Officials conduct surprise inspections of medical charges at private hospitals in Bangkok

[webfact]

Officials conduct surprise inspections of medical charges at private hospitals in Bangkok

BANGKOK, 22 May 2015 (NNT) – Director-General of the Internal Trade Department Boonyarit Kalayanamit led a team of officials to inspect two private hospitals in Bangkok and found they had strictly complied with the regulations regarding the demonstration of treatment fee and medicinal prices.

The two pilot hospitals picked for the inspection were Vibhavadi and Nonthavej. According to Mr.Boonyarit, customers of private hospitals have lawful rights to know treatment fee and other charges by hospitals before making decision whether to buy the medicines.

Thus all private hospitals must show the rate evidently to their customers. Any private hospital failing to do so will be fined of no more than THB10,000.

“Within this week, the Department of Internal Trade will check the display of drug and medical rates at all private hospitals in Bangkok, after which the inspection will move to other hospitals in the provinces,” revealed Mr.Boonyarit.

-- NNT 2015-05-22

[trogers]

? This inspection teams seem to deliberately avoid those hospitals along Sukhumvit and New Petcheburi...

[Lite Beer]

Commerce officials start inspecting private hospitals to check their drug price lists



BANGKOK: -- Commerce Ministry officials have started inspecting certain private hospitals to find out whether they abide by the regulations to show the price list of their medicines and medical services.

The random inspection by officials of the Internal Trade Department of the Commerce Ministry was in response to complaints from members of the public that they were unfairly overcharged by private hospitals for both medical services and medication.

As for medical service charges which are not covered in the controlled price list, it was reported that the Internal Trade Department was in the process of proposing the central committee charged with setting the median prices of products and services to include medical service charges in the controlled price list.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/commerce-officials-start-inspecting-private-hospitals-to-check-their-drug-price-lists

-- Thai PBS 2015-05-22

[tomacht8]

Thus all private hospitals must show the rate evidently to their customers. Any private hospital failing to do so will be fined of no more than THB10,000.

Hopefully there surprise inspections of medical charges at private hospitals in Bangkok will not lead to an price increase.
The fine is definitely too low.
So the hospitals will impose the additional costs to the patients.

Edited May 22, 2015 by tomacht8

[blueyeshk]

Its about time to tackle this unregulated money squeezing factories.

[scorecard]

Does anybody know (as a fact, not an opinion) whether these hospitals can demand that patients have to buy drugs from the hospital pharmacy?

Maybe 15 years ago my Thai son refused to buy the prescribed medicines from what's probably the highest profile

international ' hospital.

He was very pissed off because of mistakes in treatment /mistakes of identity / wrong drugs given whilst his young daughter was in inpatient.

He stood his ground and refused to buy the 'on discharge' medicines from their internal pharmacy. The hospital tried to say it was the law he had to buy from the

hospital.

He insisted they show him the written law. The hospital tried to say 'not necessary' to see the law and demanded he buy the medicines.

He refused and, because of their rudeness and arrogance, he called the police. Before the police arrived the hospital had backed away.

[dageurreotype]

Does anybody know (as a fact, not an opinion) whether these hospitals can demand that patients have to buy drugs from the hospital pharmacy?

Maybe 15 years ago my Thai son refused to buy the prescribed medicines from what's probably the highest profile

international ' hospital.

He was very pissed off because of mistakes in treatment /mistakes of identity / wrong drugs given whilst his young daughter was in inpatient.

He stood his ground and refused to buy the 'on discharge' medicines from their internal pharmacy. The hospital tried to say it was the law he had to buy from the

hospital.

He insisted they show him the written law. The hospital tried to say 'not necessary' to see the law and demanded he buy the medicines.

He refused and, because of their rudeness and arrogance, he called the police. Before the police arrived the hospital had backed away.

No you needn't buy from the hospital mafia. The main bone of contention is the unregulated untrammeled GREED allowed to proliferate in what should be a HEALTH service, privately subsidised or not.

[Mango Bob]

I have no problem at a top hospital off Soi 3 Sukhumvit, the doctor had no problem with me buying a drug that cost 105 baht per pill at the hospital which at my pharmacy in my hometown cost 65 baht per pill.

[Rhys]

we know the deal...

[misterphil]

They should check out the Bangkok Hospital Pattaya.

[SOTIRIOS]

...after 2 weeks of constant media coverage and announcements.........and warnings......hardly a surprise.....

...another charade....

[shirtless]

They are great at dual pricing

[buhi]

I happen to have been lucky, and the consultant at the private hospital I use, agreed the place was there to make a profit and I refused his offer to see another specialist at said establishment, having already seen him before. Also the medication I use costs 50 baht at my local pharmacy so no prescribed drugs thanks. He agreed and even printed out my latest blood tests to enable me to consult at another hospital if I was dissatisfied. Good man, must say I was surprised.

Edited May 23, 2015 by buhi

[Seastallion]

So, all the prices are displayed in English, to comply with the law, but with small print in Thai saying"If you can read this, ask for a 50% discount".

[moe666]

A few years ago stayed at Ram Hospital in Chiang Mai when I left told the Dr. to write down what antibiotic he wanted me to take of course he insisted I had to buy from hospital and I told him I would not. But I must buy from hospital I said no I must not as it was my money and my decision why would I pay 100 dollars for something when I could buy for 10 dollars else where, the Dr. finally relented and wrote down the name of the antibiotic.

Always remember this is a profit center for them as room charges are not that expensive but they make up for it on the sale of medicine.

[konying]

Wow a whooping 10 000 baht fine. I am sure it will really hurt when hospital makes that from 1 patient in 1 day

[konying]

A few years ago stayed at Ram Hospital in Chiang Mai when I left told the Dr. to write down what antibiotic he wanted me to take of course he insisted I had to buy from hospital and I told him I would not. But I must buy from hospital I said no I must not as it was my money and my decision why would I pay 100 dollars for something when I could buy for 10 dollars else where, the Dr. finally relented and wrote down the name of the antibiotic.

Always remember this is a profit center for them as room charges are not that expensive but they make up for it on the sale of medicine.

If you think 12000 per night for room is not that expansive then I would not worry about medication price differences

[NongKhaiKid]

Surprise inspections ? Wasn't it all announced via the media ?

More telegraphing of punches !

We're coming to get you but in our own good time.

[Bangkok Barry]

Rip-offs aren't necessarily about the pricing. A few years ago someone I knew felt he was in need of a little TLC and went to a private hospital in Bangkok complaining that he had hurt his neck when a taxi he was in stopped suddenly to avoid a motorcyclist. It was a total fabrication, but the hospital not only found a problem when they x-rayed, they even showed him the (an) x-ray film to back up their claim. They also said he needed to stay in the hospital for observation. I repeat, there was nothing wrong with him at all. He made his excuses and left with just a neck brace for the non-existent injury. In Thailand it is always about the money.

[hugh2121]

I have first hand knowledge of one hospital in Pattaya and another in Sri Racha. This is the way it goes at both hospitals.

After treatment, go to cashier. You are verbally told the total you have to pay. AFTER payment you are given receipted account which you take to hospital pharmacy. The pharmacy hand you your meds, if you want to know the charge for any of the meds, you have to ask.

You will find the identical meds in a local pharmacy for a fraction of the cost.

So much for displaying the cost in advance.

[trogers]

Wow a whooping 10 000 baht fine. I am sure it will really hurt when hospital makes that from 1 patient in 1 day

This fine is already too high. The norm is 500 baht.

[Andreas2]

Last week I was at the Bangkok Hospital in Pattaya to get information about a surgical intervention I wanted/needed. During the conversation the doctor informed me about the costs to be expected.

Yesterday I had the surgery. Before that I had to do a deposit as I have no insurance. The amount was exacty the same as the doctor told me.

After the surgery the doctor asked me if I wanted some painkillers for the days to come. I refused and the subject was finished.

Before leaving the hospital I was also returned 20% of my deposit.

After all, I'm a satisfied customer with the services delivered: I knew the price to be expected in advance, the surgery was successful (as far as I can say up until now) and I didn't feel pushed to buy anything in-house.

My post is just a personal report and I have absolutely no intention to question any other posts here on this subject.

I'm just not of the opinion that more price regulations keep prices down. They never do in the long run.

Edited May 23, 2015 by Andreas2

[emilymat]

Rip-offs aren't necessarily about the pricing. A few years ago someone I knew felt he was in need of a little TLC and went to a private hospital in Bangkok complaining that he had hurt his neck when a taxi he was in stopped suddenly to avoid a motorcyclist. It was a total fabrication, but the hospital not only found a problem when they x-rayed, they even showed him the (an) x-ray film to back up their claim. They also said he needed to stay in the hospital for observation. I repeat, there was nothing wrong with him at all. He made his excuses and left with just a neck brace for the non-existent injury. In Thailand it is always about the money.

"He made his excuses and left". That's what they used to say in the News of the World, after paying the agreed fee, when doing a sting operation on hookers.

Good post though. I remember going for a 'free' promotional medical check-up. ( I attended the gym regularly and also had run a lot of marathons, so I felt pretty fit, but I thought 'why not!)

Anyway, when they put me on the treadmill, they suddenly gasped and switched it off and said there was a problem with my heart. I needed an immediate CT scan!.

Well, I was flabbergasted, and then had to wait 48 hours to see the results. It was a very worrying time.

Anyway, when I saw the quack he grinned and showed me the pictures of my heart etc and said everything was fine and it was in excellent condition. He even gave me a little CD with the results. 10,000 baht bill of course.

After I had got over the shock a mate said simply 'You must know, there is no such thing as a free check-up'.

This was many years ago now but I certainly learned my lesson.

[Gandtee]

I am glad to see that the Inspection Team have given hospitals time to print out new price lists. Bt 10,000 fine? That for the hospitals involved is like a mosquito bite, and certainly not a fine to make them change their ways.Perhaps the Inspection Team should do a surprise visit to Pattaya hospitals? Now I am guilty of giving the hospitals a head start.

[Ulic]

For me this is only half the story. Public hospitals must post their prices so people can see the

differences and how they are being gouged by many private hospitals. Then Thais, Ex-pats, and

tourists can make educated decisions on where to get there health care. There is a big

difference in private hospitals so some would benefit greatly.

[Kees5555]

A doctor in a clinic in Jomtien Beach gave my GF 4 types of AB + injection + expensive cleaning stuff for pussy. Bill > 2000 baht.
Without lab tests !!!

After I urged to do a lab test, it came out my GF did not have any bacteria... nothing !!! All the AB were just for making money !

I asked for return of money... no.
I sent an email to the Thai Medical Council.... they don't even reply.

[Mister Fixit]

I have no problem at a top hospital off Soi 3 Sukhumvit, the doctor had no problem with me buying a drug that cost 105 baht per pill at the hospital which at my pharmacy in my hometown cost 65 baht per pill.

Same here, same hospital (I would think from its location)

That's why it's a very good hospital with excellent doctors.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

Does anybody know (as a fact, not an opinion) whether these hospitals can demand that patients have to buy drugs from the hospital pharmacy?

No... as a fact, an inpatient or outpatient at Thai hospitals, public or private, can buy medicines wherever they choose -- from the hospital, from an outside pharmacy, etc. That applies to most medicines, including medicines often available outside Thailand only via a doctor's prescription, such as antibiotics. The hospital can't force you to buy medicine from them, and most routine medicines are equally available from regular pharmacies. (Obviously, that's easier in an outpatient setting where you're free to travel and shop, and a bit harder in an inpatient setting where you may be confined to a hospital bed).

However, the one rub to that is.... there are SOME drugs in Thailand that are only available directly from hospital pharmacies, and are not legally allowed to be sold elsewhere, such as from private pharmacies. The decongestant pseudoephedrine is one example of that kind of a restricted medicine. So in those limited cases, you wouldn't have to buy the medicine from any particular hospital. But you wouldn't be able to buy it legally anywhere else but from some hospital pharmacy through a doctor's order.

The way Thai hospitals typically attempt to enforce their monopoly over drug sales is that the doctors often won't even bother to tell the patient what exact medicines they're ordering/prescribing. You just see the doctor, he examines/diagnoses, and sends you on your way with the bill and behind-the-scenes orders to the cashier and pharmacy. Often no detail provided to the patient at all up to that point. And oftentimes, the patient doesn't even find out what medicine has been ordered until after they've already paid their bill, including for any medicines, and then finally are sent to the pharmacy.

The patient's antidote to that kind of questionable approach is to make sure, when dealing with the doctor, to get him/her to tell you exactly what he intends to prescribe, how many, what strength, how to take, etc etc... And keep track of that info, writing it down or otherwise. Once the doctor has explained that to you, you can tell him/her, you intend to buy those medicines outside the hospital, so he/she shouldn't order them thru the hospital pharmacy.

But even if the doctor insists, you can still check with the cashier before paying and have them print out for you a list of the details (and pricing) of the medicines ordered by the doctor. Then, you can keep that printed list for your own shopping purposes, and at that point tell the cashier to delete off your bill any medicines to intend to purchase on your own elsewhere (usually it's just simpler to tell them, I already have those at home, so don't need more).

My experience has been, if the medicine the doctor is prescribing is one that you CANNOT obtain from outside pharmacies, the doctors know that and will tell you, sorry, that's not something you can get anywhere else.

Edited May 23, 2015 by TallGuyJohninBKK