Thai Govt. Hospital Process Explored

[oldschooler]

I have a history of sun- caused benign localized removed Skin Cancer on my back, back of hands & legs since 2017.
I was therefore unsurprised when a new itchy hard lesion bump (weirdly shaped like an alien moon base !) formed  on top of my scalp recently even though my only sustained sun exposure is during Pool swimming. 
 
Refused to heal naturally so finally after two months took action. Local Doctor Clinic gave Useless Cream.

I am aged 65 in near perfect Health with no conditions. Diet & Exercise fan.Never been seriously ill or injured with zero in -patient record.

Wanting to avoid an inflated 20k baht type uninsured private hospital bill, (having seen that type of (insured) bill develop for every conceivable allowable medical item,for minor bike spill treated at private hospital, under my accident insurance)and curious too, I decided to try, for the first time, the Thai public hospital system.

We carry family private accident insurance with Chubb and I have LMG medical insurance with high deductible intended to limit major costs only and maintain low premiums. 

My educated Thai lady is always knocking the 30 baht System (“ they treat you bad”)but she & kid never used it as both fit as a butchers dog . Kid had his child vax of course. She turned out to be quite wrong based on my experience.

Chalong Govt. Hospital Doctor gave me a week long antibiotic course and referral letter to the best public Provincial hospital here, VACHIRA, which I selected upon request.

Antibiotics reduced the infection but not got rid . So ……

Completed four stages of registration & specialist nurse bureaucracy between 7:45 to 9:00 am 14 Feb at Vachira (Phuket Town).

My Thai Pink National ID Rejected for no reason but used to that experience now here as nobody has ever accepted it for anything !  Thai Driving License accepted by Vachira (and everywhere) in lieu requested Passport. 

Vachira Hospital was Organized Chaos. Overworked Nurses were helpful & efficient. Burma “Volunteer” (English Speaking)  most useful intermediary between process stages ! Hundreds of  Thais there milling about and seated patiently or laying on trolley beds.

Only five other farang seen there all day. One Brit had worked here thirty years under work permit so had govt. health cover. US guy on marriage visa,accompanied by Thai wife, also trying govt healthcare for the first time.

At 9am the Nurse seeing how tired I looked ( 5 hours sleep ) and with first doctor check at 10am ,sent me outside for breakfast ! No catering inside hospital for out patients.

Thai food shop opposite Hospital had no English Language so just Ordered the most expensive (mystery) dish at 120 baht and received an excellent mixed seafood- rice -soup with my coffee and water. After that, feeling more human again…..

Back inside, General Doctor referred me to Skin Doctor for the scalp lesion and administered Cryofreeze canister gas treatment for my other very minor chest skin & back of hand cancer. 15 March follow up appointment made which I thought could coincide with lesion surgery follow up too.

Building up a serious computer and paper file by now. 12am now & hospital lunch time. Told to return at 1pm so drove to the excellent Campus Roaster in Phuket old town for coffee & scones.

Back at 1:15pm with 150 other seated people having that 1pm slot for two doctors offices ! Finally at 3pm arranged lesion surgery with Skin Doctor for 24 Feb ( local anesthetic) preceded by 22 Feb mandatory pre op Covid check ( home isolation only if positive) arranged at other desk found by nurse for me. Everything patiently explained for my benefit in decent English. 

Finished the day here at Cashier paying 840 baht for the days work to add to the 715 baht Chalong Doctor Bill. Cashier had no idea about Surgery Cost (govt tariff so who cares!) 

8 Hour Hospital Process ;7:45 am to 3:45pm.

Double Whopper & Milkshake reward on way home.

Hoping this post is both interesting and useful

 

 

[Marc26]

16 minutes ago, oldschooler said:

I have a history of sun- caused benign localized removed Skin Cancer on my back, back of hands & legs since 2017.
I was therefore unsurprised when a new itchy hard lesion bump (weirdly shaped like an alien moon base !) formed  on top of my scalp recently even though my only sustained sun exposure is during Pool swimming. 
 
Refused to heal naturally so finally after two months took action. Local Doctor Clinic gave Useless Cream.

I am aged 65 in near perfect Health with no conditions. Diet & Exercise fan.Never been seriously ill or injured with zero in -patient record.

Wanting to avoid an inflated 20k baht type uninsured private hospital bill, (having seen that type of (insured) bill develop for every conceivable allowable medical item,for minor bike spill treated at private hospital, under my accident insurance)and curious too, I decided to try, for the first time, the Thai public hospital system.

We carry family private accident insurance with Chubb and I have LMG medical insurance with high deductible intended to limit major costs only and maintain low premiums. 

My educated Thai lady is always knocking the 30 baht System (“ they treat you bad”)but she & kid never used it as both fit as a butchers dog . Kid had his child vax of course. She turned out to be quite wrong based on my experience.

Chalong Govt. Hospital Doctor gave me a week long antibiotic course and referral letter to the best public Provincial hospital here, VACHIRA, which I selected upon request.

Antibiotics reduced the infection but not got rid . So ……

Completed four stages of registration & specialist nurse bureaucracy between 7:45 to 9:00 am 14 Feb at Vachira (Phuket Town).

My Thai Pink National ID Rejected for no reason but used to that experience now here as nobody has ever accepted it for anything !  Thai Driving License accepted by Vachira (and everywhere) in lieu requested Passport. 

Vachira Hospital was Organized Chaos. Overworked Nurses were helpful & efficient. Burma “Volunteer” (English Speaking)  most useful intermediary between process stages ! Hundreds of  Thais there milling about and seated patiently or laying on trolley beds.

Only five other farang seen there all day. One Brit had worked here thirty years under work permit so had govt. health cover. US guy on marriage visa,accompanied by Thai wife, also trying govt healthcare for the first time.

At 9am the Nurse seeing how tired I looked ( 5 hours sleep ) and with first doctor check at 10am ,sent me outside for breakfast ! No catering inside hospital for out patients.

Thai food shop opposite Hospital had no English Language so just Ordered the most expensive (mystery) dish at 120 baht and received an excellent mixed seafood- rice -soup with my coffee and water. After that, feeling more human again…..

Back inside, General Doctor referred me to Skin Doctor for the scalp lesion and administered Cryofreeze canister gas treatment for my other very minor chest skin & back of hand cancer. 15 March follow up appointment made which I thought could coincide with lesion surgery follow up too.

Building up a serious computer and paper file by now. 12am now & hospital lunch time. Told to return at 1pm so drove to the excellent Campus Roaster in Phuket old town for coffee & scones.

Back at 1:15pm with 150 other seated people having that 1pm slot for two doctors offices ! Finally at 3pm arranged lesion surgery with Skin Doctor for 24 Feb ( local anesthetic) preceded by 22 Feb mandatory pre op Covid check ( home isolation only if positive) arranged at other desk found by nurse for me. Everything patiently explained for my benefit in decent English. 

Finished the day here at Cashier paying 840 baht for the days work to add to the 715 baht Chalong Doctor Bill. Cashier had no idea about Surgery Cost (govt tariff so who cares!) 

8 Hour Hospital Process ;7:45 am to 3:45pm.

Double Whopper & Milkshake reward on way home.

Hoping this post is both interesting and useful

 

Knowing Burger King prices in Thailand 

The double Whopper and Milkshake may have costed more than the hospital!  :)

[BainaiThai]

37 minutes ago, oldschooler said:

 

Hoping this post is both interesting and useful

 

I have used the local public hospital system for my entire 7years here in Thailand...Pracuap Khiri Khan and Hua Hin.  If you have patience and a Thai to steer you through the system it may work for you too.  I have used the ER, all my Covid shots, general population inpatient for denge and ongoing treatment for prostate cancer.  No complaints.

Edited February 16, 2022 by BainaiThai
Did not need the whole post

[Faraday]

My wife & I have both used the Government hospitals in Udon. Apart from longer waiting times, the care & treatment were absolutely fine, no complaints at all.

I had a 'pre- cancerous, lesion removed from my lower leg with a local anaesthetic, at a private hospital. It cost 9000 baht. I went to a private hospital, as I wanted to be treated immediately. 

With regard to a lesion being 'pre-cancerous'. This means a collection of cells that may (or may not) appear the same as Cancer cells,  & may ( or may not) have a risk of progressing to Cancer.

 

[AussieBob]

When we lived in Chiang Mai we started using Chiang Mai Ram Hospital but found it very expensive.  I wont say who or what but one Specialist suggested we see them at their after-hours clinic - much cheaper and the medications almost half price. They also suggested we use the Sripat Medical Centre at Chiang Mai Public Hospital - many Public Hospitals have a 'clinic' attached that offers quicker service at a higher price - they were as good as Ram and way cheaper.  

One thing I also learned about the Hospital 'system' in Thailand, is that many of the Specialists and Doctors provide their services at many locations - Public Hospitals/Clinics, Private Hospitals, and their Private Clinics. Seems that most of them work at a few locations.  

[oldschooler]

On 2/16/2022 at 1:21 PM, oldschooler said:

I have a history of sun- caused benign localized removed Skin Cancer on my back, back of hands & legs since 2017.
I was therefore unsurprised when a new itchy hard lesion bump (weirdly shaped like an alien moon base !) formed  on top of my scalp recently even though my only sustained sun exposure is during Pool swimming. 
 
Refused to heal naturally so finally after two months took action. Local Doctor Clinic gave Useless Cream.

I am aged 65 in near perfect Health with no conditions. Diet & Exercise fan.Never been seriously ill or injured with zero in -patient record.

Wanting to avoid an inflated 20k baht type uninsured private hospital bill, (having seen that type of (insured) bill develop for every conceivable allowable medical item,for minor bike spill treated at private hospital, under my accident insurance)and curious too, I decided to try, for the first time, the Thai public hospital system.

We carry family private accident insurance with Chubb and I have LMG medical insurance with high deductible intended to limit major costs only and maintain low premiums. 

My educated Thai lady is always knocking the 30 baht System (“ they treat you bad”)but she & kid never used it as both fit as a butchers dog . Kid had his child vax of course. She turned out to be quite wrong based on my experience.

Chalong Govt. Hospital Doctor gave me a week long antibiotic course and referral letter to the best public Provincial hospital here, VACHIRA, which I selected upon request.

Antibiotics reduced the infection but not got rid . So ……

Completed four stages of registration & specialist nurse bureaucracy between 7:45 to 9:00 am 14 Feb at Vachira (Phuket Town).

My Thai Pink National ID Rejected for no reason but used to that experience now here as nobody has ever accepted it for anything !  Thai Driving License accepted by Vachira (and everywhere) in lieu requested Passport. 

Vachira Hospital was Organized Chaos. Overworked Nurses were helpful & efficient. Burma “Volunteer” (English Speaking)  most useful intermediary between process stages ! Hundreds of  Thais there milling about and seated patiently or laying on trolley beds.

Only five other farang seen there all day. One Brit had worked here thirty years under work permit so had govt. health cover. US guy on marriage visa,accompanied by Thai wife, also trying govt healthcare for the first time.

At 9am the Nurse seeing how tired I looked ( 5 hours sleep ) and with first doctor check at 10am ,sent me outside for breakfast ! No catering inside hospital for out patients.

Thai food shop opposite Hospital had no English Language so just Ordered the most expensive (mystery) dish at 120 baht and received an excellent mixed seafood- rice -soup with my coffee and water. After that, feeling more human again…..

Back inside, General Doctor referred me to Skin Doctor for the scalp lesion and administered Cryofreeze canister gas treatment for my other very minor chest skin & back of hand cancer. 15 March follow up appointment made which I thought could coincide with lesion surgery follow up too.

Building up a serious computer and paper file by now. 12am now & hospital lunch time. Told to return at 1pm so drove to the excellent Campus Roaster in Phuket old town for coffee & scones.

Back at 1:15pm with 150 other seated people having that 1pm slot for two doctors offices ! Finally at 3pm arranged lesion surgery with Skin Doctor for 24 Feb ( local anesthetic) preceded by 22 Feb mandatory pre op Covid check ( home isolation only if positive) arranged at other desk found by nurse for me. Everything patiently explained for my benefit in decent English. 

Finished the day here at Cashier paying 840 baht for the days work to add to the 715 baht Chalong Doctor Bill. Cashier had no idea about Surgery Cost (govt tariff so who cares!) 

8 Hour Hospital Process ;7:45 am to 3:45pm.

Double Whopper & Milkshake reward on way home.

Hoping this post is both interesting and useful

 

UPDATE:

Lesion Surgically Removed 24 Feb. Pathology Lab Result & Wound Healing Examination 15 March. Day Bill 3,150 baht ( Lab 1600-Surgery 1200-Drugs 110 -Hospital Fee 200 !! ).Local Clinic to remove Stitches 6 March.

Pre Op Covid Test two days before Op was Free. Hospital said Text Notice if Negative or Phone Call if Positive. Never Happened so just showed up for Op Appt. Hospital never asked for my Covid Vax status.Once you have your series of appointment slips after completing the first long registration / assignment day there, everything works very smoothly. END

[oldschooler]

3 minutes ago, oldschooler said:

UPDATE:

Lesion Surgically Removed 24 Feb. Pathology Lab Result & Wound Healing Examination 15 March. Day Bill 3,150 baht ( Lab 1600-Surgery 1200-Drugs 110 -Hospital Fee 200 !! ).Local Clinic to remove Stitches 6 March.

Pre Op Covid Test two days before Op was Free. Hospital said Text Notice if Negative or Phone Call if Positive. Never Happened so just showed up for Op Appt. Hospital never asked for my Covid Vax status.Once you have your series of appointment slips after completing the first long registration / assignment day there, everything works very smoothly. END

SUPPLEMENTAL: total cost estimate 6,000 baht which would I believe have been 3-4 times at Private Hospital so 18-24k ( uninsured under Deductible). Had no Males treating me. Lady Doctors mid to late 2O’s. Female Nurses 30s to 40s.

[Thaidup]

My experience so far? 5 years ago i went to Rama Hospital in CM for a biopsy on a growth on my left eyelid, it came back possitive for Basilcell Carcinova cancer (Spelling not my forte) they said about 400;000 baht to cover surgery and I will look like frankenstein,

I let it go for 5 years, it got worse. I was lame to the fact that I will lose an eye, or go back to Aussie and have my medicare payments put me in a Que.? what would you do at 53 years old?

The wife got back from being stuck in Aus in June, set me right and we went to a Cancer hospital that then acknowlegrd I have skin cancer and recommended a plastic surgeon, who then booked me into the local hospital and I spent 3 nights in a private room with the wife.

Pathology came back all good except for one on the forehead, back again for a one hour nip and tuck on it and some other questionable spots on my arms and chest.

My experience overall has been all positive, They did the pathology and came back to rectify the area in question.

Am i sure? No

Was I ready to give up an eye before? No

All in all it comes down to what we feel personally about our own individual circumstance, I was prepared to die from a cancer and still am,

A workmate of mine lost his house and all his beginnings by selling them off to try and save his wife from a cancer, but sadly she died.

[Thaidup]

On 2/16/2022 at 1:21 PM, oldschooler said:

I was therefore unsurprised when a new itchy hard lesion bump (weirdly shaped like an alien moon base !) formed  on top of my scalp

How did you see it through your hair? on your scalp

[oldschooler]

17 hours ago, Thaidup said:

How did you see it through your hair? on your scalp

I felt it and had it photographed!