Health Check, Chiang Mai

[JohnMintra]

Hi,

Anyone had health check up in Chiang Mai that they would recommend?

I see hospitals in BKK have full lists and costs, but talking to hospitals in Chiang Mai..they do custom checks..not a list with costs...which makes it harder to compare prices;-)

Looking for comprehensive check up for, heart, cancers etc ...

[TheFishman1]

Ram Hospitol

[Rooo]

Moved to CM forum.

[uptheos]

http://www.rajavejchiangmai.com/hospital/health-check-ups/Rajavej%20Health%20Checkup%20Programs%202014.pdf

http://www.bangkokhospital-chiangmai.com/en/packages/health-check-up-package/health-check-up-packages/

http://www.mccormick.in.th/2013/index.php/2013-10-03-07-31-24

You can always chat with them and have something particular added at extra cost, they're all flexible.

Edited September 26, 2014 by uptheos

[Greeen]

AMS Clinical Service Center, Suthep Road, near to Siripat Hospital

offers full range of medical tests and scans at nearly half the cost of CM Ram, Siripat and others...

you can choose the tests you want from an extensive list, each test is individually priced

very quick and professional service!

[elektrified]

AMS Clinical Service Center, Suthep Road, near to Siripat Hospital

offers full range of medical tests and scans at nearly half the cost of CM Ram, Siripat and others...

you can choose the tests you want from an extensive list, each test is individually priced

very quick and professional service!

This is part of CMU and pricing (from what I am aware of) is similar to Sriphat. A relative was recently going to OT there and I went a few times. They offer blood tests, UA, mammogram for the ladies, some x-rays and ultrasound, as well as many tests for children to assess developmental problems and so forth, as well as OT for people who have been in accidents, etc. including a swimming pool for therapy to get the limbs working again. They have a clinic for ladies. But overall it's limited. I believe all appointments have to be made in advance by telephone - no walk ins.

OT was I believe 470 Baht per hour, mammogram I think I saw a poster advertising 2500 Baht, etc. So I think pricing is similar - maybe a little less than Sriphat as the technicians all seem very young - perhaps 1st year out of school. I never noticed any M.D.'s there...

[Thighlander]

There is a private lab near the moat, that will do a gambit of urine/bloodwork for 499 thb. Might be a good starting point, especially if you want to save $$$ and actively participate in your own medical evaluations (researching what the different terms/ranges are and mean). For a while, everyone that went to a high rep hospital in BKK for a check-up, wound up getting referred to specialists and/or expensive scans.....kind of like the 9.99 usd oil change in the US...no one gets out of there for 9.99.....

[amexpat]

I kind of agree, Thailander, but OTOH understanding the results/ranges, etc in relation to the other findings, etc, etc, etc, is what medical school is for.

So the key is to find a good lab and a competent doctor who evaluates the tests and gives a hoot. For me, that's Rajavejch. YMMV.

As for saving baht, I think one less steak dinner or bar fine this month is a good tradeoff for an annual checkup wherever you prefer.

[northernjohn]

I have a different take on it. I have a regular GP doctor. She sends me to specialists when I need them. She has a record of all that is wrong with me and what medications I am on.

I am a believer in letting a trained Doctor look after my health. I have only the one because she has a complete list of my medications and knows what you can and can not take when you are taking certain medications.

I will give you a example a month ago I was coming down with pneumonia. I have had it in the past and knew what was coming. Most of the time I had been able to suffer my way through it. Except the last time in Canada I had to be hospilized. We had a vacation planned to meet up with my Nephew in Phuket.

So rather than hope it would go away in three days I opted to go to my doctor. She told me she had medication for it. But it was not the best available as the best available would not go with Warfing ( a blood thinner sorry about the spelling) so I got the second best. It worked fine. I browse the internet occasionally and am well aware of conflicting reports. Leave it to a specialist. So far she has sent me to four different specialists and has all the reports back from them.

What ever you decide on should be OK. I did one once years ago when I was here on my second visit at the Ram. Never again there.

[Konini]

I kind of agree, Thailander, but OTOH understanding the results/ranges, etc in relation to the other findings, etc, etc, etc, is what medical school is for.

So the key is to find a good lab and a competent doctor who evaluates the tests and gives a hoot. For me, that's Rajavejch. YMMV.

As for saving baht, I think one less steak dinner or bar fine this month is a good tradeoff for an annual checkup wherever you prefer.

I'm with you on Rajavej. I had a full check up about 18 months ago, it was either 6,000 or 6,500 baht, I forget which. Same price for men and women, only difference in the testing was PAP smear for the girls and prostrate check for the boys. You could get add ons, but this covered the usual included in a normal check up anywhere in the world. This subject has also just reminded me it's time I went for another one. (unlike my husband who refuses to 'waste' money on a health check up because he's 'as fit as a butcher's dog').

My test showed me to be in perfect health apart from my cholesterol levels being a smidge too high, not enough for treatment, but enough for a bit of a lecture on my diet and lifestyle by the registrar who collated and checked all of the results. I now have a file about an inch thick at Rajavej and they wasted the paper by printing one out a copy for me too. I didn't need it, I just needed the registrar to tell me everything was working normally. With everything being electronic nowadays, from blood pressure monitors to x-rays, why they wouldn't save the paper and just have an electronic copy of it is beyond me. It's one of the things that really irritates me in Thailand - the way everything seems to be written on a form and there are full photocopys of just about everything to do with the government etc. I've often wondered just how much paperwork is stored at immigration departments around the country, and where they store it all at the Chiang Mai branch, because it looks as though they couldn't possibly squeeze an extra inch of space in there.

[elektrified]

I think you will find that every hospital and medical clinic in the world keeps medical records in paper form. That way if someone makes a mistake, they can't go into a computer and change it to cover their ass...

[uptheos]

I have a different take on it. I have a regular GP doctor. She sends me to specialists when I need them. She has a record of all that is wrong with me and what medications I am on.

I am a believer in letting a trained Doctor look after my health. I have only the one because she has a complete list of my medications and knows what you can and can not take when you are taking certain medications.

My thinking was the same as yours up until a year ago (same Dr.)

[chiang mai]

I have a different take on it. I have a regular GP doctor. She sends me to specialists when I need them. She has a record of all that is wrong with me and what medications I am on.

I am a believer in letting a trained Doctor look after my health. I have only the one because she has a complete list of my medications and knows what you can and can not take when you are taking certain medications.

My thinking was the same as yours up until a year ago (same Dr.)

+1

[chiang mai]

I do this:

I go to McCormick and order the blood tests that I want or have been asked for, inexpensive and efficient.

I see my cardiologist at RAM every six months or when he wants to see me, I take the most recent McCormick tests with me. He's very OK with that and the consulting charge is minimal, typically 300 baht. Of all the doctors I know Dr Patarapong is the one who has the highest standing in my book for professionalism combined with bedside manner and every other attribute I look for in a good doctor.

I use Rajavej for gastroenterology because they specialize in this, related tests are price competitive but I still use McCormick for blood works.

I stopped seeing endocrinologists, I realized I know more about diabetes and its treatment than most of them do.

If I need an ER I use RAM because it's efficient and inexpensive plus I trust them.

If I get a bug that I can't self medicate or if I need a flu shot, I'll see a GP, reluctantly.

Any orthopedic concerns and I see Dr Chanakarn, easily the best around town by far.

I try not to use Sriphat any more unless perhaps for neurology, if needed.

Mix and match is the name of the game.

EDIT to add:

I use Dr Rachada at RAM for ophthalmology, the lady is hugely professional - I use Vision Centre to fill any prescriptions, the owner is very professional, sensible and fair.

Dermatology is Dr Siri, on the Moat or at various hospitals.

Edited September 27, 2014 by chiang mai

[Thighlander]

I do this:

I go to McCormick and order the blood tests that I want or have been asked for, inexpensive and efficient.

I see my cardiologist at RAM every six months or when he wants to see me, I take the most recent McCormick tests with me. He's very OK with that and the consulting charge is minimal, typically 300 baht. Of all the doctors I know Dr Patarapong is the one who has the highest standing in my book for professionalism combined with bedside manner and every other attribute I look for in a good doctor.

I use Rajavej for gastroenterology because they specialize in this, related tests are price competitive but I still use McCormick for blood works.

I stopped seeing endocrinologists, I realized I know more about diabetes and its treatment than most of them do.

If I need an ER I use RAM because it's efficient and inexpensive plus I trust them.

If I get a bug that I can't self medicate or if I need a flu shot, I'll see a GP, reluctantly.

Any orthopedic concerns and I see Dr Chanakarn, easily the best around town by far.

I try not to use Sriphat any more unless perhaps for neurology, if needed.

Mix and match is the name of the game.

EDIT to add:

I use Dr Rachada at RAM for ophthalmology, the lady is hugely professional - I use Vision Centre to fill any prescriptions, the owner is very professional, sensible and fair.

Dermatology is Dr Siri, on the Moat or at various hospitals.

I like Mccormick and used to get lab work done there, until I found CMF Lab, which is a 4 minute walk from the NE corner of the Moat. Results sent to your email in about an hour, and they open every day at 6:30 am. Roughly 1/3 less than Mccormick. Like Mccormick, it is modest, but very clean and professional. My favorite lunch spot is by that bookstore over there, so I eat lunch with the savings.

Edited September 27, 2014 by Thighlander

[uptheos]

I do this:

I go to McCormick and order the blood tests that I want or have been asked for, inexpensive and efficient.

I see my cardiologist at RAM every six months or when he wants to see me, I take the most recent McCormick tests with me. He's very OK with that and the consulting charge is minimal, typically 300 baht. Of all the doctors I know Dr Patarapong is the one who has the highest standing in my book for professionalism combined with bedside manner and every other attribute I look for in a good doctor.

I use Rajavej for gastroenterology because they specialize in this, related tests are price competitive but I still use McCormick for blood works.

I stopped seeing endocrinologists, I realized I know more about diabetes and its treatment than most of them do.

If I need an ER I use RAM because it's efficient and inexpensive plus I trust them.

If I get a bug that I can't self medicate or if I need a flu shot, I'll see a GP, reluctantly.

Any orthopedic concerns and I see Dr Chanakarn, easily the best around town by far.

I try not to use Sriphat any more unless perhaps for neurology, if needed.

Mix and match is the name of the game.

EDIT to add:

I use Dr Rachada at RAM for ophthalmology, the lady is hugely professional - I use Vision Centre to fill any prescriptions, the owner is very professional, sensible and fair.

Dermatology is Dr Siri, on the Moat or at various hospitals.

I like Mccormick and used to get lab work done there, until I found CMF Lab, which is a 4 minute walk from the NE corner of the Moat. Results sent to your email in about an hour, and they open every day at 6:30 am. Roughly 1/3 less than Mccormick. Like Mccormick, it is modest, but very clean and professional. My favorite lunch spot is by that bookstore over there, so I eat lunch with the savings.

Does CMF Lab have a phone number please?

[Thighlander]

I do this:

I go to McCormick and order the blood tests that I want or have been asked for, inexpensive and efficient.

I see my cardiologist at RAM every six months or when he wants to see me, I take the most recent McCormick tests with me. He's very OK with that and the consulting charge is minimal, typically 300 baht. Of all the doctors I know Dr Patarapong is the one who has the highest standing in my book for professionalism combined with bedside manner and every other attribute I look for in a good doctor.

I use Rajavej for gastroenterology because they specialize in this, related tests are price competitive but I still use McCormick for blood works.

I stopped seeing endocrinologists, I realized I know more about diabetes and its treatment than most of them do.

If I need an ER I use RAM because it's efficient and inexpensive plus I trust them.

If I get a bug that I can't self medicate or if I need a flu shot, I'll see a GP, reluctantly.

Any orthopedic concerns and I see Dr Chanakarn, easily the best around town by far.

I try not to use Sriphat any more unless perhaps for neurology, if needed.

Mix and match is the name of the game.

EDIT to add:

I use Dr Rachada at RAM for ophthalmology, the lady is hugely professional - I use Vision Centre to fill any prescriptions, the owner is very professional, sensible and fair.

Dermatology is Dr Siri, on the Moat or at various hospitals.

I like Mccormick and used to get lab work done there, until I found CMF Lab, which is a 4 minute walk from the NE corner of the Moat. Results sent to your email in about an hour, and they open every day at 6:30 am. Roughly 1/3 less than Mccormick. Like Mccormick, it is modest, but very clean and professional. My favorite lunch spot is by that bookstore over there, so I eat lunch with the savings.

Does CMF Lab have a phone number please?

my report was signed by Kotphaka, who said to call with questions at 089-5044685 I also have 053-449142 and 083-9459142.....be advised that there may be more than one location. English was well above average. The office I went to is about a block behind "Winner Inn."

Edited September 27, 2014 by Thighlander

[Dante99]

I do this:

I go to McCormick and order the blood tests that I want or have been asked for, inexpensive and efficient.

I see my cardiologist at RAM every six months or when he wants to see me, I take the most recent McCormick tests with me. He's very OK with that and the consulting charge is minimal, typically 300 baht. Of all the doctors I know Dr Patarapong is the one who has the highest standing in my book for professionalism combined with bedside manner and every other attribute I look for in a good doctor.

I use Rajavej for gastroenterology because they specialize in this, related tests are price competitive but I still use McCormick for blood works.

I stopped seeing endocrinologists, I realized I know more about diabetes and its treatment than most of them do.

If I need an ER I use RAM because it's efficient and inexpensive plus I trust them.

If I get a bug that I can't self medicate or if I need a flu shot, I'll see a GP, reluctantly.

Any orthopedic concerns and I see Dr Chanakarn, easily the best around town by far.

I try not to use Sriphat any more unless perhaps for neurology, if needed.

Mix and match is the name of the game.

EDIT to add:

I use Dr Rachada at RAM for ophthalmology, the lady is hugely professional - I use Vision Centre to fill any prescriptions, the owner is very professional, sensible and fair.

Dermatology is Dr Siri, on the Moat or at various hospitals.

I like Mccormick and used to get lab work done there, until I found CMF Lab, which is a 4 minute walk from the NE corner of the Moat. Results sent to your email in about an hour, and they open every day at 6:30 am. Roughly 1/3 less than Mccormick. Like Mccormick, it is modest, but very clean and professional. My favorite lunch spot is by that bookstore over there, so I eat lunch with the savings.

Does CMF Lab have a phone number please?

my report was signed by Kotphaka, who said to call with questions at 089-5044685 I also have 053-449142 and 083-9459142.....be advised that there may be more than one location. English was well above average. The office I went to is about a block behind "Winner Inn."

Winner Inn on/near SE corner of Moat?

[elektrified]

Here is something to consider. There have been many labs mentioned recently in this and past threads; CMF, Lanna Lab, R.I.A. Lab, etc. But which of them have full accreditation?

A few members mentioned CMF, 2 members mentioned Lanna Lab (not Lanna Hospital) but one member's doctor thought the tests were not accurate there.....another member thought R.I.A. was "dirty" and not cheap.

I mentioned to my urologist that I preferred to get my next PSA/Free PSA at a lab rather than pay the high price of RAM (and the hassle at Sriphat is too much these days and prices are high there now). He said he had no problem with that but he would not entertain any results from a lab who is not fully accredited.

So does anyone know?

[Thighlander]

my report was signed by Kotphaka, who said to call with questions at 089-5044685 I also have 053-449142 and 083-9459142.....be advised that there may be more than one location. English was well above average. The office I went to is about a block behind "Winner Inn."

Winner Inn on/near SE corner of Moat?

Yes! Thank You!...SE Corner; not NE corner as I previously stated.

[PMNL]

There are two RIA, one is the dirty one as the other poster said which is not a branch of accredited BKK RIA, another is new to town, located at the avenue star on Mahidol road. They are a real brach of the well know accredited BKK RIA.

No idea if they are clean, haven't used them.

[davehowden]

Went to Rajave for the Over 40 Premium check up on 29 October.

Checked in at 08:00 and out of the door after seeing the doctor for a run down of the results by 12:00.

I am not a health fanatic so cannot compare with other similar services but it seemed efficient and well co-ordinated, I was never left wondering where to go or what to do next. The Ultrasound particularly seemed to be very thorough and i was sent away to drink a load more water before she continued, maybe Ultrasound needs a lot of fluid in the stomach??

There is a huge car parking area but this was full up at 12:00 when I left, plenty of space at 08:00 when i arrived.

Reasonably priced canteen on the second floor for the "Fasting Blood Test" relief meal and coffee.

One thing that others might need to be aware of though, when I paid the cashier my 4,900 baht with five 1000 baht notes she seemed reluctant to give me my 100 baht change until I held my hand out for it, maybe she worked at immigration before!

[chiang mai]

You need a full bladder for the ultrasound exam so the technician can observe the pelvic region.