Cost of MRI and radiologist reading in LOS?

[NeverSure]

I have mentioned before that I had an accident and some brain damage. I am supposed to have an MRI every 6 months for life.

When I'm in the US insurance covers it, but timing will put me in Thailand at times and I'll have to pay for it myself.

Any idea what it will cost me?

Thanks!!

PS When I say damage, it didn't ultimately affect any motor skills or thinking. But I was confined to very little movement for a couple of years and they want to keep an eye on it. So I comply.

[jrtmedic]

Next time your in the State I would suggest you challenge your neurologist/neurosurgeon as to the exact reason for the 6 monthly MRI scans.

Sounds excessive.

[NeverSure]

Next time your in the State I would suggest you challenge your neurologist/neurosurgeon as to the exact reason for the 6 monthly MRI scans.

Sounds excessive.

I know the reason, backed up by getting a second and third opinion. I just would like to know the cost in LOS please.

[dsfbrit]

Hi Neversure

I have no knowledge of brain scans, so this may be irrelevant. However for an MRI scan and analysis on my thigh I was quoted around 30K baht from an international hospital and 15K baht from a government hospital.

The government hospital cost (in this case Queen Sirikit Sattahip) was actually only about 2000 baht if you had a 'social security card' which is available to farang who work in Thailand.

I don't understand all the details of this 'security card', but a farang patient waiting to see the doctor at the Queen Sirikit explained to me that as he worked in LOS then he had a large discount on many procedures at government hospitals due to having a work permit.

In both quotes I was told this cost could increase by several thousand baht if I needed injections of fluids etc... which were needed for certain types of scans.

Edited September 2, 2013 by dsfbrit

[Sheryl]

This is the least expensive option (short of a government hospital, which will not do it on demand and often have wait lists as well).

http://www.mrithailand.com/e_contact_tbr.html

Costs vary by location and whether or not contrast is required. I had a non-contrast MRI of the cervical spine done at the Bangkok branch recently for about 12,000 baht. Might be a bit less up country, you can call the various branches and ask. Be sure to specify re contrast media.

[NeverSure]

This is the least expensive option (short of a government hospital, which will not do it on demand and often have wait lists as well).

http://www.mrithailand.com/e_contact_tbr.html

Costs vary by location and whether or not contrast is required. I had a non-contrast MRI of the cervical spine done at the Bangkok branch recently for about 12,000 baht. Might be a bit less up country, you can call the various branches and ask. Be sure to specify re contrast media.

Thanks. That's close enough. Yes, I have to have the contrast injection for the brain scan. If they have a modern machine, they can actually email the scans to my American doctor because they are digital.

I didn't mean to be abrupt. When they were working on my head injury, they found a small benign tumor called a meningioma. They removed as much as they could, but it could easily grow into something debilitating over time without another surgery. So they want to look at it every 6 months and if it doesn't grow or grows slowly, then once a year, then every two years, etc.

I know I sound like I'm a mess but I'm actually just fine.

Thanks for the answer.