Hua Hin Hospital Express Service - Highly Recommended

[MrPlum]

On Friday I took someone to HH Hospital for an x-ray and paid 200 thb for the 'express service', which you can obtain via the office that assists foreign visitors. Go in the main entrance, walk straight ahead, past the desk/computers on the right and this office is on the corner.

We registered our details at counter 3, near the main entrance, we were then accompanied to the Doctor, seen almost immediately, had the x-ray and when it was completed, were seen by the Doctor again, who handed us a CD with the results. Total cost was 570 thb, this included the express fee. A staff member accompanied us all the way.

Normally, the hospital is full, so to be in and out in less than an hour was mightily impressive. The hospital wasn't as busy as I've seen it but all the same I highly recommended it.

[bapak]

On Friday I took someone to HH Hospital for an x-ray and paid 200 thb for the 'express service', which you can obtain via the office that assists foreign visitors. Go in the main entrance, walk straight ahead, past the desk/computers on the right and this office is on the corner.

We registered our details at counter 3, near the main entrance, we were then accompanied to the Doctor, seen almost immediately, had the x-ray and when it was completed, were seen by the Doctor again, who handed us a CD with the results. Total cost was 570 thb, this included the express fee. A staff member accompanied us all the way.

Normally, the hospital is full, so to be in and out in less than an hour was mightily impressive. The hospital wasn't as busy as I've seen it but all the same I highly recommended it.

Entirely agree. Have used this service for several years.
Not just for foreigners. Available to anyone.

[HHTel]

This service has been around for quite a while. Always use it when I need to go. Last year, I had a full medical which meant visiting almost every dept. Was accompanied all the way and every floor was packed with people waiting. I was finished in a couple of hours along with all the results. Felt a little embarassed at going to the head of every queue but definately worth a couple of hundred.

It is available to everyone but if everyone took the option then I'm sure it wouldn't work.

[JD]

I believe the service is not available for everyone, I think it is only those paying for their treatment that can use the express service.

Those using their Thai health cards for treatment cannot use the express service, so in effect, those poor Thais who can't afford to pay for treatment and rely on their health cards are having to wait longer to use the service that they pay into every month.

[HHTel]

Using this service would negate the 30 baht scheme. That's fair. If you're going to use the express service then you should pay for services and medication.l

[HHTel]

to use the service that they pay into every month.

Not true. They don't pay into the service. The 30 baht scheme is for everyone but you have to be registered in your area of domicile. My two daughters are registered for the 30 baht scheme but we've never used it and I've definately not paid anything into it.

[barrys]

to use the service that they pay into every month.

Not true. They don't pay into the service...

But there are also a lot of Thais and quite a few foreigners who are in regular employment here and pay social insurance, on the basis of which they get their medical card. So what is their position in this regard ...?

[TingTongJohn]

I have been to Bangkok hospital Synphaet Hospital a few times..Bangkok revenge(700 baht doctor and meds) and such and for the most part as soon as they see me(Tourist/farang) I was offered an escort who spoke English and helped me with the process. I always thought it was due to the fact I was not part of the 30 baht scheme and was paying right away. I felt kinda guilty as I was bypassing the cue of Thai people waiting and there was No fee to speed things up.

[HHTel]

I don't think Bangkok Hospital or Synphaet Hospital are government hospitals. As I understand it, the 30 baht scheme (championed by Thaksin) is only applicable in government hospitals. Before my kids were re-registered in Hua Hin, they were registered in Nongkaam. If they fell ill in Hua Hin, then they had to go to Nongkaam to get treatment under the 30 baht scheme.
Correct me if I'm wrong.

[TingTongJohn]

I don't think Bangkok Hospital or Synphaet Hospital are government hospitals. As I understand it, the 30 baht scheme (championed by Thaksin) is only applicable in government hospitals. Before my kids were re-registered in Hua Hin, they were registered in Nongkaam. If they fell ill in Hua Hin, then they had to go to Nongkaam to get treatment under the 30 baht scheme.
Correct me if I'm wrong.

I honestly don`t know but now that I think about it I would say that they are more likely a private hospital but I am unsure they were the closest at the time I had need.

[JD]

to use the service that they pay into every month.

Not true. They don't pay into the service. The 30 baht scheme is for everyone

Not Strictly True. Most do pay into the system.

The 30 Baht scheme is free for those that register, the 200 odd baht you pay the school for insurance every year gets them on the scheme, once your children leave school they will either have to register for the 30 Baht scheme or pay a monthly fee to get their cards, or, if they are working a fee will be deducted from their salary. My company doesn't deduct any money from our staff but the company pays all the fees (450 Baht per month each) on their behalf. Every December the company receives their Prakhon Sangkom (spelling) Cards with each staff members name and details on them, they are also told which hospital they are registered at and can only use the system at that hospital and nowhere else.

A lot of Thais with the 30 Baht scheme choose to pay for Prakhon Sangkom themselves, we have just taken on a new girl who paid 432 baht a month herself, she did this last year when she found out she was pregnant, that got her all the proper treatment she needed rather than the basic she would have received on the 30 baht scheme, she had the baby, received a payment from them (not sure what for) waited 3 months and started working for me.

The difference between the 30 Baht scheme and the Prakhon Sangkom is considerable. For instance under the 30 Baht scheme you would only receive the simplest and least expensive treatment available to cure or fix you. (maybe why you see so many amputations after road accidents - cheaper to have one operation than many to fix multiple problems with crushed limbs).

We had a member of staff who was on the Prakhon Sangkom scheme who passed away a few years ago, she was diagnosed with breast cancer, under the scheme she received all the specialist treatment available to her and lived for nearly 3 years after her original diagnosis, she said the doctor told her that she had over 400,000 baht worth of treatment. When she passed the Prakhon Sangkom paid her family 80,000 baht in death insurance. Also while she was ill, provided the company paid her salary for three consecutive months and continued to pay her monthly Prakhon Sangkom fees, they paid her a sickness salary of half her salary every month and we made up the balance.

Also remember that you do have to register for the 30 baht scheme, it means a Thai person has to go to the Tessabaan with their ID Card, House Book and other qualifying documents, they will then issue the card. I don't know what would happen to someone who had not registered but turned up at the hospital for treatment, but I would presume they would be treated and as they are not registered at that hospital, they would have to pay.

My wife has had back trouble for a number of years, three years ago the doctor at Hua Hin Hospital said she need an MRI scan, she had to go to Bangkok and pay privately for it (17,000 baht) as HHHospital didn't have a scanner. Early this year she had pains in her leg, the doctor wanted an updated scan which HHHospital did as they now have their own MRI Scanner, the scan would have cost 8,000 baht, Prakhon Sangkom paid for it all and any medication she received was named brands and not Thai copies.

I am not saying the experiences I have seen as above is the same for everyone and I am sure the goalposts may move around a lot. The 30 baht scheme for sure is a good thing for Thai people, but to get the full benefit of the Thai Health System it will cost around 450 baht a month if you are not employed.

So most Thais are paying into the system, as a lot of them realise the importance of Prakhon Sangkom. If they are legally employed they are also on the scheme and most employers will be deducting this and any tax payable from their salary.

[hhinner]

Prakan sangkhom (social insurance - or national insurance) also provides other benefits, one of which is a government pension (such as it is) on retirement.

[MrPlum]

Discussion of the system is a bit off-topic but very useful in understanding how it all works. This piece in the Bangkok Post suggests the Social Security system has its problems...

Social security scheme ‘failing members’
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/health/ ... ng-members

'Somporn Kwannate, president of the network of labour unions in the eastern region, said workers have complained that healthcare providers offer limited coverage and lower standards of treatment to SSS members.'

Lower standards of treatment?

[barrys]

Prakan sangkhom (social insurance - or national insurance) also provides other benefits, one of which is a government pension (such as it is) on retirement.

Yes, this is social insurance that has to be paid by/for everyone in regular employment.
There is not a fixed fee - the monthly contribution is set at 10% of gross monthly salary, with half paid by the employee and the other half by the employer, though there is a ceiling.

Apart from healthcare and retirement benefits, it also gives workers protection under labour law vis-à-vis their employers (e.g. continued pay for a certain period in proven cases of sickness, fighting unfair dismissal) and a small amount of unemployment benefit for 3 months (I think) after losing one's job.

[dtaai-maai]

^^And it has proven invaluable to me, as Barry is well aware. It paid for my chemotherapy and related treatment a few years ago (amounting to more than 500,000 baht including hospital stays, scans, etc. etc.) and continues to pay for regular check-ups and any medication required. Without this I would not have been able to remain here.
Probably why I get a bit tetchy when people keep knocking Thailand!