Cancer treatment emergency - Advice on how to return home to get treated please

[Lefty]

Music,

Further to my initial post,as mention I was successfully treated(radiation only,no chemo) for prostrate cancer in 2012 at M D Anderson.There is a treatment option I would urge you to checkout carefully,that is carefully monitoring. Many Oncologists will recommend this as a first step.Many prostrate cancers are slow-very slow growing and many men die WITH prostrate cancer, NOT because of it. This option may give you enough time to arrange plan B and a supplemental policy . PSA tests every three months or so should provide you with info on how fast your cancer is growing,get a good Thai ONCOLOGIST to work with.

Good luck

Lefty

[al007]

   On 5/27/2017 at 8:53 AM,  dotpoom said: 

May God be with you on your journey ahead.

    Not a bad person to have in your corner in time of need.

                       Choke Dee.

I think what he needs and is looking for is helpful practical advice ,not delusional comfort from an imaginary friend....who gave him the cancer in the first instance?

 

Rather sad I personally find someone wishes someone well and another criticises that

 

Can we not live and let live

 

 

[uhhh ohhh]

Music:

I agree with Lefty's point above and as I previously mentioned there are meds that can very much slow the cancer growth on a short term basis.

Also, what treatment options are you looking at? Great gains have been made over the last few years regarding treatments and there are many options and combined options. As an example Proton Therapy, was not available in Asia about 8 years ago (except maybe Korea). Even then only about 4 or 5 treatment centers where open in the states (MD Anderson among them). There are also post-treatment/quality of life issues with a number of options, but as I previously stated treatment choices are very personal. There have been good results with numerous treatments and it appears our medical community is trying to make things less invasive for the patients!



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[music065]

Thank you all for the continuing information, this is really helpful and I'm considering it all. Yes, I've been giving India some thought also, it's definitely on the radar. Not sure if the prices listed are all-inclusive, it seems to indicate they are. If so, they seem to be very reasonable prices. Need to keep researching. I greatly appreciate all of your ideas, thank you!

[music065]

@uhhh ohhh, Thanks for the info. Well so far they have told me they recommend chemo & radiation, but as Sheryl noted above this doesn't really seem to match my research for what is usually done for stage 2 so I'm setting up more consultations with other doctors for a second and perhaps 3rd opinion. Proton Therapy sounds interesting, I will check into that also. 

[uhhh ohhh]

Music:

Get as many opinions as possible from as many options as possible....Brachytherapy, surgery, HIFU, Chemo, Proton Therapy, etc. BUT.....keep in mind that each specialist is likely to recommend "THEIR" treatment as the best. That's why it's VERY important to do your own research and ask as many questions as possible to each doctor in regards to side effects, possible lifestyle changes, success stats, etc! In the end it's going to be your choice!


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[Lumbini]

Great suggestion about MD Anderson Hospital in Houston [emoji106]

[teddog]

1 hour ago, music065 said:

Thank you all for the continuing information, this is really helpful and I'm considering it all. Yes, I've been giving India some thought also, it's definitely on the radar. Not sure if the prices listed are all-inclusive, it seems to indicate they are. If so, they seem to be very reasonable prices. Need to keep researching. I greatly appreciate all of your ideas, thank you!

 

India is a very big country, try to keep visits to east coast for re-visits, easy and cheap to get to also,  Calcutta, Chennai etc..  Chennai especially has major resources,big tie-up with western govt's in research, virtually a medical city alongside the actual city. Most Indians seem to go there for major medical matters...3 hours from BKK

[music065]

This experience has really made me appreciate much more the Europeans' statements here stating "If I get really sick I'll just jump on a plane and fly home to get treated free."  What a nice card to have in the back pocket. I suppose if I get through this I can say the same as long as I get all of the moving parts of Medicare sewed up. 

[Sheryl]

It is actually not that simple for Europeans and in many countries they lose their eligibility if they settle abroad. Regaining it requires re-establishing residency and can be complicated.

[teddog]

Just now, Sheryl said:

It is actually not that simple for Europeans and in many countries they lose their eligibility if they settle abroad. Regaining it requires re-establishing residency and can be complicated.

 

I just lie, tell 'em I ain't been anywhere

[Hardie]

Stage 2? What's your PSA? If it's less then 10, calm down. My PSA was 32, 40-90% cancer penetration in every biopsy sample, but NOT in bones yet, so did external beam radiation 5 years ago, PSA now . (point) 5, can still have sex (if I'm lucky). Doctor said it'd cost $15-20K, cost about $100K, in LA. I had no insurance, but state of CA helped with their pre-ACA support 'bridge', dickered with the collection agency, so my out-of-pocket ended up about $25-30K.

 

Stay here in Thailand, if you have that amount. Bumrungrad is pricey, Sukhumvit and some others just as good quality at half the price. Inbox me if you want more info, as I won't monitor the post. (Prostate cancer works slowly, so stage 2 ain't that bad, just depends on the PSA, Gleason scores and biopsy). Good luck!!!!

[Spaniel]

21 hours ago, howard ashoul said:

Did you think about treatment options in Thailand?

 

As I understand money could be an issue in long run. If you travel to the USA and start paying those crazy prices for hotels and hospitals (not first hand experience, just what I heard) you could easily run out of money very quickly. Then what?

 

A lot of people are traveling to Thailaind to get their breast done, teeths, surgeries etc. Because it is much more cheaper. And you are already here. So why not take advantage of situation? It could be a good option in long time run.

 

QUALITY - my GFs mother got cancer. She had no insurance. She visited thai public hospital, she was hospitalized, was receiving chemo for 4 months and went though surgery. All this care was available even in cheapest public thai hospital to broke farmers with 0 Baht. Private hospitals are even ten times better. So look for some good thai hospital, eg Bangkok hospital.

 

As you can see, advanced treatment is available even in lowest thai hospitals. Can you imagine what could you get, if you visited just a little bit fancier hospital? If even cheapest one have chemo and surgeries? It would be at the same level as the USA. And prices would still be very very reasonable.

 

PRICES - she was staying in hospital for about 4 months. All we payed was about 80 Baht/day. (again, she had no insurance, it was lowest hospital possible). I went to private hospital with anxiety and was charged 2500 Baht for consultation, test and treatment. I payed in private hospital 500 Baht for xray of chest. I payed in private hospital 3500 Baht for CT scan of brain. How much would I pay in the USA? I would probably end up in bankruptcy after 2 visits. You need that better thai hospital as me, not like her mother, but it's still much more cheaper than USA.

 

 

 

Burmungrang hospital. Its the best hospital in Thailand but its also the most expensive. If you visit it, you will be surrounded by muslim sheiks arriving in their limos. And everything is very expensive. I went there, spoke with doctor and was prescibed nose spray for my allergy. And I ended up with 16000 Baht bill! It would cost me 500 Baht in any other private hospital. If you're not a millionaire it could bite your ass in long run. Not this hospital. Try Bzngkok hospital or something like that.

 

 

 

Just to sum it up. (1) Don't burn all your money in the beginig. It can be a long figh. You can end up not beign able to make money during treatment. Worst situation you can end up is spent all your money on tests. And then not being able to afford months of needed treatment. (2) Thai hospitals offers all modern treatments. And are cheap even for farangs.

 

I wish you all the best. Kick it's ass!!!

Good post, but I'm curious about your B 16,000 bill from Bumrungrad  Hospital.    I have used them a number of times over the years and I know they can be on the high side but B 16,000 for a doctors visit and nose spray seems way out of line even for Bumrungrad.      Have you left something out?      If you don't mind maybe you could clarify exactly what the bill covered?

[howard ashoul]

43 minutes ago, Spaniel said:

Good post, but I'm curious about your B 16,000 bill from Bumrungrad  Hospital.    I have used them a number of times over the years and I know they can be on the high side but B 16,000 for a doctors visit and nose spray seems way out of line even for Bumrungrad.      Have you left something out?      If you don't mind maybe you could clarify exactly what the bill covered?

I had problem with my ear. It was constantly poping. Since my inner ear was swollen it also hurt. And this pain was going even to my jaw. I visited 2 different hospitals with this problem, but it didn't help.

 

So all desperate I went to Bumrungrad, best hospital available here. I registered at counter, went to general doctor. He was like hm hm hm, it has to be enviromental alergy. Swollen eustechian tube. Since all your test in previous hospitals were clear we are not going to do any test. Just to be sure let's send you to "brain specialized doctor". And he was like hm hm hm, you're too young to to have any brain problems resulting in this kind of stuff. So don't even run any tests. It's enviromental allergy.

 

And there I was. Standing in front of Burmungrad hospital, nose spray in one hand, 16.000 Baht bill in another.

 

Not a single test, not even simpliest blood test. They didn't even check my blood pressure. Just 5 minutes talks to 2 doctors and antihistamine spray.

[Sheryl]

I suspect there was a billing error. The 2 doctor consultations would not have exceeded 4,000 baht even with the hospital add-on, and while there are some expensive nasal sprays to be had none of them that I know of run over say 3,000 baht per unit..

 

If you still have the bill, take in and ask for a detailed bill showing the charges and try to isolate where the high charge is coming from . And if it is the medication insist that they confirm the cost. Billing errors are far from uncommon.

[al007]

6 hours ago, Sheryl said:

It is actually not that simple for Europeans and in many countries they lose their eligibility if they settle abroad. Regaining it requires re-establishing residency and can be complicated.

Sheryl is very correct

 

 I comment we all need to have our own emergency plan

 

I can only talk for myself

 

I am currently on a voyage of adventure and so far have managed to fund all my medical costs 300,000/400,000 Baht 

 

I am a Retired UK professional person and paid memberships dues for many years 

 

My professional body has a substantial benevolent society who already help me, in several different ways

 

I have asked if I had to return to the UK for hospital treatment at very short notice  and be picked up by social security for housing etc what would be the case ( I have no assets in the UK)

 

They have assured me they would take care of me, helping me ; immediately getting fully back into the government health system, and benefit system, and I would be picked up by the Government health care so long as I confirmed I was planning to return permanently, no further proof required when I specifically asked what proof needed

 

They have even said if push came to shove they would themselves consider  paying  my air fare but I would return well prior to being down to no money, but it is still a very nice long stop to have

 

I have a plan at least and hope never to have to execute it, but that is why we do lifeboat drills on cruise liners

[al007]

On 5/27/2017 at 6:27 PM, howard ashoul said:

Burmungrang hospital. Its the best hospital in Thailand but its also the most expensive. If you visit it, you will be surrounded by muslim sheiks arriving in their limos. And everything is very expensive.

We all have different experiences, mine have been only very  good at Bumrungrad

 

Consultations with Specialist Doctors very reasonably priced, like less than 1000baht and if you ask you can get a copy of their notes in English at no extra cost, excellent value

 

If you are honest and tell the consultant you are worried about the cost he may well say I can still treat you at a more economic hospital, and even a government hospital

 

A good place to start, even though treatment as an inpatient out of my league

 

Do not be scared away from this top hospital, and top consultants nothing ventured nothing gained

[ericthai]

On 5/26/2017 at 7:57 PM, taxout said:

There's an open enrollment period for Part B that ends three months after the month in which you turn 65. If that period is over and you didn't enroll then, you can normally only enroll later during January through March of any year, with coverage to begin July 1 of that year.

 

 

You are talking about General enrollment, that is different from open enrollment.  Open enrollment for Medicare is Oct 15th through Dec 7th and takes effect Jan 1st.  That is when anyone on medicare advantage plan can change plans or if on original medicare can enroll in a Medicare advantage plan. 

General Enrollment is as you state from Jan 1st to March 31st effective July 1st. This is when someone on a medicare advantage plan can cancel that plan and go back to original medicare or if you are enrolling late.

 

OP Not sure how long it's been since you were eligible for Medicare and didn't enroll but the penalty is 10% of the part B premium for each full 12 months you were eligible and did not enroll. The 2017 part B premium is $134.00.  Also you were required to enroll in part D for drug coverage. If you did not enroll their is a Part D late penalty which is 1% of the national average for each month you did not enroll. For 2017 the national average is $35.6

 

[dddave]

21 hours ago, music065 said:

This experience has really made me appreciate much more the Europeans' statements here stating "If I get really sick I'll just jump on a plane and fly home to get treated free."  What a nice card to have in the back pocket. I suppose if I get through this I can say the same as long as I get all of the moving parts of Medicare sewed up. 

Music:

Any chance you had any active military service in US armed forces?  If so, you might qualify for VA medical care.

[music065]

dddave, yes I have some military experience but from what I've read it isn't long enough to qualify. I'll recheck this though, thank you.

[dddave]

4 minutes ago, music065 said:

dddave, yes I have some military experience but from what I've read it isn't long enough to qualify. I'll recheck this though, thank you.

Eligibility can depend on a number of factors, not just length of active service.  If you served during the time of an armed conflict or at certain duty stations or were exposed to hazardous substances can also determine eligibility.

VA hospitals are like all other hospitals in that some are very good and some not so good.  There are publicly available ratings...worth checking out, not just the hospital its self, but also the department you would be dealing with.

[blissbliss]

Why don't you get your treatment at Thailand? You can get high-quality treatment with reasonable price here.price will be a lot of difference between Thailand vs USA .

[blissbliss]

btw what is your cancer ?

Edited May 30, 2017 by blissbliss

[ericthai]

OP I would check the following.  

 

1)  Check on VA benefits, the VA has a hospital in the Philippines if you qualify. 

2) if no VA, then check different states as medicaid requirements.  I assume you are not working so if not working you should qualify for medicaid but dont know how long you need to live in the state to qualify. 

3) check costs on getting treatment in Thailand.  

 

I will check with a friend of mine who is now back in the USA. Back in 2005 he moved back to the USA to get treated for cancer. I will find out what state he went to and how he got treatment. I know he didn't have any cash as he worked as a teacher for a government school so was only making 15-18K a month. Good Luck!!!

[music065]

Thank you everyone for the additional information.

 

@blissbliss: prostrate 

[teddog]

India has vastly more experience than most other countries treating cancer. Smoking beedies got the medical mind into gear far ahead of its time,  country overrun with cancer, their equipment dealing with it was and is state of the art, ...another diabetes was rampant, thoughts turned to the cause, came  to a conclusion coconuts were a prime cause,(I hate the bloody things)

   Yes recommendations galore from Thailand, but you will never see scores on the door sorta speak, successful but unsuccesful an individual/ hospital /worth has it been, bad review  locked up and sued,180-degree diff with India, can follow facebook, google whatever to see how competent a situation is

   Fill an inquiry form in by all means but research yourself for the multitude of options and prices available, even take out Indian health insurance plan too

[Spaniel]

On 5/28/2017 at 10:38 PM, ericthai said:

You are talking about General enrollment, that is different from open enrollment.  Open enrollment for Medicare is Oct 15th through Dec 7th and takes effect Jan 1st.  That is when anyone on medicare advantage plan can change plans or if on original medicare can enroll in a Medicare advantage plan. 

General Enrollment is as you state from Jan 1st to March 31st effective July 1st. This is when someone on a medicare advantage plan can cancel that plan and go back to original medicare or if you are enrolling late.

 

OP Not sure how long it's been since you were eligible for Medicare and didn't enroll but the penalty is 10% of the part B premium for each full 12 months you were eligible and did not enroll. The 2017 part B premium is $134.00.  Also you were required to enroll in part D for drug coverage. If you did not enroll their is a Part D late penalty which is 1% of the national average for each month you did not enroll. For 2017 the national average is $35.6

 

Medicare Part B.    Here is my experience.      I am 73 and when I turned 65 I did not take Part B, thus saving about $96 p/m.     Last year I decided to sign up for Part B and because of the late signing penalty my monthly Part B premium is $ 205.     

[al007]

29 minutes ago, teddog said:

India has vastly more experience than most other countries treating cancer. Smoking beedies got the medical mind into gear far ahead of its time,  country overrun with cancer, their equipment dealing with it was and is state of the art, ...another diabetes was rampant, thoughts turned to the cause, came  to a conclusion coconuts were a prime cause,(I hate the bloody things)

   Yes recommendations galore from Thailand, but you will never see scores on the door sorta speak, successful but unsuccesful an individual/ hospital /worth has it been, bad review  locked up and sued,180-degree diff with India, can follow facebook, google whatever to see how competent a situation is

   Fill an inquiry form in by all means but research yourself for the multitude of options and prices available, even take out Indian health insurance plan too

Having substantial experience of treatment of both countries, I am very sympathetic of Teddogs views, and there is a lot of validity

 

The India visa rules and flights can make India difficult to access at short notice unless you keep and upto date visa on your passport

 

Follow up and long term care for me in India has maybe too many flights and visas (£100 a throw plus same for wife,) but the I understand a medical visa is may be easier

 

These defamation laws in Thailand depress many many bad stories on hospitals and prevent naming and shaming

 

A close friend of mine was in intensive care here a couple of weeks ago(medium size private hospital) with stomach problems, he was on IV antibiotics and saline drip, after two days he was told there was a blockage, and they wanted to operate on him, he discharged himself ( with a very large bill) and went immediately to his doctor in Goa India, he was checked out there, MRI etc no blockage, no operation back here and doing well

The doctor in India commented many necessary tests had not been done

 

It was this man who originally sent me to India for prostate surgery

 

I myself have had MRI's, Colonoscopies, CAT scans and more when the results have missed serious problems,I also had an experience when three separate doctors missed cancer diagnosis, I also have experience of being paid on malpractice, just in case anyone needs help

 

(Just so everyone is clear I have only good, in fact excellent things to say about Chulalongkorn in Bangkok)

 

Yes I also talk of excellent care at Chulalongkorn in Bangkok, but do select surgeons properly, I think hospital/Doctor choice here is a bit like driving on the roads, very dangerous and needs to carry a government health warning !!! 

 

I can name hospitals that have no insurance, for malpractice or professional negligence, a topic then they refuse to comment on, maybe we should all at least ask this question before commencing treatment, (not easy when arriving unconscious in an ambulance !)

 

On my personal emergency plan my wife knows not to take me to several hospitals if I am unconscious and my choice at the moment is a large government hospital at KhonKaen University, that many people speak well of

 

MODERATORS, I have been very careful not to name any hospital, I am only too aware of the defamation laws, the OP and others, need to be aware of potential pitfalls, and I request my post is not just removed, without very careful thought

 

What will be will be,      keep smiling that too heals ! ! !

 

 

[Blue bruce]

Music 065 my radiation treatment was done at South Florida Radiation  theraoy in North Palm Beach. Fl.

[teddog]

Right on post 58.

    you just have no knowledge how many coffins these hospitals shove out of the side door here after midnight, no knowledge about anything,goodOK, but not bad, the reviews are worthless. seen plenty of bad results from top hospital here, lied to etc shysters in white coats, sickening when a hapless soul wonders into one and the steel trap springs.

 

  E visa (emergency too)  $60 for 30 days India