Dual pricing: Retirees and expats may be charged more at Thai govt hospitals

[webfact 47,393]

Dual pricing: Retirees and expats may be charged more at Thai govt hospitals

 

File photo

 

Foreigners who receive medical treatment or services at a government hospital in Thailand may pay significantly more than Thai nationals and those from neighbouring countries under new guidelines. 

 

According to the guidelines published in the Government Gazette on 30 August, a new tiered pricing structure will come into effect from 30 September.

 

The pricing structure separates foreign patients into three groups:

 

1. Foreigners from neighbouring countries (including Laos, Burma, Cambodia, Vietnam)
2. Foreigners working or studying in Thailand (Non B, ED, M)
3. Foreign retirees and tourists (Non O, TR, VOA) 

 

Under the new pricing structure foreigners from neighbouring countries have relative parity with Thai nationals when it comes to what they are charged for treatment. 

 

However, foreigners who work or study in Thailand look set to be charged significantly more, while retirees and tourists will be charged more than any other group.

 

Details of the new pricing structure were spotted by Thaivisa members on Sunday. (See ongoing discussion here).

 

On Monday, Coconuts Bangkok listed some examples of where retirees and tourists will be charged double that of a Thai national for treatment. 

 

Under the new guidelines, a Thai national would pay 160 baht for a HIV test, where as retirees and tourists would be charged 320 baht, Coconuts reported.

 

The new guidelines were published in the Government Gazette: http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2562/E/218/T_0004.PDF

 

A translation of the first four pages can be found below.

 

The first four pages define which group a foreign patient is categorised under and also explains that prices listed are the “maximum charges or ceiling price” for services. 

 

The document would also suggest that pricing is ultimately determined by each hospital as to how much patients are charged. 

 

However, the new guidelines would appear to give hospitals legal scope to charge foreign patients more than Thai nationals or those from neighbouring countries for the same treatment. 

 

The news comes after the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) in August announced it will hold an inquiry into a hospital in Prachuap Khiri Khan province following complaints from a Dutchman who said he was overcharged for treatment because he was a foreigner. 

 

The man, who had launched a four year campaign for justice, received treatment for cancer. He claimed he was forced to pay a 300 baht service fee for each treatment, when a Thai person receiving the same treatment would be charged just 50 baht. 

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2019-09-04

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[Mango Bob 6,027]

No matter what a Thai government hospital charged I would never use one.  I been to one with my wife  The doctor was an idiot.  I knew more than he did.

[monkfish 543]

Well this should please those who are happy to pay more Thai's club what next dual pricing at supermarkets and restaurants.

An example from the link below
 

For example, an HIV test costs 160 baht if you’re Thai. It goes up to 240 baht for working expats and then to 320 baht for retirees and tourists.

Or, a spinal MRI examination will cost Thais 18,700 baht. That jumps to 23,375 baht for working expats and 28,050 baht for retirees and tourists.
 

https://thethaiger.com/news/national/foreigners-crying-foul-over-the-new-dual-pricing-policy-at-thai-public-hospitals

Will this mean dual pricing at private hospitals in the future?
 

Edited September 4 by monkfish

[Tropposurfer 846]

Private top medical coverage ... never going near a public hospital !

[Fred31 202]

5 minutes ago, Mango Bob said:

No matter what a Thai government hospital charged I would never use one.  I been to one with my wife  The doctor was an idiot.  I knew more than he did.

Well, you think you do, and that's  what matters, right?

[monkfish 543]

6 minutes ago, Mango Bob said:

No matter what a Thai government hospital charged I would never use one.  I been to one with my wife  The doctor was an idiot.  I knew more than he did.

I only use public hospitals never had a problem very good service apart from Pattaya that the worst in Thailand.

[faraday 6,832]

I had a Spinal MRI at a Government hospital about 18 months ago, & it cost 8000 baht.

 

 

[worgeordie 35,068]

So we are paying much more,so the service will be much better .......no i thought not.

Every 2.5 months I have to attend a Government Hospital, have to get there by 4.30,

so I can get the test done,see the nurse, then the doctor arrives about 8,30,if you

don't get there soon,you could be there all day,no complaints about the hospital,I

did use a Private Hospital before,service about the same,but doctors always trying

to get you to pay for extra tests,and not happy when you told them you wanted 

to fill the prescription outside.

I am the only Farang that attends this hospital,but there's a lot of Burmese,sick,

pregnant.just hope the costs don't rise too much,but its not much anyway,its

the medizine that is the cost.

regards worgeordie

Edited September 4 by worgeordie
add on

[RotMahKid 2,048]

10 minutes ago, monkfish said:

No matter what a Thai government hospital charged I would never use one.  I been to one with my wife  The doctor was an idiot.  I knew more than he did.

I was admitted in a private hospital for lung problems, after 2 days I was replaced to the government hospital because there they had the Lung specialist and could do a bronchoscopy.

So ask if they have the specialist in the private hospital before they start to "treat" you lol, very often they don't have them!

They will not see me in private hospitals anymore!

Edited September 4 by RotMahKid

[Morakot 3,427]

In most countries old age pensioners pay less, in Thailand they will pay more!

[bdenner 1,788]

No problem with this at all. Make sure the patients passport details are accurately recorded. If they do a runner on the bill get em at Immigration. Or do as the Bangkok Hospital does and charge a fee/deposit to walk through the door! I payed 50K Baht at the door, spent 3 days in their CCU for a total of 62K - Money very well spent without insurance.

Edited September 4 by bdenner

[2long 251]

I teach English to a surgical oncologist who says that this is standard practice and has been for some time. It's not news.

As for some comments already, such as knowing more than the doctor and only going to private hospitals.... I wonder what makes these people bother to comment... oh now I know.

[mercman24 7,485]

funny how peoples experiences differ, 2 years ago i went to the gov hospital, in Soi Bukhow ? seen a doc, blood test,  urine sample, x ray, see doc again, get tablets, pay bill 1200, baht, best service ever, (and they will be asking 40,000 baht for out patient treatment,) how in gods name did they conjure up that figure

[Is this real 258]

Is anyone surprised by this?

2 and 3 tier pricing is endorsed by the government.  They don't want you here anyway, but, will make more from you until you leave or die.

Edited September 4 by Is this real

[rumak 3,187]

27 minutes ago, webfact said:

However, the new guidelines would appear to give hospitals legal scope to charge foreign patients more than Thai nationals or those from neighbouring countries for the same treatment. 

 

The news comes after the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) in August announced it will hold an inquiry into a hospital in Prachuap Khiri Khan province following complaints from a Dutchman who said he was overcharged for treatment because he was a foreigner. 

yes indeed.    article says he was charged 250 baht more per visit than a Thai person.   He then launched a "four year campaign for justice".     Let's all send a big thank you to this Farang for standing up to the injustice.   Now we ALL can pay for his campaign.   Hey, but now its written as the law .   

How i wish Farangs would just keep their mouths shut.  But that is probably like wishing Thais would stop eating somtam.