Healthcare in Thailand

Julien wrote:

Hi,

how does the healthcare system works in Thailand ? Is it efficient ?

What are the main differences between public and private sectors?

Is it recommended to purchase private health insurance in Thailand?

Thanks in advance for sharing your experience !

Julien

Hi Julien this is an extract from my blog on the subject of health care in Thailand. I am happy to share it here. Rather than rewrite the article I have included what I consider are relevant parts.

Healthcare in Thailand can be excellent since the country has some world-class facilities and medical staff. However it does not have a primary health care system like the UK for example.

Instead the country relies on a mix of public and private facilities that include clinics and hospitals, all of which are available to a foreigner.

In the UK for example primary health care system is based around community based General Practitioners(GP) doctors, who, as the name suggests, practice general medicine and in the main are not specialists.

In Thailand however there is no GP system but instead nearly all doctors specialise. So a visit to a doctors clinic with a stomach upset could mean a person is treated by someone who specialises in orthopedic medicine for example.

As a foreigner in Thailand you normally have to pay for all medical treatment received. Whether at a public or private hospital.  However if legally married to a Thai who is covered by a special scheme, like that provided for the Civil Service for example, then treatment is free for the foreigner or the spouse can claim it back at a later date.

Outside of special schemes, usually some form of payment or guarantee of payment like a credit card is demanded before treatment is offered. However people with private health care policy’s may not be required to pay on the spot but this is not guaranteed.

In patient and out-patient costs vary greatly depending on the hospital(public or private). But all patient will be charged for all procedures such as x-rays and tests. As well as nursing and doctors fees.

In patient charges could certainly be as high as 15,000 Baht a day in a top private hospital but much less in  a public facility. These fees tend to be inclusive but may not cover all drugs administered and meals.

There are plenty of private medical insurance companies in Thailand offering good levels of cover with annual fees that are lower than in Europe or the USA.

Costs depend on a number of factors including, age and whether out-patient treatment is included.

Many companies will not cover retirees who have attained their 60th birthday unless they are already part of the scheme. This can present older people retiring to Thailand with the dilemma of taking a risk and paying as they go or setting aside a considerable sum to cover all eventualities.

Whatever course a person chooses to take, it would seem to be common sense to at least have a credit card with ample credit available if health insurance is not available.

It can be very expensive for farangs the doctors tend to over subscribe medication. Early in my stay here I was prescribed 10 different medicines for food poisoning, without any tests being carried out, some of which have bad side effects, needless to say I didn't take them. Doctors are paid bonuses for prescribing. Public hospitals are cheaper, not as good as private and there are usually long queues  to see a doctor.

I have since found a Doctor of Chinese Medicine who is excellent and of course no harmful antibiotics!

Hi, I agree about it is expensive, I paid around 300 $ for one visit with some eye infection in Bangkok Hospital. Around half of the bill were medicine, that you have to buy in the clinic ( not typical to where I am from). But the service is very good, everyone spoke good English and you feel like 5 start hotel there). So medical insurance is 100% recommended. Quite standard insurance will include clinics like BDMS group or Bumrungrad hospital for example, which are the best.
Dental services are not as expensive to my mind, compared to Europe, but quality is not bad at all. For example I did Air flow for 700 baht ( which is around 100$ in Moscow) or root canal work was 2500 baht, can check here bookup.asia/en/health/root-canal-treatment.
I have been to a public hospital once but didn't use its service. I only saw a huge queue, really crowded it was. But my Thai colleagues say it is not that bad with the SS insurance.

Thai Life Insurance is one of the cheapest medical available in Thailand, check it out, hospital only for 65 year old women is 1200.00 dollars a year, Most medical insurance providers stop covering you, after 60 years off age. We pay for simple problems are selfs, blood test, physicals, ENT problems.  Good Luck

For expats working in Thailand, healthcare is almost free.
It comes in the remuneration package for every worker who is legally working in here.
The hospital you choose to go to is up to you (within your preferred area).

What planet you living on matey ??? Simple you pay the what they ask or you do not get treated its same old ripoff mindset..."your a  farang you can afford it"

I dont think the hospital I go to rips me off. but then I live in BKK not tourist town. yes meds are higher. but the refills I get else where.

So what you saying live in tourist spot you deserve it ??

Health Care in Thailand is a joke in my opinion.

If you are in need of your health plan coverage as an outpatient - check out the coverage, viz. it is <$5000 per year and perscription drugs coverage is also meagre.  Basically if you are hurt/sick, and become an outpatient you will pay for your own medical repair.    As an inpatient, hospital payment is a hassle because the insurance companies have hard timed the hospitals payments historically so that the hospitals are reluctant to accept policy payment and  ask the patient to pay.  Basically insurance coverage is a mess on both the hospital and insurance company sides in my opinion.

Where can I find out more information about the following please.
"As a foreigner in Thailand you normally have to pay for all medical treatment received. Whether at a public or private hospital.  However if legally married to a Thai who is covered by a special scheme, like that provided for the Civil Service for example, then treatment is free for the foreigner"
I am a Australian married with a Thai wife.
Thanking you,
Ray

medical service i quite varied. It can be some of the best in the world if you have the money or really good health insurance. ... but if you are like me, ... old and not able to afford medical insurance, you get to go to the Governement hospitals, .... wait to see a doctor for 4 or 5 hours and then get about 25 seconds with the doctor, .. then wait for another hour to get prescription filled. Cheap, not very sanitary, noisy and not a way you want to spend your day

hi julien

                     greetings in Jesus Mighty Name our Lord and Saviour of our life.

  hi there! thank you for askin' , my name is rommel , filipino. I've been here for 4 years as a student in Mahidol University.

about the health care system here in thailand , for me it's very good and convenient most especially if you are student here . Before my health insurance was "BUPA" a private company with a lot of charges and exclusion ...

so My University , The Faculty of Medicine decided to cancel this insurance because it is not worth it ,..( 120,000 baht package). and the payment for premium was too high...

  They gave us insurance under the Mahidol University for 30,000 baht/ year. and It is good! Because all you have to do is to show your University I.D. and that's it... for day time you can go to the student corner and they will faciliate and assist you and at night time in case of emergency you can go to  E.R. - O.P.D. ( but many patient at night time). 

  Communication?!?! - some of the nurses they can speak in english (Nit-Noy) or a little bit . this is what you will heard from them. the Doctor , they can speak english ,passable but not fluent at all...

  I hope I gave already all the information not just health insurance but a roughly procedure in the hospital

by the way julien, Mahidol University at Siriraj Hospital , Bangkok -Noi iwhere the hospital is located.

  God bless you always and  your family.

in Christ alone,

mhel

Are you paying yourself or covered by the company is the question. If fully covered by the company, by all mean visit Bumrungrad or Samitivej hospital to receive first class service for both out or in patient, which cost you a at least 1000 - 5000 baht for simple out patient to at least one hundred thousand baht for in patient.

If you are paying yourself and covered by insurance company like Bupha, AIA, ... you have to read what is covered and what is not covered. You still have to pay a portion of the hospital bill, can be a lot or not too much depending the type of hospitals you choose and what service you want, may it be private room or shared bed (not easy to find in first class hospital).

If you are paying all yourself, by all mean visit the public hospital but they are very crowded. You will be asked whether you are covered by the government health care scheme and the payment is 30 baht or a bit more or you pay yourself 100 - 500 baht depending whether the medicine is locally or oversea produced. Don't look down on the public hospital, they have qualified doctors working part time in public hospital and part time in first class hospital. To name a few, Siriraj, Chulalongkorn, Sirinthorn hospital have all the services you need but they are very crowded and have to book for a date for operation, which can be many months.

I used both the world class hospital and also public hospital for my company covered 75% out patient and 90 % in patient depending my sickness or the comfort and convenient I want, including how much I can afford to pay. There is also a ceiling limit amount of money the company can cover if you visit world class hospital, just like the insurance company.

Warning: world class hospital tends to give you expensive medication where you can be treated and get the same result from a public hospital with medicine produced by locally GPO.

Funny, you don't think Bangkok is a tourist town.

Hi. 
Could you please forward me the contact details of health care company's here in Thailand. I have been looking for ages, and am a little worried that they will not pay out if i were to get ill. I have not yet looked into  " Thai life Insurance"   

Any comments on them or any other insurance would be great. I have heard that medical insurance will become mandatory when applying for retirement visa's in the not so distant future. So obviously if i am going to live here into my old age a good health insurance is a must, if not just for peace of mind.

Regards
Millo

You can apply government public health scheme (30 baht health service for all sickness) with a yearly and initial fee 2000 - 3000 baht and is renewable, depending upon hospital. I have a foreigner friend uses this service for he is a retiree and pay the medical bill all by himself. Actually I was about to apply for the gold card public health scheme ( covers all health problem outpatient and inpatient) but then I got a new job in Hong Kong this August and change my plan.

I use Sirinthorn Hospital for emergency where the hospital is situated close to my Nantawan Residence. The nurse keeps asking me why I don't apply 30 baht gold card, I told her that I can reimburse my hospital bill. Believe it or not, my bill at Sirinthorn hospital for food poisoning with bags of medicine cost less than 200 baht.

In Pattaya, almost all foreign retiree uses this 30 baht scheme at Banglamung Hospital.

where do you apply for this scheme?

Depending on which province you are staying and which hospital you will be visiting. For my case, I can apply through Sirinthorn Hospital but with passport and work permit or proper visa. I can only get the gold card after obtaining the first universal coverage (30 baht) then work later on the requirements (follow the instructions of the nurse) for the gold card.

There are a lot of conflicting information regarding foreigners not able to apply for the universal coverage scheme. I think it depends on your legal document staying in Thailand. Today, the government is trying to force tourists to have medical insurance before visiting Thailand, or else when there is accidents and tourists have no money to pay - the money has to come out from the universal scheme fund if there is no other alternative of paying hospital bill. They also consider us as immigrant workers (that is good) for the new law covers all immigrant workers with this 30 baht universal coverage scheme.

My first visit to Sirinthorn Hospital many years ago was interesting. These are the conversation with the nurse.
1. You are not Thai.
1a. I am not but I can speak and understand Thai.
We then communicate in Thai.
2.  Do you have 30 baht insurance?
2a. No, I will pay in full.
3. Do you want local (GPO) medicine or oversea medicine?
3a. I want the best medicine, may it be local or oversea.
She looks into my particular I fill in the form and said
4. You stay in the high end single house just across the street. Why don't you use Samitivej or Bunmungrad hospital?
4a. Now is 2am, I am using emergency service and I was told that the service here is also world class but only very crowded.
She smiled and added,
5. You can apply for the 30 baht universal health scheme.
5a. Next time if there is a need.

is a tourist attraction it is just you have to secure as far as the health is concern...

God bless!

in Christ alone,

mhel ,
Student Mahidol University

1932 wrote:

Where can I find out more information about the following please.
"As a foreigner in Thailand you normally have to pay for all medical treatment received. Whether at a public or private hospital.  However if legally married to a Thai who is covered by a special scheme, like that provided for the Civil Service for example, then treatment is free for the foreigner"
I am a Australian married with a Thai wife.
Thanking you,
Ray

Hi Ray
My wife is a retired teacher(civil servant) she receives totally free health care, as her husband I get the same cover even though I come from the UK. Incidentally her family also benefit too.

There are several other schemes for police army etc etc that offer similar cover for a spouse even if the person is not Thai.

In practice I get treatment and pay the bill. My wife then claims it back from the teachers health care scheme.

If I need treatment for something(very rare)I tend to use the local army hospital as they are very good, the queues are not great and they don't overload you with meds.

Michael555 wrote:

You can apply government public health scheme (30 baht health service for all sickness) with a yearly and initial fee 2000 - 3000 baht and is renewable, depending upon hospital. I have a foreigner friend uses this service for he is a retiree and pay the medical bill all by himself. Actually I was about to apply for the gold card public health scheme ( covers all health problem outpatient and inpatient) but then I got a new job in Hong Kong this August and change my plan.

I use Sirinthorn Hospital for emergency where the hospital is situated close to my Nantawan Residence. The nurse keeps asking me why I don't apply 30 baht gold card, I told her that I can reimburse my hospital bill. Believe it or not, my bill at Sirinthorn hospital for food poisoning with bags of medicine cost less than 200 baht.

In Pattaya, almost all foreign retiree uses this 30 baht scheme at Banglamung Hospital.

Hi Michael
Interesting your comments regarding the 30 Baht scheme. I was under the impression that this was no longer available for foreigners(see a  very popular local forum).
I note you are Singaporean and therefore a member of ASEAN, perhaps that makes a difference?

Apologies DOUBLE post ADMIN please delete this one.

Thanks

Mike

Michael555 wrote:

You can apply government public health scheme (30 baht health service for all sickness) with a yearly and initial fee 2000 - 3000 baht and is renewable, depending upon hospital. I have a foreigner friend uses this service for he is a retiree and pay the medical bill all by himself. Actually I was about to apply for the gold card public health scheme ( covers all health problem outpatient and inpatient) but then I got a new job in Hong Kong this August and change my plan.

I use Sirinthorn Hospital for emergency where the hospital is situated close to my Nantawan Residence. The nurse keeps asking me why I don't apply 30 baht gold card, I told her that I can reimburse my hospital bill. Believe it or not, my bill at Sirinthorn hospital for food poisoning with bags of medicine cost less than 200 baht.

In Pattaya, almost all foreign retiree uses this 30 baht scheme at Banglamung Hospital.

Hi Michael
Interesting your comments regarding the 30 Baht scheme. I was under the impression that this was no longer available for foreigners(see a  very popular local forum).
I note you are Singaporean and therefore a member of ASEAN, perhaps that makes a difference?

I would also wonder what evidence you have for saying

In Pattaya, almost all foreign retiree uses this 30 baht scheme at Banglamung Hospital.

Is care in Thailand comparable to US or other  Western countries?. What about health insurance? Would it be recommended?

@suefrankdahl > As per your question, your post has been merged on this topic "Healthcare in Thailand".

The health care service in Thailand is excellent, especially private hospital. There are many types of health insurance depending on the need of buying one and what to be covered. Of course that goes along with the premium.

There are also excellent public hospitals like Siriraj, Chulalongkorn, Ramathibodhi... which are very crowded and need months of waiting list for operation. His Majesty the King of Thailand, well beloved by his people, has been staying and using the health service at Siriraj Hospital.

Patients from affluent countries like Middle East are also using the health service in Bangkok.

First, the universal coverage (30 baht) is valid for all immigrant workers. There are special 30 baht gold card covers more serious sickness but you have to fulfil some requirements. Check with the nurse.
Second, it is difficult to separate foreign expat with foreign immigrants, therefore we can take advantage of that and private hospitals have no question on this matter as long you have legal paper showing valid work permit or visa.
Third, in Pattaya, there are many expat clubs and legal companies run by foreigners, they can fix for you all the needs. Google some of these companies and tell them your needs. You will get all the needed advice on getting the 30 baht  universal coverage scheme.

Julien to answer your question the medical facilities in Bangkok and in Thailand in general are good quality. The Thai government is investing large amount of money to make it even better and plan to be as good as Singapore and HK in a few years.

I personally used William Russell insurance.

Good luck

Hi Julien,

The local hospitals are good enough if you have a minor injury or illness and you can get away with it for a while. But, in my opinion, it is just nuts not to have insurance. One motorbike accident or you contract cancer and you are screwed and health insurance companies won't insure you if you have a pre-existing condition, so if you wait til you are sick, the insurance companies will turn you away and you are in big trouble.

Hi,
      I am coming to live in Thailand in August and am legally married to a Thai.She worked as a teacher for 24 years and is covered by a government health scheme so does that mean i am covered for everything.Must look into it in more detail.I am 61 and retired.

Nope it doesn't work that way. I have been married to my Thai wife for 31 years, we married and lived in the US for 30 years, before coming to Thailand to retire. You will have to buy your own insurance, I would suggest you check out Thai Life Insurance, they are the cheapest for Health care in Thailand. You can chose what hospital you want to go to. We chose Hospital only and we pay for the small stuff out of pocket. It's very cheap for blood tests, check ups, ear infections, etc. If you are Healthy I would just buy hospital care in case you get really sick. They will ad a rider for Life Insurance on your policy it is not much 500.00 US Dollars a year & in 5 years they return it to you with interest, not bad savings for you, I believe they pay 4% interest. And they will pay 100,000 baht if someone dies. Not much by US standards but it will go further in Thailand. Good Luck to You, Patrick

Millo, you should take the time to check out Thai Life Insurance for your Medical, if you are Healthy you can just get Hospital Care only, they will cover you till you are ninety, try to find that with other insurance companies. Depends on your age, how much it will cost, but I believe it to be the cheapest healthcare in Thailand. Everyone is talking about the 30 baht system & how Great it is, but if you have ever been to a Government Hospital it looks like a Mash Unit in Vietnam, people are everywhere on beds in the hallways, you have to wait all day before you see a Doctor, and if you have to stay in the hospital you get put into a ward with 6 or more sick patients, and there is a good chance you will catch what ever they have before you leave. And the other problem is the Equipment is not State of the Art either, old, recycled ex-ray machines from the 50"s probably leaking radiation. Nothing really looks Clean. If that is where you want to end up when you get sick fine with me. But I want to be in a Private Hospital, with a private room, and High Quality Equipment, and people who speak the same language as I. I believe you always get what you pay for. Good Luck to You.  Patrick          PS.  Stay Healthy.

@Johnmell

Have you wife check what in her paper about what her "government health scheme" cover.
I know foreigner here cover 100% by their wife "government health scheme", So check it out.

Don´t be afraid about use the hospital use by the "government health scheme"
Doctors there speak English as it is a part of becoming a Doctor to complete / pass English test at higher level.

Yea, they start put you in a room with 4-6 other people, you ask for a private room, Costs around 400-500 baht pr day, That you have to pay your self.
There are good room, when there is room for your wife to stay and take care, or other person to help you out.

And remember the doctor at private hospital are train at Public / Military hospital. So no need to be afraid.

I never again use a Private hospital here in Thailand, Never !!!
Military hospital for me.

So you don't mind waiting all day before a Doctor has time to see you & then you will be Lucky if you have him for 5 minutes, setting around with Tons of sick people, God only knows what they have, but there's a good chance you will have a oppunity to find out for yourself & become that much more sick.  Good luck To You. Stay Healthy.

No i don´t mind, i have the time mate.

I get treatment at Military hospital 2 time a year for my back pain, where i get 7 nerves from my backspin remove, cost is 19.000 - 20.000 baht per times, so 40.000 baht per year.

If i use the private hospital where the SAME doctor do the treatment i cost me 330.000 - 350.000 baht per time, so all must 700.000 baht per year.

And yes same doctor both place, as only 4 doctor can do what i get at this point in Thailand.

I never got sick at any hospital, i am sure you are a very afraid man, You do know you get sick on the street to ?
So you better locked you self inside and never go out.   

Ok, you are a Brave Macho Man, I got it. No am not scared just careful. I have traveled the World once & half times, so yes I get out in public places a bit. I would however be interested in hearing more about your back procedure, I being such a Weak Man, suffered from Chronic back pain for 20 years now, my 2 lower vertebras have no cushion left so bone rubing against bone. But it hasn't stop me from traveling and Enjoying Life. Patrick

JOHNMELL wrote:

Hi,
      I am coming to live in Thailand in August and am legally married to a Thai.She worked as a teacher for 24 years and is covered by a government health scheme so does that mean i am covered for everything.Must look into it in more detail.I am 61 and retired.

My wife is a retired teacher and I receive the same level of treatment as she does for free.

It is also at a hospital of our choice and we chose the army hospital here since there is rarely a big queue and the doctors are excellent.

I have been to two government hospitals and one private. Was short wait at two one government and private. Long wait at other. Actually found the doctors at government hospitals spoke better English and charges were minimal. Following up offer for insurance with one hospital. Seems health insurance a contentious subject. Just sharing my experience. Seems so many different

The Army Hospital is excellent, and if you go on a saturday there is not many people there. Doctors all speak English. We just had our yearly physicals, very cheap as if compared to the US & better service. So cheap that we always make a donation to the hospital to help pay for others who are not able to pay. Patrick

Thanks for the advice. Where is the hospital located?