Fair medical charges by private Thai hospitals are needed

[KhunAussie52]

Last year i was with my family on holidays in Nong Khai.I was running out of medication for hypertension. I was taking Aprovel 150 mg.

The cost,then, in Surin was 900 baht for 28 tablets.

I went to a pharmacy in the local shopping mall.and the price quoted was 2900 baht for 28 tablets.

These meds are imported from France!

I have not been able to find a locally made equivalent.

I am not a doctor .. i am a guy with an internet connections and Google.

I am going to give myself 60 seconds to see what I find:

The active ingrediant in your medication is Irbesartan.

The generic Irbesartan is manufactured by 7 companies.

Do some research on the following:

Equivalent to Aprovel

1. Candesartan

2. Eprosartan

3. Losartan

4. Olmesartan

5. Telmisartan

6. Valsartan

Times's up! Amazng what information the internet can produce.

Best of luck in your search! I hope this helps in some way.

Aprovel is indicated in adults for the treatment of essential hypertension.

It is also indicated for the treatment of renal disease in adult patients with hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus as part of an antihypertensive medicinal product regimen

All the medications you listed are not able to be used as i have diabetes 2 and renal disease.If you checked the counter indications you would have noticed that

Also i am an ex general nurse who has a reasonable understanding of Pharmacology.I do not need a lesson in research!!!!

Edited June 2, 2015 by KhunAussie52

[Roota]

I go to Bumrungrad for a reason. The specialist is one of the best in the country. If not the best. You won't find him elsewhere nor his expertise anywhere else.

You might be surprised how many of the doctors there also practice at other hospitals, especially at government hospitals. In fact one of them recently advised a friend of mine to see him at Sirirat for his surgery, as the doctor preferred his OR team there. Not to mention that it cost only a third as much.

[elgordo38]

What about the fake diagnoses of cancer and other stuff they try and screw the farang with?

Forget the over charging, how would you like your liver removed when there is nothing wrong with it?

I am 77 when its time to go its time to go liver and all. I hate to leave something behind. I have no complaints coming my life was good during the best of times in history. I was a war baby. Yes we did not have computers, Iphones, or flat screen tv's but we sure had a lot of love by parents who had time to nurture us. They did not need to work 2 or 3 jobs to keep us fed and to buy all the above fancy toys that have taken over our minds and bodies mine included now. Our dollar really bought something back in those days now it has shrunk to a mere shadow of its former self while the price of everything has gone through the roof despite of all the BS the governments tell us about inflation. Its been a real trip sometimes me thinks rather short though but still good considering the amount of booze I drank in my younger stupider days I should really be dead by now oh the miracle of good genes. So a toast to one and all that have survived up to this point because beyond this point life will be all about survival.

[kennw]

Major private hospital on Convent road adds Baht 250 to every visit bill as "service charge" . They cannot explain what "services" this charge covers when questioned.

[Bernard Flint]

Yes. I am a farang with Diabetes. I use Novo Nordisk Penfill Insulin. In Pattaya, Bangkok hospital the price for 1 ampul is 270 THB. At the same hospital in Korat, Bangkok hospital, the price for the exact same ampul is 790 THB. Anybody who can explain to me why there are this difference in the price. Novo Nordisk can not, The hospital can not. Maybe the Government can. But it seems that they just charge whatever they want. I think that it is a disgrace with this difference in the same hospital.

SIR

Maybe bangkok Pattaya are undercharging

[Bernard Flint]

What about the fake diagnoses of cancer and other stuff they try and screw the farang with?

Forget the over charging, how would you like your liver removed when there is nothing wrong with it?

If you had your liver removed you would die!!!!!

Sorry for laughing, you answered much better than me. is the guy talking about downtown India hahahahahahhaha

[Bernard Flint]

it is time this was sorted it has been going on for a long time I and many others are living in Thailand on limited funds pensions tied to the rates of exchange we need to shop accordingly we need to get a fair crack of the whip . all private hospitals should be regulated .

Maybe a half decent private healthcare ??????????

[Soutpeel]

it is time this was sorted it has been going on for a long time I and many others are living in Thailand on limited funds pensions tied to the rates of exchange we need to shop accordingly we need to get a fair crack of the whip . all private hospitals should be regulated .

Maybe a half decent private healthcare ??????????

The poster concerned will be demanding the cost of Mercedes, BMW and Ferrari be regulated next cos he is a pensioner

can some one point out to said pensioner he is no longer in the nanny state he came from and said hospitals being discussed are private and they are run as a businesses, if the prices offend him, then he needs to find a hospital which fits his financial profile or get medical insurance

[elgordo38]

The guy that keeps using the phrase "Nanny state" should apply to have it copyrighted. He uses it that often. Hmm trying to come up with a phrase for the few rich that control the world. Terminators? Carpetbaggers, Transformers? hey now there is a good one. The world is being transformed 1% control it and 99% work for de man.

[abrahamzvi]

Yes. I am a farang with Diabetes. I use Novo Nordisk Penfill Insulin. In Pattaya, Bangkok hospital the price for 1 ampul is 270 THB. At the same hospital in Korat, Bangkok hospital, the price for the exact same ampul is 790 THB. Anybody who can explain to me why there are this difference in the price. Novo Nordisk can not, The hospital can not. Maybe the Government can. But it seems that they just charge whatever they want. I think that it is a disgrace with this difference in the same hospital.

I entirely agree. As you can see from my previous notes, I really appreciate the medical services rendered by the private hospital mentioned by you, both in Bangkok and recently in Chiang Mai. However, as far as the price of medicines is concerned, one can only shake one's head in astonishment. I have been purchasing a certain medicine for the last 6 years at a chemist and used to pay BHT1.50 per tablet. Recently a doctor at the hospital prescribed the same medicine, for which I had to pay BHT11.50 (!!!!) per tablet. On a visit to my GP at another private hospital I asked him to prescribe this medication, for which I had to pay THB6.00 (THB 8 less 25% discount). The reason I no longer buy this medication at the chemist is that as of recently chemists are not permitted to sell this medicine without prescription. Now, can anybody tell me how can a medication cost nearly 1000% more than in the pharmacy in one private hospital and 400% more in another. Considering that the chemists also makes a moderate margin, there is no justification to such a wildly exaggerated margin of profit by any hospital, or other medical institute. I think it is wrong to blame the international Pharma chains for such profit making.

[stoli]

Last week my Doctor at Bangkok Hospital Pattaya prescribed me 90 anti-biotic pills. I purchased them at the hospital, as they lead you by the hand to their pharmacy. I paid 54 baht a pill. When I walked out of the hospital, I walked over to the Fascino Pharmacy and checked their price. For the identical package, it was 30 baht a pill. 4,860 baht vs 2 700, baht. Fascino was 46% less. The problem this group will have is both sides will define the phrase "fair medical charges" differently.

[Guitar God]

I assumed pharmaceutical prices at hospitals in hospitals were more than at pharmacies. It's not different in the U.S. or Europe? I thought it would that way anyplace with higher overhead; drinks at entertainment venues vs. a pub or neighborhood bar, McDonald's at sn airport vs. a suburban drive through.

A private hospital in Bangkok saved my life when a bacterial infection required four, IV antibiotics for almost a week to to get rid of the infection and get my kidneys working again. I saw the results of every test.

Another private hospital in Ubon did a great job fixing my shoulder when it was broken in five places. I was out in under a week and was able to put up a ceiling fan four months later.

Both of them cost less than 3 days stay in a hospital in the U.S. for a minor accident. 35 years ago. $3000 for a week's stay here, and $3500 for five days including extensive surgery.

I'm sure now a similar treatment and stay in a U.S. vs. a Thai hospital is ten times more costly now.

[Nobb]

Private hospitals build there own hospitals with no help from the government. There prices should be a little higher and if the have better doctors which they probably pay more i can not see any problem with quality. Price for medicines should be controlled by making the purchasing agent responsible and cut out there bonuses for buying at a higher price.

[wowfactor10]

Make these business transparent..

How about posting the prices of all procedure clearly and bi-langual at the hospital administration reception office visible for all.problem solved !

Should also do for all the fine amounts at police station...

This the right way to clear it all but they only talk and set up some panel and chit chat reforms but we still get screwed.

[Guitar God]

Ubonrak Hospital posts their per day rate by room type and it's the same price regardless of your nationality. They post the prices of a few procedures, posting all would be difficult unless it was online or on a hospital PC.

[Guest]

Last year i was with my family on holidays in Nong Khai.I was running out of medication for hypertension. I was taking Aprovel 150 mg.

The cost,then, in Surin was 900 baht for 28 tablets.

I went to a pharmacy in the local shopping mall.and the price quoted was 2900 baht for 28 tablets.

These meds are imported from France!

I have not been able to find a locally made equivalent.

I am not a doctor .. i am a guy with an internet connections and Google.

I am going to give myself 60 seconds to see what I find:

The active ingrediant in your medication is Irbesartan.

The generic Irbesartan is manufactured by 7 companies.

Do some research on the following:

Equivalent to Aprovel

1. Candesartan

2. Eprosartan

3. Losartan

4. Olmesartan

5. Telmisartan

6. Valsartan

Times's up! Amazng what information the internet can produce.

Best of luck in your search! I hope this helps in some way.

Aprovel is indicated in adults for the treatment of essential hypertension.

It is also indicated for the treatment of renal disease in adult patients with hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus as part of an antihypertensive medicinal product regimen

All the medications you listed are not able to be used as i have diabetes 2 and renal disease.If you checked the counter indications you would have noticed that

Also i am an ex general nurse who has a reasonable understanding of Pharmacology.I do not need a lesson in research!!!!

Dear Khun Aussie 52,

With all due respect, you need a lesson in two things:

(1) Writing a posting in complete sentences that includes all the relevant information. Nowhere in your original posting did you include any information about type two diabetes or renal issues. Please accept my heartfelt apologies for not reading your mind.

(2) You could also use a lesson in gratitude. I, and a few other people on this thread ... went to the trouble to follow up on this and try to help create solutions to help you.

Chalk this up to yet another Thai Visa user who most certainly does have "renal issues."

Good day sir .. sorry to have wasted my time on this.

Will never happen again.

[Jaggg88]

Last year i was with my family on holidays in Nong Khai.I was running out of medication for hypertension. I was taking Aprovel 150 mg.

The cost,then, in Surin was 900 baht for 28 tablets.

I went to a pharmacy in the local shopping mall.and the price quoted was 2900 baht for 28 tablets.

These meds are imported from France!

I have not been able to find a locally made equivalent.

Irbesartan is the generic name for Aprovel - it is generically identical and much cheaper.

[Porkster]

I'll never forget the time I had tendinitis from "playing too much golf!" Said the Dr at Bangkok Samui hospital a few years back.

I went in for what I thought would be a 10 minute examination...

Within 45 minutes I found myself in a private room with a saline drip and antibiotic drip in my arm!

Then the debt collector came in and (as I didn't have medical insurance) I was forced to sign a 35,000฿ "quote" to confirm I will pay. I was in a great deal of pain at the time and would've signed anything to make it go away...

3 days later she came back and said the treatment needs to be extended and now the bill is expected to be about 55,000฿, then said I have to pay 35,000 now so they can continue the treatment and had to walk to the ATM in my hospital PJ's and wheeling the drip along on its stand...!

I said it's a debit card but she gave me some BS that the cashier is only authorised to accept cards...? "Ok then, you take my card to the cashier, she can swipe it then you bring it back and I'll sign the slip... Nope! She's now not allowed to hold bank cards because it's only the cashier...blah blah blah...

I settled the bill (which ended up amounting to a total of 68,000฿!) upon checkout, and while I was there I asked the cashier why a nurse or someone from admin/accounts is not allowed to hold a card that belongs to a patient and she just looked at me as if I was lying!

She said any member of staff can do what I ask the debt collector to do for me...

So she was being a lazy tyke then....

Needless to say I have never been back to any Bkk hospital and never will.

Even now that I have the sense to have insurance I will never use that chain of hospitals again. [emoji14]

Edited June 2, 2015 by Porkster

[Guitar God]

I had tendinitis in my knee, super painful. Went to the hospital in Ubon got a cortisone/zylocaine injection, walked out in under an hour and paid ฿1200 including a strip of diclofenac I only took for two days.

Unless they cured you of something you had that they didn't tell you, that sounds like unnecessary treatment and malpractice.

[Porkster]

Well yeah of course,

The clue is the this subject...

[Guest]

I'll never forget the time I had tendinitis from "playing too much golf!" Said the Dr at Bangkok Samui hospital a few years back.

I went in for what I thought would be a 10 minute examination...

Within 45 minutes I found myself in a private room with a saline drip and antibiotic drip in my arm!

Then the debt collector came in and (as I didn't have medical insurance) I was forced to sign a 35,000฿ "quote" to confirm I will pay. I was in a great deal of pain at the time and would've signed anything to make it go away...

3 days later she came back and said the treatment needs to be extended and now the bill is expected to be about 55,000฿, then said I have to pay 35,000 now so they can continue the treatment and had to walk to the ATM in my hospital PJ's and wheeling the drip along on its stand...!

I said it's a debit card but she gave me some BS that the cashier is only authorised to accept cards...? "Ok then, you take my card to the cashier, she can swipe it then you bring it back and I'll sign the slip... Nope! She's now not allowed to hold bank cards because it's only the cashier...blah blah blah...

I settled the bill (which ended up amounting to a total of 68,000฿!) upon checkout, and while I was there I asked the cashier why a nurse or someone from admin/accounts is not allowed to hold a card that belongs to a patient and she just looked at me as if I was lying!

She said any member of staff can do what I ask the debt collector to do for me...

So she was being a lazy tyke then....

Needless to say I have never been back to any Bkk hospital and never will.

Even now that I have the sense to have insurance I will never use that chain of hospitals again. [emoji14]

Now that the tears have dried .. do you mind if I inquire ... You walked in the hospital " ... great deal of pain at the time and would've signed anything to make it go away..."

You signed ... Did the pain go away?

If so ... looks like you got what you paid for.

Edited June 3, 2015 by Guest
removed flame

[mike324]

I'm sure this is no different than in many other countries around the world. The nice, fancy private hospitals with the well educated specialists have much bigger overhead. Don't like the prices? Don't go there. But at times, the quality of the health care is not the same in public hospitals.

I go to Bumrungrad for a reason. The specialist is one of the best in the country. If not the best. You won't find him elsewhere nor his expertise anywhere else. I don't have to go at 7am and hope the doctor shows up. It's not the cheapest option, but sometimes, not always, you do get what you pay for.

For meds, I go to an outside pharmacy. Never at Bumrungrad.

P.S. for minor stuff, I do go to the local hospital. And it is cheap.

Agree, people want to go to nice fancy private hospitals and expect to pay local prices. What happen to those mid tier hospitals in between?

For big surgeries I would not even trust Bumrungrad, rather fly to Taiwan, Japan, or South Korea to get the procedure done and it costs about the same.

[Boo]

One post edited to remove a flame & another post replying to it for being even more offensive.

Learn self control in not posting flames OR replying to them & use the report button if necessary.

[Porkster]

I'll never forget the time I had tendinitis from "playing too much golf!" Said the Dr at Bangkok Samui hospital a few years back.

I went in for what I thought would be a 10 minute examination...

Within 45 minutes I found myself in a private room with a saline drip and antibiotic drip in my arm!

Then the debt collector came in and (as I didn't have medical insurance) I was forced to sign a 35,000฿ "quote" to confirm I will pay. I was in a great deal of pain at the time and would've signed anything to make it go away...

3 days later she came back and said the treatment needs to be extended and now the bill is expected to be about 55,000฿, then said I have to pay 35,000 now so they can continue the treatment and had to walk to the ATM in my hospital PJ's and wheeling the drip along on its stand...!

I said it's a debit card but she gave me some BS that the cashier is only authorised to accept cards...? "Ok then, you take my card to the cashier, she can swipe it then you bring it back and I'll sign the slip... Nope! She's now not allowed to hold bank cards because it's only the cashier...blah blah blah...

I settled the bill (which ended up amounting to a total of 68,000฿!) upon checkout, and while I was there I asked the cashier why a nurse or someone from admin/accounts is not allowed to hold a card that belongs to a patient and she just looked at me as if I was lying!

She said any member of staff can do what I ask the debt collector to do for me...

So she was being a lazy tyke then....

Needless to say I have never been back to any Bkk hospital and never will.

Even now that I have the sense to have insurance I will never use that chain of hospitals again. [emoji14]

Now that the tears have dried .. do you mind if I inquire ... You walked in the hospital " ... great deal of pain at the time and would've signed anything to make it go away..."

You signed ... Did the pain go away?

If so ... looks like you got what you paid for.

LoL, Alligator tears... You mean crocodile tears don't you? Haha

If you're going to try and make someone look small at least get it right, ok dear.

[Porkster]

One post edited to remove a flame & another post replying to it for being even more offensive.

Learn self control in not posting flames OR replying to them & use the report button if necessary.

GFY

[DividendGuy]

There is only one way for this foolishness will stop and that is for the Thai Government to make up/set the price list the price lists for all the medicines and operating procedures for these types of hospital that gouge the market with their crazy pricing. No matter how you slice it, until the government gets involved with the complete pricing these scams will continue because there needs to be a standard price list publicly posted for all these hospitals to adhere to and follow. Until then the scams will continue until the government controls these hospitals.

[farang000999]

Every sector of society is crooked. And has been for 50 years! Its a way of Thai life. And will take generations to change. If ever?

Its ingrained here and being a Farang just makes a bad situation worse when we need medical attention. If I am ever hit with a catastrophic illness its goodbye Charlie. I will never allow myself to be a living breathing ATM machine for hospitals my g/f can put the money to better use. It will be time to pass on the baton. God help future generations you better hope for a cheap cure all pill.

I thought you were going to say that you would just go home and let the tax payers there pay for it.

[bander]

Fair charges for foreigners will never happen in hospitals, national parks, zoo's or what ever. Keep on dreaming.