We often hear from our readers about their real-world experiences navigating Thailand’s healthcare system. This story comes from one of our readers who recently went through the process of finding affordable hernia surgery in Pattaya while also dealing with a frustrating health insurance situation.
If you’ve ever wondered about the differences between public and private hospitals in Thailand, and how health insurance plays into the process, this detailed account will give you a good idea of what to expect.
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Contents
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The Search Begins
The journey started when our reader’s hernia pain began to increase. Knowing it couldn’t be ignored, he set out to find a hospital where he could get treated at a reasonable cost.
A friend in Pattaya recommended trying a government hospital instead of one of the newer private hospitals, which are often built to resemble luxury hotels and come with luxury-level prices.
Using the list of hospitals on ExpatDen, the first place he checked was Bang Lamung Hospital, a well-known government facility in Pattaya. He also came across a helpful note about public hospitals:
“Government hospitals will treat foreigners, but may charge a premium. Even so, they are still much cheaper than private hospitals. The care is good, but expect long waits to see a doctor or, for non-emergencies, to be admitted. Some specialists may only be available on certain days. Most doctors speak English, but nursing and support staff might not.”
First Visit to Bang Lamung Hospital
On August 2nd, he went to Bang Lamung Hospital with his Thai fiancée. After being sent to several departments, they finally reached the surgeons’ office.
Unfortunately, they were told that there was no hernia specialist available until August 29th, when the specialist would be in for consultations. Only after that visit could a surgery date be scheduled.
This was frustrating, especially since the pain was getting worse. The next day, his fiancée called the hospital to try and get the name of the surgeon, but no one answered.
Later, they discovered that the hospital only accepted faxes, not emails, for inquiries. Even then, attempts to send a fax failed due to technical errors.
Confusion with Health Insurance
At the same time, he was trying to figure out whether his health insurance could help cover the costs. He believed it was meant for use at government hospitals like Bang Lamung.
However, Bang Lamung Hospital is clearly listed as a government hospital. However, when he reached out to his insurance provider, the response was anything but helpful.
“I received a rejection letter regarding my ES plan. I have no idea what an ES plan is. They simply stated that all planned inpatient and outpatient surgical procedures must be approved by them in advance before you receive treatment. No further explanation or advice was given.”
This left him feeling confused and abandoned.
“My impression is that this health insurance is not usable in Thailand. The best thing to do is cancel it. The company gives incomprehensible answers and doesn’t pay. When I write to them and ask for help, I just get a rejection and no guidance at all.”
He is still in contact with his insurance provider about making a claim, and we will update this article again once we hear back about the outcome.
Exploring Other Options
With little progress at Bang Lamung and no insurance help, he began contacting clinics and hospitals across Pattaya and Bangkok.
He also reached out to Bangkok Pattaya Hospital, one of the largest and most modern private hospitals in the area. However, the quote he received was around THB300,000 (roughly US$8,300), far beyond what he could afford.
Eventually, he contacted MediGence, a medical facilitator, who provided some general pricing information:
- Inguinal hernia repair: Starting at around US$2,500
- Laparoscopic hernia repair: Typically between US$2,500 and US$6,000
Other sources estimated costs as high as US$17,000, depending on the hospital and procedure.
These prices were still too high, so he kept searching for other options.
Interesting read: How Much Does Healthcare Cost in Thailand? A Full Breakdown
Discovering Petcharavej Hospital
While searching online, he came across Petcharavej Hospital in Bangkok. Unlike many private hospitals that provided minimal information, Petcharavej offered detailed explanations about hernias, the surgical procedures, and most importantly transparent pricing.
Petcharavej isn’t a modern luxury hospital, but rather a 50-year-old facility that focuses on straightforward, affordable care. The quoted price for hernia surgery for an open technique, 1 side, was THB62,000 (roughly US$1,700), significantly lower than other private options and even a fraction of Bangkok Pattaya Hospital’s quote.
Sidenote: We also know another person who had laparoscopic hernia surgery on both sides at a standard private hospital. Even with Thai Social Security coverage, he still had to pay an additional 50,000 THB out of pocket.
Surgery Day
After scraping together the funds, he traveled to Bangkok by taxi to undergo the procedure. Upon arrival, the hospital performed a thorough check-up before the operation.
On August 26th, he had the surgery.
As of now, he is still recovering with a bandage on his groin and will soon return to have it removed.
Takeaways for Other Expats
This experience highlights several important points for expats seeking surgery or specialized care in Thailand:
- Government hospitals are cheaper, but you may face long waits and limited access to certain specialists.
- Private hospitals provide faster treatment, but prices can vary dramatically, from THB60,000 to well over THB300,000 depending on the hospital and procedure.
- Health insurance might not always help. If you plan to rely on your insurance, make sure you fully understand what it covers, how claims are approved, and go with a reliable provider that has experience handling expat claims. Here’s a detailed article on how to buy health insurance in Thailand.
- Smaller, non-luxury private hospitals like Petcharavej can offer excellent value, with good care at far lower prices than major private hospitals.
- Communication can be challenging. Some hospitals don’t respond well to phone or email inquiries, making it essential to go in person when possible.
If you are facing a similar situation, it is worth exploring both government and private options and being prepared to travel to Bangkok or another major city if needed.
For those with international health insurance, this story is also a reminder to go with a reliable health insurance provider with a solid track record, so you don’t end up paying thousands of dollars out of pocket when it matters most.
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