Mission Hospital and Bupa and Me.

[Whyisitso?]

Here is a brief account of my experience with Mission Hospital, Bangkok.

This may serve as a warning to you all in regard to the private health care system here in Thailand.

In March this year I developed an inguinal hernia which needed surgery as a matter of urgency.

I searched the web for a hospital and found Mission Hospital amongst the “cheaper” hospitals. I chose this particular hospital because I had previously experienced their services, though second-hand. A very good friend was admitted to this hospital about 7 years ago for palliative care. He then died there after receiving an extremely high standard of care and compassion.

Consequently, I made an appointment to see their specialist, then a date was set for the operation 2 weeks hence.

I then asked for the cost of this procedure.

I gave the staff member my BUPA health benefits card and then this particular staff member obtained the costings from BUPA, which was that I would be liable for a residual of 17,000 Baht, providing there were no complications.

I agreed to this.

Two weeks later upon admission for the surgery I once again asked the same staff member what is my residual (liability) and was reassured that it was 17,000Baht.

Upon discharge I was informed that my ‘residual’ had increased!

It had basically doubled!

I was totally enraged and traumatized.

I spoke to a BUPA representative who informed me of BUPA’s strict policy, that all quotations are only to be accepted in writing, not orally, and that this particular Mission Hospital staff member had not complied with this policy and had accepted an oral quotation by telephone, from one of BUPA’s customer service staff.

To date, Mission Hospital have not accepted liability for their staff member’s non-compliance and I am expected to pay.

In other words I have to pay for another person’s ‘mistake.!

This is not the first time I have had this experience with Thai private hospitals. Around 6 or 7 years ago I had a similar experience with the Bangkok Nursing Hospital, in which my ‘residual’ also suddenly and unexpectedly doubled! To me it seems to be a common practice of initially, deliberately ‘quoting’ a low residual, then upon discharge, giving you the true expense. A form of “bait and trap”.

I did not get the original ‘quotation' in writing from Mission hospital, as being an Adventist Church hospital I truly believed they were an ethical and honest organization.

One final point- I have absolutely no quarrel with, nor criticism of, the standard of surgery and nursing care I received. It was of the highest standard and I unhesitatingly recommend them, that is, the doctors, surgeons and nursing staff.

So in conclusion, my advice to you all is always get it writing ……. Even if it does not entail repairs to your body!!

[Sheryl]

Do you know what it was that changed? Was it the amount BUPA reimbursed, or the total amount for the hospitalization?

Just wondering if this was a joint BUPA - Hospital error. If it was a difference between what BUPA told the hospital and what they later paid, I would tend to apportion the majority of the blame to BUPA. Just as you trusted the hospital, not unreasonable that they would have trusted what BUPA verbally told them...

If on the other hand the total tab increased then one would wonder why i.e. what the original quote you got excluded.

[tolsti]

Just so I get this right..... You got caught in the residual trap 6 or 7 years ago and then allowed your self to get caught again whilst knowing that you should have got it in writing?... Some people are very slow learners!

[katana]

I went to the Mission hospital a couple of times and wasn't too impressed with it. Not particularly good treatment and tried to do some unecessary procedures to up the cost.

[bkkgooner]

I went to the Mission hospital a couple of times and wasn't too impressed with it. Not particularly good treatment and tried to do some unecessary procedures to up the cost.

There is one trustworthy doctor in the entire place and he is the best doctor I have found in Bangkok. I have no idea why he works there he should be in Bumringrad making twice the money for half the work that he puts in.

All of the Thai doctors there I have come across in Mission have been brutal, one gave me a massive collection of calcium tablets to cure my chronic fatigue and the other wanted to throw in an extra 15,000 baht procedure for the hell of it.

Edited December 8, 2014 by bkkgooner

[Sheryl]

Actually the OP reports a favorable experience with the care.

I also have been a patient there with positive experience, and a number of TV members have been happy with care there, especially from the American doctors on staff.

This doesn't negate the claims of others to have had negative experiences... just demonstrates that there like all other hospitals, there is a wide variation among physicians.

[bkkgooner]

Actually the OP reports a favorable experience with the care.

I also have been a patient there with positive experience, and a number of TV members have been happy with care there, especially from the American doctors on staff.

This doesn't negate the claims of others to have had negative experiences... just demonstrates that there like all other hospitals, there is a wide variation among physicians.

I was replying directly to a quote that criticized the hospital.

I have been a patient at the hospital many times and the American GP has always looked after me very well, I commented directly on the Thai 'specialists' that I have encountered there. Who are the other America doctors on staff?

Your post is really peculiar do you have personal connection to the hospital or something or maybe you just missed what I quoted in my reply.

Mission is the place that I always go to when I am unwell as I know the best GP in Bangkok works there, I don't put much trust in the place beyond him.

[angsila]

I go there for treatment by a Thai doctor who in my opinion and others who I recommended her to is excellent.

[Sheryl]

Actually the OP reports a favorable experience with the care.

I also have been a patient there with positive experience, and a number of TV members have been happy with care there, especially from the American doctors on staff.

This doesn't negate the claims of others to have had negative experiences... just demonstrates that there like all other hospitals, there is a wide variation among physicians.

I was replying directly to a quote that criticized the hospital.

I have been a patient at the hospital many times and the American GP has always looked after me very well, I commented directly on the Thai 'specialists' that I have encountered there. Who are the other America doctors on staff?

Your post is really peculiar do you have personal connection to the hospital or something or maybe you just missed what I quoted in my reply.

Mission is the place that I always go to when I am unwell as I know the best GP in Bangkok works there, I don't put much trust in the place beyond him.

1. There is more than one American doctor on their staff.

2. You can hardly have had first hand experience with all the Thai doctors on staff there. It does not follow that because the one(s) you did have contact with were a bad experience, that all of them are to be avoided. There is not a hospital in the world where there are not some "bad apples" to be found.

3. My only connection with the hospital is as stated: I have been a patient there (once) and also in the course of Moderating this forum, seen feedback from many TV members over the years. I do not have any "personal" connection with any hospital in Thailand. I would not be an appropriate person to give advice in this forum if I did.

[bkkgooner]

Fair enough, maybe I was a bit harsh on the place.

Who are the other American staff at Mission besides Dr.Nick?