Article paints a pretty rosy picture of healthcare in Thailand. Was wondering how people's experiences "on the ground" compare, either at Bumrungrad or elsewhere?

http://mccluresmagazine.com/politics/adventures-in-healthcare

Okay I have posted many times in different places, so I won't get into the details, but I have had a lot of experience with Thai rural government hospitals in the past few years and I can only praise them. They are top notch in my book.

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afm171

Why the re-post ?

Used both Bangkok Rayong and Bangkok Pattaya quite a few times over the years and always had good service..no complaints from me, in comparision with other hospitals visted over the years in numerous countries, including some so called first world countries....services in Thailand as good as or better...

The only "major" thing I've had done was to have a benign skin cyst removed. That went fine. I don't like the fact that Thai hospitals push expensive brand medicines when cheaper would have been just as fine.

For example, some time ago, I had some back pain and was prescribed several pills for the pain including some pain medication 'Celebrex' which as I figure is just the same as a Gofen or other stronger ibuprofen only 10 times the cost. Or a spray to put on the muscles when ordinary tiger balm for 50 baht is just the same. But that is what it is, buyer beware.

The articles was really more about private health care without insurance agencies and I agree that most health care would be much cheaper if truly on a competetive free market with no bureacracy and insurance agencies. Some things imo, the government should be involved in such as cancer treatment, diabetes and medical care for the elderly that it is not possible to insurance yourself against properly.

The only "major" thing I've had done was to have a benign skin cyst removed. That went fine. I don't like the fact that Thai hospitals push expensive brand medicines when cheaper would have been just as fine.

For example, some time ago, I had some back pain and was prescribed several pills for the pain including some pain medication 'Celebrex' which as I figure is just the same as a Gofen or other stronger ibuprofen only 10 times the cost. Or a spray to put on the muscles when ordinary tiger balm for 50 baht is just the same. But that is what it is, buyer beware.

but point is on the medication, is that you dont have to buy the hospital meds, just get a script off them and go to a pharmacy and ask for generics of the same med, or at least you will be paying less than the hospital on the branded meds if that what you buy

Thailand is not unique certainly in the private hospital business when pushing branded more expensive meds through the hospital pharmacy

Some things imo, the government should be involved in such as cancer treatment, diabetes and medical care for the elderly that it is not possible to insurance yourself against properly.

In the country your a citizen of, of course and have paid your taxes etc..?...yeah why not

But should the thai goverment foot the bill for this treatment if some is a "resident" farang who doesnt have medical insurance ?...I think not

Some things imo, the government should be involved in such as cancer treatment, diabetes and medical care for the elderly that it is not possible to insurance yourself against properly.

In the country your a citizen of, of course and have paid your taxes etc..?...yeah why not

But should the thai goverment foot the bill for this treatment if some is a "resident" farang who doesnt have medical insurance ?...I think not

No of course not.

But when I was a bit younger I was against all kinds of public health care, but now I recognize that some diseases are simply unprofitable and therefore can't be covered by insurance. This is primarily cancer, debilitating diseases that require constant care and coverage for old people.

The rest? Let people pay out of pocket.

Diabetes for example. If it is the self aquired one (Type 2) put them on a rapid weight loss program (proven to remit or almost remove it) or don't pay for their care.

Going back to the topic, a read through this forum will yield volumes of "real" experiences with health care in Thailand, both positive and negative.

For example, some time ago, I had some back pain and was prescribed several pills for the pain including some pain medication 'Celebrex' which as I figure is just the same as a Gofen or other stronger ibuprofen only 10 times the cost. Or a spray to put on the muscles when ordinary tiger balm for 50 baht is just the same. But that is what it is, buyer beware.

Ehhh, no; there's a massive difference between Ibuprofen and Celebrex.