Bangkok Pattaya Hospital

[luudee]

I know there are many threads about this hospital ... mostly negative

experiences ...

After long long time, I just got back from my second visit in two weeks.

Two weeks ago I took my girlfriend to see a doctor, she was very satisfied,

and the cost for the visit, including a bag of meds (I think 6 different types

for about two weeks), was 1,500 Baht - seemed quite reasonable to me.

Yesterday, I had some issues of my own and went to see a doctor there.

Before getting to see the doctor, a nurse took me to take my vitals (blood

pressure, wight, body temperature). To my surprise, before doing anything,

she told me that I will be charged for this service, and can decline. I agreed

for it to be performed.

The doctor told me that he wanted to do a blood test, because he was not

sure about the cause for ill being. He asked if I objected, I did not. A nurse

took me to draw blood, and to my surprise, again, explained to me that there

will be roughly a 1,400 baht charge (which ended up to be 950 baht on the

final invoice) for the blood test, and I would have to wait 30 minutes for the

results.

After the blood test came back, I saw the doctor again, and he suggested

to do an ultrasound. He explained to me why, and it did make sense to me

and I agreed.

Before taking me to do the ultrasound, a nurse again explained to me that

I will be charged for that and that the charge will be 3,400 baht (ended up

to be 2500 baht in the final invoice).

To make the long story short, I think the hospital has listened to all complains

about potential overcharging, and is very forthcoming about any expenses

a patients will occur. I found it very refreshing how open they where about

the charges, and quoting the upper limits ...

My final bill was 5,400 baht, which included seeing the doctor 3 times that

one day, and a bag of 4 different meds (two weeks supply).

I thought that was very reasonable. This might still be the most expensive

hospital in Pattaya, but when it comes to medical care, I will not compromise.

This was a minor ailment I and would have typically went to see Dr. Oliver

for it. But he's on a family emergency back home, so BPH was my second

choice.

Good job BPH !

PS: The blood test included a Urine test as well. The results where available

in less than 30 minutes for 930 baht ! That's cheap ! I do a comprehensive

blood test every 6 months at a small blood lab in south pattaya, and that runs

me usually 2000++ baht and takes 3-5 days for the results to come back.

But that includes 2 dozen ++ items ...

Edited February 27, 2013 by luudee

[Psych01]

Makes a nice change to hear of a very positive story. Yes, maybe they have listened or heard of the overcharging and have now looked at it.

Edited February 27, 2013 by Psych01

[Woody1]

Glad to hear you had an enjoyable (as it can be in hospital!!!) experience at BPH.

I always use them for check-ups, dental work, etc, and have no personal complaints.

Also, for an in-patient, I can't think of any hospital that is as comfortable to stay / visit as BPH. You get what you pay for I suppose.

[luudee]

Glad to hear you had an enjoyable (as it can be in hospital!!!) experience at BPH.

I always use them for check-ups, dental work, etc, and have no personal complaints.

Also, for an in-patient, I can't think of any hospital that is as comfortable to stay / visit as BPH. You get what you pay for I suppose.

Both of my kids where delivered there as well (10 & 8 yo now). My wife and I

where very pleased with the stay and care there, and still bring the kids there

for check-ups and any illness.

For dental work, I have been very happy with Kuhn Warin, on pattaya klang.

My kids love him as well, very nice and caring guy, excellent dental work.

My g/f got some implants last year also very happy ... (I am divorced from my

kids mother now ... tit ;-) ...

luudee

[Woody1]

I take it you mean breast implants, and not the dental type, lol??? If so, could I enquire what type, doctors name, size enlargement, duration of stay in BPH, cost, etc??

Who's happy, you or your girlfriend??

[luudee]

I take it you mean breast implants, and not the dental type, lol??? If so, could I enquire what type, doctors name, size enlargement, duration of stay in BPH, cost, etc??

Who's happy, you or your girlfriend??

That's funny ! :-)

I did mean Dental Implants .... sorry not being clearer ....

That was at Kuhn Warins office, not BPH ...

Cheers,

luudee

[DiNiro]

Some time ago, I mentioned to a Sr. doctor there, that the internet buzz was, they try to run up the bills with unnecessary tests and medicines.

Maybe it got back to the board of directors?

[fakename]

Ive had good and bad experiences at BPH, so it just depends on the day and the doctor.

[Guderian]

I've had mixed experiences in BHP too. A few of the doctors I've seen (and still see) are great, they really know their stuff, but while one charges a very reasonable rate for a consultation (always less than 1000 Baht including a blood test for uric acid), another charges almost 3 times as much for a shorter consultation and no tests.

[Sandman77]

Was there for a knee operation 2 year ago everything okay stuff and doctors very friendly and helpfully !

Only the food quality was terrible!

[patsfangr]

I've exclusively used BHP for my medical examinations and treatments during the 7 years that I've lived here. I've had 2 surgical procedures, and several visits for related and other issues. I've found the doctors to be very professional, and the nurses and general administration to be equally proficient. Costs are definitely a bit higher than elsewhere, but, as the OP said, the quality of health care is worth it, IMO.

The one thing that I'd suggest to the OP and others is to request a prescription from your doctors for all meds. You can get them much cheaper at Fascino (located on Pattaya Nua, a bit west of 3rd Road, just before passing under the arch). Same meds, but without all that BHP overhead cost added.

[pattayadingo]

Maybe they have listened or maybe they realised they were losing customers after some adverse publicity.

Personally I'd still rather fly to England to have a broken toe fixed than pay BPH 100,000 + Baht.

A full spectrum blood test cost me 380 Baht. Results next day. Soi Buakhao clinic. Cheap meds too.

Each to their own though.

[Mobi]

I hate to admit it, as through the years I have been a massive critic of BHP, with good reason, but now agree with the OP that there seems to have been a sea-change in attitude at the hospital I had always loved to hate!

Since the beginning of this year,I have been regularly seeing a heart specialist there, and have had very similar experiences as the OP as regards advance approval and information on the cost of tests etc.

The crowning glory was the decision of my doc not to go for an expensive test (costing over 10K which had been recommended by Bumrungrad in Bangkok) and do a much cheaper one (under 1K) which he said would be equally effective.

Occasionally, I have blood tests done there, but more often at the Naklua lab, which is much cheaper, if I know what is required in advance of my appointment. The Doc is happy to accept these results and has them copied onto my file.

I always have my doc write down the meds I require and buy them outside at Fascino.

They really seem to be geared up for us 'not so rich' farangs these days and are prepared to treat us on our terms.

I guess they have learned their lesson - long may it continue.

[MrJ]

you get reasonable treatment/prices once you are cash payer - as soon you have an insurance they will double/triple all the prices do unnecessary tests...............especially for travel insurance holder

[Rimmer]

One post in oversize bold fonts removed, Please regard this as a public warning, do that again and you will be suspended.

[luudee]

Thanks to you all for sharing your experiences at BP. Looks like there is trend !

Two comments from me:

1) Could somebody please share the location of the naklua lab ?

2) I am a bit worried about taking blood test and meds away from BPH. It is part of

their profit flow. If they notice that this source is drying up and hurting the general

revenue stream, they will have to increase prices on other things for everybody ...

Or may be they will close their internal lab and we will have to wait for the results

from an external lab 3-6 h ours ?! OK, that's probably a highly unlikely scenario ...

I just checked the meds I got from BPH, and they are bran name "Bayer" and "Pfizer".

I personally don't care to drive around half a day to save 100 baht.

Thanks,

luudee

[Mobi]

Thanks to you all for sharing your experiences at BP. Looks like there is trend !

Two comments from me:

1) Could somebody please share the location of the naklua lab ?

2) I am a bit worried about taking blood test and meds away from BPH. It is part of

their profit flow. If they notice that this source is drying up and hurting the general

revenue stream, they will have to increase prices on other things for everybody ...

Or may be they will close their internal lab and we will have to wait for the results

from an external lab 3-6 h ours ?! OK, that's probably a highly unlikely scenario ...

I just checked the meds I got from BPH, and they are bran name "Bayer" and "Pfizer".

I personally don't care to drive around half a day to save 100 baht.

Thanks,

luudee

I can't believe for one milli-second that BPH are going to be bothered about a few dozen or so farangs getting their blood tests done outside. I doubt whether blood tests are a major profit centre, and i further doubt that a few of us using outside labs will show as the slightest dent in the profitability of a place where inpatients will pay serious amounts of money for minor, let alone major procedures.

(and once an inpatient, you have no choice but to have your blood tests and drugs supplied 'in house.')

As for drugs for us outpatients, well we are not talking about 'saving a 100 Baht' and you don't have to drive around half a day.

Fascino in Pattaya Nua is one of the largest drug stores I have ever come across, anywhere, and they stock all major brands. I spend around 12-15,000 baht a month on my meds and if I bought them at BPH it would be double or possibly treble this amount.

All hospitals in Thailand - especially the private ones - have a huge mark up on all meds and it doesn't make sense to throw money away when there is a perfectly respectable pharmacy within 5 minutes drive of BPH.

But if its only the odd drug or some cream, once in a blue moon, then I would agree, its hardly worth the hassle.

[joepattaya1961]

Just talked to a friend who submitted his 70yo wife into BKK-PTT on Monday Morning 2 a.m. suffering from a major heart attack.

Until now, the bill has added up until a whopping THB 581,000:

- 4 days ICU @ THB 60,000

- emergency operation and placement of 2 stents @ THB ?????

- 4 days of medical treatment and kind words of doctors and nurses.

I'm sorry OP.........for me BKK-PTT is still a freakin' moneymaking machine and the company-lawyer will have a case added to his list.

[JoePai]

Just talked to a friend who submitted his 70yo wife into BKK-PTT on Monday Morning 2 a.m. suffering from a major heart attack.

Until now, the bill has added up until a whopping THB 581,000:

- 4 days ICU @ THB 60,000

- emergency operation and placement of 2 stents @ THB ?????

- 4 days of medical treatment and kind words of doctors and nurses.

I'm sorry OP.........for me BKK-PTT is still a freakin' moneymaking machine and the company-lawyer will have a case added to his list.

Sounds reasonable for what she has had done

[joepattaya1961]

Just talked to a friend who submitted his 70yo wife into BKK-PTT on Monday Morning 2 a.m. suffering from a major heart attack.

Until now, the bill has added up until a whopping THB 581,000:

- 4 days ICU @ THB 60,000

- emergency operation and placement of 2 stents @ THB ?????

- 4 days of medical treatment and kind words of doctors and nurses.

I'm sorry OP.........for me BKK-PTT is still a freakin' moneymaking machine and the company-lawyer will have a case added to his list.

Sounds reasonable for what she has had done

I told someone here in the company about this and the first question was: "Your friend is farang?"

"Same same in Aekachon or similar hospital.......about THB 100,000"

[luudee]

Just talked to a friend who submitted his 70yo wife into BKK-PTT on Monday Morning 2 a.m. suffering from a major heart attack.

Until now, the bill has added up until a whopping THB 581,000:

- 4 days ICU @ THB 60,000

- emergency operation and placement of 2 stents @ THB ?????

- 4 days of medical treatment and kind words of doctors and nurses.

I'm sorry OP.........for me BKK-PTT is still a freakin' moneymaking machine and the company-lawyer will have a case added to his list.

Joe,

I am very sorry for your friend and his wife, I hope she gets better.

I don't know what country you come from, but in my home country, one

day in the ICU would have been easily more than the 581,000 baht your

friend is out for 4 days in ICU and heart surgery.

On one hand side, we expect the same service(s) as in our home countries,

on the other hand, we get angry because even 1/10 of the cost is to high ?

Sorry that does not make any sense to me !

Best wishes to your friend and his wife.

luudee

[Mobi]

Just talked to a friend who submitted his 70yo wife into BKK-PTT on Monday Morning 2 a.m. suffering from a major heart attack.

Until now, the bill has added up until a whopping THB 581,000:

- 4 days ICU @ THB 60,000

- emergency operation and placement of 2 stents @ THB ?????

- 4 days of medical treatment and kind words of doctors and nurses.

I'm sorry OP.........for me BKK-PTT is still a freakin' moneymaking machine and the company-lawyer will have a case added to his list.

If you use these hospitals as an outpatient, many of the costs are controllable, you can elect them to have them or not, and the specialists fees are very reasonable. (Specialist fees range from 800 -1500 Baht per visit - that's 15 - 30 quid. I bet these days you would pay 500 quid to see a private specialist in the UK as 15 years ago it was 300 quid )

However,it is a whole new ball game once you are admitted. The fees you have advised for an emergency op,. 2 stents and a stay in ICU are commensurate with what you would pay in any of the top private hospitals in Thailand, and probably around 75% of the price you would pay in a top PRIVATE hospital in the west.

Its the way it is here, and you should be aware of the likely costs before taking anyone into BPH, or one of the other hospitals in that top category..

If you are smart you can play the system.

I used Bumrungrad as an outpatient for years but when i needed open heart surgery (valve replacement) I used a government hospital for the operation. There was no risk as I had one of the top heart surgeons in Thailand and the medical care and staff was second to none. The total cost, including all pre visits, tests etc and staying in a VIP room was under 300,000 Baht whereas a private hospital here would have been close to 1.5 million Baht, all in.

Now I am back at BPH for my post op care, as the government hospitals are just not set up for it.

In an emergency it is very difficult to know what to do, but with a bit of forward planning you can sometimes mitigate the cost by using such places as Phya Thai in Sri Racha or Q Sirikit hospital in Sattahip. It depends on the gravity of the emergency.

It's one of the pitfalls of living here - you can't have it all one way.

[patsfangr]

Thanks to you all for sharing your experiences at BP. Looks like there is trend !

Two comments from me:

1) Could somebody please share the location of the naklua lab ?

2) I am a bit worried about taking blood test and meds away from BPH. It is part of

their profit flow. If they notice that this source is drying up and hurting the general

revenue stream, they will have to increase prices on other things for everybody ...

Or may be they will close their internal lab and we will have to wait for the results

from an external lab 3-6 h ours ?! OK, that's probably a highly unlikely scenario ...

I just checked the meds I got from BPH, and they are bran name "Bayer" and "Pfizer".

I personally don't care to drive around half a day to save 100 baht.

Thanks,

luudee

It's usually much more than "100 baht" saved, Luudee. In fact, in my experience, it's usually at least 20%. In my case, my meds would cost over 5K per month, if I purchased them at BHP; while they cost less than 4K at Fascino. And they are exactly the same meds, including the manufacturer.

Also, Fascino is less than 10 minutes from BHP. You drive out of BHP onto Sukhumvit, turn right onto Pattaya Nua, and it's just a km or so down the road. Hardly "half a day". But, it's your money, and your time. So have it your way.

[R123]

OP:I was recently at BPH and they obviously are under new instructions to let patients know clearly the cost of procedures, medicines etc.

The only negative experience at the hospital is that each each time I am there I see this rather creepy individual dressed in a white coat walking aimlessly around between floors looking like he believes he owns the place. He is an old man with grey hair and an Australian accent. Has anyone else seem him? Perhaps he is a patient in the asylum ward.....so maybe he is under medication......

Edited February 28, 2013 by R123

[LennyW]

OP:I was recently at BPH and they obviously are under new instructions to let patients know clearly the cost of procedures, medicines etc.

The only negative experience at the hospital is that each each time I am there I see this rather creepy individual dressed in a white coat walking aimlessly around between floors looking like he believes he owns the place. He is an old man with grey hair and an Australian accent. Has anyone else seem him? Perhaps he is a patient in the asylum ward.....so maybe he is under medication......

[JimmyTheMook]

OP:I was recently at BPH and they obviously are under new instructions to let patients know clearly the cost of procedures, medicines etc.

The only negative experience at the hospital is that each each time I am there I see this rather creepy individual dressed in a white coat walking aimlessly around between floors looking like he believes he owns the place. He is an old man with grey hair and an Australian accent. Has anyone else seem him? Perhaps he is a patient in the asylum ward.....so maybe he is under medication......

Did he hand you a discount coupon for a prostate massage ?

[lovetotravel]

My friend ended up there with a severe stomach pain a few weeks ago. She didn't really need to spend the night, but they admitted her anyway. They kept her for 2 nights. On the 3rd day, her husband "freed" her from the hospital. 60,000B and not much was done.

She's got full insurance and seems they were milking it for all they could. As mentioned above, if you can negotiate before hand, you're in good shape. Come in under an emergency and you get hit with the full price.

[Mobi]

OP:I was recently at BPH and they obviously are under new instructions to let patients know clearly the cost of procedures, medicines etc.

The only negative experience at the hospital is that each each time I am there I see this rather creepy individual dressed in a white coat walking aimlessly around between floors looking like he believes he owns the place. He is an old man with grey hair and an Australian accent. Has anyone else seem him? Perhaps he is a patient in the asylum ward.....so maybe he is under medication......

Dr Iain I presume???

Joking apart, I went to see him a few months ago when I wasn't very happy with my specialist (one of those docs who talks down to you and thinks all patients are idiots) and he recommended a really good replacement. Probably the best specialist I have ever had in Thailand.

I agree, the good Doc does look a bit creepy, but I wouldn't be surprised if he wasn't behind this change of attitude at BPH.

[Satcommlee]

Bangkok Pattaya Hospital prices become reasonable if you are in a position to shop around beforehand.

But as mentioned by a previous poster go in as an urgent case and they will screw you over.

[Soutpeel]

Just talked to a friend who submitted his 70yo wife into BKK-PTT on Monday Morning 2 a.m. suffering from a major heart attack.

Until now, the bill has added up until a whopping THB 581,000:

- 4 days ICU @ THB 60,000

- emergency operation and placement of 2 stents @ THB ?????

- 4 days of medical treatment and kind words of doctors and nurses.

I'm sorry OP.........for me BKK-PTT is still a freakin' moneymaking machine and the company-lawyer will have a case added to his list.

THB 581, 000 is not "whopping" by any stretch of the imagination...go and get a stent done at a private hosptial in the US...you will be paying anywhere between US $30,000 and US$ 50,000 or go and get it done in a private hosptial in the UK and you will be looking at between GBP 10,000 and GBP 15,000....so it would appear what your friend paid is comparable with UK prices and cheaper than the US prices

Having used the Bangkok group of hosptials over many years, including BPH.. service is as good as or better than some of the hosptials I have been in, in so called 1st world countries..

I suspect most the naysayers on TV have come from the nanny state and are used to free/discounted medical treatment and expect the same in Thailand at a private hosptial...