxed atmosphere<BR><BR>If any body would like some GENUINE and ACCURATE info I will be happy to help....Don't believe all you might see on a Snappy website!!!<BR>But most of all PLEASE NOTE that in GOA you will not get the quality of surroundings you can get <BR>in the Bangkok Pattaya Hospital>>>>>(by a long way)and also the prices of course!!!!..)<BR>Plus I would like to point out that there are no direct flights to Goa from BKK at this time of posting(I wish)

I know not which part you frequent fiver a night Sea Shell Inn, Antonio guest Candolim, look it up on the web,suggest you visit and tell them its a dump,,but as I said low season,next month up three fold no doubt,No supermarket prices for Bud or Tuborg ,bar prices, Dangui Optitions yes 63 quid world class, quality shirts under a fiver actually four pounds 60 p Lived there for 10 years ,sold house for 4x what I paid for it,escaped with it all in black plastic bag,tax man sought me initially for profits on share dealing on Bombay stock exchange,gees those were the days,but then caught on about capital gains tax on house ,never came back for two years

Not making mistake of buying again in foreign land especially with visa requirement, still I came out it well,bit too well sometimes ,got to pass through immigration on way out,they may nab me there

an interesting post Dandare, the Sea Shell Inn is currently closed for renovation but the Casa Sea Shell (same company) is quoting 2000 INR per night (£26.50GBP) for non aircon room and 2500INR for an aircon room (£32.00GBP) based on a five night stay for x2 people now

Antonios is 1000INR (£13) non aircon 1300NR with aircon (£17.25) based on a five night stay for x2 people now

if you can get either one discounted down to £5 i will be very interested how?

[maprao]

Phrasing this very carefully so as to not sound racist, I have done enough work with both Thai and Indian "Professionals" to know I would not trust an Indian to give me an aspirin. But hey its your life and your wallet, guess will be a lavish wake with all the money you saved.

+1

[Tokay]

You all should start using Phayathai hospital in sriracha. Much better health care, and prices.

Barry

After giving up on Pattaya's "top hospitals" due to price gouging and often incompetent and greedy doctors, I started going to Phayathai Hospital (was recommended here) and am thankful that I did. As you said, it is much better health care at much lower prices. I actually feel like I'm in good hands there, which is rare for Thailand.

[Tokay]

I used to use Phayathai but since they were bought out by a big chain, they seem to have adopted the BPH business model. If they have given this up I would be interested in knowing.

You are right, the care was good.

Please, do elaborate on this. I have not been there in a few months, have they changed?

[phomsanuk]

What is wrong with Thai government hospitals? They are a fraction of the price of private hospitals, many are well equipped. I used to see 3 different specialists at Bumrunggrad. They all also work at government hospitals and I now see them at these and get charged about 10% of what I get charged at private hospitals. Some are better than private hospitals. One in particular is Mahiaraj in Chiangmai. .

A Thai friend had her kidney stone removed at a gov. hospital in Roi Et left her with a Frankenstien scar

[Rimmer]

One post discussing accommodation and washing shirts in India has been removed, please see my public warning about getting into discussing India. Further posts about India will be removed and the poster will be warned.

[naidraw66]

I was suffering for some time with a back condition, herniated disk, which required back surgery. To cut a long story short Bangkok hospital Pattaya wanted 200,000 Baht + for the procedure. Bangkok hospital Bangkok wanted 185,000 + for the procedure. A friend of a friend suggested that I try a THAI hospital at least if only for comparison. The hospital is called Prassat Neurological institute located near victory monument in Bangkok. Being a THAI hospital you have to wait your turn, but that for me is no big deal. I had three consultations with the spine surgeon, 300 baht each, the service which I got was far better than the ex-pat hospitals. I decided that I would get my surgery at this hospital and I had to wait two months before I could get a bed. On arrival last week I was placed in a private room, ok it may not be as modern a room as you get at the big ex pat hospitals but it was clean and functional with a large screen TV. I had the procedure and was in hospital for 5 days until they allowed me to travel back to Jomtien. I have follow up appointments monthly for three months. And now bearing in mind that both quotes from Bangkok hospital were for a three day stay, and I stayed 5 days at Prassat the all-inclusive bill came to a 31,755 Baht.

It just makes no sense when you compare the quotes from Bangkok hospital for exactly the same procedure.

I will now always use Thai hospitals if needs be, there can be no justification in the price charged by these hospitals!

IW

[Rimmer]

Off topic post removed and the poster suspended, you have been warned