Bangkok hospital encounter

[Keithambrose]

A few words on my recent visit to Bhumrungrad Hospital.  I have  had condition  of the oesophagus,  called achalasia.  Causes food to go down slowly,  and sometimes  get stuck. If food does get stuck, then it usually  clears,  though it can take several  hours. Anyway, Saturday  night, got some of the Meridien' lounge, pork and mushrooms stuck. Still stuck this morning,  so in effect I hadn't eaten for 48 hours. Did have sex though, see Cambodian crossover post! This morning  off to the hospital.  In short, amazing hospital. Huge.  Private, but offers walk in  service. Unlike UK. Very smart and efficient  I turned up at 10.15, registered, triaged, saw Consultant,  general anaesthetic, gastroscopy, removal of pork, recovery, postop discussion,  full report plus photos (ugh). In 10.15, out 4pm. Really impressed. My Thai Consultant looked 25, but was an Assistant Professor.  And, total charge, £1,100,  about one third of UK, and i assume US would be a lot higher. I realise Thailand is advertising   health  care abroad,  and I can see why. Now having soup and brie, and recharging. 

[reader]

31 minutes ago, Keithambrose said:

A few words on my recent visit to Bhumrungrad Hospital.  I have  had condition  of the oesophagus,  called achalasia.  Causes food to go down slowly,  and sometimes  get stuck. If food does get stuck, then it usually  clears,  though it can take several  hours. Anyway, Saturday  night, got some of the Meridien' lounge, pork and mushrooms stuck. Still stuck this morning,  so in effect I hadn't eaten for 48 hours. Did have sex though, see Cambodian crossover post! This morning  off to the hospital.  In short, amazing hospital. Huge.  Private, but offers walk in  service. Unlike UK. Very smart and efficient  I turned up at 10.15, registered, triaged, saw Consultant,  general anaesthetic, gastroscopy, removal of pork, recovery, postop discussion,  full report plus photos (ugh). In 10.15, out 4pm. Really impressed. My Thai Consultant looked 25, but was an Assistant Professor.  And, total charge, £1,100,  about one third of UK, and i assume US would be a lot higher. I realise Thailand is advertising   health  care abroad,  and I can see why. Now having soup and brie, and recharging. 

Encouraging to hear another good report on emergency room treatment in Bangkok.

You're right in assuming that ER costs would be higher in US. There's a federal rule that requires hospitals that receive government Medicare aid to provide treatment to all comers (including non citizens), regardless of their ability to pay. In major metropolitan areas, the emergency medical response systems and ER's become the manner that those without insurance access the health care system. I believe national healthcare would be a far better solution but neither Democrat or Republican controlled governments have been able to extricate themselves from the grip of healthcare lobbyists.

[Keithambrose]

17 minutes ago, reader said:

Encouraging to hear another good report on emergency room treatment in Bangkok.

You're right in assuming that ER costs would be higher in US. There's a federal rule that requires hospitals that receive government Medicare aid to provide treatment to all comers (including non citizens), regardless of their ability to pay. In major metropolitan areas, the emergency medical response systems and ER's become the manner that those without insurance access the health care system. I believe national healthcare would be a far better solution but neither Democrat or Republican controlled governments have been able to extricate themselves from the grip of healthcare lobbyists.

I understand  that. Perhaps also the reason drugs in US can be 4 times the price that they are in UK. My blood thinner Apixaban, is 45USD a month in UK,  8 times that in USA, I believe.  In fact I don't pay, as prescriptions  free for anyone over 60. And many other groups. Huge advantage. 

[Keithambrose]

23 minutes ago, reader said:

Encouraging to hear another good report on emergency room treatment in Bangkok.

You're right in assuming that ER costs would be higher in US. There's a federal rule that requires hospitals that receive government Medicare aid to provide treatment to all comers (including non citizens), regardless of their ability to pay. In major metropolitan areas, the emergency medical response systems and ER's become the manner that those without insurance access the health care system. I believe national healthcare would be a far better solution but neither Democrat or Republican controlled governments have been able to extricate themselves from the grip of healthcare lobbyists.

I hadn't thought of it as ER, but I suppose it is. In UK private  hospitals mostly do not offer walk in. Only very few.

[reader]

11 minutes ago, Keithambrose said:

I understand  that. Perhaps also the reason drugs in US can be 4 times the price that they are in UK. My blood thinner Apixaban, is 45USD a month in UK,  8 times that in USA, I believe.  In fact I don't pay, as prescriptions  free for anyone over 60. And many other groups. Huge advantage. 

Agree. At the root of the problem is Congress has not allowed Medicare to negotiate drug prices with suppliers (again. power of healthcare lobbyists). Last year minimal progress allowed price restrictions on handful of drugs.

Insurance companies, on the other hand, can negotiate prices. I pay <$20 for 90-day supplies of blood pressure and statin prescriptions.

Congress does, however, permit Veterans Administration to effectively negotiate prices. It's a dichotomy that can only be explained by politics.

[Keithambrose]

8 minutes ago, reader said:

Agree. At the root of the problem is Congress has not allowed Medicare to negotiate drug prices with suppliers (again. power of healthcare lobbyists). Last year minimal progress allowed price restrictions on handful of drugs.

Insurance companies, on the other hand, can negotiate prices. I pay <$20 for 90-day supplies of blood pressure and statin prescriptions.

Congress does, however, permit Veterans Administration to effectively negotiate prices. It's a dichotomy that can only be explained by politics.

Interesting. That's good for you! I hope the new Congress doesn't reverse that!

[vinapu]

10 hours ago, reader said:

I believe national healthcare would be a far better solution but neither Democrat or Republican controlled governments have been able to extricate themselves from the grip of healthcare lobbyists.

Perhaps when Trump realises his dream about Canada becoming 51st state , Canadian communism in form of public health service will spread and pollute good old USA.

[vinapu]

11 hours ago, Keithambrose said:

 Now having soup and brie, and recharging. 

Glad to hear you feel better  but not sure after this kind of problems brie is  best as part of  first meal as it's not easily digestible , none of processed cheeses are

[a-447]

I had a great experience at the Bangkok Christian Hospital a few years ago - if you can call a hospital visit great.

I was up all night, standing by the toilet trying to piss, but couldn't.

In the morning I walked to the hospital from the hotel and within 30 minutes was having my bladder drained. I think the cost was about 3000 baht, including 7 days medication.

[Olddaddy]

15 hours ago, Keithambrose said:

A few words on my recent visit to Bhumrungrad Hospital.  I have  had condition  of the oesophagus,  called achalasia.  Causes food to go down slowly,  and sometimes  get stuck. If food does get stuck, then it usually  clears,  though it can take several  hours. Anyway, Saturday  night, got some of the Meridien' lounge, pork and mushrooms stuck. Still stuck this morning,  so in effect I hadn't eaten for 48 hours. Did have sex though, see Cambodian crossover post! This morning  off to the hospital.  In short, amazing hospital. Huge.  Private, but offers walk in  service. Unlike UK. Very smart and efficient  I turned up at 10.15, registered, triaged, saw Consultant,  general anaesthetic, gastroscopy, removal of pork, recovery, postop discussion,  full report plus photos (ugh). In 10.15, out 4pm. Really impressed. My Thai Consultant looked 25, but was an Assistant Professor.  And, total charge, £1,100,  about one third of UK, and i assume US would be a lot higher. I realise Thailand is advertising   health  care abroad,  and I can see why. Now having soup and brie, and recharging. 

Can you claim travel insurance on that ? ( If you took out a policy)

[Olddaddy]

3 hours ago, vinapu said:

Perhaps when Trump realises his dream about Canada becoming 51st state , Canadian communism in form of public health service will spread and pollute good old USA.

I still prefer to use a private owned hospital than a government one.

Here in Australia public hospitals emergency department are free....if you want to sit and wait hours & hours ! 

[Keithambrose]

4 hours ago, vinapu said:

Glad to hear you feel better  but not sure after this kind of problems brie is  best as part of  first meal as it's not easily digestible , none of processed cheeses are

Thanks. True, but it is soft, and goes down well. My issue is getting food into stomach,  digestion ok!

[Keithambrose]

59 minutes ago, Olddaddy said:

Can you claim travel insurance on that ? ( If you took out a policy)

Yes, I can. I have 12 month policy. However they normally fight like mad not to pay!

[Keithambrose]

1 hour ago, Olddaddy said:

I still prefer to use a private owned hospital than a government one.

Here in Australia public hospitals emergency department are free....if you want to sit and wait hours & hours ! 

Same in UK, unfortunately. 

[ichigo]

4 hours ago, Olddaddy said:

Here in Australia public hospitals emergency department are free....if you want to sit and wait hours & hours !

There is a triage system so if it was particularly urgent then you’d obviously get seen a little sooner rather than later.

[vinapu]

7 hours ago, Olddaddy said:

I still prefer to use a private owned hospital than a government one.

Here in Australia public hospitals emergency department are free....if you want to sit and wait hours & hours ! 

your prefer because you can afford it but there are those who can't .

As for public health institutions everywhere old saying applies ' one must be very healthy to be sick" 

[Olddaddy]

9 hours ago, Keithambrose said:

Yes, I can. I have 12 month policy. However they normally fight like mad not to pay!

Very true, because it would be a pre-existing condition 

[Keithambrose]

14 hours ago, Olddaddy said:

Very true, because it would be a pre-existing condition 

True, but they cover pre existing cond. They are focusing on not getting their consent in advance. It was 3am in UK!

[Olddaddy]

On 1/15/2025 at 5:32 PM, Keithambrose said:

True, but they cover pre existing cond. They are focusing on not getting their consent in advance. It was 3am in UK!

Very difficult to find a insurance company that covers pre existing condition although I did keep using one year after year who agreed to cover my blood pressure with a extra fee of course ! 😯

[Keithambrose]

4 hours ago, Olddaddy said:

Very difficult to find a insurance company that covers pre existing condition although I did keep using one year after year who agreed to cover my blood pressure with a extra fee of course ! 😯

I agree. I thought I was lucky, but I guess it's because they never pay out!

[reader]

When I made my first post-covid trip (when you needed health insurance policy to gain admission), I brought coverage . When I needed it for visit to BCH ER for dehydration issue, they informed me policy only good at public hospitals. Probably written someplace in fine print. There were some scandals with those companies (some declared bankruptcy) that later emerged in local media. I just looked at it as just a hump I had to jump thrugh through in order to get back and was not surprised.

[Lucky]

How ironic that so many posters here had hospital visits that week. My husband and I both visited BNH Hospital several times as I was awfully sick for two weeks with severe bronchitis. I found the hospital to be clean and friendly. The prices would make people here laugh.

Thankfully, I bought travel insurance which I hope returns my expenses.

[Patanawet]

On 1/13/2025 at 9:14 PM, Keithambrose said:

A few words on my recent visit to Bhumrungrad Hospital.  I have  had condition  of the oesophagus,  called achalasia.  Causes food to go down slowly,  and sometimes  get stuck. If food does get stuck, then it usually  clears,  though it can take several  hours. Anyway, Saturday  night, got some of the Meridien' lounge, pork and mushrooms stuck. Still stuck this morning,  so in effect I hadn't eaten for 48 hours. Did have sex though, see Cambodian crossover post! This morning  off to the hospital.  In short, amazing hospital. Huge.  Private, but offers walk in  service. Unlike UK. Very smart and efficient  I turned up at 10.15, registered, triaged, saw Consultant,  general anaesthetic, gastroscopy, removal of pork, recovery, postop discussion,  full report plus photos (ugh). In 10.15, out 4pm. Really impressed. My Thai Consultant looked 25, but was an Assistant Professor.  And, total charge, £1,100,  about one third of UK, and i assume US would be a lot higher. I realise Thailand is advertising   health  care abroad,  and I can see why. Now having soup and brie, and recharging. 

1,100 Baht- WOW.  The consultant must have really liked you.
Bhumrungrad is one of the most expensive private hospitals in Thailand.

[Keithambrose]

3 hours ago, Patanawet said:

1,100 Baht- WOW.  The consultant must have really liked you.
Bhumrungrad is one of the most expensive private hospitals in Thailand.

Er, as said £1,100.

[Patanawet]

30 minutes ago, Keithambrose said:

Er, as said £1,100.

Sorry sorry.