Phuket hospital hits back over UK claims they put money first after tourist's motorbike accident

[impulse]

2 hours ago, phetpeter said:

25,000 pounds for his accident and he's only been in hospital for about a week! So he got a bang on the head and a broken leg, recovering well, sure the hospital will ramp up their fees, but not 25,000 pounds worth. 

 

With all due respect, this is a cautionary tale to all those expats from Euro socialist cultures -where the government covers health care- who are debating with themselves whether to get health care insurance or not.  That's a drop in the bucket for a significant injury or health care issue like cancer, heart attack, stroke, or whatever.

 

If you can't come out of pocket to the tune of 100,000-300,000 pounds without derailing the rest of your retirement plans, you need health care insurance.  Because the expenses are rarely a one shot deal.  You may have plenty of dosh on hand to handle the first round of treatment, but then what?

 

Americans have been fighting with health care providers and insurance companies over the high cost for all of our lives, so most of us lean toward the paranoid when it comes to health care expenses.

[watcharacters]

 

 

 

The lad looks to need a dressing change on his right thigh.     And is that blood on his right hand?

 

Sadly he looks to be a mess. 

[Bulldozer Dawn]

5 hours ago, Old Croc said:

 

Thanks Steven, my error.

 

Moving away slightly from this specific case.

I've travelled extensively, always purchased travel insurance at an ever increasing cost, yet have never made a claim.  I do resent the fact that I pay extra to cover careless idiots.

I've also paid huge  premiums for car, house and contents insurance for much of my life. Premiums that are greatly inflated to enable payouts to people who build in forests that are bushfire prone or on river flood plains.

None of the insurances you refer to are compulsory.  If you don't like the premiums, then self insure.

 

[Bulldozer Dawn]

51 minutes ago, captspectre said:

ever heard of a songtail? a taxi?even a samlor?  there are other ways of getting around in thailand!

Ever been to Phuket?

[timewilltell]

Really the argument of the insurance company is rather pathetic. He was a passenger firstly and unless the driver was driving recklessly he cannot be blamed for the accident (assuming he was sitting normally)  Secondly there is a question whether the bike was hit from behind or hit an oncoming vehicle that was not at fault. In the first instance I cannot see any valid excuse for the insurance company since you ate paying against accident. In the second case I still find it hard to reason him at fault. Stupid for getting on a bike so soon after surgery and maybe additional damage to that arm but it would not affect injury to the rest of his body given what seem extensive injuries.  The insurance company is wrong as his actions cannot be seen to have influenced the accident. He should sue unless there is some overriding clause in the fine print limiting liability.

[SOUTHERNSTAR]

3 hours ago, phetpeter said:

25,000 pounds for his accident and he's only been in hospital for about a week! So he got a bang on the head and a broken leg, recovering well, sure the hospital will ramp up their fees, but not 25,000 pounds worth. 

He has been operated on and is/was in ICU. Cost of an ICU room can be B 100 k per day without medicine. The operation can be B 500 k if a brain surgeon was involved. According to US, UK or European prices this is a bargain. 

[sambum]

8 hours ago, darksidedog said:

So his travel insurance did cover traveling by motor bike, but only once a year it seems. To my mind riding pillion with a broken arm in plaster is not "reckless".

70% of the traffic accident victims leaving the hospital do so by bike. It is absolutely normal here. Many have no other way of getting home.

I hope the insurance companies miserable argument is seen for what it is, and others spend their money with a firm who can be trusted.

 

I also had a claim rejected by the same firm because I had had a "similar" claim the year before. The claim was for root canal treatment and a porcelain crown, which implies that you're not allowed to have toothache 2 years on the trot!

[janpharma]

Two years ago I had a bad accident and went to the local hospital where they made X-ray and told me that they couldn't help me ...I had to go to BKK Hospital.

Upon arrival they took me right to ICU and told me that I needed an urgent operation...But...I had to pay first...They put me in a wheelchair and drove me to the 3 available ATM's at the hospital where I had to take "as much money as I could get with bank/credit cards"...I told them to use my credit card but they refused, they wanted "cash now"...terrible experience but finally my insurance covered everything and I took the advanced deposit back..."Thainess"...

[Luxius]

I can't complain about the treatment I had in 2008 at Phuket hospital. Sure, they made a mistake when fixing my collar bone the first time. Tiny cracks, which were hardly visible on the X-ray they showed me, had split open one side, as they'd used a pin inside the bone, But the doctor was extremely humble and sorry about it. They put me back to sleep and put a metal plate on it instead. Still have it in me.

The hospital in Patong just gave me a harness and some pain killers. Worst treatment ever. When I asked why they couldn't fix it, I had to ask 6-7 times, before the "doctor" admitted their surgeon wouldn't be around until Wednesday. So I walked out, broken collar bone and in pain, and went to Phuket hospital.

Insurance company paid everything. I think the bill was around 300,000 thb.

[thaibeachlovers]

Seems to me that the headline is erroneous. It is the insurance company that is not paying. 

Hospitals are not charities, and expect to be paid for their services.

Does anyone think that hospital treatment should be free?

Even in the UK people pay- through taxes.

There is a difference between saving life and subsequent treatment.

[thaibeachlovers]

49 minutes ago, sambum said:

I also had a claim rejected by the same firm because I had had a "similar" claim the year before. The claim was for root canal treatment and a porcelain crown, which implies that you're not allowed to have toothache 2 years on the trot!

I think that my current insurance only offers treatment to a total $ amount. Above that I would have to pay. Perhaps yours is like that.

[ujayujay]

9 hours ago, darksidedog said:

So his travel insurance did cover traveling by motor bike, but only once a year it seems. To my mind riding pillion with a broken arm in plaster is not "reckless".

70% of the traffic accident victims leaving the hospital do so by bike. It is absolutely normal here. Many have no other way of getting home.

I hope the insurance companies miserable argument is seen for what it is, and others spend their money with a firm who can be trusted.

 

Read any accident Insurance Policy and you will see, your wrong.

[Tchooptip]

2 hours ago, KittenKong said:

 

Great. I think you're completely mad, but so are people who climb mountains or pursue other dangerous activities. It's not a problem for me though, except in as much as I have to pay higher insurance premiums to cover the antics of the insane.

 

If one day you are unlucky enough to have a road accident you may regret being on a bike rather than in a two-ton pickup. But hopefully it wont happen at all. I certainly dont wish it on you.

One month ago I bought a new Chevrolet Traiblazer my second two-ton SUV in Samui   but good luck on the small island unless one goes somewhere with a car park like Tesco, Big C, Macro etc. On the other hand even though I have had many bikes and some big ones in my live, in Samui I drive most of the time at 40 kmh and never more than 60kmh, only to tell you that  for a completely mad person this madness is well under control 

[ujayujay]

The poorest thing in this case is the slander of Phuket Hospital. Cheap behaviour of victims Mother.

[wvavin]

I don't remember there is any prescribed system, mostly on ad-hoc basis.....correct me if I am wrong.

[stevenl]

2 hours ago, timewilltell said:

Really the argument of the insurance company is rather pathetic. He was a passenger firstly and unless the driver was driving recklessly he cannot be blamed for the accident (assuming he was sitting normally)  Secondly there is a question whether the bike was hit from behind or hit an oncoming vehicle that was not at fault. In the first instance I cannot see any valid excuse for the insurance company since you ate paying against accident. In the second case I still find it hard to reason him at fault. Stupid for getting on a bike so soon after surgery and maybe additional damage to that arm but it would not affect injury to the rest of his body given what seem extensive injuries.  The insurance company is wrong as his actions cannot be seen to have influenced the accident. He should sue unless there is some overriding clause in the fine print limiting liability.

Was he wearing a helmet and was the driver riding with valid motorbike DL? If 'no' to one or both of those questions, that is a valid reason not to pay.

[oneiron]

10 hours ago, Old Croc said:

I think your argument that 70% of accident victims here leaving hospital on a bike is non relevant. He was a tourist on travel insurance not a local on the family conveyance.

The second accident was 3 weeks later and I can see the insurance company's reasoning that riding pillion with one arm in a sling could be foolhardy.

I'm not necessarily agreeing the company made the right decision, I do think the smaller cheaper ones sometimes seize any excuse to reject claims. Also the conflicting versions of the accident is concerning.

The mother telling lies about the level of hospital treatment to bolster funding efforts is lamentable. Some readers may be aware there is a government funding initiative now in place which requires hospitals to give free emergency treatment in circumstances like this.

 

https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/976378-72-hour-emergency-treatment-for-free-at-any-hospital/

 

I am sorry but I believe that your argument does not hold water.  First the 72 hour emergency treatment is for Thai citizens who hold a gold card that would receive 30 baht treatment at a government hospital.  Second he was riding on the back of a motorcycle with another person driving.  He had no control of the vehicle.  He was a tourist with travelers insurance.  The fact that his claim was denied should be a warning to anyone thinking about using this company for travel insurance.  Sorry but I do not know all the facts but from what I have read this is my opinion.

[Get Real]

Seems quite simple. Insurrance small text should be read. The one that does not do that is an idiot.

After that it´s not just to come to Thailand and think that you can put yourself on a motorbike as in home in this crazy traffic.. The one who travels here must be aware of the conditions.

After that complaining! Horrible! 

In Thailand most is about money, so just see to that you have an insurrance that covers what you do. Can it be more simple?

A moron can understand that.

[realenglish1]

I smell big lawsuit coming against the insurance company

 

 

[wakeupplease]

Insureandgo

 

I myself have used this company and do not recommend it as the first thing they say is we do not cover you for that. every time. so avoid them if you can.

 

Mrs Tobin don't go to the place as just by saying what the paper printed can get you in a lot of trouble with there draconian CCA law.

 

Get well soon Jake and get home mate.

[elliss]

12 hours ago, colinneil said:

Well heres my bit.

When i was taken to Khonkaen hospital after my accident, the first question my wife was asked was how is he going to pay.

My wifes answer was, he is covered by my civil service health insurance, so no problem, i received the best possible treatment.

      Been there , have the the  T shirt ,    taken to AEK Udon ,  after road  accident , 

     before being treated ,  asked ,   How  you going to pay .. thanks Visa  card . i am still alive. 

          Money , is   your only  friend .  

                  

[Psimbo]

3 hours ago, ujayujay said:

The poorest thing in this case is the slander of Phuket Hospital. Cheap behaviour of victims Mother.

Yep, because they really care about people before profit don't they!

[Stargeezr]

I think riding in a taxi or song tao is safer than on a bike when you have an injured arm. If you are so broke that you cannot afford this

kind of transportation, it is time you went back home where there is family to help take care of you. In my opinion this guy

was asking for trouble to ride on a motorbike.

Geezer

[smileydude]

There are probably few to no countries in the world in which the national healthcare system will cover non-citizens/non-residents such as tourists that's why there's travel insurance.  Every private hospital in the world will require some kind of proof you can cover the costs.

I think what the mother said was a low blow and an irresponsible wolf cry.  Everyone needs to take responsibility for themselves when traveling as you don't pay taxes to that country therefore you have no rights to expect healthcare coverage.  

[fiddlehead]

After reading a few posts on this thread and experiencing my mother trying to collect on a travel insurance policy a few years ago:  I really don't understand why anyone would buy travel insurance. 
They don't want to lose money 
So, they don't pay. 

They pay their lawyers good.  But not their customers. 

 

Ever see how much some of these insurance people make? 

 

No thanks.  

 

[just.a.thought]

Tells more about Insureandgo than Phuket Hospital but beside that did he not get the hint the first time? stay away from bikes in Thailand.

One thing that could reduce non payment at Hospitals is to introduce mandatory passenger insurance for all types of paid passenger transportation.

I wouldn't mind buying government insurance, at the airport,that would guarantee treatment without limits in case of accident, if it was possible and reasonably priced. The hassle with private companies is just too much and not all hospitals accept all companies.

[Destiny1990]

Its clearly the minivan driver or the minivan driver his insurance company who are responsible for all costs!

[Rhys]

2 hours ago, Destiny1990 said:

Its clearly the minivan driver or the minivan driver his insurance company who are responsible for all costs!

 

 

Sadly they will never pay a baht for their responsibility. However, the man was reckless, yet had insurance.... Was he advised that his policy coverage would be canceled due to his non-compliance?    Anyway, speedy recovery...

[Grumpy Duck]

18 hours ago, steven100 said:

Try and get treated in the US or the UK after an accident ......

of course they want to confirm how the treatment is going to be paid ..... they are a business not a charity.

 

As for his insurance ....  inclusions and exclusions will be documented in the policy I would assume,  either he is covered or he is not ...  so if it only covers an accident on a motorbike once in a year and if that is in the fine print then thats it .....  you cannot argue if it's in back and white. The problem is not all the truth is told such as what is jake saying happened ? and what really happened ?   what has he told his family happened   ?

 

I am in no way defending the insurance company as I have little sympathy for the m .... just saying how it is.

In the US a hospital ER cannot refuse emergency treatment to anyone. 

But yes, if the policy claims a second claim is not covered, true, it is not covered 

I don't know where this company is located, I will guess GB. In the US some health insurance companies have a deny all "suspect" claims policy for which the insurred will need to take to court.

I am guessing the British health insurance doesn't cover people outside of GB? Just like Medicare/Medicaid in the US. 

[diehard60]

19 hours ago, darksidedog said:

So his travel insurance did cover traveling by motor bike, but only once a year it seems. To my mind riding pillion with a broken arm in plaster is not "reckless".

70% of the traffic accident victims leaving the hospital do so by bike. It is absolutely normal here. Many have no other way of getting home.

I hope the insurance companies miserable argument is seen for what it is, and others spend their money with a firm who can be trusted.

 

just because it is normal here does that make it good practice? just saying.