Dutch man with cancer claims Hua Hin Hospital rip off

Medical issues, doctors, dentists, opticians and hospitals in Hua Hin and Thailand.
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Big Boy
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Re: Dutch man with cancer claims Hua Hin Hospital rip off

Post by Big Boy »

I agree HHTel. I have retained a UK address just in case. However, I also know somebody that went back a few weeks ago for treatment and wasn't refused. I think you'd be pretty unlucky to find a jobsworth who enforced the 6 month rule.
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Re: Dutch man with cancer claims Hua Hin Hospital rip off

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If you continue to pay into your UK National Insurance you will still be covered, I have not paid in for some years and in 2007 I had to pay as a private patient in the UK.
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Re: Dutch man with cancer claims Hua Hin Hospital rip off

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Within the UK, free NHS treatment is provided on the basis of someone being ‘ordinarily resident’. It is not dependent upon nationality, payment of UK taxes, national insurance contributions, being registered with a GP, having an NHS number or owning property in the UK.
However, it does appear to be discretionary. One exemption is:
Returning To The UK To Settle

Citizens who return to the UK on a settled basis will be classed as ordinarily resident, and will be eligible for free NHS care immediately.
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Re: Dutch man with cancer claims Hua Hin Hospital rip off

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RCer » Wed Sep 14, 2016 4:17 pm
I've seen a lot of Thai people using BKK hospital. I'm guessing they either make a lot of baht or have good insurance.
Governnent hospitals are definitely cheapest but wife says, “Go to Bangkok Hospital”. There are others she likes better but in HH that is what we have. She did 25 years as a registered nurse at Chumphon Hospital. So she goes there, or if any of her Chumphon friends or relatives need hospital care she immediately hot foots it down there to use her connections to steer them into the right doctor and treatment. But you probably do not have that benefit.

The difference is at government hospitals you sit in a chair & wait for your name to be called and take pot luck on who your doctor will be. Many of them are new graduates on their first job. Also many are not even doctors, just interns.

But most people do not know how to research their doctor so are still taking pot luck anyway even if going to a private hospital with the option of choosing their doctor. Also most people just accept doctor referral and suggestions from their friends and almost 100 % of those types of referrals or suggestions are based on personality or bedside manner. So what’s the point - just as well go to the government hospital.. But for me, I want to choose my own doctor.

I’ve had good experiences at government hospitals in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Fiji. But if course it also depends on the problem. Some people run to the hospital when it is not really even necessary. And some complaints could be handled just as well by a veterinarian.
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Re: Dutch man with cancer claims Hua Hin Hospital rip off

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I might add, even when going to HH Bkk Hospital I usually do not buy prescription medicine there unless it is controlled and available only at the hospital. I ask for the prescription and buy it where it is cheaper, usually in Chumphon or Bkk. Also there is a small pharmacy in Sam Roi Yot that is cheaaper than any in HH ot Pranbury
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Re: Dutch man with cancer claims Hua Hin Hospital rip off

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Of course cost is a consideration, but you can often see the same doctor regardless of hospital. My son-in-law moves them to their various duties at different hospitals. I know he came to see me when I was in Petcharat, and I was being treated by a San Paulo doctor, who he knew.

Farangs pay their 200 Baht at hua Hin Hospital, and they receive priority treatment - I always know who my doctor will be (lol - grumpy old git, but I usually see the same man, and rarely get pushed to his registrar).

I have used these 'better' hospital with a doctor who would most definitely have been my first choice. I had 2 operations, but the wound was not getting better. I was returning week after week for many months (actually every 8 hours for a week), and the hospital were happily taking my cash. Then I saw somebody on UK TV, Holby City with the same problem.

Next visit I confirmed with the doc that I had the same condition. A bit of Internet research and less than 200 Baht on meds later my wound was cured. The look on the docs face was a picture when he removed my dressings at the next visit - he was clearly shocked to the point he was speechless. He turned to my wife and asked what she had done. She took the 'self medication' from her handbag and handed it to him. The doc was furious and had to leave the consultation room.

About 30 minutes later, he'd calmed down enough to continue his consultation. He was actually disappointed - his cash cow was cured.

I was discharged by him, but told I had to see somebody else before I left. I was sent to see another doctor who was going to re-assess the meds I had been prescribed in the UK. They basically wanted to use me as a guinea pig to experiment with a tried and tested medication regime, which has been keeping me well for years. I simply said, "No thank you," and I walked. A cured patient does not provide income.

As I've said, I used to be a hospital snob. I learnt the hard/expensive way. I now use a hospital that has an incentive to get me well and moved on to make way for other sick people. I wonder how many of the people who gave their opinions, which made me a hospital snob, have actually been ill, and have had to use a Thai hospital to get well.
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Re: Dutch man with cancer claims Hua Hin Hospital rip off

Post by Three »

In a civilized country, a full Fee Schedule would be provided by governmental agencies such as hospitals and immigration - particularly for fees applying solely to foreigners.

And it wouldn't be in Thai only.

Face it: the Thais want your money. They don't want YOU.

And they especially don't want your ideas of egalitarianism and such, which are liable to cause social unrest.
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Re: Dutch man with cancer claims Hua Hin Hospital rip off

Post by HHTel »

egalitarianism
What a great word. I'd never come across it but I'll use it now!
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Re: Dutch man with cancer claims Hua Hin Hospital rip off

Post by dundrillin »

If Three is concerned about hospitals ripping off patients I suggest he first looks at the USA followed by private medicine in the UK. They are gold medal rip off merchants. Interestingly a friend of mine was an English surgeon working in New York,patients fees were decided by hospital administrators and then increased somewhat if it was thought the patient was well off.
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Re: Dutch man with cancer claims Hua Hin Hospital rip off

Post by Three »

HHTel wrote:
egalitarianism
What a great word. I'd never come across it but I'll use it now!
Please do!

Just for fun, according to Google Translate:

กิจวัตรประจำวัน seems to mean "routine" or something like that. Would need a well-educated Thai, fluent in English, to translate.

Perhaps there is no Thai word for "egalitarianism". :wink:
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Re: Dutch man with cancer claims Hua Hin Hospital rip off

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Google Translate does not translate Thai to English very well so do not rely on it
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