Where can I get a cheap mri/cat scan? (chiang mai)

[P4K]

So Im a 21 year old guy and 4 days ago I started getting whats known as sexual headaches, it just came out of the blue with no previous stuff and Im not really a headache kind of guy. I read that if it comes out of nowhere it should be treated as a emergency situation since it can be a hemmorage or a tumor or something haha. Im not really a paranoid person but its really started to get anoyying cause whenver i have sex its followed by a headache. anywys yea so im not sure if i need a mri/cat scan but where can I get a cheap one in Chiang mai with a reliable doctor?

Edited January 5, 2016 by P4K

[Sheryl]

You haven't by any chance been using Viagra or other ED drug, have you?

I think you should see a doctor first as MRI might not be necessary.

This place is the least expensive source of MRI http://www.mrithailand.com/ (click on CM on the map for CM location) but it is still far from "cheap". And they will only do the scan and provide radiologist report which is insufficient, still need to bring it to a good neurologist to review.

Prices may be a little less if referred there by a doctor at a government hospital.

Note that for this type of problem it should be MRI with contrast media. Which adds to the cost.

In addition, the neurologist (whom you are going to have to consult anyhow afterwards -- cannot rely on just radiologists's report, the film needs to be reviewed by a specialist in the context of the medical history and symptoms) may have specific preference as to type of scan etc. Might for instance advise MRA rather than MRI.

All additional reasons to see a doctor first.

I suggest Prof. Surat Tanprawate who is head of the headache unit at CMU Hospital (Maharaj), should be able to see him at Sripat.

[P4K]

You haven't by any chance been using Viagra or other ED drug, have you?

I think you should see a doctor first as MRI might not be necessary.

This place is the least expensive source of MRI http://www.mrithailand.com/ (click on CM on the map for CM location) but it is still far from "cheap". And they will only do the scan and provide radiologist report which is insufficient, still need to bring it to a good neurologist to review.

Prices may be a little less if referred there by a doctor at a government hospital.

Note that for this type of problem it should be MRI with contrast media. Which adds to the cost.

In addition, the neurologist (whom you are going to have to consult anyhow afterwards -- cannot rely on just radiologists's report, the film needs to be reviewed by a specialist in the context of the medical history and symptoms) may have specific preference as to type of scan etc. Might for instance advise MRA rather than MRI.

All additional reasons to see a doctor first.

I suggest Prof. Surat Tanprawate who is head of the headache unit at CMU Hospital (Maharaj), should be able to see him at Sripat.

thanks for the info, and no I havent used any drugs like that. Do you have a ball park figure about how much I would be looking at, neurologist included and everything? Im canadian and have free healthcare but Im not going back until like june but idk how serious this could be so if i can get it for less than $1000 total cost I may go for it but I really wouldnt want to pay more than that

Edited January 6, 2016 by P4K

[Pib]

I know there are different types of MRI but the mother-in-law had a back MRI last year in prep for spinal/backbone surgery....MRI cost Bt8,000 which was actually paid by the govt hospital she was staying at. I had a knee MRI scan approx 6 months ago...cost Bt11,000....I paid for that. MRI done here in western Bangkok at a MRI clinic which services local hopitals and such. I know you are asking about MRI cost in Chiang Mai...just passing this info along to give you an idea MRI costs in Thailand for certain areas of the body/procedures I have personal experience with.

[Sheryl]

You haven't by any chance been using Viagra or other ED drug, have you?

I think you should see a doctor first as MRI might not be necessary.

This place is the least expensive source of MRI http://www.mrithailand.com/ (click on CM on the map for CM location) but it is still far from "cheap". And they will only do the scan and provide radiologist report which is insufficient, still need to bring it to a good neurologist to review.

Prices may be a little less if referred there by a doctor at a government hospital.

Note that for this type of problem it should be MRI with contrast media. Which adds to the cost.

In addition, the neurologist (whom you are going to have to consult anyhow afterwards -- cannot rely on just radiologists's report, the film needs to be reviewed by a specialist in the context of the medical history and symptoms) may have specific preference as to type of scan etc. Might for instance advise MRA rather than MRI.

All additional reasons to see a doctor first.

I suggest Prof. Surat Tanprawate who is head of the headache unit at CMU Hospital (Maharaj), should be able to see him at Sripat.

thanks for the info, and no I havent used any drugs like that. Do you have a ball park figure about how much I would be looking at, neurologist included and everything? Im canadian and have free healthcare but Im not going back until like june but idk how serious this could be so if i can get it for less than $1000 total cost I may go for it but I really wouldnt want to pay more than that

Oh, definitely less than $1000. Doctor consultation will be under 1000 baht. if you look at the pricelist in the link for the MRI place, current rate for MRI of brain with contrast is 10,000; MRA a few thousand more. Even if there are other tests that get recommended you are looking well under USD$500 (sorry don't know what that is in Canadian dollars).

Of course if some serious brain pathology is found, or for that matter anything that requires inpatient treatment, that is a whole other matter but cross that bridge only if and when you come to it.

[suzannegoh]

You haven't by any chance been using Viagra or other ED drug, have you?

I think you should see a doctor first as MRI might not be necessary.

This place is the least expensive source of MRI http://www.mrithailand.com/ (click on CM on the map for CM location) but it is still far from "cheap". And they will only do the scan and provide radiologist report which is insufficient, still need to bring it to a good neurologist to review.

Prices may be a little less if referred there by a doctor at a government hospital.

Note that for this type of problem it should be MRI with contrast media. Which adds to the cost.

In addition, the neurologist (whom you are going to have to consult anyhow afterwards -- cannot rely on just radiologists's report, the film needs to be reviewed by a specialist in the context of the medical history and symptoms) may have specific preference as to type of scan etc. Might for instance advise MRA rather than MRI.

All additional reasons to see a doctor first.

I suggest Prof. Surat Tanprawate who is head of the headache unit at CMU Hospital (Maharaj), should be able to see him at Sripat.

thanks for the info, and no I havent used any drugs like that. Do you have a ball park figure about how much I would be looking at, neurologist included and everything? Im canadian and have free healthcare but Im not going back until like june but idk how serious this could be so if i can get it for less than $1000 total cost I may go for it but I really wouldnt want to pay more than that

I recently had a brain MRI w/ contrast enhancement at CM Ram. Total cost including the neurologist was 10,700 baht. But your neurologist might prescribe different tests than what were prescribe for me, mine was routine monitoring to check for recurrence of a glioma that was surgically removed years ago.

[buythisdashcam]

Hello, do you know how much cost Scans at any of the best public hospitals in Thailand ? (BKK Chula, Sirirat or military hospital I guess ?)

Thank you.

[Sheryl]

It is very difficult to get done in a government hospital due to long waiting lists. Usually patients are directed to go to an imaging company for this. Even Thai patients otherwise covered under the free government scheme, pay privately for scans.

Siriraj Hospital's private hospital can of course do it but at a private hospital rate.

See link in post #2 for an imaging facility, has locations in Bangkok and this is as inexpensive as it gets.

Note that costs vary depending on whether or not contrast media is used, and also whether MRI or CAT. Unless you are 100% sure of what is needed in your specific situation would do better to consult a doctor of the relevant specialty first as you might otherwise spend a lot of money only to find that you need a repeat scan because the first one wasn't what was needed.

[blorg]

I had an emergency aorta CT scan in Maharaj Nakhorn in CM just there which cost 19,200. Surprised me it was that expensive in a public hospital, I was expecting closer to half that. It was actually more expensive than in a private hospital back home. Everything else on the bill (3 nights inpatient) was pretty much as expected (pretty inexpensive).

 

Still not dead so that's a positive.

[Sheryl]

For an aorta it would have been CT with contrast media. This adds significantly to the cost. There may also have been an added fee for it being done on a priority basis.

That said, it is true that CTs and MRIs are not particularly good value in Thailand (in terms of price). This is because of a comparatively small population of patients. These tests are cheapest in countries which have high patient volume e.g. India.

The equipment is extremely expensive and use life limited. Costs have to be recouped within a few years

[blorg]

@Sheryl- thanks for the information. I am not complaining, was just surprised. Their initial working diagnosis (thankfully ruled out by the CT) requires immediate heart surgery and has like a 50% mortality rate within hours, so I honestly am just glad to be alive. It ended up being "just" pneumonia.

[cliffspab]

I had a brain MRI (no contrast) and Sukhumvit Hospital recently for 8000 Baht, just to add to the general costs comments.

[LannaGuy]

Hi, does anyone know if my BUPA covers an MRI?  or does it have top be referred first?  

[Sheryl]

It will depend on your plan.  Any plan that includes OPD will cover it. I know Platinum In-patient only also covers it. ill need pre-approval and it will have to be ordered by a doctor.

 

Other BUPA in-patient plans, not sure, look at your policy documents.

[richard_smith237]

16 minutes ago, LannaGuy said:

Hi, does anyone know if my BUPA covers an MRI?  or does it have top be referred first?  

You will have to check your Policy.

 

I was with BUPA International and MRI was covered under 'Advanced Imaging'. Anyone's answer would be a pure guess.

 

The best thing you can do is to call BUPA and find out. 

 

I'm not sure you can walk into a Hospital and just have an MRI, I would imagine an MRI would have to be requested from your Doctor.

Edited September 21, 2017 by richard_smith237

[LannaGuy]

7 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

You will have to check your Policy.

 

I was with BUPA International and MRI was covered under 'Advanced Imaging'. Anyone's answer would be a pure guess.

 

The best thing you can do is to call BUPA and find out. 

 

I'm not sure you can walk into a Hospital and just have an MRI, I would imagine an MRI would have to be requested from your Doctor.

Thanks - first researching trying to find the best specialist in CM - lot's options had an MRI years ago in London and prolapse problems and now getting more issues so will need another MRI.

[LannaGuy]

7 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

You will have to check your Policy.

 

I was with BUPA International and MRI was covered under 'Advanced Imaging'. Anyone's answer would be a pure guess.

 

The best thing you can do is to call BUPA and find out. 

 

I'm not sure you can walk into a Hospital and just have an MRI, I would imagine an MRI would have to be requested from your Doctor.

Thanks - first researching trying to find the best specialist in CM - lot's options had an MRI years ago in London and prolapse problems and now getting more issues so will need another MRI.

[al007]

On 2/11/2016 at 4:00 PM, buythisdashcam said:

Hello, do you know how much cost Scans at any of the best public hospitals in Thailand ? (BKK Chula, Sirirat or military hospital I guess ?)

Thank you.

I recently ( in the last month) had TWO MRI one with dye and the other with gel one for prostate and the other for rectum, 3T machinery averaged about 8,000 bhatt each, I am somewhat of a regular at Chulalongkorn these days  and have four consultants there, and seem to bypass waiting lists

 

I understand the waiting time for Chulalongkorn is 3 to 4 mths if you walk in cold off the street

 

Do not forget to ask for a copy on CD, it is a good benchmark for the future

[al007]

Another alternative is if you are fit, is India, costs of MRI and Cat scans well below half the price here

 

Check out cheap fares to India to major cities first , Delhi and Bombay have well priced scanning centres, I had scans done in Delhi, Goa, and Bombay all at short notice almost walk in 

 

Remember the risk at a free standing centres is greater if you react to the dye, they may not have the facilities to resuscitate you

[VocalNeal]

I had my knee done a few years ago in BKK. The guy who sent me was not registered as a doctor in Thailand but had sent people there before. Cost me 7,000 baht. Urapong Medical centre. 

 

As expected it was nothing serious and it went away on its own. But we did the MRI just to be sure.