Commerce Ministry warns on prices
Published: 21/05/2019 at 05:10 AM
Newspaper section: News https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/genera ... -on-prices
The Commerce Ministry is once again warning private hospitals of severe legal repercussions for overcharging patients, after several probes found that many medical facilities often mark up the prices of their medicines by as much as 900%.
The source said complaints have been received via the 1569 hotline alerting the ministry to the problem.
One caller claimed to have been charged 30,000 baht to be treated for diarrhoea at a private hospital.
"Other complaints mostly concern overpriced medicines," the source said.
In response, the ministry set up a fact-finding team to review the costs of medical services and medicines at private hospitals and to determine if they are fair and reasonable.
The source said that in the case where the patient received a 30,000-baht bill for a diarrhoea diagnosis, the fact-finding team found that the hospital in question added hidden charges to the patient's final bill, and was found guilty of "over-treating" the patient.
The source said hospital administration officers found guilty of profiteering by marking up the prices of medical services and/or treatments could face jail terms of up to seven years and/or a maximum fine of 140,000 baht under the Prices of Goods and Services Act.
The Department of Internal Trade (DIT) is also planning to invite 70 private hospitals to explain the reasons why prices of medicines sold at hospital dispensaries could be up to 900% more expensive compared to their recommended retail prices.
Once the prices have been compiled and adjusted, the DIT will publish the prices on its website for public reference.
More from The Nation: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/ ... l/30369770
Some Private Hospitals to Publish Medication Prices
Re: Some Private Hospitals to Publish Medication Prices
Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Source
Re: Some Private Hospitals to Publish Medication Prices
Law to protect patients from private hospital overcharging now in effect
Patients can, from now on, expect reasonable prices for treatment at private hospitals and can demand that private hospitals provide an estimate of their treatment costs, including the prices of medication, as well as the costs of nursing and treatment services, before undergoing treatment. The new consumer rights were announced by the Commerce Ministry.
The ministerial announcement, which is now enforceable, aims to impose price controls on medical service charges at private hospitals, which have long been criticized by consumer protection groups for profiteering.
According to the announcement, private hospitals, producers, importers and distributers of medicines must declare, to the Internal Trade Department, the prices of medicinal products defined in the UCEP list and the TMT list is the next step.
https://www.thaipbsworld.com/law-to-pro ... in-effect/
Patients can, from now on, expect reasonable prices for treatment at private hospitals and can demand that private hospitals provide an estimate of their treatment costs, including the prices of medication, as well as the costs of nursing and treatment services, before undergoing treatment. The new consumer rights were announced by the Commerce Ministry.
The ministerial announcement, which is now enforceable, aims to impose price controls on medical service charges at private hospitals, which have long been criticized by consumer protection groups for profiteering.
According to the announcement, private hospitals, producers, importers and distributers of medicines must declare, to the Internal Trade Department, the prices of medicinal products defined in the UCEP list and the TMT list is the next step.
https://www.thaipbsworld.com/law-to-pro ... in-effect/
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
Re: Some Private Hospitals to Publish Medication Prices
43 hospitals miss pricing deadline
https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/17 ... g-deadline
Forty three private hospitals have been summoned to clarify why they failed to submit information on the actual costs and their listed prices of drugs, medical supplies and medical services to the Internal Trade Department by the July 31 deadline.
Whichai Phochanakij, director-general of the department, said that 43 of 353 private hospitals have been ordered to explain why they failed to comply with the order.
The information on medical costs and set prices will be updated on the department's database so the public can compare prices and make choices.
According to Mr Whichai, once the prices have been compiled and adjusted, the department will also publish the information on its website and via QR codes.
The move is in response to growing complaints about overly expensive drugs and services at privately-run hospitals.
Mr Whichai warned of legal action against those who ignore the summons.
Those failing to respond to a summons will be subject to a three-month jail term and/or a fine of 5,000 baht while those failing to provide the information face a one-year jail term and/or 20,000 baht fine plus an additional daily fine of 2,000 baht until they comply.
"The legal division is sending out letters to 43 private hospitals asking them to explain why they did not provide the required information by the deadline. We gave them sufficient time," he said.
The requirement for the hospitals to declare their costs and prices was announced in May.
In April, Mr Whichai cited a survey that found that some private hospitals were overcharging at rates ranging from 30% to 300% above actual production costs.
Meanwhile, the Trade Competition Commission is scrutinising the business structures and strategies of healthcare providers, especially in the private sector, to determine whether they are engaging in free and fair competition.
Sakon Varanyuwatana, chairman of the commission, said those found to have colluded in pricing will be fined under the 2017 Trade Competition Law.
The law permits fines of no more than 10% of revenue generated in the year of the offence, he added.
"We are looking into the healthcare industry in fine detail to understand the business behaviour and determine whether practices are against the law," he said.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/17 ... g-deadline
Forty three private hospitals have been summoned to clarify why they failed to submit information on the actual costs and their listed prices of drugs, medical supplies and medical services to the Internal Trade Department by the July 31 deadline.
Whichai Phochanakij, director-general of the department, said that 43 of 353 private hospitals have been ordered to explain why they failed to comply with the order.
The information on medical costs and set prices will be updated on the department's database so the public can compare prices and make choices.
According to Mr Whichai, once the prices have been compiled and adjusted, the department will also publish the information on its website and via QR codes.
The move is in response to growing complaints about overly expensive drugs and services at privately-run hospitals.
Mr Whichai warned of legal action against those who ignore the summons.
Those failing to respond to a summons will be subject to a three-month jail term and/or a fine of 5,000 baht while those failing to provide the information face a one-year jail term and/or 20,000 baht fine plus an additional daily fine of 2,000 baht until they comply.
"The legal division is sending out letters to 43 private hospitals asking them to explain why they did not provide the required information by the deadline. We gave them sufficient time," he said.
The requirement for the hospitals to declare their costs and prices was announced in May.
In April, Mr Whichai cited a survey that found that some private hospitals were overcharging at rates ranging from 30% to 300% above actual production costs.
Meanwhile, the Trade Competition Commission is scrutinising the business structures and strategies of healthcare providers, especially in the private sector, to determine whether they are engaging in free and fair competition.
Sakon Varanyuwatana, chairman of the commission, said those found to have colluded in pricing will be fined under the 2017 Trade Competition Law.
The law permits fines of no more than 10% of revenue generated in the year of the offence, he added.
"We are looking into the healthcare industry in fine detail to understand the business behaviour and determine whether practices are against the law," he said.
Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Source
Re: Some Private Hospitals to Publish Medication Prices
More a fee than a fine.The law permits fines of no more than 10% of revenue generated in the year of the offence, he added.
Re: Some Private Hospitals to Publish Medication Prices
I would assume that it is 10% of all revenue for the year and not just from drug sales. If that's the case then the fine could be quite hefty.
Department of Trade cracks down on hospital price hiking
Department of Trade cracks down on hospital price hiking
The Department of Internal Trade (DIT) will proceed with its project to control the price of medicines at private hospitals now that it has received their price lists. Hospitals selling medicines above the median price set by the department will face fines and/or imprisonment.
Also, since August 16, every hospital has been required to print out QR codes so patients can compare prices. Prayoth Benyasut, the department’s deputy director-general, said private hospitals, manufacturers, importers and dealers provided the department with their price lists on July 31, and DIT has used this data to set a price for each item, which will be made accessible to customers.
Previously, patients could not compare prices and were overcharged as private hospitals used to add additional costs such as the pharmacist’s salary and the cost of maintaining the medicine department. “If hospitals are not able to explain why a medicine is overpriced, they will be fined Bt140,000 or be imprisoned for seven years, or face both a jail term and fine,” Prayoth said.
Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/business/30375008
The Department of Internal Trade (DIT) will proceed with its project to control the price of medicines at private hospitals now that it has received their price lists. Hospitals selling medicines above the median price set by the department will face fines and/or imprisonment.
Also, since August 16, every hospital has been required to print out QR codes so patients can compare prices. Prayoth Benyasut, the department’s deputy director-general, said private hospitals, manufacturers, importers and dealers provided the department with their price lists on July 31, and DIT has used this data to set a price for each item, which will be made accessible to customers.
Previously, patients could not compare prices and were overcharged as private hospitals used to add additional costs such as the pharmacist’s salary and the cost of maintaining the medicine department. “If hospitals are not able to explain why a medicine is overpriced, they will be fined Bt140,000 or be imprisoned for seven years, or face both a jail term and fine,” Prayoth said.
Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/business/30375008
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
Re: Some Private Hospitals to Publish Medication Prices
You can now expect to pay double the local rate
https://coconuts.co/bangkok/news/dual-p ... hospitals/
https://coconuts.co/bangkok/news/dual-p ... hospitals/
Re: Some Private Hospitals to Publish Medication Prices
Yes, I saw that earlier. But I guess they will still be cheaper than private hospitals?nil wrote: ↑Mon Sep 02, 2019 4:01 pm You can now expect to pay double the local rate
https://coconuts.co/bangkok/news/dual-p ... hospitals/
Talk is cheap
Re: Some Private Hospitals to Publish Medication Prices
I think Coconuts has it slightly wrong. It's report includes a link to the ministry order which sets 3 groups of foreigners for determining charging. These groups are essentially:
1. Immigrant work force from CLMV and their dependants. This group will get Thai, or close to Thai, prices.
2. Other foreigners with PR, temporary permission to stay, and various visa holders such as business, education, etc.
3. Others not in the above 2 groups including tourists with visas, on visa exemptions, no visas (such as CLMV Nationals who are not immigrant labour) and others. This group also includes non-immigrant type O.
So charges for non-Thai are to be based on these groups: 1 gets Thai price, 2 gets Thai price + 50%, 3 gets Thai price + 100%
Coconuts says retirees and tourists will be charged double. This is only true if retirees are on 'O' visas as opposed to being on 'temporary permission to stay' which I believe means annual extensions of stay for retirement, marriage, etc.
Still cheap though.
1. Immigrant work force from CLMV and their dependants. This group will get Thai, or close to Thai, prices.
2. Other foreigners with PR, temporary permission to stay, and various visa holders such as business, education, etc.
3. Others not in the above 2 groups including tourists with visas, on visa exemptions, no visas (such as CLMV Nationals who are not immigrant labour) and others. This group also includes non-immigrant type O.
So charges for non-Thai are to be based on these groups: 1 gets Thai price, 2 gets Thai price + 50%, 3 gets Thai price + 100%
Coconuts says retirees and tourists will be charged double. This is only true if retirees are on 'O' visas as opposed to being on 'temporary permission to stay' which I believe means annual extensions of stay for retirement, marriage, etc.
Still cheap though.
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Re: Some Private Hospitals to Publish Medication Prices
So reading this, go to hosp, have surgery, something complicated / life saving for say 200,000 baht, then on your bill, 'Foreigner fee - 200,000" .... 
For new grand total of 400,000 ...
For new grand total of 400,000 ...