Use Hospital here or Home?

[Strangebrew]

Well from recent experience I would have to say home. Case in point few weeks back stubbed my toe it turned black and blue after several doctor and hospital visit's  they said you need to go in hospital now. But the eye opener was we need 250,000 baht first. The thing is here I have blue cross which will cover treatment. I was 3 days away from expat coverage. So they also said we will cut off big toe then find out what is the issue causing problem. Well needless to say cutting off toe not on my to do list made a few calls home and Bam in US Silicon Valley in hospital being treated blocked artery high blood pressure and a strong Asian infection. But all is good now infection losing  toe itching good sign and toe still there without dime 1 out of pocket. The hospital here took 1 hour and a few test to locate and fix problem. Damn hospital's here not a bit dirty or infected material thrown around  no critters walking the halls, but got a bit freaked when this cart comes by my room by it's self found out later robots patrol the halls collecting stats of monitors and delivering drugs to nurses stations  Don't get that in Thailand Food was 5 star first couple days but low fat low cholesterol Taste bad now matter how you make it. Only hard part was the flight but EVA airlines had my back Put my old butt in wheelchair had golf cart waiting at gate in Taipei for layover put my old butt in seat I needed first and had wheelchair waiting at SFO express through customs.  And on road to recovery as I speak Hopefully back in Bangkok by early next month. But as all things up to you.

[ClutchClark]

Sure glad to hear it all worked out for you.

 

250K Baht and removal of big toe was the Thai option?

 

Scary.

[lopburi3]

Strange - wife entered Bangkok Hospital here last month without warning with 20,000 deposit (prior to receipt of any payment guarantee).  Two months earlier had entered Vejthani without deposit.  I entered Bangkok Hospital in June with no deposit using FEP Blue Cross/AXA guarantee letter.  Can say this was not dirty or with any critters walking around (unless you count the American JCI Auditors inspecting wards and attending OR surgery).

 

At any rate good that you did not lose toe and are on the mend.  Perhaps it was more a doctor issue than facility.

[bkkbudddy]

Hello,

 

Depends, emergency surgery here, but elective surgery back home!

[Alwyn]

If it's serious or even semi-serious, get yourself home. You'll be properly understood and you'll understand what the doctors are telling you. Some top hospitals in Thailand are clean bust mostly not. I was hospitalised on Koh Samui back in 2003 with blood poisoning and needed antibiotics by IV every six hours. The mosquitos were so bad I went home and my wife drove me to the hospital every 6 hours! I now have cancer and the quality of care and treatment is something I would never get in Thailand, unfortunately.

[soisanuk]

7 hours ago, lopburi3 said:

Strange - wife entered Bangkok Hospital here last month without warning with 20,000 deposit (prior to receipt of any payment guarantee).  Two months earlier had entered Vejthani without deposit.  I entered Bangkok Hospital in June with no deposit using FEP Blue Cross/AXA guarantee letter.  Can say this was not dirty or with any critters walking around (unless you count the American JCI Auditors inspecting wards and attending OR surgery).

 

At any rate good that you did not lose toe and are on the mend.  Perhaps it was more a doctor issue than facility.

On my recent stay at Bangkok Hospital Pattaya, they also did not require a deposit; but in past when surgery or procedure involved, they did want a deposit up front. They used to accept guarantee from FEP Blue Cross, but a couple of years ago they told me they would no longer direct bill them and I needed to pay and file a claim with insurer.  Lopburi, did you mean you have AXA insurance in addition to FEP Blue Cross or does FEP Blue Cross have an agreement with AXA?  I think those who have Blue Cross through other than FEP (Federal Employee Program), use something called Wordlwide Blue - which is apparently slow to pay or to question billings before payment - thus the reason they will not accept FEP Blue Cross even though it an entirely different claims office and in the past when they were direct billed by BHP, they were always paid in full within 30 days.  You can PM me if you wish to answer my question (or doing it on this thread is okay).

 

As to the original post, a good friend of mine who lives here in Pattaya had a toe infection a few years back - BHP doctors were wanting to try some antibiotic concoctions (apparently not a regular type of antibiotic  from a pharmaceutical company) which were going to be very expensive.  Instead, he returned to USA and the doctors there were able to take care of the problem (I think he uses Kaiser in California).

 

That said, I have been treated for heart and other problems at BHP or Bangkok Hospital (Wattanasoth Cancer Hospital on their campus in Bangkok) and been well satisfied with the treatment -- but I have to agree that going back to USA might be the best if they start talking about very expensive treatment (e.g. FEP Blue Cross doesn't cover experimental medicines) or amputations because of infection.

 

[lopburi3]

This was Bangkok Hospital in Bangkok and yes FEP Blue uses AXA for billing/payment of claims and has for last several years (even when you submit out patient to FEP it is paid by AXA).  

[peterb17]

Are you diabetic by any chance? 

 

Rule here is any infection - antibiotic creams or iodine ! 

 

Never take a chance on any infection , how ever insignificant .

 

Think I would rather take a chance on hospitals here than going back home- then of course I as an expat cannot access our health service. 

[Suradit69]

6 hours ago, bkkbudddy said:

Hello,

 

Depends, emergency surgery here, but elective surgery back home!

 

I had  inguinal hernia surgery here at Bangkok Hospital Pattaya. Excellent care and I was up and heading home the next morning. Never any discomfort or complications. Two or three years ago and all is still well.

 

Also got a series of Avastin injections into one eyeball to halt the sub-retinal bleeding that was causing macular degeneration symptoms. Excellent result. 

 

I have US based insurance that reimburses me after the event. Never had any issues with billing from Bangkok Hospital Pattaya for the above two cases or the many other less significant treatments I've received there.

Edited August 15, 2016 by Suradit69

[Thanyaburi Mac]

Your hernia surgery, Open or Laproscopic?

 

Mac

[akentryan]

In 2014 was told by my cardio doctor at BHP that I needed two stents to remedy artery blockages. I have supplemental US based insurance that covers about 70% of costs here in Thailand. Opted instead to return to USA where with Medicare I pay nothing. My US doctor said I did not need stents but adjusted my medication. Not a problem since.

 

Am in the USA now to get a Pacemaker replaced. The biggest problem is that Medicare will not pay until the battery is almost totally used up and the ERI (Elective Replacement Indicator) comes on. Scheduling is the big problem as no one can tell me when the ERI will come on and I am showing less than one month battery life remaining. Reserve battery life may be as much as 3 months. May come back to Thailand where my portion of the cost will be about $5,500. Will find out on the 26th.

[malt25]

Few months ago I had both knees replaced in BKK private hospital. Best care & attention I've ever received in any hospital anywhere.

No deposit. Only had to pay on day of discharge. Accepted my Aussie VISA card.

Total cost was less than half of what would have cost in Oz, with private health cover contribution. Paid less than the original estimate.

Very happy.

But hey, maybe I was just lucky.

[bazza40]

For anything serious, if I'm able, I'd get myself on a flight back to Australia. Top level private health cover in Oz means I pay nothing there.

 

I have 500,000 baht in an account specifically for medical emergencies here. Hopefully I won't have to use it.

 

There have been times dealing with Thai doctors when I have had to explain my medical history to them, and their comprehension is not 100%. Like it or not, there is a language barrier.

[balo]

Always choose a hospital in your home country if possible. Thai hospitals might look nice and luxurious and they are run like a 5 star hotel , but the doctors working there often lack the qualifications needed to solve more complex issues. Often they will just give you a bag of pills and antibiotics for any condition you might have , And that is scary. 

  

Edited August 15, 2016 by balo

[Lex Talionis]

Man, there sure is a lot of generalizing about "Thai hospitals." Even the OP did not identify which hospital he was at.

 

Just like anywhere, hospital care will vary. There are the good, the bad and the ugly.

 

And bear in mind that Bangkok is a medical tourist destination, & people travel from around the world to use it's better hospitals. I would trust my medical needs to a hospital like Bumrungrad any time any day.

[swerver]

1 hour ago, Lex Talionis said:

Man, there sure is a lot of generalizing about "Thai hospitals." Even the OP did not identify which hospital he was at.

 

Just like anywhere, hospital care will vary. There are the good, the bad and the ugly.

 

And bear in mind that Bangkok is a medical tourist destination, & people travel from around the world to use it's better hospitals. I would trust my medical needs to a hospital like Bumrungrad any time any day.

 

From personal experience Bumrungrad is fine but you still have to content with Doctors' analysis of what Doctors call stones, Leipzig University Medical calls equivalent of Beach Sand and does not require removal, just keep a yearly check that the "sand" does not turn into stones.

Best thing if time allows is Get Second Opinion.

As Hospitals go , Bumrungrad, Bangkok Hospital (fil in city name) are on par with Western hospitals. BUT, you still have to deal with Doctors most of which that do not listen to the patient, but that same problem exists in your home country, wherever that is.

[Tony125]

6 hours ago, Alwyn said:

If it's serious or even semi-serious, get yourself home. You'll be properly understood and you'll understand what the doctors are telling you. Some top hospitals in Thailand are clean bust mostly not. I was hospitalised on Koh Samui back in 2003 with blood poisoning and needed antibiotics by IV every six hours. The mosquitos were so bad I went home and my wife drove me to the hospital every 6 hours! I now have cancer and the quality of care and treatment is something I would never get in Thailand, unfortunately.

Don't know what kind of hospital you were in 13 years ago but things have changed. I had a heart attack 2 years and wife drove me to Vibhavadi Hospital Bangkok which was nearby . One side of my heart was  not getting blood. Watched the whole  operation on  monitor as surgeon broke clot and  inserted a stent.  Operation is called an Angioplasty and would have cost me $45,000+ in Boston MA where I am from . Cost $8,000 here and my Fed insurance paid all but $800.  Have also had friends /family in Bangkok Pattaya Hospital and Bangkok Rayong Hospital excellant care, clean and no mosquitos.

[smotherb]

I had thoracic surgery to drain excess fluid, repair punctured lung. clean blood clots out of lung cavity, and repair five broken ribs. Luxury suit private room, 11 days in hospital, four specialists, two operation,  numerous tests and x-rays, less than $8k and the 9 inch scar on my back is s fine line, looks like cosmetic surgery.  I couldn't have had that room for 11 days in the states for $8k. No issues, full ling capacity regained.  

[thaibook]

It seems that the option to be treated at home, wherever that is, depends on whether one has insurance and/or whether one is still resident at home and hence have access to national health service (eg France, UK).

 

Does anyone who is resident in Thailand and does not have health cover from a previous employer eg US Federal, have insurance that covers them in Thailand and allows them to go back "home" for treatment if they prefer?

 

thank you

 

 

 

 

 

[Captor]

And were was this hospital located and name?

[Captor]

23 minutes ago, thaibook said:

It seems that the option to be treated at home, wherever that is, depends on whether one has insurance and/or whether one is still resident at home and hence have access to national health service (eg France, UK).

 

Does anyone who is resident in Thailand and does not have health cover from a previous employer eg US Federal, have insurance that covers them in Thailand and allows them to go back "home" for treatment if they prefer?

 

thank you

 

 

 

 

 

The problem for me as a swede is that if I go home for some treatment I probably end up waiting for a long time before I can get my treatment (operation for example) from the first doctor visit. It is free or almost free anyway but i can take long time. Maybe 2-4 months these days. We have this long queues everywhere now that the state is using our tax money to other instead.

[Torrens54]

8 hours ago, peterb17 said:

Are you diabetic by any chance? 

 

Rule here is any infection - antibiotic creams or iodine ! 

 

Never take a chance on any infection , how ever insignificant .

 

Think I would rather take a chance on hospitals here than going back home- then of course I as an expat cannot access our health service. 

I had the Thai Government "Ferang" Health Cover, but of course that has been WITHDRAWN by the Current Government so now if I get some thing Really Serious and can't afford to go home, I may have to follow the example of so many other Ferang who've run out of options here.

[tomyumchai]

If i need treatment ill head back home and hope i can last 5-9 weeks before they can fix me. Its a tad annoying but all those foreigners with new british passports come first.....

[Sheryl]

Obviously a host of individual factors come into play in deciding whether to seek care here or return to wherever one is from, not least of these being whether one is stable enough to travel, which will often not be the case -- hence even people who have access to free or heavily subsidized care in their home countries and would prefer to go there for treatment, still need to plan the  possibility of having to receive needing extensive medical care here in Thailand. That means insurance or self-insuring, and doing some basic research into nearby facilities in case of emergency.

 

I agree that the OP's problems reflect on the doctor who treated him (one wonders if it was a board-certified vascular surgeon, or just a general surgeon, for example) and it is very important to carefully research and choose one's doctor wherever possible - as well as to seek second and sometimes even third opinions from well qualified specialists if in any doubt before agreeing to any major surgery or other serious plan of treatment.

 

I think a major difference between health care here vs that in most western countries is that, while it is necessary to carefully assess doctor qualifications and get second opinions before big surgeries etc anywhere, the amount of research one has to do on one's own is greater here and one usually cannot rely on the doctor who is treating you to tell you if in fact s/he is not the best person for your case and you would do better to go elsewhere/see a specialist. I find doctors here will even hesitate to tell a patient if there are tests or procedures indicated that cannot be performed at the place they are currently being treated. Issues of "face" plus relatively little concern about legal liability are factors. Also, with a few notable exceptions, the quality of GPs here is not very good and the best doctors are highly specialized (and specialists everywhere have tunnel vision) so the burden is on the patient to know what type of specialist they need and then research a bit to find a good one - whereas in most western countries a GP fill that function.

 

If you are able to do that, however, and if you the funds or insurance, , then it is possible to get very good standard of care here.

 

The tertiary level government hospitals - and especially those affiliated with major medical schools - are generally the best option in a serious emergency where there is no time or possibility of selecting a doctor (e.g. major accident, sudden heart attach etc). These have the busiest and most experienced ERs, always have not one but several docs (including the main specialties) on duty even at night/holidays and if coming in as a true  emergency the delays and red tape that are prominent features of care in govt hospitals are less of an issue. (They will, however, give you very short shrift and consign you to very long waits - if they treat you at all- should you try to come in that way for something that is not in fact a life and death emergency.) Lower level government hospitals best skipped unless it for something pretty simple and straight forward.

 

 

[chiang mai]

"I think a major difference between health care here vs that in most western countries is that, while it is necessary to carefully assess doctor qualifications and get second opinions before big surgeries etc anywhere, the amount of research one has to do on one's own is greater here and one usually cannot rely on the doctor who is treating you to tell you if in fact s/he is not the best person for your case and you would do better to go elsewhere/see a specialist. I find doctors here will even hesitate to tell a patient if there are tests or procedures indicated that cannot be performed at the place they are currently being treated. Issues of "face" plus relatively little concern about legal liability are factors. Also, with a few notable exceptions, the quality of GPs here is not very good and the best doctors are highly specialized (and specialists everywhere have tunnel vision) so the burden is on the patient to know what type of specialist they need and then research a bit to find a good one - whereas in most western countries a GP fill that function".

 

Exceptionally well put Sheryl, that para says it all for me.

[jacko45k]

Looks to me you answered your own question.

[Alwyn]

17 hours ago, Tony125 said:

Don't know what kind of hospital you were in 13 years ago but things have changed. I had a heart attack 2 years and wife drove me to Vibhavadi Hospital Bangkok which was nearby . One side of my heart was  not getting blood. Watched the whole  operation on  monitor as surgeon broke clot and  inserted a stent.  Operation is called an Angioplasty and would have cost me $45,000+ in Boston MA where I am from . Cost $8,000 here and my Fed insurance paid all but $800.  Have also had friends /family in Bangkok Pattaya Hospital and Bangkok Rayong Hospital excellant care, clean and no mosquitos.

 

As I mentioned, there are some top hospitals in Thailand, in fact the Bumrumgrad has to be one of the best in the World!. A stent would have cost you less in Singapore by the way. Being an American I guess anywhere is cheap by comparison though. The hospital I was in is on Koh Samui which is quite a mosquito haven! The hospital itself, the Bandon hospital, is old and nasty but back then it was the only option. But now I'm back in England I get doctors that speak English properly and the care of treatment is awesome, also we have the NHS so it costs absolutely nothing.

[Lex Talionis]

17 hours ago, Sheryl said:

The tertiary level government hospitals - and especially those affiliated with major medical schools - are generally the best option in a serious emergency where there is no time or possibility of selecting a doctor

 

 

 

 Can you give some examples or tell how to identify these? 

[geisha]

I was diagnosed with food poisoning when it was actually a gall stone passing.Terrific pain.my second Thai hospital diagnosed it right and was later confirmed by my specialist in France. If I have the chance, I'd go home for any serious treatment. Yes there is here the language barrier, and also Thai doctors do not like to touch female patients ! I was lucky to have help / advice with our online adviser.