Quality of health care?

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Hello all,
My MM2H was approved in February so I have 6 months to come to MY and set up the FD, get insurance, etc.  I had planned on comming down (I'm currently in Shanghai) in June to do this but hit a bump in the road 2 weeks ago - I had a major heart attack.  The medical care here has been excellent and I am recovering well. 

I am wondering how the medical care is in MY.  Does anyone on the list have experience, specifically with cardiac care?  ALso, since I am over 61 (the age limit for most medical insurance I understand) I will have to pay for medical care out of pocket, what are the costs? 

Three weeks ago my only concern was where to find a marina to dock a boat.  Interesting how life has a way of throwing curve balls.

Mil
...just a kansas boy

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hi, Kansas Boy,

Sorry to hear about the heart attack.

The health care here in Malaysia is good. There's little real waiting in Govt Hospitals and the larger hospitals have IC Units.

If I remember correctly, according to a mate of mine who had a heart attack, the cost around 5 years ago was RM600 for 3 days in the IC Unit, plus 3 days in the Ward, plus all medication, all ECG tests, all blood tests, and 2 months worth of home medication.

I think that he now checks in every 6 or so months, and the cost of 6 months worth of medication, plus the consultation and blood test would be the standard RM60 for foreigners.

Why don't you post to get to 10 and then you can use PM.   

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While waiting for my wife in the dentist office last week I started chatting with a guy who turned out to be a Prudential insurance salesman. (Sounds like a John Prine song )  I mentioned that we paid out of pocket since insurance wasn't available to those over sixty.  He informed me that it was available through Prudential up to the age of 80.  It wasn't cheap, and we'd prefer to continue to pay out of pocket, but it is out there for those who want it.

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Thanks for the response.  RM600 for 3 days in ICU, etc. seems extreamly inexpensive.  And RM60 for checkups with lab and x-ray?  Is the quality of care OK and technology current?  I wouldn't even guess what those costs would be in the US.  In the US it is nearly financial suicide not to have health insurance as any significant medical incident involving hospitalization/surgery/tests could mean financial ruin for guys like me. 

I read about folks not being able to get insurance and getting the MM2H with the waiver.  Perhaps I am too endoctrinated by the US insurance industry but is it really advisable not having health insurance coverage?  Do many MM2H'ers not carry health insurance?   I would definitely like to hear arguments pro and con on this subject as that is an issue I must address within the next several months.

On another issue:  Scott you menitioned posting 10 times so I could use PM.  Are there any tricks to using this?  ( I haven't read the instructons yet)

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Hello Kansas Boy,
I am 65 years old and I have no health insurance cover.
My wife who is just under 60 has however a (mandatory) basic insurance which does not cover so much at a yearly cost of appr. RM1000.

The problems with getting new insurances at our age are as I see it:
1. The cost is very high
2. Existing conditions are not covered

So, my thinking is that if anything acute happens, I will pay for the services as required.
As seen in the earlier post, it is not so expensive.

I went to a private hospital (Penang Adventist) and had an MRI scan done @ RM 700:-
The specialist doctor there mentioned that a neck operation (I have some problem, with a nerve beng squeezed) would cost some RM20k allinall.

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hi, kansas boy,

The RM60 doesn't include X-Rays which are about RM50 each. I know this as I had some done recently.

There are no tricks to using PM, just follow the buttons.

I am over 60 and don't have any medical insurance. A triple bypass costs around RM25,000 (I think), and I'm sure other stuff is cheaper.

You could probably get loads done, replacement this and that, for your FD, which can be used for medical costs. I don't know how much of the FD can be used, it hasn't been discussed, but it's there as an option.

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Hi Kansas Boy:

Check the following links for rates:

http://www.islandhospital.com/rates.html

http://www.gleneagles-penang.com/roomtype/index.htm

http://www.pah.com.my/hospitalization/room_rate.asp

My wife & I visited the Island Hospital in June 2009. She was very impressed with the facilities and equipments that they have, everything are up to date. My wife is a CCRN (Certified Cardiac Registered Nurse) for 34 years. We were given a private tour at the hospital by a good friend of hers (who is a Head Department in that hospital). Most of the physicians there are well trained.
They received their advance degree for UK, USA and Australia. Health services in Malaysia is very good and in expensive.
Sorry to here about your heart problem. I hope you are recuperating well. All the best.

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I've got medical insurance (under 60) but you never really get FULL cover.  If you read the small print, there are always maximum pay out figures for different categories, and a maximum figure per year, and a lifetime maximum figure.  So I guess it's always best to keep some rainy day money for anything that might happen in the future.

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I put in a "guest" appearance at Adventist once a week. I wonder if I asked, they will tell me their rates for the different types of treatment they provide. I know someone had a medical check up with full blood count plus x-ray for RM500, which I thought is not inexpensive

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hi, georgeshooter,

Any price info that you can post would be very useful.

I'll email MoTour and ask if they have any guidance on the amount of the FD that can be used for medical.

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Hi All

I've been here 5 years and here are some costs i've experienced (although i'm relying on my memory so the figures won't be exact. +/- 25% i guess).  It's important to note that the cost rate varies considerably between a government hospital and a private hospital.

Private Hospitals
Day surgery at Pantai KL (local anesthetic, one surgeon, one nurse, half day in hospital)- RM$3000.
Gleneagles Hospital (Outpatient, stitches required in finger)- RM$150
Gleneagles Hospital (hospitalization for sick baby)- RM600/ day
Damansara Specialist Hospital (Outpatient, stitches required in arm)- RM$100

Public Hospital
University Hospital (Private wing, maternity ward) - RM700-1000/ day for mother & baby
University Hospital (Public wing, Special Care Nursery, 2 doctors 24hrs, 4 nurses 24hrs)- RM$120/ day.  Yeah, i thought it was a joke when they gave me the bill for the special care nursery, 3 days - RM$300.  Especially after paying the hefty rates for a single room with a TV and Astro in the private wing.

All of the hospitalisations listed above were for a single room, sometimes with an extra bed or sofa bed.  Also, i included the room rate and doctors bills in my daily rate.  I guess the room rate woiuld be half if you took a shared room.  Also, if you're wondering, i'm a relatively young MM2H'r with young children.

Craig