Heart PaceMaker?

[thailand49]

I have a friend in pretty bad shape in Pattaya and BPH says he needs a PaceMaker? We are having a hard time communicating with the Doctor and the Admintration. We have been waiting for his insurance clearance back home. After a number of visits they just say we are still waiting to see if his insurance back home will authorize the procedure. So, he spends a few night then go home and then has to go back again. BPH, said the procedure is 2,000,000 baht? We would rather he go home to the States to have it done but I do not think he will make it. My conversation with BHP, as always is it is about the money and they seem to always keep him overnight for days so they can soak him.

He has been at BHP so much BPH know who to call and get authorization for his stay but he has hit a snag with the Pacemaker. I think the hangup is his insurance want him to come home to have it done?

My question is I believe they are charging Farang prices for this procedure. And I'm thinking of negotiating with BPH, what is the bottom line they will take for the procedure if we can come up with the cash to pay them direct and then worry about the insurance later. Has anyone had this procedure done at BPH, how much did they pay? Would like to know if anyone else had one done in Thailand and which hospital and cost!

Also after the procedure how did they feel and any problems?

Thanks

[johnatong]

Has he been in direct contact with his insurer to ask what the problem actually is.

Whilst I cannot comment on cost I can tell you that pacemaker implantation is usually a routine procedure undertaken, using local anaesthesia, by a Cardiologist.

Recovery is normally rapid.

[Sheryl]

The cost mentioned is excessive, if indeed pacemaker implantation is all that is involved.

and the problems you describe in terms of insurance authorization are typical of this hospital.

I suggest he go elsewhere.

If it is possible for him to travel, I recommend Prof. Taworn Suithichaiyakul at Bangkok Christian Hospital in Bangkok. He is also at Sukhumvit Hospital there.

Bangkok Christian Hospital websit4 is only in Thai, call them at 0-2625-9000, 0-2235-1000

Sukhumviut Hosp: http://www.sukumvithospital.com/en_doctorprofile.php?id=32

Suggest calling BCH and explaining that he wishes to be admitted under Prof. Taworn's care. A week there will cost about what one day does at BPH.

[thailand49]

Has he been in direct contact with his insurer to ask what the problem actually is.

Whilst I cannot comment on cost I can tell you that pacemaker implantation is usually a routine procedure undertaken, using local anaesthesia, by a Cardiologist.

Recovery is normally rapid

He has not been in direct contact.. he has been in and out of BPH, and the adiminitration has all his information overseas and who to contact for authorization. Each time he is admitted we seem to go around as if he was never there with a number of representatives acting as if he has never been there but we can see in the computer everything is listed. My feeling at this point is due to the language problem and time difference the Thai reps are making excuses that they are in touch but aren't. Based on their English skills I can't see them calling overseas and talking to anyone. I hope I'm wrong but have my doubts because each time his Thai wife walks in someone from the Adminitration comes and ask for a huge deposit like 100,000 baht. When he is ready to go home they seem to make it a habit of stretching it out for another day.

I've done some research on pacemaker, of course prices are U.S. can range from 15,000-25,000 depending on the type of unit, and this does not include the Dr. cost nor hospital stay. Although it is a common procedure, BPH, said they would like to keep him for 2 days to test and observe him. Based on his condition I have no problems with it since he has a bunch of other medical problems.

[thailand49]

The cost mentioned is excessive, if indeed pacemaker implantation is all that is involved.

and the problems you describe in terms of insurance authorization are typical of this hospital.

I suggest he go elsewhere.

If it is possible for him to travel, I recommend Prof. Taworn Suithichaiyakul at Bangkok Christian Hospital in Bangkok. He is also at Sukhumvit Hospital there.

Bangkok Christian Hospital websit4 is only in Thai, call them at 0-2625-9000, 0-2235-1000

Sukhumviut Hosp: http://www.sukumvithospital.com/en_doctorprofile.php?id=32

Suggest calling BCH and explaining that he wishes to be admitted under Prof. Taworn's care. A week there will cost about what one day does at BPH.

Thank you for your response, your opinion I have a lot of respect since I remember your name from another thread regarding medical in Thailand. My history with BHP for over ten years is horrible and it has been the same for my brother family. I will talk to his wife tomorrow and past on the information.

[Naam]

BPH, said the procedure is 2,000,000 baht?

Bangkok Pattaya Hospital october 2015 top of the line U.S. made "Boston Scientific" pacemaker cum defibrillator implanted. cost of "hardware" THB 800,000, total cost THB 1,145,000 (including 3 days ICU). happy with the result.

Edited May 25, 2016 by Naam

[ThaiBob]

Sorry to reopen this thread, but a friend has just been discharged from BHP. He needs a pacemaker, has no insurance, not much money. If he can travel he could go to America and get it using Medicare. The quotation from BHP was 340,000 baht. The price for one night in ccu was 49000 which included everything (ekg, echocardiogram, tests). Are there any new options in Pattaya, Sri Ratcha or Bangkok available to him. Prices? 

[lopburi3]

Government or Military hospitals are the normal alternative for cheaper treatment - although cost of equipment will be expensive anywhere the treatment and such can be much cheaper and there should be less mark-up.  For private hospitals there are several not for profit in Bangkok.  Sorry have no idea on pricing.  

http://www.bch.in.th/en/

http://www.saintlouis.or.th/index

Queen Sirikit Naval Hospital

Edited March 30, 2017 by lopburi3

[Sheryl]

It is almost surely going to cost him more than a trip back to the US even at a government hospital because of the cost of the pacemaker itself.  If he is stable enough to fly, then that is certainly is best course of action.

 

If he cannot safely fly, then the least expensive option is a government hospital.  Best would be Chulalongkorn in Bkk but Queen Sirikit in Sattahip is also an option. But even there likely looking at 100k+.

[ThaiBob]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions and replies. 

[ThaiBob]

Update, my friend got a written quotation from BHP for 380,000 which included one additional night in the hospital (two nights total) for a Medtronics double chamber pacemaker. Phyathai Sriracha gave him a quotation for 300,000 for one night only.