All I can say is a great big thank you to Patient Vacation and Cooper.  Thank you for advising me and inspiring me to take advantage of the incredible health care offered in Thailand.  Thank you for all the assistance and consultation in planning my trip and my medical appointments from the States.  Any questions I had, from the sublime to the ridiculous, were dealt with seriously and in a timely manner.  When I arrived I was fully prepared and being met at the airport by the TICA, Marie, made the transition easy.

Thank you for the advice on hotels and "prehab" and rehab locations.   The transition into another culture was made enjoyable under your guidance.  The gracious Thai people and culture made it even easier.  The food was the best I have ever tasted-from noodle stand to barbecue, street stalls to restaurants.  The shopping made my load for the upcoming birthdays and holidays lighter and easier on the pocketbook.

Most of all, thank you for enabling me to finally  secure the medical  and dental care that I needed and lacked.  The quality exceeded anything that I had envisioned.  The spas were an added bonus.  The price meant I didn't have to pay a queen's ransom for my well being and, at the same time, I got a vacation from the cold upstate New York winters. 

I will be heading back to Thailand and Bangkok in the future (perhaps even next year).  From initial call to my return flight Patient Vacation left nothing to chance and I am forever grateful.  Knowing that I can take care of my health needs has lifted a giant load from my shoulders.  Dental, medical, spas-I know where to go.  What a great concept-outsourcing my own healthcare and getting the best treatment I could imagine.

Annie B.,  vocal instructor, singer/songwriter

When you can get the best medical care in the world, at one fifth the price, with internationally trained physicians and surgeons, competent and friendly nurses, and the most comfortable surroundings in which to recover, why not do it?  Compared to medical facilities here in the US, medical facilities in Thailand are excellent.

Unlike here in the states, insurance companies do not control what medical care you receive.  If you need to stay an extra night in the hospital, then you can stay for about $85 per night.  You get the best care for much less money.  The doctors are internationally trained, speak English quite well, and charge much less than doctors here in the states. 

Many of the doctors are female as well.  I did not observe the appearance of a male hierarchy there that is common here in the states.  There is a greater sensitivity to cultural differences, including a registration area for those coming from Arab countries with very different customs from our own.

I had a multitude of tests done, including a dental examination and cleaning, the Executive Health Care Checkup, an MRI on my right knee, bone scans, an echo-cardiogram, dental work, an ENT examination, and I didn't have to wait to see doctors or nurses.  I had arthroscopic surgery on my right knee, and spent two nights in the hospital in a luxurious room.  I was very impressed with the services of Dr Viroj, the orthopedic surgeon.  I have even been able to correspond with him via e-mail concerning my recovery from surgery. 

Of course, without Patient Vacation it might not have gone as smoothly.  I was picked up at the very nice hotel where I stayed in Bangkok, in a hospital vehicle, and brought to the hospital whenever I had a medical appointment.  When I was done I was likewise brought back to the hotel in a hospital car.

Initially, I was in contact with Robert Cooper of  Patient Vacation, who lives here in Ithaca, NY. He loaned me a Thai language course and a guide book for Bangkok, Thailand. Through him, I contacted Khun Sompoach, the Patient Vacation representative in Bangkok. He arranged my reservation at the hotel in Bangkok, arranged all the doctor appointments and coordinated along with the management of the Vejthani Hospital for the tests and procedures to be done as efficiently as possible. 

Sompoach also arranged for me to see some of Bangkok, go shopping, as well as have a very relaxing vacation in a resort by the river, the Momchailai Resort. The surgery on my knee, all tests and medication, plus two nights in the hospital cost me about $4500.  I got new glasses with titanium frames for $700.  I plan to go back sometime next year for further check-ups and maybe to schedule medical tests and procedures for my wife, Toby.  All in all, I am extremely pleased with the medical care that I received in Thailand, and would recommend it to anyone.

Thailand is a very interesting country, with lots of Buddhist temples, and of course excellent Thai food.  Just don't criticize the King, or Buddhism, and you will get along just fine.  I also recommend the Pad Thai diet.  It is a great way to shed any unwanted pounds.

Sincerely,
Charles Hamilton

Here's an email from Charles while in the Hospital:

Hello friends and family,
Please excuse me for the group mailing, but I am at the nurse's station in the hospital and I don't want to tie up their computer too long.

I arrived in Bangkok Wednesday evening, and on Thursday I had many tests done, including an MRI on my knee.  I saw many doctors, including a cardiologist, ENT, etc.  I had a stress test.   I am getting a prescription here.  It is very inexpensive and excellent care.

Today I was admitted to the hospital, a five star private room with tv, couch, refrigerator, private shower, balcony.  Incredible!  Thanks to patientvacation.com I am paying very little for such service.  Robert Cooper in Ithaca and his partner, Sompoach, here in Bangkok have arranged all this wonderful care.  The hospital has assigned to me a personal assistant, a very kind Iranian woman who now works for this hospital in International relations, who picks me up and drops me off from the hotel.
This evening I will get the torn meniscus repaired in my right knee, and probably spend tonight and tomorrow night in this wonderfull hospital.  The nurses are helping me to speak Thai.  If you have to have surgery, this is the place.

Yesterday evening Sompoach, my patientvacation guide here, and I had a magnificent dinner of spicy Thai food, street food, that is very good and very inexpensive.  He will also take me around Bangkok when I leave this hospital to see the sights of Thailand, including a temple (wat), the local Aikido dojo, and some place to buy fabric for -----.

The ENT doctor here is very good, and I have hope that I will be able to breathe better.  Already I am feeling much better.  I will get a six month supply of medications when I go back home, which will also save us a lot of money.  The medical care is so much less than in the states.  The bill from yesterday is 1100 dollars.  That would have cost probably 5 or 6 thousand dollars back home.  And all of the nurses are very friendly and not fat!  Before they are hired here they get a chest x-ray and are not allowed to smoke or drink.  They are genuinely happy to work here, quite different from back home.

Bangkok is a big city that changes hour by hour.  In the early morning it is quiet and peaceful, and then the street vendors take over the sidewalks selling all sorts of things, clothing, lots of good food, iced coffee.  They also change as the day goes on, with new vendors taking over the same spot.
This afternoon I get my teeth cleaned, and then get prepared for the operation.  The surgery is done by Dr  Viroj, arthoscopic surgery with computer guided imagery.  I will get new glasses next week also.

That's it for now, may we all be happy.

Charles

February 15-March 8th

When my husband and I made our final decision to travel half way around the
world to Thailand to get some necessary medical attention, many of our
friends and family thought we were crazy.....

Since returning, we have been able to convince them otherwise.
Our experiences with the doctors, the technicians, the facilities, the
gentle Thai ways and the guidance that Patient Vacation and Cooper gave us
was all beyond our expectations.  

The main focus for our medical visit to Thailand was so my husband could
have cataract surgery, which was completed with 100% satisfaction.
I had decided  as well to take advantage of the affordable cost of medical
attention and do some basic check ups; teeth, skin, bones, the works.

It's hard to put into words the difference in the environment  at any of
the clinics/hospitals that we went to in Bangkok compared to what is a
common experience in the U.S.  Can you imagine waiting to see a Dr. and have
someone bring you "refreshments", tea, coffee?  How about a little snack?  My
usual concerns about language difficulties were immediately put to rest when
the first smiling nurse brought me a detailed brochure of all my options.  She
pointed out the ones best suited for a female of my age, written in
English.  From there I simply just chose the tests which I wanted and they
began .  No anxious waiting, no returning in a week or two.  And the biggest
thrill of it all was to complete the testing, consult with a doctor and walk
out of the hospital with not only all my records in hand but a bill which
totaled about $300.00. The bill included, bone density test, EKG, Chest x-ray,
organ sonograms, blood work and urine analysis,  ALL IN ONE DAY.

I continued to have the same astonished results with my Dental work
and Dermatologist appointment;  friendly, efficient, thorough and afforable.
With Cooper as our friend and facilitator we had nothing but positive
experiences. Whether we were stepping out for an appointment, or going out
for shopping, eating or sight seeing, Mr. Cooper's ease and familiarity with
Thailand was very reassuring.  He  always seemed to have the helpful
information we needed to get us where we wanted to go.

Truly one of the most entertaining and beneficial vacations we've ever
taken.  We can't wait to go back .

Our hats are off to Patient Vacation and Cooper for all that they did  to make it so.

Diane R.;  Designer, seamstress, small shop owner

When I was diagnosed with rapidly advancing cataracts in both eyes , I was not sure what to do about it.  As a self employed Luthier and Musician I had no health insurance nor a bank account with the funds necessary for such a major medical procedure. My work was becoming more and more difficult daily and I was suffering from exhaustion from the effort to see. After talking with Patient Vacation and doing a considerable amount of research myself , I made the decision to have the cataracts removed in Thailand. It was the best decision I have ever made.

In my experience, the quality of health care in Thailand was first class all the way. My initial response to the  beautiful modern facilities with cutting edge , state of the art equipment and the caring and helpful staff was one of incredulity. I soon learned that the Thai way is to have the emphasis on the quality of care and respect  given to the client. I was greeted at the door by a friendly and attentive staff. My own personal attendant , who spoke excellent english, was always available and helped to explain any detail I had any question about.

My surgeon, Dr Thananchai Atisup MD, is the foremost ophthalmologist in the country who has won an award from the AMA for his pioneering work in cataract surgery and his invention of the phacoemulsification  tool he used in my procedure. He divides his time between performing these operations and teaching the procedure. In short, I had the best, most experienced surgeon to work on my eyes. He was also personable, respectful of any questions I had and thorough in his explanations and follow up visits.

My eyesight has been improved dramatically . My distance vision is above the charts. With my new lenses I will have 20/20 vision for the first time since childhood. All for about 1/3 of what it would have cost here in the US.

That's not all. Spending time in Thailand was a pleasure I probably would not have known. Bangkok is a  very modern and surprisingly clean city that still has pockets of small village attitude in the neighborhoods . I found the Thai people to be friendly, honest and happy and eager to help a traveler. Everything is done with a smile and every transaction ends with a respectful bow and good wishes . The food and Thai cuisine was some of the best I have ever experienced. Everything fresh and healthful and well prepared, readily available everywhere we went. The BTS public transportation system was clean, quiet and very easy to understand and use. The art and architecture are wondrous.

And there's more. Because of the affordability of staying in Thailand , I was able to spend some time just enjoying the beautiful tropical paradise of rural Thailand while recuperating. With , exquisite white sand beaches, world class snorkeling and choices of remote and quiet or lively places to spend time.

"Patient Vacation" was a great experience. From being met at the airport, until we boarded the plane home, we felt safe and well taken care of.  I am going back next year for dental.

Eric Aceto
http://www.ithacastring.com

While working for twenty plus years and raising my children, Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Service provided health insurance business for my family.  "Retirement" at age 52 meant starting a construction business without health insurance as the price was simply unaffordable.  As my left knee grew increasingly sore and interfered with sleep, I explored the option of seeking surgery in Thailand under the guidance of Patient Vacation and Cooper.   Advantages included the availability of high quality healthcare, options for second and third opinions, diagnostic tests with results in timely fashion, surgery and treatment, and costs well below those I found in the US.  A big plus was recovering in a lush tropical setting enjoying Thai cuisine.

As it turned out, a well choreographed series of diagnostic tests pointed out that surgery wasn't required and that exercise, diet,  and cartilage building supplements would be the best therapy.  I was thrilled by the doctor's recommendation considering that surgery is so often recommended  in the US.  Patient Vacation was invaluable in connecting me the hospitals and medical staff in Thailand.  They also found me comfortable and affordable accommodations during my time in Thailand, tips on food, travel, Thai customs, and shopping that were extremely valuable. 

I am forever grateful to Patient Vacation and Cooper for his kindness and professional manner throughout the entire process-from initial contact to my return.  Patient Vacation is a valuable and needed alternative to the expensive and inaccessible state of healthcare for self employed workers such as myself.  The quality of medical care exceeded anything I had imagined.  I would not hesitate to return with Patient Vacation as my guide.

John Rogers, contractor