Medical Tourism

[tc101]

I have been reading about medical tourism to Thailand for some time. There was a TV special about it a few months ago. A man flew to Thailand to get a heart operation at Bumgard hospital that he could not afford in the USA. They showed the hospital and it looked nicer than an American hospital.

I am recently retired and thinking about where I might want to live in the world where my retirement dollars will go farther and the cost of health care is not so high. I am only 56 and my biggest expense between now and the time I am eligable for medicare at age 65 could be health care costs.

So after seeing the TV show and reading about the great health care in Thailand I have planned to visit there and see if it is a place I would like to live. However, from reading here in the "Health, Body and Medicine" forum on Thaivisa, I am reading about lots of problems with Thai health care.

Have I been mislead? If you had a serious health problem would you want to be in Thailand or the USA? What is the state of health care for middle aged foreigners retired in Thailand?

[khall64au]

I have been reading about medical tourism to Thailand for some time. There was a TV special about it a few months ago. A man flew to Thailand to get a heart operation at Bumgard hospital that he could not afford in the USA. They showed the hospital and it looked nicer than an American hospital.

I am recently retired and thinking about where I might want to live in the world where my retirement dollars will go farther and the cost of health care is not so high. I am only 56 and my biggest expense between now and the time I am eligable for medicare at age 65 could be health care costs.

So after seeing the TV show and reading about the great health care in Thailand I have planned to visit there and see if it is a place I would like to live. However, from reading here in the "Health, Body and Medicine" forum on Thaivisa, I am reading about lots of problems with Thai health care.

Have I been mislead? If you had a serious health problem would you want to be in Thailand or the USA? What is the state of health care for middle aged foreigners retired in Thailand?

You're thread title says it all..... "Medical Tourism" If you have a condition and do your research, you may find well-qualified doctors much cheaper than in the USA. Many of the medical professionals here have qualified in the USA or Europe so it is up to you to investigate their credentials and reputation ..... GOOD LUCK!!!!

[Dakhar]

I do not think you have been misled. If anyone has been misled, it is the American public in the belief that American physicians are worth over 50 dollars a minute. I worked in the health care industry in America, and from what I have seen; a lot of the physicians, mostly specialists, are sharks. The next time you drive by a "Day Surgical Center," think to yourself AMT machine. Because those are owned by the doctors that perform the surgeries there. You can bet a lot of surgeries done there are not needed. You can bet a lot of the surgeries done there are to pay off their Mercedes, and their 3rd wifes boob job.

The fact that Thailand has fancy hospitals is appealing. The fact that I can take my son down to GP at 7:00 PM without an appointment, be seen within 5 minutes, and pay 2 dollars USD, without insurance coverage is even more appealing.

[KhunMarco]

I'm so pissed off I learnt only recently how good and not expensive dentists are here.

If I calculate what I spent in my country in these years... I could afford 2 years of holiday in Thailand ...no really !

[JSixpack]

http://www.time.com/time/archive/preview/0...1186553,00.html

[repoulin]

Dentistry and Medical Care in Thailand in general is exceptional! First and foremost you can't beat the price! Second there is a level of service and hospitality that the Thais are synonmous for; which is not usually associated with visiting the dentist or doctor. Being welcomed by a staff of courteous and beautiful Thai women tends to help assuage fears.

Medical Tourism has picked up so much, that clinics and hospitals are begining to expand their practice in various direction. At Bangkok Smile Dental Clinic, other than offer all the modern dentisty treatments, we have expanded the membership program to help get discounts for expatriates at popular areas in Thailand, set-up corporate accounts with hotels, resturant, tours, tailors, and transportation to help get our patients discounts, online consultation and appointment booking, and a whole array of services. At our Asoke Branch we have a Spa that includes a sauna, jacuzzi, oil massage, foot massage, and all that other good stuff. This works out well for couples, while one is getting a new smile - the other (usually the wife) is at the spa on the floor above being pampered and receiving a massage. Visting the dentist is no longer an experience to fear, but a pleasent enjoyable experience. However, the misconception that Thailand's health-care is substandard or that visiting the dentist is a horrible experience will always be a constant battle. I think if you check out the pics at Bangkok Smile you will have a different feeling about visiting the dentist.

Other hospitals have included hotel service within the hospital! While I don't really like that idea, it is a sign that things are picking up. We don't have a hotel yet, but programs and services are contiually being thought of. If you know of any we should add - please let me know (with in reason of course). If Thailand plays its cards right it could truely be a medical destination of the world (the fashion capital idea didn't think was going to work). Thailand is truely on a thin ice, as other countries are quickly catching on. Nearby India offers much cheaper prices and health-care (at the major hospitals at least) have a high level of expertise. Unfortunately, post-operative care is dangerous there as outside the hospital infection is easy and patients do not feel comfortable with the area. Thailand is very unique and offers a whole heap of tour options, activities, leisure activities and so forth. If prices continue to rise in Thaiand's health care, I think the farang may not visit Thailand for their health care needs.

-Rich

[email protected]

[tc101]

If prices continue to rise in Thaiand's health care, I think the farang may not visit Thailand for their health care needs.

-Rich

[email protected]

Do you think that is a danger. From what other people have said the prices are very reasonable. Do you see them getting higher any time soon?

[tc101]

test

[Dakhar]

From a westerner's point of view, nothing occurs fast here. Even the flies are slow.

Seriously, I do not think there is need for concern in regards to health care prices raising to astronomical levels. In Thai culture, you do not have to be rich, to have high status. In other words, Doctors in America are not respected, worshiped etc. because of their occupation, but because of their amounts of wealth.

Here in Thailand, MDs are respected, due to their occupation, education etc. Not because they are filthy rich. Really, they are not filthy rich, comfortable maybe but no where new the grotesque rich as the MDs in America.

Teachers are also highly respected in Asian societies, where as in America, they are not. Teachers are also (genearaly) low paid as they are in America, but yet they are respected.

My point is, health care is not all about the $ here.

[tc101]

Thanks for the info. This sounds very encouraging. I want to come to Thailand soon and see for myself what it is like. I wish it wasn't so hot and I wish it wasn't such a long plane ride, but I guess I will just have to learn to deal with those things.

[repoulin]

I have watch the trend over the last 3 years. Every hospital is catching in on the popularity of medical tourism and I think the costs are also because of their desire to expanded and added services. Other countries are watching Thailand's ability to make money on this, and are taking to the medical tourism investments. Hospital and clinics also realized that westerns pay more back home and they are able to charge more but less than what we pay normally. Also the biggest thing I noticed is that hospitals have 2 price list and normally aren't shy to state it as they know that the farang will pay anyways. There is a Farang Price list and a Thai Price List!

-Rich

[Dakhar]

IMHO Changmai really is not too hot and humid. BKK area, well yes it is.

The strange thing is, I used to have mild hypertension. I had bp levels around 140/90, now after being here for a month, my bp hoovers around 110/70. I don't know what the deal is whith that. All I can say is I do sweat a lot more in this climate. I do not know if that is the key or what.

The plane ride.... I used to hate them, but now I just look at as a chance to rest,relax etc. If you cant change it, learn to like it. At least this worked for me.... along with about 20mg of Ambien.

[BlackJack]

Medical Tourism is alive and well

We offer consulting over the phone to determin the problem. Help arrange air fares, arrange pick up at airport Thailand, arrange hotel, arrange visit to the hospital,

we even offer a price list or fees structure so that you know what your in for

PM me for more details

[Macx]

investments. Hospital and clinics also realized that westerns pay more back home and they are able to charge more but less than what we pay normally. Also the biggest thing I noticed is that hospitals have 2 price list and normally aren't shy to state it as they know that the farang will pay anyways. There is a Farang Price list and a Thai Price List!

-Rich

Ditto.

I was at Bangkok Phuket International paying for some medication when the reception (who was a Filipino helping me) asked the Thai pharmacist how much was the medication. The pharmacist said, the farang price is xxxxbhats. And the Filipino said, this farang speaks Thai!

Generally, health care in Thailand is pretty good when compared to the USA, but if something go wrong here, you're in trouble without much recourse.

Then again, if you feel sick, you can immediately go to see a doctor, instead of waiting 5 days to see a doctor (as I have done in the US).

If you're rich, the US is better. If you're not, Thailand is better.

[Jamie]

I read an article recently where some companies here in the US are actually sending their employees overseas to Thailand or India for certain medical procedures because the costs are so much cheaper. Compared to the costs of going to a US hospital for a major surgery and increased insurance costs to the employer, it just makes sense in some cases to go this route.