Cost of Living In Pattaya

[nkped 1,208]

Gary, only a WAG but north of $20K in the U.S. would not shock me.

[Idefix 2,275]

I have seen a government hospital on Soi Buakhow, but it looks like a small clinic.

A small clinic ??

What do you call a big clinic ?

 

 

[Trvlr 50]

A small clinic ??

What do you call a big clinic ?

 

 

 

Okaaay...it is a big clinic or a small hospital...happy?

However it does not look big enough to have the kind of specialized equipment needed for really serious illnesses like stroke.

If it does, and someone corroborates it, then I will be happy because I will know where to go if something happens..

[MM 6,562]

It's a small hospital. For the best care and equipment locally (and the highest prices) Bangkok Pattaya Hospital is your best bet.

 

Composed on a mobile phone.

 

 

[Trvlr 50]

It's a small hospital. For the best care and equipment locally (and the highest prices) Bangkok Pattaya Hospital is your best bet.

 

Composed on a mobile phone.

 

Given all the sentiments about Bangkok Pattaya Hospital's price gouging of farangs, I was hoping to use a government hospital - assuming time permits. Gary's assessment of government hospitals above is hopeful.

I hear there is one at Sattahip that is pretty good. Either that, or something closer, will be fine. I will carry directions with me.

Pretty morbid thinking, I know, but stuff happens.

[steamer 158]

I guess it all comes down to what you are used to paying at home. For example, two big bottles of Chang costs 100 baht at a 7/11 whereas one medium can of beer in Canada costs ~70 baht at the government liquor store. Almost all items cost less in the LoS compared to what I pay at home. I was in BKK not too long ago and was trying to kill an afternoon so I went to see the latest Captain America film. I guess I hit a special price as it was only 100 baht at terminal 21. That's less than 4 bucks for a new big budget release. My budget back home would go much further in Thailand. Keep in mind insurance and trips home tho.

[Gary 4,119]

Gary, keep in mind that Medicare will only cover hospital stay - unless you have been keeping up with your Part B payments.

Without Part B cover, you will have to pay out of pocket for tests, doctors' visits, medicines - the whole lot.

 

I have seen a government hospital on Soi Buakhow, but it looks like a small clinic. Where is the nearest decent fully equipped hospital? I would like to keep their info handy just in case.

 

Social Security did send me a letter regarding Medicare Part B. I emailed them and asked the lady what would be best for me. She told me that since I am living in Thailand and have no intention of moving back to the US, that I would be wasting my money paying for part B. I thanked her and declined paying.

 

I have heard good things about Queen Sirikit hospital in Sattahip. I understand that it is a huge public hospital but I have never been there or heard any first hand reports.

[jacko 8,814]

 

Given all the sentiments about Bangkok Pattaya Hospital's price gouging of farangs, I was hoping to use a government hospital - assuming time permits. Gary's assessment of government hospitals above is hopeful.

I hear there is one at Sattahip that is pretty good. Either that, or something closer, will be fine. I will carry directions with me.

Pretty morbid thinking, I know, but stuff happens.

You never know.

My TGF found a ENT doctor who has a clinic in Naklua.

Sure, his charges were less at 300 baht for the consultancy, but the quack prescribed 5 different medications and gave her an injection too.

Total cost, 2000 baht.

 

I think she might have got out of the BHP for about that, she is just too scared to go there due to their overcharging reputation.

Edited June 6, 2014 by jacko

[MM 6,562]

 

 

It's a small hospital. For the best care and equipment locally (and the highest prices) Bangkok Pattaya Hospital is your best bet.

 

 

Composed on a mobile phone.

 

 

 

Given all the sentiments about Bangkok Pattaya Hospital's price gouging of farangs, I was hoping to use a government hospital - assuming time permits. Gary's assessment of government hospitals above is hopeful.

I hear there is one at Sattahip that is pretty good. Either that, or something closer, will be fine. I will carry directions with me.

Pretty morbid thinking, I know, but stuff happens.

In your initial reply you asked for "the nearest decent fully equipped hospital".

BPH fits that description. It's definitely where I'd go for anything serious.

Sattahip has a good reputation, though... if you have the time to get there.

 

Composed on a mobile phone.

 

 

[redwood13 56]

One potential problem for an American returning to the States for medical care is where are you going to live while you're there? What will you use for transportation? Who will help you make decisions re potential treatment options?

 

After 10 years of living the retired life in Thailand, in August 2012 I had to return to the US for surgical treatment of colon cancer. I had a daughter and son-in-law who took me into their house and helped me with all of the above questions and a lot more. Two years later I'm still living with them and it looks as if that's going to be a long term arrangement.

 

BTW, the surgery went really well at UC Davis Med Center here in Sacramento. The cancer was stage-2, so no chemo and no radiation was required. So far I'm fine except for a post-op substantial weight gain. Another victim of the American diet. I've actually had to stop eating with the family and by preparing my own meals I've manage to lose 15 lbs.

 

-redwood

[redwood13 56]

 

Social Security did send me a letter regarding Medicare Part B. I emailed them and asked the lady what would be best for me. She told me that since I am living in Thailand and have no intention of moving back to the US, that I would be wasting my money paying for part B. I thanked her and declined paying.

 

I have heard good things about Queen Sirikit hospital in Sattahip. I understand that it is a huge public hospital but I have never been there or heard any first hand reports.

 

You can sign on after your initial eligibility for Part B, but there is a late enrollment penalty added on to the monthly fee. And this enrollment period is limited from 01 Jan 'til 31 Mar, but won't take effect until 01 July. I did that as I had initially declined Part B when first eligible, but Jan. 2006 I had a heart arrhythmia (atrial fibrillation) and went back to the States in July to be worked up.

 

I've known 3 or 4 people who have had surgery at Queen Sirikit and they've all been pleased with the care and outcome. That hospital does not have a heart center however. Queen Savang Vadhana Memorial Hospital in Sriracha under the operation of the Red Cross is an alternative.

 

-redwood

[Idefix 2,275]

I think she might have got out of the BHP for about that,

she is just too scared to go there due to their overcharging reputation.

Don't forget that Thai people who get "nearly free care" in governmental hospitals

have to pay for most (or all?) at BPH.

It's a good reason for many of them to not go there...

[Trvlr 50]

 

Social Security did send me a letter regarding Medicare Part B. I emailed them and asked the lady what would be best for me. She told me that since I am living in Thailand and have no intention of moving back to the US, that I would be wasting my money paying for part B. I thanked her and declined paying.

 

I have heard good things about Queen Sirikit hospital in Sattahip. I understand that it is a huge public hospital but I have never been there or heard any first hand reports.

 

If you remember, there was a lengthy discussion on this topic, initiated by my question about medical costs. It will be best to go over it. But, briefly:

1) The lady was right - if you do not intend to go back to the US then it is probably not much use paying for Part B.

2) But you were mentioning the possibility of going back to the US for treatment, in which case Part B makes a whole lot of sense.

3) The "newer" Medicare Advantage Plans also offer emergency care abroad for the same Part B premium.

4) The post above is correct. You can sign on for Part B late with a 10 percent per annum penalty.

[nkped 1,208]

You never know.

My TGF found a ENT doctor who has a clinic in Naklua.

Sure, his charges were less at 300 baht for the consultancy, but the quack prescribed 5 different medications and gave her an injection too.

Total cost, 2000 baht.

 

I think she might have got out of the BHP for about that, she is just too scared to go there due to their overcharging reputation.

By my experience that would be ballpark for a BPH visit without much in the way of tests. Took the ex to BPH last year because she had described what sounded like macular degeneration (it was). If I remember correctly the consult, including imaging of the back of the eyeball, came to 2,700 baht. Even though the possibility of my paying for treatment was obvious as I was there, the female opthamologist referred the ex to a specialist at the government hospital in Korat, near to where the ex lives, and wrote a referral letter. The cost of the treatment at the government hospital must have been minimal as I wasn't hit up for it.

 

I was glad to read Gary's report about care in a government hospital. After all, the need for urgent care could arise while I was travelling and not near a Bangkok Hospital franchise.

 

Getting down to brass tacks, I have insurance through my employer prior to retirement and I know it will pay on overseas claims and the insurance company asserts it would pay directly to BPH for in-patient care. That being the case, I won't be voluntarily going to the government hospital in Pattaya.

Edited June 6, 2014 by nkped

[jacko 8,814]

By my experience that would be ballpark for a BPH visit without much in the way of tests. Took the ex to BPH last year because she had described what sounded like macular degeneration (it was). If I remember correctly the consult, including imaging of the back of the eyeball, came to 2,700 baht. Even though the possibility of my paying for treatment was obvious as I was there, the female opthamologist referred the ex to a specialist at the government hospital in Korat, near to where the ex lives, and wrote a referral letter. The cost of the treatment at the government hospital must have been minimal as I wasn't hit up for it.

 

I was glad to read Gary's report about care in a government hospital. After all, the need for urgent care could arise while I was travelling and not near a Bangkok Hospital franchise.

 

Getting down to brass tacks, I have insurance through my employer prior to retirement and I know it will pay on overseas claims and the insurance company asserts it would pay directly to BPH for in-patient care. That being the case, I won't be voluntarily going to the government hospital in Pattaya.

I just checked a BHP bill from last month... the charge for the doctor was 1000 baht.

My total was 2300, the rest due to prescribed meds and the usual blood pressure/temperature obligatory precheck.

I have more confidence in a medical check/test eg X-Ray, than spending the money on a concoction of 5 meds.

Couldn't even determine what they all were as they came in little baggies........

[Gary 4,119]

 

 

3) The "newer" Medicare Advantage Plans also offer emergency care abroad for the same Part B premium.

 

 

 

I have searched and found no information regarding emergency care coverage abroad. I do find it silly that citizens living abroad are denied coverage. Medical care would undoubtedly be cheaper than in the US, at least in most countries.

[BigDUSA 71]

 

 

I have searched and found no information regarding emergency care coverage abroad. I do find it silly that citizens living abroad are denied coverage. Medical care would undoubtedly be cheaper than in the US, at least in most countries.

What if I have a Medigap (Medicare Supplement

Insurance) policy?

Your Medigap policy may offer additional coverage for health care services or

supplies that you get outside the U.S. A Medigap policy is supplemental health

insurance sold by private insurance companies to fill “gaps” in Original Medicare

coverage. A Medigap policy must be standardized in all states, except

Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. (These states have Medicare

supplemental coverage similar to the standardized Medigap plans and may offer

similar foreign travel benefits.) Most states identify the policies as lettered plans, so

you can compare them easily.

Standard Medigap Plans C, D, F, G, M and N provide foreign travel emergency

health care coverage when you travel outside the U.S. Plans E, H, I, and J are no

longer for sale, but if you bought one before June 1, 2010, you may keep it. All of

these plans also provide foreign travel emergency health care coverage when you

travel outside the U.S.

Medigap Plans C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, M and N pay 80% of the billed charges for

certain medically-necessary emergency care outside the U.S. after you meet a $250

deductible for the year. These Medigap policies cover foreign travel emergency care

if it begins during the first 60 days of your trip, and if Medicare doesn’t otherwise

cover the care. Foreign travel emergency coverage with Medigap policies has a

lifetime limit of $50,000.

Before you travel outside the U.S., talk with your Medigap company or

insurance agent to get more information about your Medigap coverage while

traveling. To learn more about Medigap policies, visit

http://www.medicare.gov/Publications/Pubs/pdf/02110.pdf to view the

booklet, “Choosing a Medigap Policy: A Guide to Health Insurance for People

with Medicare.” You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) for more

information. TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048.

[VPI78 11,509]

 

Standard Medigap Plans C, D, F, G, M and N provide foreign travel emergency

health care coverage when you travel outside the U.S. Plans E, H, I, and J are no

longer for sale, but if you bought one before June 1, 2010, you may keep it. All of

these plans also provide foreign travel emergency health care coverage when you

travel outside the U.S.

 

So that's where the "if you like it you can keep it" comes from ...55555

Edited June 6, 2014 by VPI78

[Trvlr 50]

 

 

I have searched and found no information regarding emergency care coverage abroad. I do find it silly that citizens living abroad are denied coverage. Medical care would undoubtedly be cheaper than in the US, at least in most countries.

 

Insurance companies will have this information in the document they call Evidence of Coverage.

For California, I am giving an example of Kaiser. The EOC should be at this link: https://medicare.kaiserpermanente.org/wps/portal/medicare/plans/explore/descriptions/scal/los-angeles#

 

It is also easy enough to call whichever insurance company you are interested in and ask. I would give my residence in the US, to begin with anyway.

 

Referring to BigDUSA's post above, Medigap policies are different from Advantage plans. Medigap policies fill in gaps in traditional Medicare.

Advantage plans are all-in-one plans to begin with, including prescription drugs. Some even have health club membership. Each company will have its own benefit schedule.

When I become eligible (soon) I intend to sign on with a California company called SCAN, in an Advantage plan.