Why is Thailand so popular for medical tourists?

[Dumbastheycome]

3 hours ago, marcusarelus said:

I've had good outcomes in Private Thai hospitals.  But, I have only been 40 times over the past 10 years so that's probably not as much experience as you. 

My experience  has been better in the lower profile private hospitals, Government Hospitals and private Clinics. And that experience  has been  about 30 %  of yours it appears. 

[Bill Miller]

7 hours ago, Thomas J said:

I was not aware that you could use Medicare outside of the USA.  Is that true? 

You cannot. I did not make that very clear.
It costs me about 10% of the cost of using Medicare in the states.
Medicare co-pays are roughly 20% of the cost of the service, and some services, such as ambulance fees, are not covered at all. When the service is 10X or more, the cost of using Medicare in the US is often more than paying OTC at Thai government hospitals.
Three day inpatient treatment and therapy after an ischemic stroke was under 20,000 baht. Ambulance, Emergency Room, three days in patient, imaging, diagnosis, meds, and physical therapy, all included.

[marcusarelus]

7 minutes ago, Bill Miller said:

You cannot. I did not make that very clear.
It costs me about 10% of the cost of using Medicare in the states.
Medicare co-pays are roughly 20% of the cost of the service, and some services, such as ambulance fees, are not covered at all. When the service is 10X or more, the cost of using Medicare in the US is often more than paying OTC at Thai government hospitals.
Three day inpatient treatment and therapy after an ischemic stroke was under 20,000 baht. Ambulance, Emergency Room, three days in patient, imaging, diagnosis, meds, and physical therapy, all included.

What about tricare/medicare?

[Yme]

On 2/15/2019 at 3:16 PM, marcusarelus said:

I'd agree with you for the prices I checked India much cheaper.  Only thing I would worry about is the large number of infections from Indian hospitals.  My Thai doctor has not raised his prices in 5 years so the only increase I see is for testing - up about 500 for cholesterol and other stuff he wants to look at every quarter.  

I had 5 coronary stents inserted in Chennai in December for $8,100. The hospital and staff were first class. Very clea. Latest equipment.  Going back for some more surgery next week. No hesitation compared to Thailand.

[Christophers200]

1 minute ago, Yme said:

I had 5 coronary stents inserted in Chennai in December for $8,100. The hospital and staff were first class. Very clea. Latest equipment.  Going back for some more surgery next week. No hesitation compared to Thailand.

How did you "know" that the equipment was the 'latest'? What checks did you make to verify your opinion? 

[Yme]

13 minutes ago, Christophers200 said:

How did you "know" that the equipment was the 'latest'? What checks did you make to verify your opinion? 

I did my research

 

[Christophers200]

11 minutes ago, Yme said:

I did my research

 

What "research"?  Provide the detail, please give examples of this "latest" equipment including the manufactures name and model number. 

[BuckBee]

1 hour ago, Christophers200 said:

Chulalongkorn hospital is a university teaching hospital - If you were well enough to battle through the long queues and bureaucracy I am sure you did receive bargain basement treatment. 

Yes long queues and quite a procedure to got hospital card but doctors here far more on the ball mainly due to huge amount cases they exposed to and fact it not a money racket like lot of other hospitals.

I been to couple big name hospitals and they been clueless to outright scams of just building up a big bill (doctors on commission on test procedures they get you do .

Been with thais too, one lady I work with was facing suggested surgery and potentially assessment tests and surgery bill of 170K, my sister a doctor and after talking with me and my sister she went chula and all was sorted for less than 3K no opp needed (spent almost 35K in tests and doctor fees) in other hospital, amount of thai's who have surgery for no real need and spend few days in icu is beyond belief lol . Some p155 poor unethical practise here and can hit you when most vulnerable ...

[Bill Miller]

1 hour ago, marcusarelus said:

What about tricare/medicare?

Don't even know what tricare is.

I have Medicare via social security. I paid into Medicare seperately for most of a forty year working life. It was supposed to take care of medical expenses, but really does not, especially when they deny claims the same as regular medical insurance does 

I think that is actually because of ridiculously complicated  billing requirements that doctor's professional billing departments cannot figure out.

[downunder66]

The medical industry in Thailand boomed after the Asian financial crisis in the late 80s early 90s when Thailand drastically cut import taxes on medical equipment. Overseas investors/doctors jumped in and created hospitals like Bumrungrad, creating the medical tourism boom shortly thereafter. Better to fly home if possible under national healthcare schemes for bigger treatments


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[Guest Jerry787]

its still convenient use bangkok us medical hub, but consider the following

1- top hospital got prime analysis machineries and fast disease identifying  procedure, which are quite accurate.

2- once they found your problem, they dont place the most effort on solving the matter, but to keep the patient "on cure and care"
3- as the US medicare system, more then a patient you are a money making and budget achieving tool.

indeed is still good to use such hospital, however you shall always watch out and get multi sources more info on your problem and possible solutions
 

[Christophers200]

6 minutes ago, Jerry787 said:

its still convenient use bangkok us medical hub, but consider the following

1- top hospital got prime analysis machineries and fast disease identifying  procedure, which are quite accurate.

2- once they found your problem, they dont place the most effort on solving the matter, but to keep the patient "on cure and care"
3- as the US medicare system, more then a patient you are a money making and budget achieving tool.

indeed is still good to use such hospital, however you shall always watch out and get multi sources more info on your problem and possible solutions
 

 "prime analysis machineries and fast disease identifying  procedure, which are quite accurate."(sic)  Whatever are these things you appear to have so much faith in? Usually, it is the skill, knowledge, and expertise of human doctors which leads to a diagnosis - whatever machine is used its output requires human interpretation.

[Lingba]

This a joke...medical tourism in Thailand????...Its not cheap...and not only that...I personally do not believe that many of the doctors really know about their profession that much....I have medical experience and know what a doctor should know and what they don't...Many of the docs in Thailand are sales people trying to prescribe anything they can run you through just to make money...and it wouldn't surprise me if they get a cut of the action as a perk..

I have sought medical care in Thailand on numerous occasions and when I respectively stand toe to toe and thoroughly question these doctors on their diagnosis and thoughts on treatment plans...they often feel threatened, if they can actually even respond in a educated manner....I would think twice before having any major surgeries here...remember there is no recourse should something wrong happen...don't think you can sue them and actually be compensated...the only thing you will get is a wai and an apology with a sheepish stupid grin....Granted there are some things and some doctors that can be worthwhile...but you really have to know how to find that...

[yuiop]

7 minutes ago, Lingba said:

This a joke...medical tourism in Thailand????...Its not cheap...and not only that...I personally do not believe that many of the doctors really know about their profession that much....I have medical experience and know what a doctor should know and what they don't...Many of the docs in Thailand are sales people trying to prescribe anything they can run you through just to make money...and it wouldn't surprise me if they get a cut of the action as a perk..

I have sought medical care in Thailand on numerous occasions and when I respectively stand toe to toe and thoroughly question these doctors on their diagnosis and thoughts on treatment plans...they often feel threatened, if they can actually even respond in a educated manner....I would think twice before having any major surgeries here...remember there is no recourse should something wrong happen...don't think you can sue them and actually be compensated...the only thing you will get is a wai and an apology with a sheepish stupid grin....Granted there are some things and some doctors that can be worthwhile...but you really have to know how to find that...

yep, that's it, they are not used to be questioned, thai people would never do same you did.

Docs are some kind of gods here, it's a different approach.

Just think that students at school are not allowed to ask questions to their teachers (someone told me this is now changing, but was true for sure in the past).

It's very difficult to fully trust someone coming out of this educational system, isnt'it

[Bang Bang]

14 hours ago, hansnl said:

Total cost of everything, 1729 baht.

Must have been a medical mathematician. That's the Ramanujan number.

[hgma]

2015......I needed immediate heart surgery ,got a quote for 1 -2 bypasses with a 15 day recovery inpatient service.......i decided to get a second opinion, and was placed on the urgency list in Khon Kaen Sirikrit heart center , meaning a weekend job , a highly professional team operated on me for 9 hours ..concluded a complete different picture, all went well and 10 days later i was home again.

First Hospital private and more expensive then in my home country. (as i found out later)

Second opinion hospital in Khon Kaen   first class professionals who were willing to operate in their free weekend (small extra fee) and for a fraction of the quotes of the private Hospitals.

I was lucky to get the time for a second opinion.

 

[Bang Bang]

Go to India, particularly the South, e.g., Chennai, Trivandrum. You'll find excellent doctors, well-equipped hospitals and English-speaking help at a fraction of Western costs. Here's an article about care in Kerala.

 

Plus India's the world's manufacturing hub for generics (this movie was huge in China). In fact, I flew last week to Kolkata on business and while there picked up a couple of month's supply of skin medication for Rs. 3000 (about 1500b.) which costs $7000 in the US. The doc who wrote my script said he has people flying in from Malaysia, Thailand, and the vicinity to pick up various meds - cheaper including round-trip fare. 

 

 

[JRUSA]

On 2/15/2019 at 2:24 AM, keith101 said:

Last year i went to hospital in Bangkok to get my shoulder looked at (dislocated cuff) after falling from a ladder and once the doc had done a quick examination he wanted me to have an MRI which was going to cost 25,000 tbh to which i quickly said no much to expensive for E and it cost 4,000 for consultation and pain killers to which i am still taking today 3 months after the visit simply because its costs to much for treatment here . I could have flowen back to Australia been treated there and flown back to Thailand for much less than this hospital wanted . I was quoted 25,000 to 35,000 by a hospital in Pattaya + all the extras to get a single cortizone injection with the Bangkok one quoting 7.000 + all the extras . my shoulder is getting much better and looking to going to the driving range quite soon so have saved probably 40,000 tbh which is more than my Pension payment plus just by waiting and exercising .

 

I had a MRI done in SiRacha hospital, Pataythai I think, MRI Dr and hospital charges, totaled 12,000 baht. Pretty reasonable I thought. Back in the states now for surgery. I decided not to let a Thai Dr anywhere near my spinal column with a scalpel..

[Jimbo2014]

For Americans without insurance its a steal here.  For those from developed countries with good national health care systems (ie: everyone else from a developed country) its debatable except in circumstances where health care wont cover such as cosmetic.

[marcusarelus]

11 hours ago, Bill Miller said:

Don't even know what tricare is.

I have Medicare via social security. I paid into Medicare seperately for most of a forty year working life. It was supposed to take care of medical expenses, but really does not, especially when they deny claims the same as regular medical insurance does 

I think that is actually because of ridiculously complicated  billing requirements that doctor's professional billing departments cannot figure out.

Ask anyone about tricare and medicare who has retired from the military. 

[5633572526]

The medical care I have received here is far superior and cheaper than any I received in the USA dental is on par with USA but also far cheaper. My dentist in Bangkok was educated in California and my doctor here in England. Both fluent in English and the nurses are so cute ????

[boonrawdcnx]

Well only for people from countries which have no free healthcare!

I would not let people who think purely of how much money they can make when treating you get anywhere near me unless it is an emergency.
Pathetic “medical tourists” from countries that can not provide health care for their citizens - and the idiots defending this sad state of affairs!
I wonder why it is that every doctor here marvels at my almost invisible appendix scar and say “ whoever carried out this operation must be an amazing surgeon” - well I can tell you it was not done in Thailand!

Think of electricians, car mechanics and plumbers - who would you trust - a European trained specialist who takes pride in his work - or one from a third world country who just wants your money - same goes for doctors!

Countries who have turned medical care into a business disgust me. Countries that can not take care of basic needs like education and health care while they waste billions on things nobody needs should not exist anymore in this day and age.
Like some people on here who shared their experiences - one has sometimes the feeling that some doctors are rather sub standard and others recommend unnecessary procedures just to make money.
I was once prescribed medication at a well known hospital in Chiang Mai for 8200 Baht - month later I went to a large pharmacy with the same prescription and paid 1900 Baht for the same medication - most private Thai hospitals are nothing but a rip-off!!



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[Bill Miller]

2 hours ago, marcusarelus said:

Ask anyone about tricare and medicare who has retired from the military. 

Military career unneccesary for medicare.

I do have a vague notion about tricare after all. Just never looked into it much as NA. My National Guard service was during a very rare few years of no applicable veteran status. Had a retired Colonel friend check into it for me. No veteran bennies at all.

[BuckBee]

18 hours ago, Lingba said:

This a joke...medical tourism in Thailand????...Its not cheap...and not only that...I personally do not believe that many of the doctors really know about their profession that much....I have medical experience and know what a doctor should know and what they don't...Many of the docs in Thailand are sales people trying to prescribe anything they can run you through just to make money...and it wouldn't surprise me if they get a cut of the action as a perk..

I have sought medical care in Thailand on numerous occasions and when I respectively stand toe to toe and thoroughly question these doctors on their diagnosis and thoughts on treatment plans...they often feel threatened, if they can actually even respond in a educated manner....I would think twice before having any major surgeries here...remember there is no recourse should something wrong happen...don't think you can sue them and actually be compensated...the only thing you will get is a wai and an apology with a sheepish stupid grin....Granted there are some things and some doctors that can be worthwhile...but you really have to know how to find that...

+1

If you have knowledge yourself or family in medical profession you will soon spot some very poor doctors and horrific practise of treatments tests and surgery purely to make commissions . you got be very on the ball make any worthwhile use of medical treatment here .

[marcusarelus]

7 hours ago, Bill Miller said:

Military career unneccesary for medicare.

I do have a vague notion about tricare after all. Just never looked into it much as NA. My National Guard service was during a very rare few years of no applicable veteran status. Had a retired Colonel friend check into it for me. No veteran bennies at all.

Retired military who are under 65 years of age, and their families, are eligible for TRICARE health coverage. When a military retiree or spouse reaches 65, they are eligible for Medicare and TRICARE for Life medical coverage. TRICARE for Life is specifically for Medicare eligible military retirees. Advantage plan or Medicare Part D plan in addition to TRICARE for Life. An added bonus of TRICARE for Life is that it includes coverage of international health care services.    So, your Colonel was wrong. 

[joevanwyck]

43 minutes ago, marcusarelus said:

Retired military who are under 65 years of age, and their families, are eligible for TRICARE health coverage. When a military retiree or spouse reaches 65, they are eligible for Medicare and TRICARE for Life medical coverage. TRICARE for Life is specifically for Medicare eligible military retirees. Advantage plan or Medicare Part D plan in addition to TRICARE for Life. An added bonus of TRICARE for Life is that it includes coverage of international health care services.    So, your Colonel was wrong. 

I have been using TRICARE for Life, (TRICARE Overseas Program)  since arriving in Thailand three years.

[mike324]

The hidden secret is that Taiwan has one of the best medical services at half the price compare to Thailand (if we compare to private hospitals like Bumrungrad, Samtivej). They are fast and efficient, and very knowledgeable. They don't try to promote the medical industry like Thailand hence its not well known, but for anyone who needs surgery I highly recommend you look into Taiwan.

 

The only downside I would say is that its not 5 star hotel service like at Bumrungrad. Nonetheless, thats not a concern, price and professionalism comes first. Another downside is the long lines, but if you go through an medical tourism agent, they will probably prebook you and handle everything.

[Bill Miller]

On 2/17/2019 at 7:15 PM, marcusarelus said:

Retired military who are under 65 years of age, and their families, are eligible for TRICARE health coverage. When a military retiree or spouse reaches 65, they are eligible for Medicare and TRICARE for Life medical coverage. TRICARE for Life is specifically for Medicare eligible military retirees. Advantage plan or Medicare Part D plan in addition to TRICARE for Life. An added bonus of TRICARE for Life is that it includes coverage of international health care services.    So, your Colonel was wrong. 

Ah, so you are like Trump and know more than a colonel, retired medical officer.

I never claimed to be a military retiree.

If you think you will get veteran's status just for serving one stint in the reserves, make sure it is during a declared overseas action. Otherwise it does not apply.

He was 100% correct that I am eligible for NO veterans benefits, as confirmed by others such as my sister, a full bird medical officer retired from the Airforce.

I mentioned my Army buddy, a highschool classmate,  because he double checked for me unasked when I said I get no benefits.

[SpokaneAl]

Tricare?

 

Yes, Tricare Select.

 

 

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[SpokaneAl]

I have been using TRICARE for Life, (TRICARE Overseas Program)  since arriving in Thailand three years.

 

I believe that you are actually using Tricare Select. Tricare for Life is a secondary plan that files the gaps of Medicare, which we know is unavailable outside the US except for US territories.

 

 

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