Emergency health care not mandated in Thailand
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I did believe that private hospitals are required to accept all patients, with or without insurance, but only in life-threatening emergencies. However, they do not always treat them. On occasion, you read horror stories in the press about private hospitals transferring emergency patients who are uninsured to public hospitals under conditions that threaten their survival.
One such case in point is an elderly American man who was rushed to a well-known hospital used extensively by foreigners and was admitted for a stroke. His daughter called the doctor from her home in America and was told by the attending physician that unless she approved emergency brain surgery her father would die. She consented. However, afterwards the Thai family who was looking after the newly admitted patient informed the hospital that they had no access to his funds. The patient was transferred to a government hospital without the operation and the patient is now in a coma.
Therefore, adequate insurance is essential. There have been cases where foreigners have bought policies and when they need to pay hospital expenses they can not get in contact with the insurance company. It is most important to get health coverage from a reputable Insurance Broker who speaks English and has a good Thai administrative staff.
We recommend AA Insurance Brokers which has offices in Pattaya, and throughout Thailand. To get more information and a good medical policy call Peter, a great guy from England who has many years experience handling insurance policies in Thailand, on 038 415 795. You can email Peter at info@aainsure.net, or visit his website at www.aainsure.net.
One of the things you should remember if you are traveling around Thailand is that it is difficult to be admitted and treated at a hospital without a verified ability to pay. If you have an insurance card from a reputable Insurance Broker like AA it could save your life.
Therefore, adequate insurance is essential. There have been cases where foreigners have bought policies and when they need to pay hospital expenses they can not get in contact with the insurance company. It is most important to get health coverage from a reputable Insurance Broker who speaks English and has a good Thai administrative staff.
We recommend AA Insurance Brokers which has offices in Pattaya, and throughout Thailand. To get more information and a good medical policy call Peter, a great guy from England who has many years experience handling insurance policies in Thailand, on 038 415 795. You can email Peter at info@aainsure.net, or visit his website at www.aainsure.net.
One of the things you should remember if you are traveling around Thailand is that it is difficult to be admitted and treated at a hospital without a verified ability to pay. If you have an insurance card from a reputable Insurance Broker like AA it could save your life.