Sky-High Medical Bills! Chronic Diseases in the Elderly

Elderly people should not assume that good life planning—whether financial or health-related—will be enough. Anything can happen when illness strikes, especially chronic diseases like kidney disease, cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. Beyond the sky-high treatment costs, there are also hospital room charges, doctor’s fees, medication, meals, and other unexpected expenses that can be just as painful as the illness itself.

That’s why today we’re breaking down the basic medical costs of these chronic diseases, so you can plan ahead for your health and your future. If fate brings these unwelcome conditions into your retirement years, you’ll be better prepared.

Kidney disease
Cancer
Diabetes
Heart disease
Hospitalization: How much are room charges?

Kidney Disease

If you suffer from chronic kidney disease and do not receive continuous treatment, it may lead to kidney failure, causing the kidneys to stop functioning. Treatment is required, and the cost will depend on the patient’s condition.

Source: Hemodialysis Department, Vibhavadi Hospital

First session: 3,400 Baht per session (including doctor’s fee) (Initial filter setup fee: 1,200 Baht)

Subsequent sessions: 2,200 Baht per session

ICU dialysis: 4,700 Baht per session

For example, if you undergo dialysis once a week at 2,200 Baht per session, your monthly cost would be approximately 8,800 Baht. If you undergo dialysis three times a week at 2,200 Baht per session, your monthly cost would be approximately 26,400 Baht.

Note: These prices do not include medication or additional tests.

Cancer

One in three deaths from cancer is linked to lifestyle and genetic factors, which may also put you at risk of developing cancer. Here are estimated costs to help you prepare and plan ahead, as cancer treatment can be complex and expensive.

Source: Division of Radiation Oncology and Cancerology, Chulalongkorn Hospital

Breast cancer: ~69,300 Baht

Lung cancer: ~141,100 Baht

Colorectal cancer: ~103,000 Baht

Prostate cancer: ~184,400 Baht

Cervical cancer: ~144,400 Baht

Esophageal cancer: ~150,800 Baht

Note: Prices are subject to change.

Diabetes

Diabetes is a condition where blood glucose levels are higher than normal, due to reduced effectiveness of insulin. While treatment costs for diabetes are generally not very high, having the disease is certainly serious.

Source: ThaiHealth

Estimated Treatment Costs: Approximately 28,200 Baht per person per year, or around 2,350 Baht per month on average.

More concerning are the complications that often occur in patients with poorly controlled diabetes. Infections can act as triggers, and there is a risk of developing other chronic diseases such as kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, or foot ulcers that may lead to loss of sensation and potentially amputation.

Note: Prices are subject to change.

Heart Disease

Heart disease is one of the conditions with very high treatment costs. The Central Chest Institute of Thailand provides the following estimated costs:

Coronary angioplasty with stent placement: ~43,000 – 275,000 Baht

Balloon angioplasty: ~76,000 – 139,000 Baht
Coronary artery bypass surgery: ~124,000 – 503,000 Baht
Pacemaker implantation: ~18,000 – 436,000 Baht

Note: Prices are subject to change.

Hospital Stay – Approximate Room Costs

In addition to treatment for your illness, if you need to stay in a hospital, you will also need to pay for the room. Estimated costs are as follows:

Standard Single Room
Public hospital: starting at ~1,500 Baht per day
Private hospital: starting at ~2,430 Baht per day

ICU Room
Public hospital: starting at ~600 Baht per day
Private hospital: starting at ~3,250 Baht per day

Check hospital room rates nationwide 

If you want to avoid the risk of developing these chronic diseases, which can have extremely high treatment costs, it is important to take good care of your health, have regular check-ups, and start planning your life and health from today. You can also gain peace of mind for living well at any age with a comprehensive health insurance plan that covers epidemics, critical illnesses, common illnesses, COVID-19, adverse reactions to the COVID-19 vaccine, and accidents. The plan pays actual medical expenses, and if you fall ill, you can receive treatment at leading hospitals, with coverage amounts ranging from 200,000 to 100,000,000 Baht.

Please study details of coverage, conditions, and exclusions before making a decision to purchase insurance.

Sources: Data retrieved on 2/08/2021

🔖 Vibhavadi Hospital (data as of 01/11/2015)

🔖 Non-Smoking Campaign Foundation (data as of 19/06/2018)

🔖 Thonburi Hospital

🔖 ThaiHealth (data as of 21/12/2016)

🔖 Central Chest Institute of Thailand