Foreigners Costing Hospitals.

This sort of thing will just make it harder for everyone !! http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/2 ... ners-bills

I would not be surprised that in the future Thai Immigration rules will be changed, so that the foriegners who want to live here, will need funds available for medical care, or show an insurance certificate that they are covered.

The problem is for the guys who can't get insurance because of pre existing conditions.
It may become another flaming hoop to jump through.

yes not exactly good promotional stuff we want the powers that be, to be reading in a major local rag, and giving them all sorts of ideas..quality tourism..wonder what that really means?

you know we have the same thing happen back in NZ, with asians,and islanders coming to reside with thier extended family..also now with the price of things going up and up, the ones at the lower end of the spectrum, are now going to the hospital emergency care ward for free health care, because they cant afford the $45 -$65 for a doctors clinic, and that is clogging up our health system..I was in hospital just the other weeks for busted ribs, and I had to sign a thingy to say I was a NZ citizen, which they checked, and if not true then you pay up..no freebies

now of course a farang cannot become a Thai citizen without climbing a Mt Everest of red tape, and if farang are doctoring false bank statements, wheres that leave us..quality tourism sort of alludes that all westerners, even those married, or retired and settled, as tourists in a way..indeed, what is one called who is not a citizen of the country they reside in, and needs a visa to stay in that country.?

yes if the govt was to latch on to this article, it could have serious ramifications for all

There was talk somewhere, if not 'in stone', about foreigners possibly having to prove they have insurance?
It was good to read, at least, and if one can believe it, that the Vachira, Phuket, a STATE hospital, followed ethics in treating patients as best they could. Personally, I thought that 1.3 million baht a year on treating baht-less foreigners must be a small amount in terms of a hospital's budget.
I've often wondered what a private hospital might do as far as ethics, but if one can't pay. I think you'd be shipped off to a Government hospital asap!

Most private hospitals I've seen here are underutilized. That is, the staff are idle quite a bit, so they ought to think about the other side of the ledger as well. Many farang here go for pricey health check-ups and whatnot and are thus providing income to the hospitals that they would not otherwise have. A few farang did not pay, what is that percentage? 0.001%? What about the benefit received by charging top dollar to farang for treatment here... the other 99.999%? Just a thought.

I think you are correct snowball.
The piece, to me seems a deliberate piece created to direct public opinion in a certain way that those who wrote it want it directed.
Look at the actual facts presented in the case.
The hospital treated 377 foreigners, but only 17 could not pay - so the other 360 provided them with a profit,
The losses involved had jumped by 50% from 2008 to 2009 & yet the number not paying had only risen by 29% - sounds like some 'padding' going on there.
The figures also include

foreigners who died outside of hospital but were brought in for autopsies. They died of causes ranging from road accidents to drowning and suicide.

Well just leave them on the streets in future, or dig through their pockets to see if they have insurance.
How many foreign visitors to Phuket in a year??? But 22 not paying a hospital bill (some because they are dead) is a story??

The 'must have insurance for a visa' is probably on its way. It's path smoothed by 'pieces' like this one....

Years ago I heard stories at Paolo about foreigners disappearing before paying their bills. The hospital took measures to prevent that from happening.......although it probably still does to some degree. I can't fault the hospital for doing that.....I'd guess any business would do the same if a few customers took advantage of their service without paying.
I know some folks come here without insurance. Instead of paying insurance each month, they put it aside for an emergency. But there are folks who come here who have no insurance and have no savings. Udon Hospital awaits them.....and it's mostly not a pretty sight in that place. Everyone, with and without insurance, should go visit sometime (especially the ICU ward) just to see what life can be like in a big government hospital in Thailand.

I didn't know that A farang could go to A hospital in thailand wher you gave the money after you weree treated.
I always thought once the hospital received the baht then they'd treat ya.

In a lot of cases, the patients require long-term treatment for chronic illnesses such as alcoholism and liver and heart diseases.

Well surely they`ve earn`t the right to get treatment with all that money spent on alcohol helping the thai economy!

Ok, everyone shut up shop and move to Cambodia... Might stop the whining then!

If anyone gets ill and needs medical treatment let me speak to the hospital and i`ll explain that it`s tit for tat as my wife had our baby in the UK costing the UK tax payer millions!

On a serious note and as people have already said, watch this space and we`ll see what the next immigration rule is next.

" Many retired foreigners who came to Thailand with the hope of settling down here are now struggling after spending their pensions wastefully and marrying Thai women, some of whom left them after their money ran out. "

this should have read

Many retired foreigners who came to Thailand with the hope of settling down here are now struggling after marrying Thai women and spending their pensions wastefully , some of whom left them after their money ran out.

This post is slightly 1 sided as many long term residents can see changes to the Visa's etc and I admitt thats a worry for some.

But if a Thai citizen wishes to go to Oz eg, for study they must provide proof of insurance or ability to cover the medical bill, they arent entitled to free health care in Oz,

Whilst the numbers look small, the money of over 1 million is still significant in the Public hospitals finances. Remember they are publically funded and they dont make money. the 30 B scheme years ago saw an end to that. They are all bankrupt , and bailed out each year, just like nearly every other public hospital world wide i imagine.

1.3 Million Baht will buy a new ambulance, fully equipped out, pay the salaries of 52 state employed nurses ( 25000 inc OT ) for 1 year,

I must admitt the cost of providing autopsies etc, should be borne by the local Police as its their request and part of and investigation.

Private hospitals try to make money and profits, but in Thailand thats hard believe it or not, only a few do , have a look at all the M&A there is only 3-4 major providers now. Bumrungrad is probably the best example of a well run private enterprise, but people complain coz its expensive.

wazza wrote:" Many retired foreigners who came to Thailand with the hope of settling down here are now struggling after spending their pensions wastefully and marrying Thai women, some of whom left them after their money ran out. "

this should have read

Many retired foreigners who came to Thailand with the hope of settling down here are now struggling after marrying Thai women and spending their pensions wastefully , some of whom left them after their money ran out.

Yes, that sounds more like it.