What are the average surgery costs in Thailand without medical insurance compared to Western countries?

Sep 8, 2023
a year ago
Steve *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Has anyone here had surgery in Thailand without being covered by medical insurance? Were the prices outrageous or about the same level as in western countries without free healthcare?

Any information from people with first hand experience is appreciated.

TIA
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TLDR : Answer Summary
Many expats share their experiences regarding surgery costs in Thailand without medical insurance. It appears that while private hospitals can be costly, government hospitals offer significantly lower prices. For example, surgeries like hernia repair can cost as low as 10,000 baht in a government facility compared to private hospitals, where the same procedure may cost over 100,000 baht. Overall, surgery costs in Thailand are generally lower than in Western countries, with many expats reporting that even with high-quality care, expenses remain manageable.
Alain ***********
Myopia and cataract eye surgery, both eyes. About 160k bath, private hospital. Extremely pleased.

C-section (wife), +- 150k (?), We're here for #2,
Brown ********
I got quoted 155-175k at Bangkok Pattaya hospital to have my testicle removed. Will cost me 135k in Australia. Who'd have thought this was possible.
ไทเลอร์ **********
Got foot and ankle surgery at Bumrungrad in Bangkok. I must say absolutely fabulous hospital. 475,000 THB
Aidan **********
thats a big saving you made
Hristo ***********
I had a small surgery on my tongue few years ago, it was around 5-6k thb in the government hospital. The price quote in a private in a private hospital for the same was around 35k. Quality was totally fine.
Jeffrey **********
10% of western countries
Allie ***********
So much cheaper then America. Plus you need to pay for insurance in America plus co pays etc.

I come now to Thailand for all my medical needs
Kealy ************
I had a ovarian bilateral cystectomy (laparotomy) in January as an emergency and it cost 43,000 baht, which tbf isn’t bad I think?

The hospital was awful though and after surgery they gave me one paracetamol, but I’m still alive to tell the tale 🤣
Steve *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kealy ***********
thank you! was it a small government hospital or a bigger one?
Kealy ************
@Steve ******
it was krabi hospital, fairly small but very busy
Kealy ************
They did try to make me stay for 3 nights, but after 2 I told them I was leaving (I was a nurse in the UK before I moved here 🤣)
Steve *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kealy ***********
haha gotta milk the foreigners for all the cash they can eh? 😂
Kealy ************
@Steve ******
the mattresses are like cardboard, you can’t adjust the bed unless you can get up and wind a lever at the bottom of the bed (I couldn’t) and there’s no call bell to actually get a nurses attention. But apparently you can pay a little extra for a private room which might be better. But at the end of the day they saved my life, I just would’ve preferred a different hospital 🤣
Simon **********
I had a minor surgery on my oesophagus which was about
*****
THB, they kept me in overnight for observation and that was
*****
THB. Bangkok hospital Bangkok.
Ivan ************
Government hospitals are much cheaper than private. Even with the new dual pricing scheme, they are still very inexpensive, with the exception of certain very specific things (MRI/CT scans are expensive anywhere). There can be huge difference in costs. In many cases the same doctor will consult in the large for profit private hospitals, their own private practice, and government hospitals, with cost decreasing in that order. Also, private hospitals are not necessarily all similar cost, there are certain private hospitals, often those associated with religious organizations, or universities, that are more than government hospitals but also less than the big private groups.
William ******
My brother had very major heart surgery in BKK. Saved him a ton.

******************************
William ******
@Aisah *************
Dr Suresh Patel MD Cardiologist
Aisah **************
@William *****
I truly appreciate this. Thank your brother too. Good health to you both!
Aisah **************
William King hi I know of someone who had a major heart surgery in his home country and will be returning to his second home here in Thailand and will need check up. May I ask which doctor cared for your brother? Like follow up etc.
William ******
@Aisah *************
Ok. Let me send a message to my brother. Hopefully he will remember. It was probably 10 years ago.
Phuong *******
Well, I’m from the US where prices are really high compared to other countries. I’ve had surgery at Bumrungrad which was a fraction of the cost it would have been in the US and you can pay with a credit card.
JF *******
I had a bad infection in my foot following an insect bite. I went to a Bangkok hospital in Ratchaburi and was met by a manager (not a medical person) who informed me that I would need an operation and would be in hospital for at least 4 days. She was interested in only my ability to pay. This continued throughout my stay. It disgusted me and in only confirmed my belief in a national health service.
Dan ***********
@JF ******
this came about because many expats ran out on their bills. I heard that RAM hospital in Chiang mai suffered over $100,000,000usd loss in a 3 year period because of expats not paying bills. That’s one hospital I’ve heard similar about others.

I get good service from Bangkok Hosp. I don’t let the money thing bother me. I already know how it goes down.
Dennis ***********
@Dan **********
If expats do not pay,deport them and red flag their passports.
Bruce ***********
@Dennis **********
Bludgers who stuff it up for the honest ones
Robert **********
I had a hernia op at Petcharavej in Bangkok. The service was fantastic and a lot cheaper than any other hospitals in Thailand. Highly recommended.
***************************************
Alex *******
If you look at good private hospitals in Thailand, then prices tend to be much cheaper than in the U.S., but similar or even higher than in many European countries
Bob ***********
I spent a week in my own VIP room in Bangkok Hospital Phuket after a torn muscle, some complications with blood clots in my legs, and surgery to repair the torn muscle. I think it cost about 500,000 baht total including the ambulance ride, meds, and follow ups (my insurance paid it all after the fact).
Russell ***********
Lynton ********
Largely depends on which hospital, the nature of the surgery and the underlying heath issues a patient may have. I’d suggest to talk to hospitals would be a good start. I’ve heard of people who have made poor choices and not survived
Aidan **********
@Lynton *******
they died because they got the cheaper hospital, or because it was serious surgery and didnt survive
William ********
Knee replacement private hospital 250,000bt, $7000. Government hospital $4000
Maged ********
6 years ago had 4 coronary stent (cardiac)in bumrungaurd hospital, bangkok with 2 night ICU cost £
*****
. (650,000 baht) luckily had travel insurance
Sri **********
Come to India fr medical treatment you can get best treatment for 4 to 5k USD
Michael ********
Emergency Gall bladder removal with a private room Bangkok hospital udon Thani 180,000 baht. Luckily they took credit cards
Kay ********************
@Michael *******
Wow! That is very inexpensive. I had my done at Paolo Kaset in Bangkok. It was closed to ฿400,000.

I paid for it but turned out my travel insurance reimbursed me 100% because I had it done the next day after arriving back from US and they covered up to one week after the trip.
Mitchell *******
@Michael *******
, ya, they put a hold on my credit card for half, until all the Insurance paperwork was done, then they released it
Suzanne ******
@Michael *******
$7000 canadian
Michael ********
@Suzanne ******
about $9000 in San Francisco Bay Area were I’m from. But I had mike out in 2015 I’m sure Thailand Bangkok hospital is close to that now
Brian ********
@Michael *******
180,000 baht is 5,056 dollars, so not really close at all. Just over half.
Michael ********
@Brian *******
in 2015 bro
Brian ********
@Michael *******
oh, sorry, I thought you paid 9000 in the Bay Area.
Michael ********
@Brian *******
no but I know someone just did it recently said the bill was $9000 which their insurance paid most of my visit to Bangkok hospital was out of pocket Kaiser wouldn’t reimburse me because I’m living abroad not traveling on vacation
Mitchell *******
If you are from The United States, anywhere will be cheaper. 😅

Although insurance paid for my surgery, the cost for 3 breaks in my right lower leg bones, shredded ligaments, the titanium plate, and 6 or 7 screws, and 6 nights in the hospital was 685,000 baht at Bangkok Hospital (Trat)
Ruth *******
@Mitchell ******
I was thinking the same. When he said “western countries”, I thought” which one?
Andy **********
Note, most travel insurance will not provide cover if you go to Thailand for medical treatment. And I don't mean they will not pay for that new knee. But if you had that new knee and there were complications you cannot expect cover for the medevac home. Check the small print. You might also have to include the cost of diagnosis for some electives. No doctor worth their salt would undertake an invasive procedure just on the say so of the patient. If they do, they are a Quack.
Deanna *******
I had major (non life threatening) surgery on Koh Samui. Before we left the US, I had been quoted $35,000 for just the surgery (not anesthesia, room, etc). Insurance wouldn't cover, so I had it done here in Thailand.

I found a good recommended surgeon first, and he gave me an option to have it done at an international hospital (200k baht) or govt hospital (100k baht/$2857 usd).

I chose the govt hospital with a private room instead of patient ward, and it was great!

This price included everything. All in! No extras of follow up.

Hope this helps!
Aidan **********
hi, the patient wards are they shared rooms, so this makes it much cheaper? but you must put up with noise and possible germs
Deanna *******
@Aidan *********
The patient wards in Samui hospital (and most govt hospitals) have many patients, are open air, mosquitos in the evening, not clean, and in Samui there were cats and dogs in the hospital as well. I was ok with that part, but the rest was not really ok.

The patient's family or friends sleep on mats on the floor and are expected to stay with the patient at all times.

A private room at the time (2017) only cost 2000 baht per night, so it was worth it.
Josh *******
@Deanna ******
where in samui did you go please
Deanna *******
@Josh ******
The surgeon's office is in Nathon, so I consulted with him before the hospital. I never went to the hospital until the date of my surgery.

He set me up to go to Samui Hospital in Nathon. The patient wards are not recommended, but private room was good.
Steve *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Deanna ******
that's great info, thank you so much!
Chris **********
Last December I was in government hospital in Kanchanaburi for 12 days. Surgery, single vip room and medicine all together 43.000Baht
Steve *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Chris *********
thank you for the info! May I ask what kind of surgery it was?
Chris **********
@Steve ******
It is a difference you choose a private or a government hospital
Steve *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Chris *********
I'll check if I can get help at our local government hospital
Deanna *******
@Steve ******
Govt hospital patient wards are not good, but the private rooms we have seen are nice. And not expensive.
Chris **********
@Steve ******
Was an accident cut my arm with a flex, 25cm open wound, 23 stiches
Sergio *****
Buy insurance before you go!!!
Lynnette *******
@Sergio ****
it won't cover planned medical treatment.
David ***********
I used the government hospital for my hernia op, did a great job very cheap
Josh *******
@David **********
what hospital if you don't mind me asking please
David ***********
@Josh ******
Sisaket government hospital
Steve *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@David **********
how much did you pay for it?
David ***********
@Steve ******
in total 10.000
Steve *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
David ***********
@Steve ******
your welcome
Mee ******
@David **********
only 10,000 baht.. WOW I've been told 100,000
Paul *********
I had hip replacement surgery last year (one side only) at Thammasat hospital Bangkok - ceramic joint, robotic measurements - cost just under 220,000 baht. The operation was done within a week of the initial consultation and it's wonderful to be pain free.
Maged ********
@Paul ********
cost you more than double this in uk
Pattie ******
@Paul ********
my hip replacement in Phuket (Bangkok Hospital) was 450,000 baht

Wow I paid double

Bangkok is cheaper than Phuket
Maged ********
@Pattie *****
no bangkok hospital is a private hospital. Thammasat is public but university hospital
Tom *********
@Pattie *****
I paid the same at the same hospital.
Steve *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Paul ********
thank you Paul! And that was the cost without any health insurance, right?
Paul *********
@Steve ******
Yes - that was the total cost as quoted by the hospital. I did have health insurance but the company would not agree to be invoiced - I had to pay the account and then submit the receipts for them to consider the claim
Bobby ****
It will vary depending on what hospital as well. It is best to contact the hospital and ask for the price.
Kevin ********
Hernia
*****
0 baht Broken back
*****
0 baht private hostpital. Broken arm 4000 baht government hostpital.
Steve *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kevin *******
thank you. did that include everything? The bills I've seen separate treatment, equipment and medicine.
Kevin ********
@Steve ******
yes all bills total for broken back about 1 million baht had to have nurse fly over from uk and fly with me back to UK in 1st class.
Lisa ***************
@Steve ******
bills here are all inclusive.
Lynnette *******
Most good hospitals have price list for various surgery. That will give you an idea.
Lynnette *******
@Steve ******
you don't say what type of surgery. So not sure other peoples surgery will be comparable.
Lynnette *******
@Steve ******
the Mission hospital my son had treatment at provides a price list of conditions they treat and costs . Plus costs of rooms etc. But individuals may have different medical issues, or needs, to factor in. Costs were cheaper than UK.
Steve *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Lynnette ******
they can't give me an estimate, so I am asking for people who have gone through it, personally, to let me know how much they paid.
Ursula *********
Scott Ramsland currency?
Steve *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Scott Ramsland thank you!
Steve *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Scott Ramsland how much did those cost?
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