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Phuket International Hospital launches new services, expat card

Phuket Gazette 

 

          

The Expat Privilege Card is intended to provide healthcare and medical privileges for expatriates. Photo: Phuket International Hospital

 

PHUKET: Phuket International Hospital announced the launch of three new departments, as well as its ‘Expat Privilege Card’, last week.

Wassana Tipayapongtada, chairwoman of the Provincial Red Cross Phuket Chapter, presided over the grand opening event, that was held under the theme ‘We’re Family’. BDMS Southern Group management and staff, Thai and foreign dignitaries, local authorities and local business representatives were also in attendance.

The three new departments include the Children’s Clinic, Phuket International Dermatology Institute (PDI), and Ayuravadhana Geriatric Clinic. 

 

Full story: http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket-news/Phuket-International-Hospital-launches-new-services-expat/65455#ad-image-0

 

-- © Copyright Phuket Gazette 2016-08-29

[Orac]

How is anyone going to get that in their pocket?

[taichiplanet]

8 minutes ago, Orac said:

How is anyone going to get that in their pocket?

that is just a scale model; the real card will be bigger and serve as your bed!

[xineohp]

One looks forward to hearing reports as to the pros and cons of these services. 

[DrDave]

If this Expat card is the same as the one issued by Bangkok Phuket Hospital (same parent company), then it offers a discount on the daily room rate (inpatient care) as well as prescription drugs. Fifteen percent, I think.

 

According to the article, the card is good at all BDMS Southern region hospitals, but the text on the reverse of my similar card issued by Bangkok Phuket Hospital says that it can only be used at Bangkok Phuket Hospital.

 

There was no charge to obtain the BDMS Bangkok Phuket Expat card - just fill out an application at the reception area. 

[dageurreotype]

Cynical 

[Somtamnication]

No, realistic. Overpriced and overrated.  

[LivinginKata]

6 minutes ago, Somtamnication said:

No, realistic. Overpriced and overrated.  

 

I always thought the Phuket International offered services at a much fairer price than the Phuket Bangkok which for sure is overpriced. But now that the PI is in the same group I wonder if they now charge much the same as the PBkk.

 

But let's face it - all private hospitals anywhere in the world are overpriced. They all get away with it when a patient needs urgent treatment - says yes and worries about the cost later.

[Deepinthailand]

16 minutes ago, LivinginKata said:

 

I always thought the Phuket International offered services at a much fairer price than the Phuket Bangkok which for sure is overpriced. But now that the PI is in the same group I wonder if they now charge much the same as the PBkk.

 

But let's face it - all private hospitals anywhere in the world are overpriced. They all get away with it when a patient needs urgent treatment - says yes and worries about the cost later.

Quite agree hernia op in Kkram hospital quoted 60000Bht went to goverment hospital had to wait 2 months got it done 15000bht chatting to saw bones doing the op he informed me he would have done the op in kkram if I had chosen them!!!!!!

Edited August 29, 2016 by Deepinthailand

[Mansell]

21 minutes ago, LivinginKata said:

 

I always thought the Phuket International offered services at a much fairer price than the Phuket Bangkok which for sure is overpriced. But now that the PI is in the same group I wonder if they now charge much the same as the PBk

They were Taken over last year around August. I was scheduled for surgery and quoted 60,000 baht by my Western surgeon, which is what he was charged the week before. I got to the hospital and was quoted 200,000 baht because of the takeover. Went to the government hospital but I only lasted a half hour before I returned to International Hospital. The government one was like something out of Dickensian times.....30 people to a room, and all their relatives sleeping on the floor by their beds. No privacy, the next bed a meter away, no air conditioning and minimal fans, no TV, and no Internet. I got back into a wheelchair and rolled outside and got a taxi back to International. Much bigger bill, but much happier.

[elgordo38]

Reminds me of my experience in a well known Chiang Mai hospital. The drug cost was 9,000 bahts and change with my generous 10% seniors discount. I went to my friendly pharmacist and had the prescription filled for 1150 bahts. 

[LivinginKata]

11 minutes ago, Mansell said:

They were Taken over last year around August. I was scheduled for surgery and quoted 60,000 baht by my Western surgeon, which is what he was charged the week before. I got to the hospital and was quoted 200,000 baht because of the takeover. Went to the government hospital but I only lasted a half hour before I returned to International Hospital. The government one was like something out of Dickensian times.....30 people to a room, and all their relatives sleeping on the floor by their beds. No privacy, the next bed a meter away, no air conditioning and minimal fans, no TV, and no Internet. I got back into a wheelchair and rolled outside and got a taxi back to International. Much bigger bill, but much happier.

 

Yes - Dickensian sums it up well. I was recently visiting a family member of my wife over at the Surat Thani hospital. Really amazing to see how many crammed in beds in a complete floor with relatives sleeping under the patients bed.

 

But the Vichara in Phuket does have private rooms. I visited a friend a couple of years back, and I was impressed by the size and fittings in the private room. Although my friend complained that the nurses handled him like a piece of meat. He was out of there as fast as possible.

[elgordo38]

Rather a vague article. Is it free is there a co-payment how does it work? If its free why only in Phuket? A generous discount on a over inflated bill rather skimpy on details. Great photo op for these two guys anyways. Like most articles long on wind skinny on details. 

[dick dasterdly]

1 hour ago, LivinginKata said:

 

I always thought the Phuket International offered services at a much fairer price than the Phuket Bangkok which for sure is overpriced. But now that the PI is in the same group I wonder if they now charge much the same as the PBkk.

 

But let's face it - all private hospitals anywhere in the world are overpriced. They all get away with it when a patient needs urgent treatment - says yes and worries about the cost later.

As far as I can make out, Phuket Bangkok charges more because its more luxurious.  Which is fair enough.

 

Phuket Int. is slightly cheaper, but the (eventual) treatment is just as good?

 

Impossible to know unless an ex-pat with medical knowledge provides comments.

 

I gather (or rather someone close who had a serious problem told me) that the 'best' doctors are at Vachira - but also spend time at Phuket Int./Phuket Bangkok as that is the way for them to make more money.

 

To look on the bright side, a 15% discount is better than nothing - but is this only on prescriptions?  I ask, as Phuket Int. has had a card for a while that gives a discount on the prescriptions.

[LivinginKata]

30 minutes ago, dick dasterdly said:

<snip>

I gather (or rather someone close who had a serious problem told me) that the 'best' doctors are at Vachira - but also spend time at Phuket Int./Phuket Bangkok as that is the way for them to make more money.

 

 

The top specialist doctors float about as consultants.  A few days a week at Vichira, a few days at PI, and a few days at their own small clinic. 

[dick dasterdly]

12 minutes ago, LivinginKata said:

 

The top specialist doctors float about as consultants.  A few days a week at Vichira, a few days at PI, and a few days at their own small clinic. 

Sounds about right - although not sure about the consultants' own clinics as I haven't seen any?

 

All I know is that when my ex husband had a serious problem (and moved from Vachira to Phuket Int.) - the consultant at Phuket Int. told him he was based at Vachira and therefore would receive the same treatment, for a fraction of the cost.

Edited August 29, 2016 by dick dasterdly

[LivinginKata]

46 minutes ago, dick dasterdly said:

Sounds about right - although not sure about the consultants' own clinics as I haven't seen any?

 

All I know is that when my ex husband had a serious problem (and moved from Vachira to Phuket Int.) - the consultant at Phuket Int. told him he was based at Vachira and therefore would receive the same treatment, for a fraction of the cost.

 

For years I consulted with a top rheomatologist (recommed to me by Bumrumgrad) at PI. Cost me 400 baht per visit + blood test costs. Couple of years ago I discovered he & his doctor wife had a clinic near me on Patak road (Karon Clinic). Changed to consulte there at 200 baht a visit. For me not about the money, just the closer access.  Your notice lots of little clinics on the road past Vichira and PBkk - they all spend time making guaranteed money at the big hospitals.

Edited August 29, 2016 by LivinginKata

[Mansell]

20 hours ago, dick dasterdly said:

As far as I can make out, Phuket Bangkok charges more because its more luxurious.  Which is fair enough.

 

Phuket Int. is slightly cheaper, but the (eventual) treatment is just as good?

 

Impossible to know unless an ex-pat with medical knowledge provides comments.

 

I gather (or rather someone close who had a serious problem told me) that the 'best' doctors are at Vachira - but also spend time at Phuket Int./Phuket Bangkok as that is the way for them to make more money.

 

To look on the bright side, a 15% discount is better than nothing - but is this only on prescriptions?  I ask, as Phuket Int. has had a card for a while that gives a discount on the prescriptions.

Unfortunately not on general services or surgeries. Just on prescriptions or bandages they charge you for. The nurses at International suggested I buy my own bandages to save money as I was going there three times a week to change dressings.

[Mansell]

19 hours ago, dick dasterdly said:

Sounds about right - although not sure about the consultants' own clinics as I haven't seen any?

 

All I know is that when my ex husband had a serious problem (and moved from Vachira to Phuket Int.) - the consultant at Phuket Int. told him he was based at Vachira and therefore would receive the same treatment, for a fraction of the cost.

I was working with a German orthapedic surgeon at his clinic in Patong. Excellent doctor, did my surgeries in International. He told me he is the only farang doctor to qualify since the exam in this country changed over to Thai language....he studied for three years to pass it. In the west the language of doctors is Latin, in Thailand it is in Sanscript. So he had to master that as well as Thai.