Recent Trip to Bangkok Hospital

[kulsungkham]

Unfortunately, I had to go to hospital recently and I thought I’d let you all know of my experience.

I am not saying that the hospital that I went to is better than others just thought I’d relate my experience…

I had just eaten dinner (Thursday evening) and sat down for an evening of relaxation when I started to feel unwell (must have been around 9pm). A solid chest pain (pressure) right in the centre of my chest and a radiating pain in my left bicep, I knew straightaway that this wasn’t indigestion.

Told the wife that I should go to hospital so off we went with the rain lashing down, not a very nice scenario to find yourself in. Nevertheless, reached Bangkok Hospital Udon and was immediately taken into one of their crash rooms.
A young doctor and her team went into action and I was told that I had a blockage in one of my blood vessels around the heart and to prepare myself for surgery once she had confirmed with the cardiologist. Not more than thirty minutes later there I was on the operating table all prepped up for a stent (percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), also known as coronary angioplasty) to be put in, which was duly done.

The team at Bangkok Hospital were great, very professional and the operating theatre state-of-art; I watched the whole procedure on one of the six video monitors, once the procedure was finished straight up the ICU where the nursing team took over until I was released on Sunday afternoon (today). I found everything to be very hygienic and staff extremely helpful, pleasant and caring.

I can truly say that in my case the Bangkok Hospital team were very professional and did a great job.

Total cost 267,534.00

I was never asked if I had insurance until the procedure was complete and I was in ICU, where my wife interceded and dealt with the financials with our insurer.

[maaka]

good informative thread...
glad your on the mend.
looks like i need insurance

[monkeyman]

yes good thread .. I also recently had a good experience there, I took the sister in law there to get her checked for breast cancer as we wanted the results back fast (back in just 5 days) I was expecting a large bill but the whole thing was only about 7000 baht .. very professional and friendly service ,,

[rct]

I have BUPA health insurance and just received the renewal notice, my age 56 in good health with no pre-existing conditions. The premium for one year is 65,940 baht for the coverage mentioned below by line item:

10,000 baht room and board per day in hospital service below
2,000,000 Hospital expenses / disability
15,000 baht Emergency
1,000,000 PERONSAL ACCIDENT
1,000,000 Medical evactuation and repatriation

Outpatient is not included. I have no idea if the above is truly adequate or not. Coverage does not include travel to the US, though a special rider is possible and not that much for a trip. My wife and kids have a lower level of cover, the premiums are about 23,000 baht (each kid) to 25,000 baht for my wife. Total for the family 123,562 baht.

[Udon Map]

1,000,000 Medical evacuation and repatriation

Any idea exactly what this includes?

[fatbob]

by rct » May 16, 2016, 9:13 am

I have BUPA health insurance and just received the renewal notice, my age 56 in good health with no pre-existing conditions. The premium for one year is 65,940 baht for the coverage mentioned below by line item:

10,000 baht room and board per day in hospital service below
2,000,000 Hospital expenses / disability
15,000 baht Emergency
1,000,000 PERONSAL ACCIDENT
1,000,000 Medical evactuation and repatriation

Outpatient is not included. I have no idea if the above is truly adequate or not. Coverage does not include travel to the US, though a special rider is possible and not that much for a trip. My wife and kids have a lower level of cover, the premiums are about 23,000 baht (each kid) to 25,000 baht for my wife. Total for the family 123,562 baht.

I also have the Bupa insurance and have had for over ten years covering the family. Last week I went to both Bangkok and AEK hospitals with our insurance details to register our names and details so in case of an emergency there will be no delays.

[panmotor]

good informative thread...
glad your on the mend.
looks like i need insurance

Agree. This is a situation that, those of us fortunate enough to be in good health, worry about. You hear so many negative stories it is good to hear a positive one from personal experience.

I wish you a speedy recovery.

[bumper]

I strongly recommend reviewing your BUPA coverage I was very surprised when I did my own. Each of us is different, I wanted better coverage. I got it not cheap 120K a year.

Thing to keep in mind medical insurance is a contract they will do more then what is spelled out in the contract.

Is AEK honoring insurance again or is it still cash up front?

ICU I hated it better then dying though

I like both hospitals I just don't like AEK's cash up front policy. Hopefully it has changed I really don't like paying up front after paying for health insurance already

Nice to hear some positive news hope your back to full speed soon

[Lone Star]

.

[AA Ins Broker]

As I have mentioned before there are many Medical Insurance companies in Thailand – BUPA being just one of them. However I urge people to look ahead 5, 10, 15 or more years (medical insurance is for the long term) and check the benefits. Example with BUPA the max. is only 5m Baht which may cover many serious things now but in 10 years ?
One example of premiums for full cover of 32,000,000 Baht is attached

Peter http://www.aainsure.net

[maaka]

nows theres a thing I learnt, that age depends on price of the insurance..
always shyied away from insurance of any kind, but now the light at the end of the tunnel has turned out to be a ruddy searchlight, I might have to jump on the band wagon.. every trip I seem to break somethings, ribs or ankles.....I love this place

[Marcosteffano]

I had angina last year.pains in both upper arms and really could not breath.i jumped in the car and headed off to khon kaen heart hospital.first opp was 2 stents sent up through my right wrist 130,000 baht with a months meds.second time 1 stent same way for 115,000 baht with meds.any probs when it comes to the heart I would recommend a heart hospital.clinics just test you and prescribe pills and say come back next week for another milking.anyway the motto of the story is if you don't have insurance use a Thai hospital that specialises in what problem you have.only use bkk if your insured.

[Udon Map]

It also pays to check out your health plan from home if you have one. I have Massachusetts Blue Cross Blue Shield. Was I ever surprised to find out that Bumrungrad is a fully participating hospital in Mass. BCBS, the same as if it were located in Massachusetts!

[Hoopoe]

recent heart attack ,(knew it was coming,but exactly when?) the previous RCA blockage has lengthened 50mm/2inches and there's a further blockage on RCA ,all this checked out angiogram Udonthani general hospital , they have stated there's a new technique developed by the Japanese to unblock long blockages, the doc who performs this is coming to KHON KAEN late june , so my report has been sent to KhonKaen to see if i'm a candidate for this procedure,

[LoneTraveler]

Good review of Bangkok Hospital. I have heard nothing but good things about them since they came to Udon Thani. =D>

Does anyone know if Bangkok Hospital has a Hematology unit for outpatients. I would like to get a complete blood count and urinalysis. I asked the front desk last time I was there, they could not advise me. I looked on-line nothing specific. I need to get a complete work-up before I can have dental work there. Has anyone had experience? I prefer not to go to a clinic but if I must then I will do so. I recall there is a good lab in Udon I just cannot recall where it is located.

[jingjai]

1,000,000 Medical evacuation and repatriation

Any idea exactly what this includes?

Yes. I'd be interested in that info as well.
rct, which BUPA plan are you covered by?

[wazza]

Good review of Bangkok Hospital. I have heard nothing but good things about them since they came to Udon Thani. =D>

Does anyone know if Bangkok Hospital has a Hematology unit for outpatients. I would like to get a complete blood count and urinalysis. I asked the front desk last time I was there, they could not advise me. I looked on-line nothing specific. I need to get a complete work-up before I can have dental work there. Has anyone had experience? I prefer not to go to a clinic but if I must then I will do so. I recall there is a good lab in Udon I just cannot recall where it is located.

LT

yes they do have an extensive pathology testing unit, which includes bloods and urinalysis etc

As to the exact tests, I would write down which ones you are looking for, if coagulation / warfarin, its done ( well was ) and ask their Medical Staff or Nursing coordinator at the front desk, admin staff would be challenged I imagine.

They conduct surgery onsite , so many pathology tests needed to be conducted as pre surgery checks, and this includes bloods etc

[Dave Peter]

Hi Kulsungkham
Are you able to give the name of the Cardiologist at Bangkok Hospital
Thanks Dave Peter

[semperfiguy]

Hi Kulsungkham
Are you able to give the name of the Cardiologist at Bangkok Hospital
Thanks Dave Peter

The number one Cardiologist is Dr. Kaseem. I can recommend him highly. There's another lady Dr. Sharmila, from India, who is a specialist on the electrical system of the heart, and she is the best doctor I have ever consulted with in my 68 years. She only comes once a month from the main hospital in Bangkok, so you have to call the International Dept and set up an appointment, or perhaps go to the Heart Clinic on the second floor and schedule it there. I suppose you could also just call, ask for the International Dept. desk and schedule it by phone.

[kulsungkham]

Hi Kulsungkham
Are you able to give the name of the Cardiologist at Bangkok Hospital
Thanks Dave Peter

The Doctor that is my case worker is Tham Limapichat M.D. and Physician for the procedure was Tantipanichteerakul Kasem.