Prices of medical procedures compared to the US.

[JimmyJ]

I've seen a few people state that dental care is very inexpensive compared to the US, their dentists have the newest equipment, and they seem content with their dentists.

(Getting a crown at my US dentist - who is great - is $1020. I'll guess that  the price would be about 10-20% of that in Thailand).

 

What about medical procedures and specifically MRI's and ultrasounds?  I will not have insurance coverage abroad.

 

Are the cash prices generally lower/higher than the US?

 

Are you happy with the professionalism of the technicians/doctors?

 

Necessary or preferable to use facilities in Bangkok?

 

Any other suggestions?

Edited February 7, 2017 by JimmyJ

[Sheryl]

You greatly underestimate the cost of a crown here. Depends on where it is done, and type of material used for the crown, but never as low as 10-20% of US cost. Porcelin crown at a private dentist in Bangkok generally costs about $500 inclusive of the post, crown and labor; upcountry or in govt facility may be around $400. So around 1/3 to 1/2 the US price.

 

Crowns may not be the best example as most of the cost is the material and includes imports. Same is true of braces which are not much cheaper here than in the US.

 

Rather  than get into costs of specific medical procedures I think it would be more useful for you to kn ow what the overall costs, all inclusive, of a really major illness or accident here can amount to.

 

At a private hospital, easily over $150,000 US. In a government hospital, can exceed  $60,000.  Note that in an emergency you may not have any say over where you are brought, and arranging a transfer out of a private hospital to a government one can be very difficult (among other things the private hospital will not let you go until the bill is paid; they may also in general drag their feet).

 

There are countless horror stories involving foreigners who came here uninsured. See http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-01-27/injured-australian-woman-dawn-weldon--stuck-in-thai-hospital/8218036 

for just one current example, and note that this is in a government hospital, tab would be at least 3 times as much in a [private one.

 

See also http://news.nationalpost.com/news/canada/b-c-mans-storybook-thailand-trip-ruined-by-a-horrific-accident-and-170000-medical-bill

 

and innumerable others. There are "crowdfunding" appeals to pay hospital bills in Thailand at least several times every year.

 

Under no circumstances should you come here uninsured!!!!  Travel insurance that includes medical is inexpensive and will cover for as much as one year (look at world nomad website, for example). 

 

If you are planning to ride motorcycles or drive make sure you have an international driving license endorsed for that type of vehicle as insurers will not cover for accidents if you drove without a license (or inebriated). Some policies may exclude moto accidents altogether so read the terms carefully. Many will also exclude what are considered high risk sports unless specifically declared. World Nomads has "extreme sports" options.

 

As to quality, it depends entirely on the doctor. It is possible to get good care here but requires some research and careful selection of a facility. Best are found in Bangkok, Chaing Mai, Khon Kaen, Songkhla -- places with major teaching hospitals/medical schools.

 

 

 

[JimmyJ]

2 hours ago, Sheryl said:

You greatly underestimate the cost of a crown here. Depends on where it is done, and type of material used for the crown, but never as low as 10-20% of US cost. Porcelin crown at a private dentist in Bangkok generally costs about $500 inclusive of the post, crown and labor; upcountry or in govt facility may be around $400. So around 1/3 to 1/2 the US price.

 

Crowns may not be the best example as most of the cost is the material and includes imports. Same is true of braces which are not much cheaper here than in the US.

 

Rather  than get into costs of specific medical procedures I think it would be more useful for you to kn ow what the overall costs, all inclusive, of a really major illness or accident here can amount to.

 

At a private hospital, easily over $150,000 US. In a government hospital, can exceed  $60,000.  Note that in an emergency you may not have any say over where you are brought, and arranging a transfer out of a private hospital to a government one can be very difficult (among other things the private hospital will not let you go until the bill is paid; they may also in general drag their feet).

 

There are countless horror stories involving foreigners who came here uninsured. See http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-01-27/injured-australian-woman-dawn-weldon--stuck-in-thai-hospital/8218036 

for just one current example, and note that this is in a government hospital, tab would be at least 3 times as much in a [private one.

 

See also http://news.nationalpost.com/news/canada/b-c-mans-storybook-thailand-trip-ruined-by-a-horrific-accident-and-170000-medical-bill

 

and innumerable others. There are "crowdfunding" appeals to pay hospital bills in Thailand at least several times every year.

 

Under no circumstances should you come here uninsured!!!!  Travel insurance that includes medical is inexpensive and will cover for as much as one year (look at world nomad website, for example). 

 

If you are planning to ride motorcycles or drive make sure you have an international driving license endorsed for that type of vehicle as insurers will not cover for accidents if you drove without a license (or inebriated). Some policies may exclude moto accidents altogether so read the terms carefully. Many will also exclude what are considered high risk sports unless specifically declared. World Nomads has "extreme sports" options.

 

As to quality, it depends entirely on the doctor. It is possible to get good care here but requires some research and careful selection of a facility. Best are found in Bangkok, Chaing Mai, Khon Kaen, Songkhla -- places with major teaching hospitals/medical schools.

 

 

 

 

"Travel insurance that includes medical is inexpensive and will cover for as much as one year (look at world nomad website, for example)."

 

Are there any others you would recommend?

 

 

What about when moved to Thailand permanently?

I saw a recent thread on that and it seemed tough to get anything decent and reasonable, and problems with "pre-existing", IIRC.

 

I would consider some sort of catastrophic insurance - a 5k deductible, something like that.

 

Would you recommend any insurers for that?

(I'm a USA citizen).

[Sheryl]

If you move here, I'd suggest either MSH or Cigna Global. Note that MSH is a locally issued policy and thus falls under Thai insurance regulation which provides fewer protections-- specifically, it allows the company to raise rates on an individual based on their "risk profile" i.e. claims history. Cigna is under EU law and will not/cannot do that, increases will only be based on age and inflation same as other insured persons your age.

 

Cigna offers various options for deductibles and copays. You can get quotes online (make sure the website is cigna global not us Cigna).  Be forewarned that gtheir sales people will call you (repeatedly) if you input youtr phone number so you might prefer to just type in "99999", that's what I did.

 

All insurance companies exclude pre-existing conditions though some are more reasonable than others and some more draconian in their interpretation. Cigna is pretty reasonable.

[JimmyJ]

Sheryl - "Travel insurance that includes medical is inexpensive and will cover for as much as one year (look at world nomad website, for example)."'

 

Thanks for all the info.

 

Are there any others you would recommend for trip insurance?

 

Looking at World Nomads. It covers about 100 sports type activities of which Swimming and Walking are possibly the only ones I'd be active in. So probably overpriced for my needs. Basic = $238 for 3 months.

 

Also my credit card covers Trip Delay/Luggage/Trip cancellation.

Edited February 13, 2017 by JimmyJ

[Sheryl]

https://www.bupaglobal.com/en/travel-insurance

 

ANd also ask the company where your US insurance is, many also offer separate travel policies

 

You are not though going to come up much cheaper than World Nomads.