Today's experience with the Thai healthcare system.

[riceyummm]

I took my wife to the govt hospital on Sri Chant Rd in Khon Kaen today. I thought that as long as I was there I would try to get refills for my oral diabetes meds. I didn't know if it was possible for a foreigner to do this, turns out it is or at least was for me today. After talking to a nurse at the entrance I was directed to a window to answer more questions and show my passport, then on to another desk for more questions then a one hour wait with filled out forms. Eventually I got in to see the doctor who spoke decent English and wrote three prescriptions, two for the diabetes pills and at his suggestion a refill for my cholesterol pills and an appointment for a blood test next March. One more desk then off to the cashier to pay and then a very short wait for the pharmacy to fill the prescription. Three months supply of three meds for a total of B850, about the same as my co pay at my VA hospital in the US. At no point was there a question of whether or not I qualified to use the govt health system.

In my life I've had military dependent, military, and Kaiser Permanente HMO (at over $1000/month when I finally switched to VA). My experience today was as good as all these except the VA which I found to be far superior.

On the other hand my wife has a painful nerve condition and only manages to get another appointment and an addition to her already huge supply of paracetamol.

[uptheos]

On the other hand my wife has a painful nerve condition and only manages to get another appointment and an addition to her already huge supply of paracetamol.

Paracetamol will not help nerve pain.

A neurologist would never prescribe paracetamol for nerve pain, there are other type's of drugs that can help

[tonray]

You could have refilled your scrips at any street pharmacy without the questions or need for forms and passport.

[Sheryl]

There is no restriction at all on foreigners using government health facilities, though unlike Thais, they have to pay. Costs for outpatient care (and simple hospitalizations) is very reasonable though.

The delay for your wife is probably to get seen by a neurologist, in non emergencies there is often a wait for specialist appointments (as is true in most countries). Your situation on the other hand was easily manageable by a GP.

Probably would cost a little less to just go to a pharmacy, but it is good that you have the blood work scheduled.

KKU Hospital is a very good, tertiary level, facility and teaching hospital. They receive referrals from all over the northeast.

[thaiduncankk]

I also use KK hospital, Srichan Road (not the same as KKU hospital), and find they provide an excellent service.

Never had any problems there.

[riceyummm]

There is no restriction at all on foreigners using government health facilities, though unlike Thais, they have to pay. Costs for outpatient care (and simple hospitalizations) is very reasonable though.

The delay for your wife is probably to get seen by a neurologist, in non emergencies there is often a wait for specialist appointments (as is true in most countries). Your situation on the other hand was easily manageable by a GP.

Probably would cost a little less to just go to a pharmacy, but it is good that you have the blood work scheduled.

KKU Hospital is a very good, tertiary level, facility and teaching hospital. They receive referrals from all over the northeast.

Thank you Sheryl.

That's what I thought but she has yet to get an appt with a neurologist. Yesterday she got an electro treatment which helped a lot, she was actually smiling last evening.

[riceyummm]

On the other hand my wife has a painful nerve condition and only manages to get another appointment and an addition to her already huge supply of paracetamol.

Paracetamol will not help nerve pain.

A neurologist would never prescribe paracetamol for nerve pain, there are other type's of drugs that can help

I just looked that up, very interesting, thanks.

I suspect that getting Para after any visit to any doctor here is almost automatic.

[Pib]

Yea, no restrictions against a farang using a govt hospital....it just you pay for the medical services you receive where Thais basically get it free from their assigned provider under the 30 baht medical program.

I expect you probably paid little more for your meds at the govt hospital than what you would have paid at a pharmacy where basically a subscription is not required...just tell them what you want.

[keeniau96]

Standard diagnosis/prescription in the US marines was suck it up, two aspirins and do some extra PT.

[Thanyaburi Mac]

Some lots of years back, the U.S. Army issued APCs, the "All Purpose Capsule"

Must have had aspirin in it, no idea what else.

Mac

[tonray]

Some lots of years back, the U.S. Army issued APCs, the "All Purpose Capsule"

Must have had aspirin in it, no idea what else.

Mac

It also had caffeine...kind of like a pain killer that kept you alert

[harrry]

There is no restriction at all on foreigners using government health facilities, though unlike Thais, they have to pay. Costs for outpatient care (and simple hospitalizations) is very reasonable though.

The delay for your wife is probably to get seen by a neurologist, in non emergencies there is often a wait for specialist appointments (as is true in most countries). Your situation on the other hand was easily manageable by a GP.

Probably would cost a little less to just go to a pharmacy, but it is good that you have the blood work scheduled.

KKU Hospital is a very good, tertiary level, facility and teaching hospital. They receive referrals from all over the northeast.

Many public hospitals.....I am sure KKU is one have a semi private section where you can see specialists directly. There is a charge for this in my case as a foreigner it costs me 300 baht for hospital and doctor charges to see my specialist in this section as a foreigner. I believe a thai pays about 250 baht as some of it is paid from their national health.

It could be worth taking the direct action of spending a day or so (there is still waiting involved but less) to see a specialist through this system. He/she will then give a letter of what he thinks you need to you to give to your hospital and then she will get the treatment he recomends.

I would like to add my apreciation of the Thai Public Health System (not Private)

You may have to pay a little for the tests and xrays at that initial consultation but costs are very reasonable (300baht an x ray etc.)

Edited January 1, 2016 by harrry

[riceyummm]

There is no restriction at all on foreigners using government health facilities, though unlike Thais, they have to pay. Costs for outpatient care (and simple hospitalizations) is very reasonable though.

The delay for your wife is probably to get seen by a neurologist, in non emergencies there is often a wait for specialist appointments (as is true in most countries). Your situation on the other hand was easily manageable by a GP.

Probably would cost a little less to just go to a pharmacy, but it is good that you have the blood work scheduled.

KKU Hospital is a very good, tertiary level, facility and teaching hospital. They receive referrals from all over the northeast.

Many public hospitals.....I am sure KKU is one have a semi private section where you can see specialists directly. There is a charge for this in my case as a foreigner it costs me 300 baht for hospital and doctor charges to see my specialist in this section as a foreigner. I believe a thai pays about 250 baht as some of it is paid from their national health.

It could be worth taking the direct action of spending a day or so (there is still waiting involved but less) to see a specialist through this system. He/she will then give a letter of what he thinks you need to you to give to your hospital and then she will get the treatment he recomends.

I would like to add my apreciation of the Thai Public Health System (not Private)

You may have to pay a little for the tests and xrays at that initial consultation but costs are very reasonable (300baht an x ray etc.)

Thanks, good info that I will use in the future.