I now need an expensive operation - what are my options?

[CWMcMurray]

If it really comes to it, you can apply for cc , working in Thailand ... Then can pay it off in monthly installments...

Only whatcha out for the interest ... As most are 20% and some have seen 15%....

Can also look at the hospital you will have it done at to see if they have any discount program.. Have put a link below...

http://www.samitivejhospitals.com/chivapackagelist/en

Also some hospitals offer discounts on room rates and others if paid with certain cc...

http://www.samitivejhospitals.com/price_package_children_hospital/en

Although first choice should be to go to your social security hospital to try and get them to cover

[CWMcMurray]

Just took a look at KBank cc on the above link..

Decent discount, but even better... 0% interest for 6 months if over 5,000 thb...

So if able to pay off in 6 months... Amounts to interest free 'loan'

[cassde]

If you return to the UK after 8 years away, it will take you 6 months as a minimum to get back into the NHS system. Your health will have deteriorated by then so I don't suggest it as an option.

[EvilDrSomkid]

Ian, we talked about this issue a while back on fb, remember? You should be covered by the Thai prakan sankom (public heath insurance). You need to go to the government hospital you chose when entering the scheme and get this sorted out. This will only get worse. Get your company's HR to help you.

There are good government hospitals and not so good. 300k for your operation sound very high, but you have named some expensive private hospitals. If you have the energy, see if you can get in to Siriraj. They treat the King and are very good. I have also heard good things about Chula Hospital. Ask your wife to help you with this.

Otherwise, just give me a call and I can explain further.

[jacko45k]

Unfortuantely I am not on a pension harrry but thank for the advice. Will no insurers in Thailand help me out? Even if they pay the costs themselves upfront (the insurer) and I pay back per month, I would be fine with that.

Thanks.

ianwuk

You could go the the UK, but you have to persuade them that you have moved back permanently to get free NHS treatment.

No insurer is going to take you on with cover for something .already diagnosed.

Firstly, get a second (or is it third) opinion, I am cynical that some hospitals may be prepared to give expensive treatments that are not necessary,or non-beneficial.

I hope the Thai social security works out for you.

[bhorn]

try to make a JUICE FAST for as long as needed or a monodiet, bananas or any other food you like. You can certainly avoid operation, and why not be healed completely. Fruits are not expensive in Thailand, and it will help you a lot !

[recycler]

If you work here and pay social security you should have a prakan sankom card that gives you access to Thai healthcare.

Go to a good government hospital, with or without prakan sangkom. If you are in Chonburi/Rayong area I would advise the Queen Sirikit Military hospital in Sattahip. Mostly the same doctors as in commercial hospitals in the area, good facilities at a much lower price (although foreigners pay 50% more), you only wait a bit longer.

[SOTIRIOS]

...read up on alternative treatments......

..........and.......something in your surroundings is obviously irritating your system....

[sfbandung]

With the greatest respect you are living in a foreign country with less than 6,000 quid to your name?

You need to head home where you have a public health system you are entitled to use.

[shaurene]

Friend of mne here have big problems with his feet with lure like problem.

He been away from UK more that 12 yrs, he went back few months ago to see if he could get something done on the NHS.

He had to register with a local GP and the GP sent him to see specialist at the hospital. Specialist said would take some time with all the treatment but he did not want to stay as he had no where to live.

To register with a local GP he had to give an address so he gave a friends address.

So I would say yes you can get your treatment in UK

[Estrada]

A friend of mine sent his American mother to the UK for an operation recently and she was treated for free. Absolutely amazing since she has also been here for years.

You are not covered for free NHS treatment. I paid B1,000,000 last year for life 3 weeks in I.C.U. in Australia which has a reciprocal agreement with the UK for treatment of each other's citizens.

When I worked for a Thai Company I had medical insurance provided. I needed a hernia operation and a friend was running Bumrungrad Hospital at the time. He let me into a secret that his surgeons and doctors had to work three days a week at Chulalongkorn University Hospital on Rama IV road, to repay for their tuition in the USA. So the operation at the time only cost B20,000 paid by the Thai insurance company, the only difference was that accomodation was in a public ward and not a luxury suite.

Insurance schemes in general are a waste of time since if you look at the small print there is a limit on what they pay. In fact BUPA would have only paid me B85,000 of my B1.000,000 medical cost, whilst the annual fee was B95,000. I keep B1,000,000 in an instant access mutual fund that earns profits, as an emergency fund and you should do the same. If you can't afford to do so you should return to the UK and after 6 months, if you can delay the treatment, go to the hospital as though the polyps have just appeared.

[buck99]

Last month my GF had that same operation at Bangkok Hospital Pattaya. In addition to nasal polyps, her sinuses were infected and they also opened her septum to facilitate her breathing. She spent 2 nights in a private room and received excellent care. Within a few days she was feeling great. The total hospital and doctor bill was 180,000 baht.

[hgma]

By no means do i want to influance anyone...but my son's tonsils had to be removed

Checked BKK Hospital in Bangkok surgery: 100.000 + 7 day after (sales)care.....

Local hospital North East.......all in 6000 bath.

Excellent care-doctor and room included for 1 day

Thats 6 years ago.

[ScotBkk]

Go back to the UK and get on the waiting list, hopefully you won't have to wait too long....

All the best

Yes, 5 years if he can wait that long. I too have had 2 operations in Thailand and very expensive indeed. First op lasted 6 weeks before they come back. Second, operation lasted about 4 weeks before the nasal polyps came back. My MD just had a successful op in China and been 95% cured for past 3 years. I am going in 2 weeks time to China for the same op. Costs around $6,000 but peanuts if one weighs this against the suffering which is far too difficult to explain on any Topic.

Incidentally, I contracted Asthma & nasal polyps through the use of ASPIRINS which to me was an incredible experience thinking that these meds were a mere bagatelle compared to other drugs used for petty ailments.

Been the blight of my life, making one become an involuntary mouth breather. For years now been nasally spoken ... previously to this my family inferred I was always talking out my arse ......

[uptheos]

If you return to the UK after 8 years away, it will take you 6 months as a minimum to get back into the NHS system. Your health will have deteriorated by then so I don't suggest it as an option.

An Emergency will be treated as soon as you walk off the plane,

[natway09]

Sorry Alan, but was not a serious accident if hospital bill only 8K.

Ianwuk, I suggest you go to Rama Thipodee (sp) on Rama 6. the largest public teaching hospital in SEA.

They have a finance dept that will advance up to 1mil in cover as long as can pay back in 48 months & they charge no interest.

You must have a work permit & or (residence ) status to qualify. There could be other conditions so go talk to them

[sghanchey]

India!

Have to say best option by a mile. I go there frequently for medical care,just a short hop and damned cheap and excellent care, far better than UK

could go back to UK go private BUPA doctor few hundred £ ,then fast tracked through NHS

Just a point ,have had estimates for past surgery in Thailand chose India 1/20 of the cost at least,and so good.

Going in a month or so PM me if you decide

[sghanchey]

Very curious to know about Indian health care options that someone has mentioned in this thread. New to Forum and don't know how to PM him.

[NoshowJones]

If you are on a pension I believe you get covered in the UK if you return (to stay possibly but of course you do not know you have to leave after it because of the cold).

To the OP. I believe you should return to the UK, I just cannot see them turning you away for any reason. Then you come back to Thailand once you are well again. Good luck, and I hope things turn out well for you.

[strabel23]

India!

Have to say best option by a mile. I go there frequently for medical care,just a short hop and damned cheap and excellent care, far better than UK

could go back to UK go private BUPA doctor few hundred £ ,then fast tracked through NHS

Just a point ,have had estimates for past surgery in Thailand chose India 1/20 of the cost at least,and so good.

Going in a month or so PM me if you decide

Please tell me or pm me with the name of the Hosp. and/or clinic that you can obtain medical care for 1/20th that of Thailand.

[uptheos]

If you are on a pension I believe you get covered in the UK if you return (to stay possibly but of course you do not know you have to leave after it because of the cold).

To the OP. I believe you should return to the UK, I just cannot see them turning you away for any reason. Then you come back to Thailand once you are well again. Good luck, and I hope things turn out well for you.

They won't turn him away

What are they going to do let him die or deport him?

[r2d2wat]

Probably too late to prevent this surgery, but what is being done for prevention? If you have already had 2 opinions, you have probably already determined that you don't have allergies, or have them and you are working hard on avoidance measures. You are of course already rigorously avoiding aspirin, or aspirin related products, and non steroidal drugs such as ibuprofen. If you have been otherwise pretty healthy, you probably don't have the other diseases associated with (causing?) polyps. Have asthma yet? Hopefully you are managing to do your saline nasal irrigation EVERY day, preferably 2-3 times.

The nasal steroid sprays are extremely effective at controlling nasal allergies, and are often very helpful in managing sinus infections. But if the polyps are too large, the sprays can't penetrate. Sometimes a short course of prednisone is given to shrink them, then use high dose nasal steroid sprays regularly.

Polyps recur in about 2/3, but with lots of hard work you might get "lucky".

[Greg Nixon]

You need to go to the doctor or hospital ( maybe more knowledgeable ) with a Thai person who can speak Thai and English and sort out your social insurance and who pays what.

I have found the health care and doctors here to be excellent but I cannot comment on India. Have you investigated hospitals and doctors in Mukdahan ? Are you going to a public or International Hospital ? There is a significant difference in cost but not in care.

[NoshowJones]

If you are on a pension I believe you get covered in the UK if you return (to stay possibly but of course you do not know you have to leave after it because of the cold).

To the OP. I believe you should return to the UK, I just cannot see them turning you away for any reason. Then you come back to Thailand once you are well again. Good luck, and I hope things turn out well for you.

They won't turn him away

What are they going to do let him die or deport him?

Exactly my point.

[NoshowJones]

Go back to the UK and get on the waiting list, hopefully you won't have to wait too long....

All the best

sorry to be so harsh but being in thailand and cant afford 300,000bht.no bank would lend you that amount,and borrowing elswhere [dont even think about it]

so the only option you have is to return back to the uk.and stay there.

What do you mean by telling the OP to stay there? Would that not be up to him?

[F4UCorsair]

If you have it done in Thailand, or India please let us know if the hospital food is as bad as elsewhere in the world.

Do they nip down to the nearest Soi Food Stalls and pick up hospital meals?

That may influence where I have surgery in the future.

[uptheos]

If you have it done in Thailand, or India please let us know if the hospital food is as bad as elsewhere in the world.

Do they nip down to the nearest Soi Food Stalls and pick up hospital meals?

That may influence where I have surgery in the future.

Need to get priorities right eh?

Assuming both places are as clean as each other, Indian food wins hands down!

[tancred]

Hi Steven get back to UK asap.I had kidney stone went Petcharit hospital inPtchaburi and met by a "greeter" cost for two nights54,308.00Bht less 2,470,00 discount,no food.total cost 51,470,00. the land of wiles is no place to be ill.I had phone calls to return but never went back ,.Hope you get better

[Capt Rob]

India!

Have to say best option by a mile. I go there frequently for medical care,just a short hop and damned cheap and excellent care, far better than UK

could go back to UK go private BUPA doctor few hundred £ ,then fast tracked through NHS

Just a point ,have had estimates for past surgery in Thailand chose India 1/20 of the cost at least,and so good.

Going in a month or so PM me if you decide

Have heard some good reports on India for medical work via another forum so you should perhaps consider India as an option - good luck

[biggles45]

A friend of mine worked here legally and his employer paid into the social services fund for him. He had two hips replaced under this and the cost was negligible. Furthermore when he left his employment he still was able to keep paying the fund dues on his own, and maintain his cover. He actually posted this on a local web forum as info for other expats.