Dual pricing at competing hospitals- but same ownership- a tip to save some money

[steelepulse]

Last year I had an MRI done at a certain private hospital, and I think it was 14K. Insurance covered it, so no big deal.

This year I also got an MRI done at the same hospital, but was referred through from another private hospital ( under the same ownership umbrella) which doesn't have the equipment. I saw on the bill it was around 11K, with the only difference being you have to take a transport ride over from the referring hospital.

So if you need to save some money out of your pocket take the free ride over for services that the initial hospital can't provide.

[bearpolar]

Would that be the newish hospital near an unnamed private school?

[Jimi007]

Since they're all owned by Bangkok Hospital, oh never mind, I'd never go there... I'd take the shuttle ride there too.

[steelepulse]

Yes, correct Jimi.

Think of the two older private ones close to each other.

[LivinginKata]

Why the "shyness" and the need for convoluted, encrypted double speak ?

There is a limited number of private health care providers on the island so why not just say which has to refer elsewhere for certain investigations ?

Because of the draconian Thai defamation law and Thaivisa rules...

[uptheos]

Come up to Chiang Mai next time - 8,000 baht and your plane fare covered for a little break.

[metisdead]

A post bickering about the libel laws in Thailand has been removed as well as the replies:

6) You will not post comments that could be reasonably construed as defamation or libel.

Defamation is the issuance of a statement about another person or business which causes that person to suffer harm. It does not have to be false to be defamatory. Libel is when the defamatory statement is published either in a drawing, painting, cinematography, film, picture or letters made visible by any means, or any other recording instruments, recording picture or letters, or by broadcasting or spreading picture, or by propagation by any other means. Defamation is both a civil and criminal charge in Thailand.

[stevenl]

Reason for the price difference is that on the first scan insurance covered. And strange as it may sound, insurance prices are higher than private charges.

[stevenl]

Reason for the price difference is that on the first scan insurance covered. And strange as it may sound, insurance prices are higher than private charges.

In addition, if both were on insurance, not mentioned in the op, yes, strange practice.

[steelepulse]

Both were covered on insurance, so it really is different prices for different outlets.

O/T but mentioned by stevenl, is the fact that indeed insurance companies are charged more than non insured cases. As an example, I had two friends undergo the same treatment at the same place within a couple months time of each other. The insured cost was three times more than the uninsured cost.