Skin screening and spot biopsy

[cheeryble]

A friend was recommended and just had a full body screen of his skin at Suan Dok Chiangmai.

The doctor took off a couple of small spots (no stitches) and had them biopsied.....benign.

My friend says 10-15 minutes for the screening and same for the excision, and of course someone had to look through a microscope.

His bill came to over 14,000.

I suggested he goes back to complain bitterly, and note it here for TVers information.

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[Sheryl]

If the lesions were biopsied then there is also a pathology charge. The biopsy requires another, specially trained doctor and takes time. It is not a quick "look through a microscope" it is a painstaking one. This is probably the bulk of the cost.

Depending on just how many lesions were biopsied, the cost may not be that out of line.

[focus27]

Always, always ask for a quote - just as you would at a car mechanic.

Consultations are generally very cheap compared to western countries, but treatments can be expensive.

Hence, worth paying for 2 or 3 consultations before deciding on the best, most appropriate and cost-effective treatment.

[lopburi3]

My normal cost for biopsy of small skin spots is 1,000 baht in Bangkok top tier hospital. But there would also be visit and removal and treatment costs involved so you need a detailed receipt to know charges.

[lopburi3]

Attached is my bill in November from Vejthani Hospital for removal/testing of two spots on face and medications. Total is 5,400 baht. There is no exam charge as regular patient so only the normal 400 baht fee for visit doctor so perhaps there was also a fee for full body exam included in the 14k charge. To me 14k does seem high if no plastic surgeon or stitches involved.