Job Discussion Forums

[Trebek]

After 9 years of lurking on this web-site I finally made the move to China and have about a week before my classes start. A few days ago the Uni sent a few of us to get our medical checkup. They found a big issue with my ekg. I'm going in a for sonogram in a couple days but I believe I have some heart blockage (my feet are swelling like crazy)...

If I need surgery, which country is best? HK, Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, or Singapore? Keep in mind that I'm in the Shanghai area and have no visa's for any of these countries. I don't want to go back to the States because I can't afford to pay what they will require.

This is a bit urgent so please respond quickly, I'm not trolling or bullshitting in any way.

Trebek

[wailing_imam]

I hope you have insurance.

Singapore has excellent healthcare. However, if you are not covered, it'll cost you an arm and leg.

[Trebek]

No insurance, cost is a major concern here..... Hopefully it won't come down to surgery but it is in the definite realm of possibility.

[rayman]

Given cost is an issue, Thailand would be the cheapest, with the quality of health care still OK.

[kazpat]

I worked for a medical evacuation company for a couple years before returning to teaching. Anytime a SE Asia patient needed a higher level of care we moved them to Bumrungrad in Bangkok. To the best of my recollection the costs were fairly reasonable there as well.

Good Luck,

[Trebek]

Yeah Bangkok was where I was thinking. Its a bit of a trip from Shanghai, but I've heard good things about the hospitals and the prices. Just hoping it won't come to surgery. Wow they even give the prices upfront (barring issues).

I appreciate all who have responded.

Trebek

[spiral78]

Trebek, best of luck to you and we hope to see you around in the next few months, telling us that you're back to normal, health-wise.

[PattyFlipper]

Bumrungrad have something of a reputation for padding bills for foreigners. Fine if your insurers are paying - perhaps not so fine if you are self-funding. Most of the medical specialists in Bangkok do a 'circuit' of the bigger hospitals, but the consultation fees and other costs vary considerably, depending on the hospital in which you see them. Bumrungrad are top of the range in the prices they charge, as they are nowadays very much geared towards 'medical tourism' from the USA and Middle East.

The Heart Center at Thai Nakharin Hospital, Bangna has two resident cardioligists, in addition to visiting specialists. I have used them for several years for a heart condition and find them to be competent, ethical and far more reasonably-priced than the big-name "5 star" hospitals. Another cheaper but still competent alternative may be St. Louis Hospital on Sathorn Road.

[wailing_imam]

If you are going to have to pay big bucks, you might as well stay in Shanghai. There are plenty of decent hospitals for the wealthy folk there with all the mod cons. I'd take that over Thailand.

[PattyFlipper]

[choudoufu]

i went to india for my valve replacement two years ago.
apollo in chennai. i'm satisfied.

total cost (rt air, surgery, hospital, two weeks beach resort) $10k
cost in us excluding air fare and spa: $150-200k

pm me for details.

[Trebek]

I did another ekg yesterday for a doctor in a local hospital, he confirmed that there is a blockage somewhere, he thinks its in the heart. Today I went in for a Cat Scan $200 (amazing). I'll hear the prognosis tomorrow.

Wailing: How do you figure the Thai hospital is expensive? Angioplasty with one stint for $4000 at the most? You are correct that Shangers (Hangzhou as well) has capable hospitals, I will price them of course before I travel. No chance of having it done in the states.

Chennai? I have heard great things about medical care in India, but the flight won't be so cheap, and my need to get back to work before losing job is another consideration.

Whatever happens, I feel pretty good, no chest pain, just something wrong that showed in an ekg. Probably be able to wait till Octobers "National week" before doing the surgery. Hope a stint or meds will do the trick.

Many thanks for all friends who have responded.

[Hod]

Hi Trebek, I can�t say I�ve spent much time in hospitals, but I did have a semi-urgent eye operation in Bumrungrad Bangkok nine years ago. Like all hospitals, the cost largely depends on whether you stay in a single or four-bed room. Bit pointless to give you the price of my very different treatment from such a long time ago, but it was B90000 for a half-hour operation and a three-night stay in a four-bed room. I disagree that Bumrungrad raise the price for foreigners, but you will pay extra for your own cable TV (I enjoyed listening to it), nurses who speak OK English, nice gardens to walk in and a handful of westerners who work in customer support.

Bear in mind, though, I was living in Bangkok which made follow-up checks very easy. If, and it�s still only an if, you need surgery, the fact you will need follow up checks for at least a few months should be a consideration as to where you get any treatment.

As for waiting until October and your having no chest pains, you already said you had swollen feet. I have no idea if that�s a symptom of a heart problem, but you�ve had an ECG scare so really must make diagnosis and treatment your first priority. Good luck.

[choudoufu]

guess it depends on your schedule, how long you can wait, what
sort of procedure you need, recovery time, and the cost in a local
hospital.

if it's just a stent, local cost should be reasonable, and recovery
minimal.

i had real OHS. strapped to the table, heart & lung machine,
cut open and got new parts. i had this done between semesters
so as not to interfere with classes (i was studyin', not teachin')

so, flew to india, spent about a week in the hospital, followed
by two weeks resting at a seaside resort, then flew back to china.
arranged to have follow-ups done at local hospitals.

as to recovery, started walking the next day, long walks on the beach,
light jogging at one month, cycling at about 7 weeks, ran a
marathon at 11 months......

i believe with a stent, you'd be up and around almost immediately.
if you have the option of scheduling, if done at the beginning of
the holidays, it shouldn't affect your schedule too much.

[charlie don't surf]

Hi Trebek:

Blockages do not necessarily require immediate surgical intervention. Hopefully, your follow-up tests will provide a more accurate picture of the location and degree of blockage. Depending on the results of these tests, the cardiologist may or may not recommend an urgent course of action. If your blockage does not require immediate medical attention, then this can buy you some time to plan your treatment, and if necessary, discuss taking a leave of absence with your employer. Get any leave permission in writing.

If you do require an operation, I also recommend Bumrungrad Hospital in Bangkok. You've already indicated that cost is a consideration. Fortunately, Bumrungrad has a pretty solid international reputation for the quality of its services and patient care, in addition to its cost benefits. Most of the cardiologists at Bumrungrad have international accreditations, and speak English.

Best regards