Bali is set to charge foreigners 500% more than locals at hospitals

Markit

There's a couple ways of treating this idiocy - 1) since the locals are almost all covered by national health insurance and are treated for free does this mean foreigners will be charged 5 times that? 2) this "councilor" was off his meds and now someone will have taken away his keyboard so everything will go back to normal. 3) under the moto there is no such thing as bad PR this is possibly some attention getting act to bolster the super hospital in Sanur? 4) supposedly the travel insurance people will be the target of this since civilians caught up in the scam will squake the loudest and Bali just hates bad vibes in social media

Balifrog

"Bali Sun" recently is full.of anti bule / anti tourist articles....

Chris A

Balifrog wrote "Bali Sun" recently is full.of anti bule / anti tourist articles....

How quickly the pandemic has been forgotten.....

Balifrog

Shadrach wrote So I wouldn't get my hopes up with this new International Hospital coming! They will probable hire the same quality Indonesia Doctors to run it!! Good luck!

If they hired Western doctors their cost would be a huge problem ! Not even speaking about the work permit issue.....

Shadrach

Balifrog wrote If they hired Western doctors their cost would be a huge problem ! Not even speaking about the work permit issue.....

If they were to hire Western Doctors, the Health care system should provide them with work permits for free! If a Western Doctor were to come here, they couldn't expect the make the same $ as when working in the West.

AuroraB

Shadrach wrote If a Western Doctor were to come here, they couldn't expect the make the same $ as when working in the West.

That is correct. They expect higher salary. Expats expect hardship premium/allowance when relocating with families to third world or developing countries. Bali is no holiday if you have to work here and particularly so with the staff constantly off to some sort of "event".

Rellek

One of the strangest stories I've read in the Bali Sun. A politician here has claimed that since Balinese traveling abroad have to pay international health care costs, Bali should do in kind and charge similarly for foreigners here on vacation and living here. Based on the article, this plan is being fast-tracked across the island (possibly) after starting in West Bali. I already know first hand Bules pay more at local hospitals but apparently it's not enough. For one thing, skin color should not influence how much someone has to pay for healthcare to begin with, IMO. For another thing, how can Balinese hospitals and level of care possibly be compared with hospitals abroad? But, what really makes this story stranger than fiction, again, IMO is that The Bali Sun is also running reports on the near completion of a mega state-of-the-art International Hospital being built in Sanur with the goal of creating a major hub for medical tourism here on Bali. Good advertising..Our new International Hospital will be charging you 500% of the local hospitals, apparently. I've said this before, I go to Jakarta for health checkups and care each 3 months where Bules and locals are treated fairly and equally and the hospitals are cleaner and better equipped with modern equipment. Sources: https://thebalisun.com/tourists-must-pay-500-of-local-healthcare-rates-in-this-area-of-bali/ https://thebalisun.com/balis-incredible-new-tourist-hospital-will-open-in-early-2024/

harryopal1

What was the cost for a taxi to Padang Bai?

Shadrach

harryopal1 wrote What was the cost for a taxi to Padang Bai?

Hi Harryopal, well as you know I left from Padang Bai to the hospital and had to return. I payed RP. 400 Or 500, I forget. Anyway it was all a waste of time going there. After many trips all I found out was my CLL is not out of control. I've already had it for twenty years and it seems to stay the same. After being bedridden for two months with a broken leg, I have to learn to walk again. My legs feel like jelly so when I walk now it's like walking on licorice sticks. I am lazy and don't like to push myself to exercise my muscles. I know I have too, but it is much easier to be lazy!

AuroraB

Bali hospitals typically charge foreigners more than locals; Harga Asing (foreign price) and Harga Lokal (local price). From what I know this is not regulated in any way; so each hospital can decide on their own "policy" on how much they shall skin the foreigner or better; skin the insurance company in a far away country. I visited nearby RS Sanglah in Denpasar and was classified under rate for "WNA, KITAS/KITAP. e-KTP". In the olden days showing your KITAS card qualified for paying local rates for most things like hotels, entry to tourist attractions etc. Nobody seems to ask for KITAS anymore; they just look at you face before deciding on a suitable rate. Many Indonesian hospitals and medical providers are defrauding their own gov. via the BPJS scheme, so no surprise if they also "overcharge" foreigners and their insurance companies in a far away country. Quote from report linked below: "Fraud in Indonesian national health insurance schemes can include - billing for services not rendered, - unnecessary medical testing and overtreatment, - fictitious providers, - double billing, - coding fragmentation, - kickbacks, - multiple claim submissions or alterations to claims, and -third-party fraud, among other forms. All of these fraud modes exist in the Indonesian health services, with bribery being one of the most common fraud schemes. Perpetrators include participants; BPJS-K; health facilities or health service providers including doctors, dentists, specialist doctors, specialist dentists, other health workers, and administrative personnel; providers of medicines and medical devices; and other stakeholders such as employers." https://www.u4.no/publications/tackling-fraud-and-corruption-in-indonesias-health-insurance-system.pdf

Shadrach

Bali hospitals typically charge foreigners more than locals; Harga Asing (foreign price) and Harga Lokal (local price). From what I know this is not regulated in any way; so each hospital can decide on their own "policy" on how much they shall skin the foreigner or better; skin the insurance company in a far away country. I visited nearby RS Sanglah in Denpasar and was classified under rate for "WNA, KITAS/KITAP. e-KTP". In the olden days showing your KITAS card qualified for paying local rates for most things like hotels, entry to tourist attractions etc. Nobody seems to ask for KITAS anymore; they just look at you face before deciding on a suitable rate. Many Indonesian hospitals and medical providers are defrauding their own gov. via the BPJS scheme, so no surprise if they also "overcharge" foreigners and their insurance companies in a far away country. Quote from report linked below: "Fraud in Indonesian national health insurance schemes can include - billing for services not rendered, - unnecessary medical testing and overtreatment, - fictitious providers, - double billing, - coding fragmentation, - kickbacks, - multiple claim submissions or alterations to claims, and -third-party fraud, among other forms. All of these fraud modes exist in the Indonesian health services, with bribery being one of the most common fraud schemes. Perpetrators include participants; BPJS-K; health facilities or health service providers including doctors, dentists, specialist doctors, specialist dentists, other health workers, and administrative personnel; providers of medicines and medical devices; and other stakeholders such as employers." https://www.u4.no/publications/tackling-fraud-and-corruption-in-indonesias-health-insurance-system.pdf

The fact that they are defrauding their own government via the BPJS sounds a lot like the reason health care is outrageously expensive in America. If you have to go to a Hospital in America they will charge $10 for an aspirin! And a bandaid too! But the wonderful rich politicians do absolutely nothing to correct this problem because they get kickbacks from big Pharma!

mugwump

The huge medical facility being completed in Sanur is being done under the direction of the world renowned Mayo Clinic in the US. Supposedly this is motivated in answer to the billions of dollars lost by virtue of wealthy Indonesians going to Singapore each year for medical needs. Originally in the plan was there to be board certified physicians acquired to man/woman the staff from elsewhere in the world. Subsequently I understand that has been changed and the medical staff sought will only be from Indonesia! What inducement can that possibly be to the wealthy patients to NOT go to Singapore?

Shadrach

Shadrach wrote I told you that would happen!!! Indonesia want's to keep all the money in Indonesia! Do you think they would hire qualified Doctors and Nurses from out of the country? Get real, they hate to import and if they do they charge an outrageous import tax (booze!) I remember when alcohol was a normal price then just before Christmas it was announced that a 400% increase in import duty would be instated. Great timing! All the large boats were just offshore waiting to unload! Everyone paid and have been ever since! That's what you get with the current form of government! There is no rhyme or no reason to this madness. Just bend over and take it!

Shadrach

One of the strangest stories I've read in the Bali Sun. A politician here has claimed that since Balinese traveling abroad have to pay international health care costs, Bali should do in kind and charge similarly for foreigners here on vacation and living here. Based on the article, this plan is being fast-tracked across the island (possibly) after starting in West Bali. I already know first hand Bules pay more at local hospitals but apparently it's not enough. For one thing, skin color should not influence how much someone has to pay for healthcare to begin with, IMO. For another thing, how can Balinese hospitals and level of care possibly be compared with hospitals abroad? But, what really makes this story stranger than fiction, again, IMO is that The Bali Sun is also running reports on the near completion of a mega state-of-the-art International Hospital being built in Sanur with the goal of creating a major hub for medical tourism here on Bali. Good advertising..Our new International Hospital will be charging you 500% of the local hospitals, apparently. I've said this before, I go to Jakarta for health checkups and care each 3 months where Bules and locals are treated fairly and equally and the hospitals are cleaner and better equipped with modern equipment. Sources: https://thebalisun.com/tourists-must-pay-500-of-local-healthcare-rates-in-this-area-of-bali/ https://thebalisun.com/balis-incredible-new-tourist-hospital-will-open-in-early-2024/

I fell and tore my rotary cuff in my shoulder and went to the hospital and had Dr. Wien operate on it. He was supposed to use state of the art equipment from America to fix it and all he did was scrap some Bursitis from the joint, and didn't fix my shoulder at all! Now my shoulder is completely screwed up and I can't lift my arm above my waist and it pops in and out and all over the place and hurts like hell! What am I supposed to do? Suit him? Hah! The quality of health care here is so iffy, your lucky if they fix your problem. I think the guy going to Jakarta has a better idea. I think people are right about this International Hospital. It will probably cost an arm and a leg to get service there! And I can't see the Doctors being up to International standards! I'm sure when it's finished if you go there the doctors will be Indonesian and all the staff too! They don't like to import, just make imitation products with the foreign name( Marlboro,Nivea, San Miquel beer, etc.) Do you think a Hospital will be any different!

tel522

Shadrach wrote I fell and tore my rotary cuff in my shoulder and went to the hospital and had Dr. Wien operate on it. He was supposed to use state of the art equipment from America to fix it and all he did was scrap some Bursitis from the joint, and didn't fix my shoulder at all! Now my shoulder is completely screwed up and I can't lift my arm above my waist and it pops in and out and all over the place and hurts like hell! What am I supposed to do? Suit him? Hah! The quality of health care here is so iffy, your lucky if they fix your problem. I think the guy going to Jakarta has a better idea. I think people are right about this International Hospital. It will probably cost an arm and a leg to get service there! And I can't see the Doctors being up to International standards! I'm sure when it's finished if you go there the doctors will be Indonesian and all the staff too! They don't like to import, just make imitation products with the foreign name( Marlboro,Nivea, San Miquel beer, etc.) Do you think a Hospital will be any different!

Developing countries are a "big risk" for health care ,we know that when we choose to live here long term . Even if we have crazy expensive healthcare policies ,we still have to face the lottery of local health care during the "golden hour" ,

Shadrach

tel522 wrote Developing countries are a "big risk" for health care ,we know that when we choose to live here long term . Even if we have crazy expensive healthcare policies ,we still have to face the lottery of local health care during the "golden hour" ,

I don't know what the golden hour is but I do know about the Health care provided here. There have been many times I went to see a Doctor at one of these Hospitals and even after they look at x-rays and MRI 's they still get it wrong and totally miss the proper diagnosis. I fractured my femur shin bone and from the bone Doctor I was sent to an idiot Doctor that changed the whole problem around to a blood problem and wasted a lot of my time and money until I went to a professional blood Doctor and he said my blood was fine, so I should go back to the bone Doctor, they wasted so much time that by the time I went back to the bone doctor, he said my bone had healed enough on it's own that I should just go home! I had thought this when I first hurt my leg, but went to these Quacks and wasted tons of money and time!!! The standard here is far from being adequate. So I wouldn't get my hopes up with this new International Hospital coming! They will probable hire the same quality Indonesia Doctors to run it!! Good luck!

AuroraB

mugwump wrote Subsequently I understand that has been changed and the medical staff sought will only be from Indonesia!

So the only "international" bit is the size of the bill at the end. To my understanding Bali already has these type of hospitals. What a waste of good concrete.

Markit

I'd rather not go to any of them.

tel522

Shadrach wrote I don't know what the golden hour is but I do know about the Health care provided here. There have been many times I went to see a Doctor at one of these Hospitals and even after they look at x-rays and MRI 's they still get it wrong and totally miss the proper diagnosis. I fractured my femur shin bone and from the bone Doctor I was sent to an idiot Doctor that changed the whole problem around to a blood problem and wasted a lot of my time and money until I went to a professional blood Doctor and he said my blood was fine, so I should go back to the bone Doctor, they wasted so much time that by the time I went back to the bone doctor, he said my bone had healed enough on it's own that I should just go home! I had thought this when I first hurt my leg, but went to these Quacks and wasted tons of money and time!!! The standard here is far from being adequate. So I wouldn't get my hopes up with this new International Hospital coming! They will probable hire the same quality Indonesia Doctors to run it!! Good luck!

fyi , The Golden Hour is the crucial period following a traumatic accident, fall, or injury during which immediate and necessary medical attention can increase the chances of survival for the victim. Do you know that most accident cases that result in fatalities can be averted? Yes, if the victim is provided professional medical attention in the golden hour, the chances of his/her survival increase multi-fold. This golden hour is the first hour following an accident.

Rellek

Shadrach wrote I fell and tore my rotary cuff in my shoulder and went to the hospital and had Dr. Wien operate on it. He was supposed to use state of the art equipment from America to fix it and all he did was scrap some Bursitis from the joint, and didn't fix my shoulder at all! Now my shoulder is completely screwed up and I can't lift my arm above my waist and it pops in and out and all over the place and hurts like hell! What am I supposed to do? Suit him? Hah! The quality of health care here is so iffy, your lucky if they fix your problem. I think the guy going to Jakarta has a better idea. I think people are right about this International Hospital. It will probably cost an arm and a leg to get service there! And I can't see the Doctors being up to International standards! I'm sure when it's finished if you go there the doctors will be Indonesian and all the staff too! They don't like to import, just make imitation products with the foreign name( Marlboro,Nivea, San Miquel beer, etc.) Do you think a Hospital will be any different!

Routine blood draw at Bali-Med, Nurse made 3 attempts to find the vein..results from blood draw showed I was cured of Rheumatoid Arthritis :D...[ATTACH]3827[/ATTACH] I had bone-on-bone pain in my hand from the arthritic condition so the "very best" doctor at BIMC looked at an X-Ray and then eye-balled the location where he gave me an injection of cortisone between the two bones. (5 Mill Rp) followed by five 50 minute physical therapy sessions with rudimentary equipment at 700K each (I bailed after 2 sessions). Zero improvement until I went to Jakarta and got proper care. Kasih Ibu has the very worst Rheumatoid Arthritis doctor who prescribed the wrong medication which resulted in astronomical blood sugar levels which stunned the Dr. I went to in Jakarta. I'm now on proper meds. All within about 2 years time. So, a 500% increase in health care costs for Bules, eh? :D