Expats Views And Experiences Using Local Government Hospitals

[Sheryl]

Then how come one foreigner that i know had 70,000BHT hospital expences waived because he has got a Ywllow Tambien Ban and its not the first time. The only thing he had to pay for was his private room.

Error on the hospital's part. There have been reports here and there of hospitals (usually in the provinces) not knowing any better and thinking expats qualify. Doesn't usually happen, just in a few places -- and if these for any reason need to refer the patient up to a higher level of care it will get caught out at that point.

A tabien baan is just proof of where you live. It does not confer citizenship or any of the privileges thereof.

[cooked]

Production of an ID card to qualify for health care is gradually being phased in, the Tabien Ban is on it's way out. And I believe that even if a Farang does get an ID card here for some reason, he still won't qualify for free treatment.

[flap48]

Then how come one foreigner that i know had 70,000BHT hospital expences waived because he has got a Ywllow Tambien Ban and its not the first time. The only thing he had to pay for was his private room.

Error on the hospital's part. There have been reports here and there of hospitals (usually in the provinces) not knowing any better and thinking expats qualify. Doesn't usually happen, just in a few places -- and if these for any reason need to refer the patient up to a higher level of care it will get caught out at that point.

A tabien baan is just proof of where you live. It does not confer citizenship or any of the privileges thereof.

Then when this guy has to go back to hospital again, he could get hit with a double whammy if the system has identified the mistake.

[rotary]

I knew a Falang who had a quad heart bypass in a Thai Govt hospital for less than $6000. He lived so they must be ok.

[harrry]

It is worth establishing a realationship with your hospital. I take medicine which costs 5000 a month at a pharnacy, When I used the hospital to get this medicine I paid the same. I started seing the liung specialist and now it costs me 50 baht to see her and get great care and only 7000 baht tor three months for medicine. It seems they have two rates and are willing to pass the discount on for registered patients

Edited July 17, 2012 by harrry

[Sheryl]

Most private hospitals also have membership card programs that provide a discount on medications.

However, even with that, it is usually less expensive to buy medications at an outside pharmacy in the case of private hospitals given the hospital mark-up. Not the case at government Hospitals AFAIK. .

[harrry]

Most private hospitals also have membership card programs that provide a discount on medications.

However, even with that, it is usually less expensive to buy medications at an outside pharmacy in the case of private hospitals given the hospital mark-up. Not the case at government Hospitals AFAIK. .

In this case I am refering to a Government Hospital.

[cockerdoodledo]

I have a medical insurance with a Thai Company and when the policy matures when I am 70 years of age, the insurance is terminated and I receive one millions baht on maturity. I intend to deposit this in a savings account and leave it there until needed for medical requirements, and hopefully when it is time to go to the "pub in the sky", it will be a relatively quick and cheap departure - economy class so to say!

A swine when medical insurance stops,but there are options,medical tourism. India is a hub for medical matters,lots go there from USA ,Canada, Europe too to get around lengthy hospital waits. Only 2 and a bit hours away.

[JSixpack]

I have a medical insurance with a Thai Company and when the policy matures when I am 70 years of age, the insurance is terminated and I receive one millions baht on maturity. I intend to deposit this in a savings account and leave it there until needed for medical requirements, and hopefully when it is time to go to the "pub in the sky", it will be a relatively quick and cheap departure - economy class so to say!

A swine when medical insurance stops,but there are options,medical tourism. India is a hub for medical matters,lots go there from USA ,Canada, Europe too to get around lengthy hospital waits. Only 2 and a bit hours away.

Or, since Thailand is a hub for medical matters, you could just go to a Thai hospital. Lots go there from USA ,Canada, Europe, and the Middle East too to get around lengthy hospital waits. Only 30 min or less away.

[cockerdoodledo]

I have a medical insurance with a Thai Company and when the policy matures when I am 70 years of age, the insurance is terminated and I receive one millions baht on maturity. I intend to deposit this in a savings account and leave it there until needed for medical requirements, and hopefully when it is time to go to the "pub in the sky", it will be a relatively quick and cheap departure - economy class so to say!

A swine when medical insurance stops,but there are options,medical tourism. India is a hub for medical matters,lots go there from USA ,Canada, Europe too to get around lengthy hospital waits. Only 2 and a bit hours away.

Or, since Thailand is a hub for medical matters, you could just go to a Thai hospital. Lots go there from USA ,Canada, Europe, and the Middle East too to get around lengthy hospital waits. Only 30 min or less away.

From a cost point of view I would give Thailand a wide berth,probably 30% or possibly 90% +cheaper (my case)