Hua Hin Hospital sued for overcharging foreigners

[migrant]

caller, have you tried the GPs at Hua Hin Hospital? They are very efficient, and have instant access to all manner of diagnostic equipment, and almost instant receipt of results. I have tried all hospitals in the area, and have been ripped off by some.

A recent cost example is my leg wound back in 2013. It cost me £6K to get put right, and even then, I finally sorted it myself with something I saw on BBCs Casualty or Holby City. The hospital had been treating my wound for a year (including 2 operations and 3 inpatient stays). After I'd seen the cure on TV, I had it sorted in 3 days myself - the doctor was furious as his cash cow left the building.

I had an almost identical problem earlier this year. Recognising the seriousness, I went to the GP's clinic at Hua Hin Hospital. A small procedure was carried out immediately in A&E, and I was given antibiotics - total cost came in at under £30. Fully sorted.

I'd certainly give the Hua Hin Hospital GPs a go. They speak great English, and I have nothing but praise for them.

Can the GP's, and other services, all be accessed through the express clinic? My MIL goes to Hua Hin for her diabetes, and other ailments, and it always takes 4+ hours

[HHTel]

There are some visiting doctors. The express clinic will arrange an appointment for you but the visiting doctors are usually only there in the evening.
The orthopedic specialist is one. The clinic made the appointment which was marked 'express' and I was one of the first to see the doc after 5pm.

[Big Boy]

caller, have you tried the GPs at Hua Hin Hospital? They are very efficient, and have instant access to all manner of diagnostic equipment, and almost instant receipt of results. I have tried all hospitals in the area, and have been ripped off by some.

A recent cost example is my leg wound back in 2013. It cost me £6K to get put right, and even then, I finally sorted it myself with something I saw on BBCs Casualty or Holby City. The hospital had been treating my wound for a year (including 2 operations and 3 inpatient stays). After I'd seen the cure on TV, I had it sorted in 3 days myself - the doctor was furious as his cash cow left the building.

I had an almost identical problem earlier this year. Recognising the seriousness, I went to the GP's clinic at Hua Hin Hospital. A small procedure was carried out immediately in A&E, and I was given antibiotics - total cost came in at under £30. Fully sorted.

I'd certainly give the Hua Hin Hospital GPs a go. They speak great English, and I have nothing but praise for them.

Can the GP's, and other services, all be accessed through the express clinic? My MIL goes to Hua Hin for her diabetes, and other ailments, and it always takes 4+ hours

Not all clinics are available under the Express. However, diabetes is definitely available. The problem you have though, as soon as you use Express, you are treated as a private patient, and pay for everything. Mrs BB still does things the slow way because its completely free (over 60). If she used Express, just one of her tablets costs 100 Baht/day - that soon mounts up, and makes a 4 hour wait cost effective.

[migrant]

caller, have you tried the GPs at Hua Hin Hospital? They are very efficient, and have instant access to all manner of diagnostic equipment, and almost instant receipt of results. I have tried all hospitals in the area, and have been ripped off by some.

A recent cost example is my leg wound back in 2013. It cost me £6K to get put right, and even then, I finally sorted it myself with something I saw on BBCs Casualty or Holby City. The hospital had been treating my wound for a year (including 2 operations and 3 inpatient stays). After I'd seen the cure on TV, I had it sorted in 3 days myself - the doctor was furious as his cash cow left the building.

I had an almost identical problem earlier this year. Recognising the seriousness, I went to the GP's clinic at Hua Hin Hospital. A small procedure was carried out immediately in A&E, and I was given antibiotics - total cost came in at under £30. Fully sorted.

I'd certainly give the Hua Hin Hospital GPs a go. They speak great English, and I have nothing but praise for them.

Can the GP's, and other services, all be accessed through the express clinic? My MIL goes to Hua Hin for her diabetes, and other ailments, and it always takes 4+ hours

Not all clinics are available under the Express. However, diabetes is definitely available. The problem you have though, as soon as you use Express, you are treated as a private patient, and pay for everything. Mrs BB still does things the slow way because its completely free (over 60). If she used Express, just one of her tablets costs 100 Baht/day - that soon mounts up, and makes a 4 hour wait cost effective.

That makes sense, thanks!

[migrant]

So it sounds like checking with the express clinic first always makes sense

[Big Boy]

https://www.huahinhospital.go.th/index. ... Itemid=101

[migrant]

https://www.huahinhospital.go.th/index. ... Itemid=101

[buksida]

The bottom line is that this hospital does practice dual pricing ... I experienced it when I went with the mrs a couple of months ago. Though most on here seem to think it is ok.

Ex-hospital duo face fee probe
A disciplinary inquiry will be held against two former directors of Hua Hin Hospital after the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) found there were grounds to a Dutchman's complaint that he was overcharged for medical services at the hospital.

The complaint was filed against the former directors by Erwin Robert Bucher, 50, four years ago. Mr Bucher reportedly claimed he was made to pay a service fee of 300 baht per treatment for colon cancer. He has received treatment 14 times since 2015.

He said the hospital told him the fee was applied to foreigners seeking treatment at state-run hospitals. However, Mr Bucher said there were no regulations governing a foreigner's fee.

Prachuap Khiri Khan provincial public health officer, Dr Samat Thirasak, said on Tuesday the issue reached the NACC, which has ruled the complaint against the two former directors was valid.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... -fee-probe

[Big Boy]

Maybe it does, maybe it doesn't - I honestly have not experienced dual pricing and I regularly use the hospital for myself and my family.

Yes, my wife gets most things free, but that is because she is old and has Thai entitlement (do we call it social security?). My daughter pays 30 Baht, but again, that's a Thai's entitlement. I do not expect this privilege (although it would be nice). If either of them came to the Express Clinic with me, they'd pay the same as me.

Likewise, if they attend the out of hours GP surgery, they pay the same out of hours 100 Baht as I do. It would be interesting to know the specific services attracting these dual prices.

Or has the dual pricing stopped since the complaint was made, and I seriously started using the hospital?

[buksida]

I was charged 300 baht for the express fee, the mrs 100 - they make you sign a declaration stating that foreigners get charged more. Tell me how that isnt dual pricing.

I did ask the head nurse if farangs bodies were more complicated inside than Thais but just got a sheepish shrug and 'hospital policy' as response.

I know the sum is paltry, but the practice needs to be stamped out IMO.

[Big Boy]

300 Baht??? They must have seen the size of your wallet. I've never been charged that much, and I'm a tight git. I scrutinise every line of the bill. The express fee is normally a hand written receipt.

Seriously, I don't know why you were charged so much.

[HHTel]

I have been using this hospital since it was no more than a shack. I can honestly say that I've never experienced overcharging.

[buksida]

I can email you the bills if you think I'm lying.

Its not 'overcharging' - its dual pricing, there is a distinct difference.

[HHTel]

I recognise the difference. However, my wife has used the express clinic for convenience and her charges were no different to mine.
It's a little different when joining the normal throng as most Thais are using the 30 baht scheme making comparisons quite difficult. A member of my Thai family from BKK used the hospital a little while ago (not registered here for 30 baht) and her medical charges was no different to the times I've been in the waiting hordes.
I'm not saying it doesn't happen but I think in general prices are above board.

[buksida]

Well it happened to me and I have proof. I even had to sign something in English to acknowledge I was going to get charged more than my wife.

As said, if you still think I'm lying PM your email address and I'll send you the two bills.