30 Bht health scheme for Farangs, to finalize.

[swissie]

A while ago, the 30 Bht health scheme was portrayed to be available for Farangs. The subject was ping-ponged across all major sub-forums on TV.

Latest news concerning this: = TRANSLATION ERROR. By definition "Farang" means "Foreigner". Everybody that is not Thai is a foreigner, If there was ever any intention of including "foreigners" into the 30 Bht health scheme, then it was designed to include low cost workers from neighboring countries (poor devils)

but certainly not to accommodate "western-farangs" with a big wallet..

This needs swift and final clarification, before some "Western Farangs" cancel their private health- insurance and put on their "rose colored glasses".

Sheryl, your turn.

Cheers.

[TerryLH]

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/706962-thailands-health-care-described-as-cheap-in-expat-retirement-overview/page-2

[Sheryl]

I have from the onset said that the system was not designed for expat farangs and that issuance of cards to them might not last, and that anyone who can, should get private insurance, and certainly no one with it should drop it.

Since all the relevant dircetives on thsi were in Thai, translation had nothing to do with it. It was just the usual Thai governmental issuing of unclealry/inexactly worded decrees, along wot poor communication within the MoPH itself and between it and the hospitals, that was the problem.

SHould note that in some parts of the country the cards are still be issued to farangs and used by them. In other places, it has never been. In CM, was done and then rescinded. So it remians a confused mess.

[h90]

What I saw from my sister in law, you don't get anything more worth than 30 Baht for the 30 Baht scheme...

She had a huge infection and has diabetes. The hospital cleaned the infection every second day (I guess it hurts) but didn't give antibiotics as there was no money.

My sister in law is a bit crazy as well, refusing to pay one single baht herself.

End of the story: I gave her antibiotics which I really don't like to do as I am no doctor, but with a always bigger getting infection and the risk of a sepsis what can I do else.

In the hospital they only said: they have never seen an infection heal so fast This comment also shows how smart they are.....

Better pay real money and get real service and forget the 30 Baht thing.

[thepool]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

What I saw from my sister in law, you don't get anything more worth than 30 Baht for the 30 Baht scheme...

She had a huge infection and has diabetes. The hospital cleaned the infection every second day (I guess it hurts) but didn't give antibiotics as there was no money.

My sister in law is a bit crazy as well, refusing to pay one single baht herself.

End of the story: I gave her antibiotics which I really don't like to do as I am no doctor, but with a always bigger getting infection and the risk of a sepsis what can I do else.

In the hospital they only said: they have never seen an infection heal so fast This comment also shows how smart they are.....

Better pay real money and get real service and forget the 30 Baht thing.

I have no idea where the SIL sought treatment.

However, my wife has great faith in her local government hospital and the thirty Baht scheme. She has had a number of issues treated professionally without additional cost neither has she had any treatment "limited" by financial issues.

I believe a disservice is being done to the Thai scheme by suggesting essential care is being deliberately withheld.

Were you aware that certain antibiotics are nephrotoxic and should only be given to diabetic patients under medical supervision.

Edited March 18, 2014 by thepool

[h90]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

What I saw from my sister in law, you don't get anything more worth than 30 Baht for the 30 Baht scheme...

She had a huge infection and has diabetes. The hospital cleaned the infection every second day (I guess it hurts) but didn't give antibiotics as there was no money.

My sister in law is a bit crazy as well, refusing to pay one single baht herself.

End of the story: I gave her antibiotics which I really don't like to do as I am no doctor, but with a always bigger getting infection and the risk of a sepsis what can I do else.

In the hospital they only said: they have never seen an infection heal so fast This comment also shows how smart they are.....

Better pay real money and get real service and forget the 30 Baht thing.

I have no idea where the SIL sought treatment.

However, my wife has great faith in her local government hospital and the thirty Baht scheme. She has had a number of issues treated professionally without additional cost neither has she had any treatment "limited" by financial issues.

I believe a disservice is being done to the Thai scheme by suggesting essential care is being deliberately withheld.

Were you aware that certain antibiotics are nephrotoxic and should only be given to diabetic patients under medical supervision.

She is now in the South and everything there seems to be fine, I also read from someone upcountry who reported good service.

I myself was in a public hospital, a larger one (might has been the same where my sister in law had her bad experience) with a very urgent matter at 1 PM and the emergency had no doctor till 4 PM.....and so just stressed nurses who didn't know what to do.

But I also read from others: No money for medication and no rooms, beds on the passage with patients in various conditions busy and light day and night....

Beside that I read about complains that more expensive medications are removed from the 30 Baht scheme (I don't know what "remove" means exactly: not available at all???).

What do you think why ALL the medical staff and hospitals support the anti-government demonstrations? There must be some huge problems inside.

[Sheryl]

The 30 baht system is severely underfunded by the government, has been from the start. All hospitals are feeling the pinch, some more than others depending in degree of utilization.

The crowded ward situation can be gotten around by paying the very modest cost of a semi-private or private room ("hong piset"), this will also provide a better nurse:patient ratio.

Nonetheless the quality fo care in tertiary and higher levels of the public health system remains quite good. (Communications with patients and relatives, alas, not so). However, many people by virtue of their place of residence have to register at a districy hospital; these facilities have very little capacity and few doctors (sometimes only one), usually new grads. Some of them (but not all) are very slow to refer patients to a higher level of care when they should.

Those using governmental hospitals on a self-pay basis should always steer clear of the district hospitals. Wherever possible (and for sure for anything complex or specialized) stick to national and regional hospitals. Never go to anything less than a provinical hospital.

Military hospitals are also a good option for inexpensive self-payers.

Those using the "30 baht card" of course can't chose which hospital.

[h90]

The 30 baht system is severely underfunded by the government, has been from the start. All hospitals are feeling the pinch, some more than others depending in degree of utilization.

The crowded ward situation can be gotten around by paying the very modest cost of a semi-private or private room ("hong piset"), this will also provide a better nurse:patient ratio.

Nonetheless the quality fo care in tertiary and higher levels of the public health system remains quite good. (Communications with patients and relatives, alas, not so). However, many people by virtue of their place of residence have to register at a districy hospital; these facilities have very little capacity and few doctors (sometimes only one), usually new grads. Some of them (but not all) are very slow to refer patients to a higher level of care when they should.

Those using governmental hospitals on a self-pay basis should always steer clear of the district hospitals. Wherever possible (and for sure for anything complex or specialized) stick to national and regional hospitals. Never go to anything less than a provinical hospital.

Military hospitals are also a good option for inexpensive self-payers.

Those using the "30 baht card" of course can't chose which hospital.

Thank you for clearing up the contradicting rumors.....Both true based on the type of hospital and area.....

[Issangeorge]

"

Those using governmental hospitals on a self-pay basis should always steer clear of the district hospitals. Wherever possible (and for sure for anything complex or specialized) stick to national and regional hospitals. Never go to anything less than a provinical hospital."

Sheryl, I have great respect for you and your hard work on this forum, however I find the above statement a bit harsh. My district hospital, Kuchinarai Crown Prince Hospital in Kalasin Province, is a good hospital with good doctors and takes good care of you. Anything they can't handle they will refer you to another hospital. Any provincial hospital is more than an hours drive from my home and very inconvenient. I had a bad motorcycle accident last year and needed a couple of operations to get my shoulder and leg set. My wife's cousin was a doctor at the provincial hospital and she phoned him to ask if I should go there, he said no the orthopaedic surgeon at Kuchinarai Hospital was very good. He was right. Maybe I am just lucky to live near a good district hospital.

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[swissie]

I have from the onset said that the system was not designed for expat farangs and that issuance of cards to them might not last, and that anyone who can, should get private insurance, and certainly no one with it should drop it.

Since all the relevant dircetives on thsi were in Thai, translation had nothing to do with it. It was just the usual Thai governmental issuing of unclealry/inexactly worded decrees, along wot poor communication within the MoPH itself and between it and the hospitals, that was the problem.

SHould note that in some parts of the country the cards are still be issued to farangs and used by them. In other places, it has never been. In CM, was done and then rescinded. So it remians a confused mess.

Thanks Sheryl. To me: Case closed, as expected.

Cheers.

[Sheryl]

"

Those using governmental hospitals on a self-pay basis should always steer clear of the district hospitals. Wherever possible (and for sure for anything complex or specialized) stick to national and regional hospitals. Never go to anything less than a provinical hospital."

Sheryl, I have great respect for you and your hard work on this forum, however I find the above statement a bit harsh. My district hospital, Kuchinarai Crown Prince Hospital in Kalasin Province, is a good hospital with good doctors and takes good care of you. Anything they can't handle they will refer you to another hospital. Any provincial hospital is more than an hours drive from my home and very inconvenient. I had a bad motorcycle accident last year and needed a couple of operations to get my shoulder and leg set. My wife's cousin was a doctor at the provincial hospital and she phoned him to ask if I should go there, he said no the orthopaedic surgeon at Kuchinarai Hospital was very good. He was right. Maybe I am just lucky to live near a good district hospital.

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I have never heard if a district hospital having an orthopedic surgeon. Never. Even a general surgeon would be most out of the ordinary. Something is very unusual in the case of this particular hospital.

Usually just 1 or 2 docs in the entire place, and straight out of med school.

There are some district hospitals located in areas of unusually large population (e.g. Pattaya) which have been granted additional staff, facilities and resources bringing them almost up to provincial hospital standard. I have no idea if that applies to where you are.

[Issangeorge]

Kuchinarai Hospital has a general surgeon, and an orthopedic surgeon, and probably half a dozen other doctors, although as you say they are young. It is a fair sized hospital and expanding. It is named after the Crown Prince, I don't know if that gives it special status or not. As I say I am quite lucky to live near it, because the closest provincial hospital is an hour or more away. My wife had an ovary removed their a few years back. The hospital does have it's limitations and sends most patients with serious conditions to other hospitals, but it does have a top notch orthopedic surgeon who seems to do all orthopedic work at the hospital. My wife's cousin has gone there to train under him.

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[citizen33]

Kuchinarai Hospital has a general surgeon, and an orthopedic surgeon, and probably half a dozen other doctors, although as you say they are young. It is a fair sized hospital and expanding. It is named after the Crown Prince, I don't know if that gives it special status or not. As I say I am quite lucky to live near it, because the closest provincial hospital is an hour or more away. My wife had an ovary removed their a few years back. The hospital does have it's limitations and sends most patients with serious conditions to other hospitals, but it does have a top notch orthopedic surgeon who seems to do all orthopedic work at the hospital. My wife's cousin has gone there to train under him.

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I think this is one of the larger Kalasin district hospital with about 90 beds. That compares with over 500 beds in the Kalasin Hospital (the provincial hospital), so Kuchinarai probably doesn't have a very large staff complement. Many of the district hospitals in Isaan only have about 30 beds, and - as Sherrill says - only have a couple of doctors.

In general Sherrill is quite right to say that a provincial or regional public hospital is the best place to go if you have a serious problem - in your case I'd favour Srinakarin in Khon Kaen for a major emergency if travelling time allows. The hospitals that I have heard the worst horror stories about are the small Isaan private hospitals.

Regarding the new scheme, I still haven't been able to find out what is really happening. There is huge turbulence in the MoPH at the moment with the recent wrangles between Minister Pradit and the Permanent Secretary. I am not sure that things will settle down for a while.

Edited March 20, 2014 by citizen33

[Issangeorge]

" The hospitals that I have heard the worst horror stories about are the small Isaan private hospitals."

I agree they charge way too much and are not nearly as good as the provincial hospitals in my opinion.

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[oldsailor35]

Last year i went to the Naton , Koh Samui government hospital with a bad chest infection. Saw two doctors, had two x-rays an injection and meds for 7 days. Cost me Bht 700...............can't complain about that !

[Issangeorge]

Koh Samui government hospital is a good hospital. Most of their doctors also work at the overpriced private hospitals on the island. Plus a private room at Koh Samui hospital has a lovely view of the sea.

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[shepsel]

I received a phone call from my local government hospital in San Sai today telling me that I would not be able to use the 30 baht care any longer. Thely told me that if I returned the hospital card that they would refund the cost of plan less the pro-rated use (in months). I was also told that they would be happy to serve me in the future, but I would have to pay for the services.

[Sheryl]

Yes, the whole of CM province is rescinding the cards. They had issued a large number and then told the central MoPH so and were told that it was only for migrant workers.

So far CM is the only province to do this, though many provinces never issued the cards to expats in the first place.

[sms747]

What I saw from my sister in law, you don't get anything more worth than 30 Baht for the 30 Baht scheme...

I know a Thai who had a stomach ulcer and all they gave him were useless paracetamol, you can buy the correct pills at 40 baht for 14 days from a pharmacy! You would have to be pretty desperate to want to use the 30 baht scheme.

Edited March 22, 2014 by sms747

[danmarnj]

My TGF's sister was hospitalized for weeks with a malady that required medication. Since she didnt have money for the medication, she just languished in the hospital. i paid for the medication (approx 9000 baht) or a series of injections and is now doing fine.

If you are a farang, and living in thailand and need to depend on the 30 baht scheme, you are in for a shock if you fall seriously ill.

If I might editorialize here, and its strictly my opinion from observation, If you are a farang working and making a home in LOS and you have nothing but a pay day by pay day existance, I would advise you to look into the future when you either are unable to work or when you become elderly. You will be in for a very sorrowful existence.

As horrible as it might sound,(unless you are working for an international firm with benefits in Thailand) you need to go back to your country and become vested in a pension and health program that will provide for you in your dotage. Beleive me, the weeks, months, and years go by quickly and their is no one lonelier in LOS than a poor farang.

Just my Opinon as an older guy who put in his time in the west and now living a comfortable life