Hospital Tests

[emilymat]

OK people this is not a moan just an issue which sometimes crops up.

On Wednesday I have 3 appointments, one after another, with the Bangkok Pattaya Hospital. Eye examination, ear examination and dermatologist. They span a period of 3 hours.

Anyway, I asked the very pleasant lady on reception whether or not I could just have one bill for the three. She said 'sorry'. OK then, no problem there, except three trips to cashier.

But, and this is the point of the post, I suspect they will wish to take my blood pressure, weight and height 3 times. If they do I will refuse, as it happened before to me, prior to becoming streetwise. The point is, for anyone never using the place, you get charged each time for that service and they don't ask you if you want it.

I'll let you know and eat humble pie if I'm wrong. Promise!

[KittenKong]

BPH are not alone in this. It is common for private hospitals and clinics to charge a fee for "nursing services" on each bill, which covers the BP tests etc that you mention and other tasks performed by the nursing staff. The fee is generally around 300-500B, as is charged for each appointment/consultation/treatment.

This is done specifically to drive profits up and it has no other purpose at all. What is worse, when you ask what the cost of a particular visit/treatment will be they rarely include this fee in the price announced. Again, this is simply dishonest as far as I'm concerned.

The other big scam in hospitals is the prices charged in their in-house pharmacies, which I have seen can be up to 8 times the cost of buying identical medicines elsewhere.

[Woody1]

OK people this is not a moan just an issue which sometimes crops up.

On Wednesday I have 3 appointments, one after another, with the Bangkok Pattaya Hospital. Eye examination, ear examination and dermatologist. They span a period of 3 hours.

Anyway, I asked the very pleasant lady on reception whether or not I could just have one bill for the three. She said 'sorry'. OK then, no problem there, except three trips to cashier.

But, and this is the point of the post, I suspect they will wish to take my blood pressure, weight and height 3 times. If they do I will refuse, as it happened before to me, prior to becoming streetwise. The point is, for anyone never using the place, you get charged each time for that service and they don't ask you if you want it.

I'll let you know and eat humble pie if I'm wrong. Promise!

You don't need to have the specified tests done at all for the specified examinations. I know this as I have simply refused in the past. Try it, unless you're not sure of your weight, height, or would like your BP measured (which you can get carried out at any clinic for a fraction of the price).

It is a blatant money making scam!

As for medication, the majority of things prescribed (depending on availability) are available at numerous local pharmacies yet again at a fraction of the price. The simple thing to do is have telephone numbers of a couple of pharmacies with you, and check on availability prior to accepting the whole bill, and leaving BPH.

Edited October 13, 2014 by Woody1

[Mobi]

I've always only had to pay one time, however many specialists I see at BPH, or at Bumrungrad in Bangkok.

In BPH in particular, I was always escorted by a 'nurse' from one dept to another, just to make sure I didn't skip off without paying...

I was never asked to be tested for BP etc more than once.

You should always make sure the receptionist at the first station knows you have more than one appointment that day.

How did you get on?

[prk888]

agree with Woody1 - just smile and say 'no thanks, don't want' and I too have never been charged under these circumstances at BPH

[emilymat]

Thanks guys. I'll take your tip tomorrow and smile but insist 'just once..' After all, I know how heavy I am and how high, plus I have a BP monitor at home.

The time before to which I referred involved a back problem - which I don't normally suffer from. I saw the first doc who had me X rayed and then sent me upstairs to have 'traction'. I was BP'd etc. both times and charged both times. Maybe the pain in my back dulled my senses!.

[balo]

I always say no to the "extra service" . I am there to see a specialist and only get charged for that

The recommended medication I buy at the pharmacy outside and save 80 % .

[emilymat]

Went to my 3 appointments this morning and reckon it's a score draw.

Following the advice of others at my first appointment (eye's) I asked if I could have one bill (handing them all three appointment slips). The lady said ' no problem' - which was different from Receptions advice.

I took the blood pressure height etc. but said I don't want it again. They said 'OK'. Excellent eye examination and discussion with the consultant man.

Then escorted to Hearing Centre, where I had excellent service and my ears cleared of wax. No BP etc. as promised.

Then escorted to Dermatology Centre. (I should explain I had a small growth - no bigger than a large pimple on the side of my head. It had been there for a year, gave me no trouble, but I thought I would let someone look at it whilst I was at the hospital. )

This centre seemed mainly to be concerned with 'cosmetic' surgery etc. Anyway, I saw the doctor and she examined it and said it was no problem just a bit of 'fat' or 'gristle' and could easily be removed. I thought OK and was sent to wait.

Then a nurse came out and told me they had decided I needed a biopsy at a cost of 6900 baht. That's when the alarm bells began to ring in my head, based on previous experience when I paid 10,000 baht for a heart scan that found absolutely nothing wrong with me. (This followed a 'free' promotional check-up).

Anyway, I politely refused to have the biopsy at this time and made a new appointment for a months time. Meanwhile I'll get a second opinion on the 'lump'.

Total bill for all three departments 2,600 baht. Service very good and staff excellent. No medicine's etc.

The biopsy would have jacked that up to around 9500 plus the removal. I'm not being irresponsible, but I can't help feeling the 'biopsy' was the money making part of the whole process. Guess I'm slightly sceptical and will await a second opinion.

Sorry for the lengthy reply, but those who have had the courtesy to comment deserve my feed back. Ta

[sattahip]

The reason for three bills is clear-each doctor has a lease style contract with the hospital rather than being a straighout employee. This for tax reason. Hence separate bills.

[Woody1]

The reason for three bills is clear-each doctor has a lease style contract with the hospital rather than being a straighout employee. This for tax reason. Hence separate bills.

What a load of rubbish!

Please re-read the OP's follow-up reply.

The doctors in BPH (and other international hospitals are straight out (as you call them) employees.

It has nothing at all to do with tax!