It seems that the coronavirus has turned into a money-making scheme for many hospitals around Thailand.
At least two hospitals in Bangkok are charging more for foreigners to have tests than others.
Don’t get me wrong.. many hospitals have applied the same fee for Thais and foreigners, but there are a select few that are charging over the top prices, and we have 1 hospital in Pattaya that is doing the same.
A survey has shown that hospitals in Ramathibodi and Paolo Phaholyothin are charging up to 40 percent more than Thai nationals.
In saying that, tests for the coronavirus in Bangkok generally cost in the thousands, which is silly as I feel the test should be free. The test price is so expensive that the advisor to the Ministry of Health on Sunday has said that those that have no symptoms or have a low-risk travel history should refrain from getting check-ups, and that will free up space in overcrowded hospitals and save testing kits for others.
“If you aren’t sick, please don’t get tests because it’s useless and wastes money. Most tests yield negative results. But if you are in an at-risk group, such as contact with the infected, please contact the Department hotline,” Roongreung said.
Normally hospitals will only test for Covid-19 if a person has symptoms such as a runny nose, cough, problems breathing, fever over 37.5C, have travelled to or from a high-risk country or have been in contact with a person that has come from a high-risk country or has the virus.
If you do test positive for coronavirus and wish to use your social benefit, please contact the Department of Disease Control hotline on 1422. They will redirect patients for treatment at 3 state hospitals.
Also, just as a note.. check your travel insurance, as many insurances do not cover the virus.
