Private hospital recommendations bkk

[riorobc023]

i've always gone to vibhavadi and that was perfect for my price range..

i went to bumrungrad twice and i noticed that i was actually paying more than i would back in my country, w/o insurance which is a bit outrageous.

i live in the sukhumvit area now, so vibhavdi is about 40 minutes away by driving..

 

can anyone recommend a private hospital from prakanong to silom area? not overpriced like bumrungrad and don't need appointments

 

thanks everyone!

[lopburi3]

All hospitals work on an appointment system, be it advance made or queue number.  But they will provide service to walk in as specialists become available.  Always best to make appointment to see a doctor of your choice (and you should made an informed choice if at all possible).  Saint Louis hospital might be an option - but website only Thai currently - but Chrome translate does a good job on doctor list.

[riorobc023]

3 hours ago, lopburi3 said:

All hospitals work on an appointment system, be it advance made or queue number.  But they will provide service to walk in as specialists become available.  Always best to make appointment to see a doctor of your choice (and you should made an informed choice if at all possible).  Saint Louis hospital might be an option - but website only Thai currently - but Chrome translate does a good job on doctor list.

 

Oh good to know about this. I'm going to see a cardiologist so yeah maybe i should make an appointment. I always had success on just walking in and getting to see a doctor anytime.

 

From what i gathered Bumrungrad and Sukhumvit and Samitejv hospital are the most expensive in bkk?

[Sheryl]

No, there are several others just as expensive as Bumrungrad and Samitivej,  and Sukhumvit usually costs less than these two.

 

You should not choose the hospital but rather the doctor (which also means, definitely do not just walk in - you'll be directed to the least busy doctor and there is often a reason for that). This will mean going to different hospitals at times depending on what it is you need.

 

In terms of cardiologists I recommend Prof. Thaworn  Suithichaiyakul  (also spelled Taworn). He is at Sukhumvit Hospital on I think Saturdays (their website is down at the moment) and used to be at Bangkok Christian Hospital but seems no longer there. He can also be seen through the after hours clinic at Chulalongkhorn Hospital, which is definitely the most economical means of getting top notch  health care but involves some waits and inconveniences (starting wiht: have to go in person to make an appointment).

[THAILIBAN]

23 hours ago, riorobc023 said:

 

Oh good to know about this. I'm going to see a cardiologist so yeah maybe i should make an appointment. I always had success on just walking in and getting to see a doctor anytime.

 

From what i gathered Bumrungrad and Sukhumvit and Samitejv hospital are the most expensive in bkk?

 

I would say that nowadays BNH is the most expensive hospital, and unfortunately the price does not match the quality of care. Own recent experience. Bumrungrad is always bustling with people at any given hour, whereas some parts of BNH are mostly like a ghost town..... there must be a reason for that. That does not mean BNH has no capable physicians, just do some research before heading there. Yes Bumrungrad is not cheap and can be like a zoo at times, but if you know which Doctor to see it is still hassle-free and certainly not as expensive as in Western countries (my DOCs there charge around 800 Baht per visit - where to you get that in Europe or the US ?

[dddave]

On 5/27/2017 at 0:57 PM, Sheryl said:

In terms of cardiologists I recommend Prof. Thaworn  Suithichaiyakul  (also spelled Taworn). He is at Sukhumvit Hospital on I think Saturdays (their website is down at the moment) and used to be at Bangkok Christian Hospital but seems no longer there.

I can also personally recommend Dr. Nivit at Sukhumvit Cardiology Center, if Dr Thaworn is unavailable.  Dr Nivit is thorough, professional and a great communicator.  Prices at Sukhumvit for all aspects of treatment are lower then many other major hospitals.

The pharmacy is an exception....just as expensive as most other hospital pharmacys.  Insist on a prescription for those medications that can be purchased elsewhere. 

[dddave]

21 hours ago, THAILIBAN said:

some parts of BNH are mostly like a ghost town..... there must be a reason for that. 

In my experience, BNH is the most well managed hospital, appointment-wise that I have ever been to. I have never had to wait later than my scheduled time.  That, I would suggest is why BNH is so uncrowded.  

It is a very efficiently run hospital.

[lopburi3]

37 minutes ago, dddave said:

In my experience, BNH is the most well managed hospital, appointment-wise that I have ever been to. I have never had to wait later than my scheduled time.  That, I would suggest is why BNH is so uncrowded.  

It is a very efficiently run hospital.

Actually ghost town would also explain why your do not have to wait for appointments.  Doctors should be guided by patient needs rather than clock - and that will result in delays at most facilities if doctor has anything near a full schedule (regardless of management).

[Sheryl]

I am not aware of any problems with BNH as a hospital. Of course, like any hospitals, the skill of individual doctors varies.

 

It's "style" is fewer patients, longer more personalized contact with doctors vs Bumrungrad which emphasizes volume. It costs slightly more for that reason.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

Based on quite a few visits to both over the years, I'd take BNH over Bumrungrad almost any day of the week just in terms of their general operation -- unless you had a specific Dr. that you really needed who only had hours at Bummers.

 

The reason is exactly that that Sheryl posted above, which has been my experience as well at the two hospitals:

 

Quote

It's [BNH] "style" is fewer patients, longer more personalized contact with doctors vs Bumrungrad which emphasizes volume. It costs slightly more for that reason.

 

At Bummers, you tend to feel like you're on a medical conveyor belt and too many of the drs there are just going thru their standard diagnosing routine, unfortunately, regardless of what your actual problem and symptoms may be.

 

Also, if what's bothering you isn't glaringly clear and obvious, I'd likewise stay away, because in my experience, too often, they're not going to take the time to actually get to the bottom of things.

 

Lastly, at least in terms of just routine outpatient visits, I haven't found BNH to be more expensive that Bummers. But I can't speak to inpatient rates, as I've never had inpatient at either facility.

 

[riorobc023]

Thanks everyone for the responses, truly appreciated!

 

how much would a CT scan and echocardiogram cost me? at bumrungrad or BNH , any estimations?

Don't want to head there and get hit with a bill of 40k thb.

 

Thanks!

[lopburi3]

Suspect would have to know what the CT scan is for but would not rule out 40k (believe that is about what full abdominal w/contrast searching for cancer cost me at Bangkok Hospital in January).

[Sheryl]

CT - cost depends upon of what and whether using contrast material. With contrast, will be somewhere around 20-25K at the two hospitals mentioned. Without contrast 15-20 approx.

 

Echocardiogram maybe 3-5K.

 

Are you sure you need a CT?

[bbi1]

On 2017-5-28 at 3:46 PM, THAILIBAN said:

 

I would say that nowadays BNH is the most expensive hospital, and unfortunately the price does not match the quality of care. Own recent experience. Bumrungrad is always bustling with people at any given hour, whereas some parts of BNH are mostly like a ghost town..... there must be a reason for that. That does not mean BNH has no capable physicians, just do some research before heading there. Yes Bumrungrad is not cheap and can be like a zoo at times, but if you know which Doctor to see it is still hassle-free and certainly not as expensive as in Western countries (my DOCs there charge around 800 Baht per visit - where to you get that in Europe or the US ?

How are you getting specialists seeing you at 800 baht per visit at Bumrungrad? I was always under the impression from what I've read they are the most expensive hospital as they cater to Arabs and do a lot of marketing overseas. At Samitevej you pay between 1,000 to 1,500 baht for the specialist fees and that was last year, not sure about this year.

[Sheryl]

Most specialists at Bumrungrad -- especially those who trained in the West - charge 1200 - 1500 per consultation.

 

In all private hospitals, the doctors set their own fees and these will vary greatly depending on the doctor. The full range is around 600 - 1800, the lower end being GPs and doctors with no training outside of Thailand, the higher end being specialists trained abroad and often holding professorships at leading medical schools.

[riorobc023]

22 hours ago, Sheryl said:

CT - cost depends upon of what and whether using contrast material. With contrast, will be somewhere around 20-25K at the two hospitals mentioned. Without contrast 15-20 approx.

 

Echocardiogram maybe 3-5K.

 

Are you sure you need a CT?

Hi Sheryl,

Thats quite expensive for a basic CT scan of my heart. even 15-20k is quite a bit, surprised to hear that honestly..

EKG 3-5k is not bad..

 

I have never had a CT scan of my heart before, so i believe it would be good to know my EF (ejection fraction) , i think that is what its called? And make sure everything is working properly i suppose.

 

EKG i haven't had done in years so it would be good to check that i suppose..

[lopburi3]

If this just for check perhaps ultrasound (echocardiogram) would serve and no radiation exposure with that.  Also should be cheaper.  

 

 

[Sheryl]

1 hour ago, riorobc023 said:

Hi Sheryl,

Thats quite expensive for a basic CT scan of my heart. even 15-20k is quite a bit, surprised to hear that honestly..

EKG 3-5k is not bad..

 

I have never had a CT scan of my heart before, so i believe it would be good to know my EF (ejection fraction) , i think that is what its called? And make sure everything is working properly i suppose.

 

EKG i haven't had done in years so it would be good to check that i suppose..

 

3-5 is not for an EKG, that would be just a few hiundred baht. It is for an echocardiogram.

 

An echocardiogram will tell the Ejection Fraction. However unless you have cardiac disease there is no reason to need to measure your EF.

 

There is certainly no need for a CT.   CTs of the heart are never indicated for a routine check up. (Neither actually is echocardiogram, unless physical exam detects a murmer or there are clinical signs of a cardiac problem. But at least it is inexpensive and free of radiation.)

 

 

[jwest10]

On 31/5/2560 at 0:17 PM, Sheryl said:

Most specialists at Bumrungrad -- especially those who trained in the West - charge 1200 - 1500 per consultation.

 

In all private hospitals, the doctors set their own fees and these will vary greatly depending on the doctor. The full range is around 600 - 1800, the lower end being GPs and doctors with no training outside of Thailand, the higher end being specialists trained abroad and often holding professorships at leading medical schools.

Sheryl
Yes, always when wanting info for say medical insurance for expats say, I can never find the search box is it jump to, but only gives broad classifications and does one have to scroll anywhere. Every time  I want information on a topic it takes so long. I must be doing something wrong.
Please help me and thanks

[riorobc023]

22 hours ago, Sheryl said:

 

3-5 is not for an EKG, that would be just a few hiundred baht. It is for an echocardiogram.

 

An echocardiogram will tell the Ejection Fraction. However unless you have cardiac disease there is no reason to need to measure your EF.

 

There is certainly no need for a CT.   CTs of the heart are never indicated for a routine check up. (Neither actually is echocardiogram, unless physical exam detects a murmer or there are clinical signs of a cardiac problem. But at least it is inexpensive and free of radiation.)

 

 

Great info from you all once again!

 

So i'm glad i came here before i went to the doctor and got everything done! wow i would have been in for a shock

I'll do an EKG and an echocardiogram then. Heart disease runs in my family though. Many thanks

[Sheryl]

If you are over say age 40, a stress test would be more useful.  Nothing on an echocardiogram is going to tell you if there is partial blockage in any of the coronary arteries, but a stress test will. About 2000 baht.

 

Echocardogram is useful when there is valvular disease etc.