Best Hospital in CM

[LannaGuy]

Yes there is ample parking at BKK. A friend of mine had cataract surgery there. Very professional and up to date with everything medical.

Only downside was there 2 tier pricing....one for Thais and a greatly inflated price for 'falang'.

His wife queried this policy and was told that's just the way it is. And she is Thai.

But if your insurance is covering everything then it's upto them to get the best deal.

that's a new one on me... 2 tier? if it's true and I don't have insurance that's the last time i will ever go there again

it's an insult and discriminatory and i simply will choose Ram again (assuming they dont have 2 tier)

[orang37]

that's a new one on me... 2 tier? if it's true and I don't have insurance that's the last time i will ever go there again

it's an insult and discriminatory and i simply will choose Ram again (assuming they dont have 2 tier)

Welcome to TwoTierARamaLamaDingDong, one of the wondrous ubiquities in Amazing Thailand. Just your galvanic farang presence is all the catalyst needed for its manifestation from the Planes of Greed and Avarice down to where your wallet bulges in your pocket, assuming material form as kited invoices rife with unexplained services that you never knew you were having.

Of course, Chiang Mai Ram is, perhaps, over-priced for everyone (that was certainly my experience there, although the medical care and treatment were excellent).

cheers, ~o:37;

[drbill]

I’ve been fortunate not to have had the need for a CM hospital. If you know any Thai physicians or nurses ask them what physician or surgeon they would go to. Pick the medical doctors who you would like to see. This is not just advice for CM or Thailand . It’s common sense and thats what we MD’s do all over the globe.

[Oscar2]

lots of BS in the above post. although if the story about the Down Syndrome test is true; then that is ridiculous. they always test for Down Syndrome using the blood test. it is, as i understand it, one of the ways to have an abortion legally in the Kingdom. that is if the unborn child has down syndrome. i don't believe any hospital in Thailand lets relatives of patients go in the O.R. to hang out during surgical procedures (as in the case of c-section). deliver room, yes. of course i could be wrong - but i don't think so. Theppanya does not have young, inexperienced doctors. they have very good doctors there as it is a trauma center and is extremely busy with serious accident cases. the guy who operated on me was fantastic, studied and practiced in America. the orthopedic surgeon who was an older man and worked all over including Nakhornping told me he had been in practice 35 years. the male nurse who helped me with everything for 2 days was one the kindest people i've ever met in Thailand. nurses were lazy.....

[Mark123456]

lots of BS in the above post. although if the story about the Down Syndrome test is true; then that is ridiculous. they always test for Down Syndrome using the blood test. it is, as i understand it, one of the ways to have an abortion legally in the Kingdom. that is if the unborn child has down syndrome. i don't believe any hospital in Thailand lets relatives of patients go in the O.R. to hang out during surgical procedures (as in the case of c-section). deliver room, yes. of course i could be wrong - but i don't think so. Theppanya does not have young, inexperienced doctors. they have very good doctors there as it is a trauma center and is extremely busy with serious accident cases. the guy who operated on me was fantastic, studied and practiced in America. the orthopedic surgeon who was an older man and worked all over including Nakhornping told me he had been in practice 35 years. the male nurse who helped me with everything for 2 days was one the kindest people i've ever met in Thailand. nurses were lazy.....

Absolutely no BS actually. There may well be some good doctors in Theppanya but there are also some very young ones with little idea of what they are doing - from my personal experience. Of course my 'story' about the Down Syndrome test is true: why on earth would I make something like that up? I was extremely upset with the doctor in question as it was my unborn child she was proposing to put at risk.

Regarding being present in the operating theatre, you have no idea what you are talking about. Also, suggesting I was there just to 'hang out' is quite insulting. I was there to witness my daughter coming into the world and that is exactly what I did - at Suan Dawk. Talking about relatives hanging out in an operating theatre during a surgical procedure is just trivialising the matter and making it sound like somebody's aunt wants to watch an appendectomy.

I cannot be bothered to go into detail about my experiences at Theppanya; there is little point if your reaction is anything to go by. I was simply recounting the problems I have encountered in three of the supposedly good hospitals in Chiang Mai in the hope they may save others from similar experiences. As you were not present at any of the consultations I had, you might exercise a little restraint with your comments. I have absolutely no reason to lie and I think anybody who did come on an internet forum to spread lies about hospitals would have to be a trifle odd to say the least.

[Oscar2]

lots of BS in the above post. although if the story about the Down Syndrome test is true; then that is ridiculous. they always test for Down Syndrome using the blood test. it is, as i understand it, one of the ways to have an abortion legally in the Kingdom. that is if the unborn child has down syndrome. i don't believe any hospital in Thailand lets relatives of patients go in the O.R. to hang out during surgical procedures (as in the case of c-section). deliver room, yes. of course i could be wrong - but i don't think so. Theppanya does not have young, inexperienced doctors. they have very good doctors there as it is a trauma center and is extremely busy with serious accident cases. the guy who operated on me was fantastic, studied and practiced in America. the orthopedic surgeon who was an older man and worked all over including Nakhornping told me he had been in practice 35 years. the male nurse who helped me with everything for 2 days was one the kindest people i've ever met in Thailand. nurses were lazy.....

i might add that Theppanya would not be my first choice for medical treatment, but if you do end up there by way of an accident or emergency such as a heart attack, etc. you will be in the hands of experienced people who deal with trauma/emergency situations all day and night 24/7.

[Mark123456]

lots of BS in the above post. although if the story about the Down Syndrome test is true; then that is ridiculous. they always test for Down Syndrome using the blood test. it is, as i understand it, one of the ways to have an abortion legally in the Kingdom. that is if the unborn child has down syndrome. i don't believe any hospital in Thailand lets relatives of patients go in the O.R. to hang out during surgical procedures (as in the case of c-section). deliver room, yes. of course i could be wrong - but i don't think so. Theppanya does not have young, inexperienced doctors. they have very good doctors there as it is a trauma center and is extremely busy with serious accident cases. the guy who operated on me was fantastic, studied and practiced in America. the orthopedic surgeon who was an older man and worked all over including Nakhornping told me he had been in practice 35 years. the male nurse who helped me with everything for 2 days was one the kindest people i've ever met in Thailand. nurses were lazy.....

i might add that Theppanya would not be my first choice for medical treatment, but if you do end up there by way of an accident or emergency such as a heart attack, etc. you will be in the hands of experienced people who deal with trauma/emergency situations all day and night 24/7.

I'm hesitant to give much credibility to the opinion of somebody who accuses me of lying when I post factual accounts of my experiences of Chiang Mai hospitals and who isn't man enough to apologise. Do you have too much time on your hands maybe?

[Rimmer]

A post has been removed:

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.

[stament]

I can confirm the Down syndrome extra charge in the upgraded package, This was one of the things explained explicitly to my wife at Bkk hospital about 2 weeks ago.

[uptheos]

I've used Sripat quite a few times, but in regard to Maharaj (Suan Doc) do you need to register there first?

[Mark123456]

A post has been removed:

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.

I'm not questioning the moderating policies on TV as you have your own interests to protect but just to be clear: we can post about positive experiences at Chiang Mai hospitals (and businesses) but not negative ones? If that's so, it may be understandable from a legal viewpoint but it does rather detract from the usefulness of threads such as this one. But, following that advice: When consulting local urologists, McCormick is the only hospital I have visited in Chiang Mai where the doctors behaved like those I have seen in the UK, i.e. they got up off their chair and actually conducted a physical examination rather than trying to diagnose me from behind a desk. The other hospitals I visited, whose names escape me at the moment, were not the same in this respect. While I can see that McCormick is not as new, nor as large, as some other hospitals in the area, it appears to have very good hygiene standards. The fact they charge significantly less than several other medical facilities in the city is a bonus as far as I am concerned, not the reason I prefer it.

Regarding Down Syndrome tests, I would be wary of trusting any doctor at any hospital in any country that suggests a physically invasive procedure before a simple blood test has been performed. I think this is important information for people to know because I was not aware of it until I did my own research, after being given bad advice.

Edited July 4, 2016 by Mark123456

[stament]

I understood the Down syndrome test to be from the blood test. I could be wrong and I will find out and report back later this week when I go to BKK hospital for my blood test

[Mark123456]

Hopefully that will be the case.As my daughter was born just over 5 years ago, Bangkok Hospital (in Chiang Mai at least) was not an option for us so I have no knowledge of their procedures are far as pre-natal care is concerned. Good luck in any case.

[suzannegoh]

A post has been removed:

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.

I'm not questioning the moderating policies on TV as you have your own interests to protect but just to be clear: we can post about positive experiences at Chiang Mai hospitals (and businesses) but not negative ones? If that's so, it may be understandable from a legal viewpoint but it does rather detract from the usefulness of threads such as this one. But, following that advice: When consulting local urologists, McCormick is the only hospital I have visited in Chiang Mai where the doctors behaved like those I have seen in the UK, i.e. they got up off their chair and actually conducted a physical examination rather than trying to diagnose me from behind a desk. The other hospitals I visited, whose names escape me at the moment, were not the same in this respect. While I can see that McCormick is not as new, nor as large, as some other hospitals in the area, it appears to have very good hygiene standards. The fact they charge significantly less than several other medical facilities in the city is a bonus as far as I am concerned, not the reason I prefer it.

Regarding Down Syndrome tests, I would be wary of trusting any doctor at any hospital in any country that suggests a physically invasive procedure before a simple blood test has been performed. I think this is important information for people to know because I was not aware of it until I did my own research, after being given bad advice.

That indeed is a problem (that only positive experiences can be reported). From reading this thread one might think that Chiang Mai is awash with great choices for medical care. That simply isn't so, medical care here is a real minefield.

[The Snark]

Observations: Just the cautionary - significant problems.

Suan Dok: No airborne infection control.

Ram: Assembly line at times. Physicians promote procedures like they were selling used cars.

McCormick: Aedes Aegypti mosquitoes present in patient wards.

Doi Saket: Selective care, depending on what physicians may be working there. You never know what treatment you will or won't receive.

I'm a paramedic and biomedical engineer with 4 years in charge of infection control at a hospital in the US

[Mark123456]

I must admit to being a bit of a socialist when it comes to healthcare. In other areas of life I'm more of a rampant right-winger but I don't believe that rich people should have access to better healthcare than poor people. What really bothers me when visiting private hospitals is that I am always wondering whether they are suggesting certain treatment options in order to make more money - something that I never had to consider at NHS hospitals. Strangely, I never worried about being denied treatment options due to under funding. McCormick is just the place I feel most comfortable with so far; I've never visited their patient wards though, so have not observed mosquitoes there. Do you mean swarms of them or just that you noticed one or two?

Edited July 7, 2016 by Mark123456

[Oscar2]

I must admit to being a bit of a socialist when it comes to healthcare. In other areas of life I'm more of a rampant right-winger but I don't believe that rich people should have access to better healthcare than poor people. What really bothers me when visiting private hospitals is that I am always wondering whether they are suggesting certain treatment options in order to make more money - something that I never had to consider at NHS hospitals. Strangely, I never worried about being denied treatment options due to under funding. McCormick is just the place I feel most comfortable with so far; I've never visited their patient wards though, so have not observed mosquitoes there. Do you mean swarms of them or just that you noticed one or two?

it's an open air hospital. no double-doors. very primitive, old building. you can observe rats scurrying around the grounds, plenty of mosquitoes. swarms? i don't know. i've visited friends and relatives there over the years. it's O.K. for some things.

[stament]

I must admit to being a bit of a socialist when it comes to healthcare. In other areas of life I'm more of a rampant right-winger but I don't believe that rich people should have access to better healthcare than poor people. What really bothers me when visiting private hospitals is that I am always wondering whether they are suggesting certain treatment options in order to make more money - something that I never had to consider at NHS hospitals. Strangely, I never worried about being denied treatment options due to under funding. McCormick is just the place I feel most comfortable with so far; I've never visited their patient wards though, so have not observed mosquitoes there. Do you mean swarms of them or just that you noticed one or two?

I tend to agree with you to a certain degree. I would never pay for my kids to go to a private school in England, but in Thailand I feel I need them to learn English just as well as Thai and hence we pay for a private bilingual school - Varee. My concern still remains that an average school here isn't as good as an average school in England.

As regards hospitals, the same in England we used the NHS although when I did have to go for a specialist back op I did then go private admittedly with my Bupa insurance as otherwise the waiting list would have been well over the 6 months quoted and I was in severe pain. Furthermore, I wouldn't have got the specialist surgeon on the NHS that I had when going private.

My first son was born in a Govt Thailand hospital and my second in an NHS hospital, both were fine. I would be happy to go with the the Mother and Baby hospital in CM this time as my wife was comfortable with that. The reason we are not, is because this time we have full insurance to cover the birth costs so we felt we might as well take advantage of this benefit. Had we had to pay ourselves then my wife would be going to the Mother and Baby hospital - her words were that it's a waste of money to pay for something that is free elsewhere.

I do feel that CM Ram and BKK do charge quite inflated prices for some things but we are covered 100%. My son went for 3 vaccinations at CM Ram this week and the cost was Thb 2800! Bearing in mind thai kid get it free it does seem somewhat expensive! Luckily again we are covered for all vaccinations up to the age of 6. Incidentally, these were vaccinations he missed as he was in England. It seems that vaccinations given to kids in both countries slightly differ.

Anyways, I'm off to Bkk hospital for my first visit today so will report back on that later.

.

[LannaGuy]

I must admit to being a bit of a socialist when it comes to healthcare. In other areas of life I'm more of a rampant right-winger but I don't believe that rich people should have access to better healthcare than poor people. What really bothers me when visiting private hospitals is that I am always wondering whether they are suggesting certain treatment options in order to make more money - something that I never had to consider at NHS hospitals. Strangely, I never worried about being denied treatment options due to under funding. McCormick is just the place I feel most comfortable with so far; I've never visited their patient wards though, so have not observed mosquitoes there. Do you mean swarms of them or just that you noticed one or two?

I tend to agree with you to a certain degree. I would never pay for my kids to go to a private school in England, but in Thailand I feel I need them to learn English just as well as Thai and hence we pay for a private bilingual school - Varee. My concern still remains that an average school here isn't as good as an average school in England.

As regards hospitals, the same in England we used the NHS although when I did have to go for a specialist back op I did then go private admittedly with my Bupa insurance as otherwise the waiting list would have been well over the 6 months quoted and I was in severe pain. Furthermore, I wouldn't have got the specialist surgeon on the NHS that I had when going private.

My first son was born in a Govt Thailand hospital and my second in an NHS hospital, both were fine. I would be happy to go with the the Mother and Baby hospital in CM this time as my wife was comfortable with that. The reason we are not, is because this time we have full insurance to cover the birth costs so we felt we might as well take advantage of this benefit. Had we had to pay ourselves then my wife would be going to the Mother and Baby hospital - her words were that it's a waste of money to pay for something that is free elsewhere.

I do feel that CM Ram and BKK do charge quite inflated prices for some things but we are covered 100%. My son went for 3 vaccinations at CM Ram this week and the cost was Thb 2800! Bearing in mind thai kid get it free it does seem somewhat expensive! Luckily again we are covered for all vaccinations up to the age of 6. Incidentally, these were vaccinations he missed as he was in England. It seems that vaccinations given to kids in both countries slightly differ.

Anyways, I'm off to Bkk hospital for my first visit today so will report back on that later.

.

which plan do you have? did you get it straight from the office in CM or through an agent? BKK hospital is superb but this thread tought me about their double pricing which I had not realised when paying individually but im about to join BUPA myself

[Oscar2]

I must admit to being a bit of a socialist when it comes to healthcare. In other areas of life I'm more of a rampant right-winger but I don't believe that rich people should have access to better healthcare than poor people. What really bothers me when visiting private hospitals is that I am always wondering whether they are suggesting certain treatment options in order to make more money - something that I never had to consider at NHS hospitals. Strangely, I never worried about being denied treatment options due to under funding. McCormick is just the place I feel most comfortable with so far; I've never visited their patient wards though, so have not observed mosquitoes there. Do you mean swarms of them or just that you noticed one or two?

I tend to agree with you to a certain degree. I would never pay for my kids to go to a private school in England, but in Thailand I feel I need them to learn English just as well as Thai and hence we pay for a private bilingual school - Varee. My concern still remains that an average school here isn't as good as an average school in England.

As regards hospitals, the same in England we used the NHS although when I did have to go for a specialist back op I did then go private admittedly with my Bupa insurance as otherwise the waiting list would have been well over the 6 months quoted and I was in severe pain. Furthermore, I wouldn't have got the specialist surgeon on the NHS that I had when going private.

My first son was born in a Govt Thailand hospital and my second in an NHS hospital, both were fine. I would be happy to go with the the Mother and Baby hospital in CM this time as my wife was comfortable with that. The reason we are not, is because this time we have full insurance to cover the birth costs so we felt we might as well take advantage of this benefit. Had we had to pay ourselves then my wife would be going to the Mother and Baby hospital - her words were that it's a waste of money to pay for something that is free elsewhere.

I do feel that CM Ram and BKK do charge quite inflated prices for some things but we are covered 100%. My son went for 3 vaccinations at CM Ram this week and the cost was Thb 2800! Bearing in mind thai kid get it free it does seem somewhat expensive! Luckily again we are covered for all vaccinations up to the age of 6. Incidentally, these were vaccinations he missed as he was in England. It seems that vaccinations given to kids in both countries slightly differ.

Anyways, I'm off to Bkk hospital for my first visit today so will report back on that later.

.

the Thai government only pays for the most basic vaccinations; not all of them. our housekeeper told the wife that it cost her close to 2800 Baht at Nakhornping to get the full range of vaccines for her child as the government only paid for a few of them under her gold card.

[Mark123456]

I must admit to being a bit of a socialist when it comes to healthcare. In other areas of life I'm more of a rampant right-winger but I don't believe that rich people should have access to better healthcare than poor people. What really bothers me when visiting private hospitals is that I am always wondering whether they are suggesting certain treatment options in order to make more money - something that I never had to consider at NHS hospitals. Strangely, I never worried about being denied treatment options due to under funding. McCormick is just the place I feel most comfortable with so far; I've never visited their patient wards though, so have not observed mosquitoes there. Do you mean swarms of them or just that you noticed one or two?

I tend to agree with you to a certain degree. I would never pay for my kids to go to a private school in England, but in Thailand I feel I need them to learn English just as well as Thai and hence we pay for a private bilingual school - Varee. My concern still remains that an average school here isn't as good as an average school in England.

As regards hospitals, the same in England we used the NHS although when I did have to go for a specialist back op I did then go private admittedly with my Bupa insurance as otherwise the waiting list would have been well over the 6 months quoted and I was in severe pain. Furthermore, I wouldn't have got the specialist surgeon on the NHS that I had when going private.

My first son was born in a Govt Thailand hospital and my second in an NHS hospital, both were fine. I would be happy to go with the the Mother and Baby hospital in CM this time as my wife was comfortable with that. The reason we are not, is because this time we have full insurance to cover the birth costs so we felt we might as well take advantage of this benefit. Had we had to pay ourselves then my wife would be going to the Mother and Baby hospital - her words were that it's a waste of money to pay for something that is free elsewhere.

I do feel that CM Ram and BKK do charge quite inflated prices for some things but we are covered 100%. My son went for 3 vaccinations at CM Ram this week and the cost was Thb 2800! Bearing in mind thai kid get it free it does seem somewhat expensive! Luckily again we are covered for all vaccinations up to the age of 6. Incidentally, these were vaccinations he missed as he was in England. It seems that vaccinations given to kids in both countries slightly differ.

Anyways, I'm off to Bkk hospital for my first visit today so will report back on that later.

.

They seem to have dozens of vaccinations here. I don't know what they have in the UK these days but I'm sure it's nowhere near as many. I think you might have misunderstood me a little regarding my comments on private healthcare. I certainly don't feel strongly enough about it to boycott private hospitals if the government hospitals are a lower quality option, I just disagree with the whole idea of poorer people not having access to the same level of healthcare (and, as I said, I don't like the thought that a doctor treating me is motivated by profit). I've fortunately never been in the position of having to wait for a non-urgent operation in the UK but private consultants always used to do their time in NHS hospitals too. The same guy charging a fortune on a Monday to private clients, for instance, could be in an NHS operating theatre on a Tuesday. I don't know if that is still the case.

Edited July 8, 2016 by Mark123456

[stament]

In response to a couple of questions, I have a MetLife policy with my company which is very good. It also covers my wife and children.

They do seem to have more vaccinations here than in England, again like poster above I am unsure of the difference but if I am recommended it we go with it. I am told vaccinations are free for children, certainly my wife's sister hasn't had to pay for any for her 3 year old as yet. Sometimes they go to the clinic as that is nearer than the hospital so I am not sure if that makes a difference. The ones her daughter has received are the standard ones in the pink children's book they receive at birth.

[stament]

BKK hospital update. Went there about 0930 today room to park and also room when we left around 11. Very nice building and very clean, seem to be a lot of staff which is reflected in the prices clearly.

The one thing that did surprise me was the concierge service from reception to the area I was going to. I have never experienced this before and this felt odd, I now understand what my wife said when she said it felt like a hotel! I would prefer to pay a lower price and remove this sort of luxury. It made me think surely this couldn't have been the sort of establishment that Florence Nightingale envisaged for healing the sick!

[NancyL]

The "concierge service" at Bangkok Hospital is available for those who appear to need it and certainly would be a nice addition at very confusing places like Sripat Hospital. However, once you get to know your way around Bangkok Hospital it isn't "forced" on you. I go to Bangkok Hospital every quarter for a cardiac consultation and I simply walk in like I know what I'm doing, get on the escalator and go straight up to the cardiac dept.

Also, after the appointment, the nurses in the cardiac dept trust me to find my own way to the cashier, now that I've been there with them once. Somehow I'm not trusted to do this at CM Ram hospital even after years. I think it's standard practice at CM Ram hospital to "escort" patients to the cashier, as if they expect them to bolt without paying. Bangkok Hospital seems to be a little more trusting of their regular patients.

[stament]

Yes I have always been escortes to the cashier at CM Ram, Lanna and Central hospitals. I didn't have to pay at BKK so I will have to see if they escort me next time.

[Oscar2]

I think it's standard practice at CM Ram hospital to "escort" patients to the cashier, as if they expect them to bolt without paying. Bangkok Hospital seems to be a little more trusting of their regular patients.

they do that at almost all hospitals in Thailand - and for good reason. i would imagine that the number of the people who do attempt to bolt each day without paying their medical bills in the Kingdom is enough to have to implement this procedure.

you have people stealing 5 kg. of bacon and 3-4 packs of blue cheese from Big C, others telling Immigration Officers to "F.... off!", i mean Thailand does not exactly get the cream of the crop foreign visitors. but the practice of escorting people to the cashier applies to Thais as well.

Bangkok Hospital may not do it, but it's only because they have a more robust communication system to alert more security personnel if someone tries to bolt. they couldn't get too far too quick on the Super Highway. in the city they could vanish in seconds. they have it all figured out; i'm sure.

[hml367]

Good one!

There have also been topics in the past about so many farangs not paying their bills at hospitals. Personally, I don't think it is that many, yet even one is not fair to the hospital.

[LannaGuy]

In response to a couple of questions, I have a MetLife policy with my company which is very good. It also covers my wife and children.

They do seem to have more vaccinations here than in England, again like poster above I am unsure of the difference but if I am recommended it we go with it. I am told vaccinations are free for children, certainly my wife's sister hasn't had to pay for any for her 3 year old as yet. Sometimes they go to the clinic as that is nearer than the hospital so I am not sure if that makes a difference. The ones her daughter has received are the standard ones in the pink children's book they receive at birth.

oh i thought you said BUPA? not MetLife?

[Sparkles]

The "concierge service" at Bangkok Hospital is available for those who appear to need it and certainly would be a nice addition at very confusing places like Sripat Hospital. However, once you get to know your way around Bangkok Hospital it isn't "forced" on you. I go to Bangkok Hospital every quarter for a cardiac consultation and I simply walk in like I know what I'm doing, get on the escalator and go straight up to the cardiac dept.

Also, after the appointment, the nurses in the cardiac dept trust me to find my own way to the cashier, now that I've been there with them once. Somehow I'm not trusted to do this at CM Ram hospital even after years. I think it's standard practice at CM Ram hospital to "escort" patients to the cashier, as if they expect them to bolt without paying. Bangkok Hospital seems to be a little more trusting of their regular patients.

In 8 years my wife and I have had multi visits to RAM. We have never been escorted to the cashier.That includes after major ops for both of us and minor check ups.Obviously having our names,address and ID details on their computer file is some security for them

In Bangkok my experience at hospitals like Vejthani,where I had multiple visits, smartly dressed ladies are actually at the front door to assist you to the practioner in case you get lost but never when leaving.The cashier area was close to the entrance

I can understand it in touristy places like Pattaya and Phuket where tourists regularly come off motor cycles or whatever and are laid up for a few days. They probably check their finaclial situation out before they have to do any major medical work.There was a comment a while ago, from Phuket ,that one of the hospitals had suffered large losses from people who simply had no travel insurance or funds.

This brought about the consideration that travel insurance should be compulsory on entering the country with tourist visas but that seems to have fizzled out.

[hml367]

Attitude and appearance.

Also have an open mind as to why one could be escorted, and do not have a pre-conceived idea why one may be escorted.

Just as in tge prsvious post, I cannot recall one time that I have been escorted to the cashier.