outrageous medical costs pattaya/bangkok hospital
Two weeks ago mid way through my trip I was admitted to Pattaya/Bangkok Hospital casualty
It was not planned and I arrived in shorts, T shirt no credit card.
I was under pressure to be admitted for 24 hours [overnight] at a cost of 35,000 baht, which I refused
For two days I had bloat, lost interest in eating and drinking.
I started to pass liquid through my bowel almost hourly and started to vomit, even though I was taking in no water of food.
This went for two days yet when admitted to PB hospital, they were only interested in BP, pulse rate, connecting me to a saline drip and doing an ECG No questions as to why I had been admitted.
I was asked repeatedly if I had insurance and how I was going to pay.
Qantas cancelled my FF travel insurance as I had turned 70 I had never used the medical facility in LOS so was not worried. My credit card offered some facility depending on prior medical conditions. I had not received the questionairre before leaving for LOS Still not sure what is covered.
BP Hospital carried on as if they had won the jackpot when they saw my ECG showing I had had a heart attack[1991]
I am heart aware and know my BP and pulse rates and what is normal. It concerned me they were only interested in an intensive care patient rather than treating me for a gastro complaint.
For the last few years I have carried in LOS a Power of Attorney [medical] which hotels have not the faintest idea of when and how to use. I arrived at the hospital without the Power of Attorney
My costs on discharge after just over 2 hours including anti biotics , nausea tablets was 9500 baht.
I know Traveller Jim will critisize me but I thought I knew best. TJ, You are welcome to kick my arse.
just a warning for those who think similar.
Re: outrageous medical costs pattaya/bangkok hospital
Quote:
Originally Posted by lonelywombat
I was under pressure to be admitted for 24 hours [overnight] at a cost of 35,000 baht, which I refused
I spent five days in Pattaya Memorial hospital two years ago after an emergency admission (including two days in the high dependency unit).
The total cost including ambulance, all investigations, treatment, 2 blood transfusions, medication and 2 days in HDU and 3 days in a single room cost 57,500 Baht. I can't fault the care and treatment I received even though Pattaya memorial is supposed to be less efficient and provides less extensive facilities that Bangkok/Pattaya hospital. Of course the vultures (cashier's office) were there questioning me as soon as they were allowed to ensure that I had means to pay the bill - but that seems to be standard anywhere in the world where free emergency hospital treatment is not available.
After my stay in PMH I was told by ex-pats living in Pattaya that I was lucky as a similar stay at Bangkok/Pattaya would probably have cost me at least 150,000 Baht. 35,000 Baht for 24 hours may seem to be very expensive but it appears to be par for the course at BPH.
Re: outrageous medical costs pattaya/bangkok hospital
Quote:
Originally Posted by lonelywombat
Two weeks ago mid way through my trip I was admitted to Pattaya/Bangkok Hospital casualty
It was not planned and I arrived in shorts, T shirt no credit card.
I was under pressure to be admitted for 24 hours [overnight] at a cost of 35,000 baht, which I refused
For two days I had bloat, lost interest in eating and drinking.
I started to pass liquid through my bowel almost hourly and started to vomit, even though I was taking in no water of food.
This went for two days yet when admitted to PB hospital, they were only interested in BP, pulse rate, connecting me to a saline drip and doing an ECG No questions as to why I had been admitted.
I was asked repeatedly if I had insurance and how I was going to pay.
Qantas cancelled my FF travel insurance as I had turned 70 I had never used the medical facility in LOS so was not worried. My credit card offered some facility depending on prior medical conditions. I had not received the questionairre before leaving for LOS Still not sure what is covered.
BP Hospital carried on as if they had won the jackpot when they saw my ECG showing I had had a heart attack[1991]
I am heart aware and know my BP and pulse rates and what is normal. It concerned me they were only interested in an intensive care patient rather than treating me for a gastro complaint.
For the last few years I have carried in LOS a Power of Attorney [medical] which hotels have not the faintest idea of when and how to use. I arrived at the hospital without the Power of Attorney
My costs on discharge after just over 2 hours including anti biotics , nausea tablets was 9500 baht.
I know Traveller Jim will critisize me but I thought I knew best. TJ, You are welcome to kick my arse.
just a warning for those who think similar.
I was taken to Bumrungrad in BKK by a Thai friend 4 years ago with the same symptons as you, had been vomiting etc for 2 days nauseous, aching all over, headaches, not eating and wont even speak about the toilet problems lol - when i saw the place looked like a top hotel i though "oh-oh - this is gonna cost me!"
So after filling the forms and being given an elctronic swipe type card for future use i was seen by a triage nurse who took notes, BP/weight /temp etc. Then aftere a 15 minute wait i was called in to see a doctor with another nurse ( both female) who performed the same tasks and took a blood sample. They left the room and after 5 minutes another female doctor arrived ( senior something or other) and read the notes and wrote me a prescription for 5 drugs ( anti bacterial/antibiotics/painkillers/decongestant/immodium type pills) and asked me to come back tomorrow or day after for result of blood tests.
I went to the pharmacy and was given a bill to pay while they prepared to dispense the drugs. I was scared to look and asked my thai friend - "how much?" To my relief it was just over 1200 baht.
Not bad for 2 nurses- 2 doctors a blood test and 5 drugs.
When i went back 2 days later for blood result i didnt have to pay anything else when they told me i had a bacterial tummy infection and all would be well.
I can only assume you mentioning a past heart problem prompted them to get as much as they could in case you didnt make it lol
Same experience at a Doctors clinic for my leg burn last october
Initial consultation 700 odd baht including painkillers .
Followed by daily visits for 7 days for wound cleansing and dressing with plastic skin etc at 120 baht a pop - i had no complaints. the burn healed wonderfully well - it was quite large too.
Maybe im just lucky.