A word of warning if using a private hospital

[Cally]

I was unfortunate to have a fall on my last visit in May, I was actually trying to prevent my friend, with walking stick from falling..... but failed. I fell with my right hand going down to break my fall. This happened by the car park on our way to George's on a Saturday morning before lunch. After getting over the shock & cleaning up my bloody knee we proceeded to George's.

I awoke the next morning with a lot of pain in my right hand/wrist. My friend doesn't drive so I contacted another friend who picked me up & took me to Suat Gunsel Hospital in Karakum . As it was Sunday we were escorted by security through to A&E.

I choose not to have insurance, 1st question, 2nd question where do you live, Sammy's hotel. So you are a tourist.

I'm not able to copy the invoice but I was charged for 1 xray, 1 consultation, & 1 wrist support totalling 317 .45 euros. I was shocked as I only have T lira & could not understand why I was being invoiced in euros & not TL. They had no answer, I had grabbed some lira from my safe & told them I only had 1100 TL . They discounted the invoice to 216.53 euros. & took my 1100 TL

I have heard from many sources since through my friend that these charges are so exorbitant they amount to daylight robbery. These are the charges they levy against you for your insurers to pay!!!

My friend on my behalf has complained & had several meetings with people in charge all to no avail.

I am not comparing UK with NC, I love the place, but this experience has left a very bad taste

[Keithcaley]

Even more distressing when you consider that the A&E dept at the State Hospital in Girne would have treated you for the cost of a ham sandwich!

[Cally]

I know the State hospital can be good, but the hotel I stay at we have frequent guests going there & it is a very mixed bag of responses. The friend who picked me up has used this one & always good. That's where the problem lies, locals have one price in TL but visitors exorbitant prices in euros.

[woodspeckie]

My husband used Ozel private hospital at the back of Pia Bella on a Sunday evening at 11.30pm a lady doctor and nurse came out when we phoned and brought a drip with them, next morning he went to see a doctor he wasn't on duty but when called he came out, he arranged an Ultra sound for that morning and after that within 3/4 hr he was diagnosed with Gallstones, he was given medication and had 2 more consultations, all paperwork was translated into English to bring home and a letter given for fit to travel home all for £93.

[Cally]

I gather you are a visitor Woodspeckie, I feel the problem lay in the fact it was a Sunday & not the regular day staff.
I will remember the hospital for the future but banking on I won't need it

[woodspeckie]

I gather you are a visitor Woodspeckie, I feel the problem lay in the fact it was a Sunday & not the regular day staff.
I will remember the hospital for the future but banking on I won't need it

I used the same hospital last February with a back problem saw a Consultant who said it was muscular, he gave me three lots of medication within 3 days it was fine, £32 consultation and medication. Lovely staff there very pleasant.
A man who had prostrate cancer operation in the UK 5 years ago goes there every year when he stays at the Pia Bella for his check up, he has a thorough health check too he recommended the hospital to us.

[ozankoys]

For any accident, injury, emergency ALWAYS go to the State Hospital they are excellent in these situations I would venture to say better than UK NHS from the 5 times we have personally had need of such treatment. Even if you had had insurance they would not have paid out because you elected to go to a private hospital. As Keith said the cost is very minimal.
For seeing a consultant, blood tests, X Rays, Scans yes use the private hospitals who have the latest machinery & very well trained Doctors.
The private hospitals here are foremost businesses after all - they are fine when you are having planned treatment so you can ask the cost beforehand but in an emergency of course you cannot.

[woodspeckie]

Our insurance paid out after using the private hospital for my husband, they also paid for the flights when we left for the UK one week earlier because the gallstones were not pre existing illness. I was in a private hospital in Turkey for 3 days £1,200 our insurance paid the bill to the hospital the day I left.

[sophie]

I agree with Ozankoy. State hospital for A and E, but the Dr Suat Hospital for everything else. Don't forget you get 20% off most things if member if BRS, but more importantly (as I have found now on three occasions) you can have a package/deal which is usually less than the BRS 20% I'm sorry about your AandE experience as it leaves a nasty taste in your mouth doesn't it. Last year at the NEU I was asked if my Op. was to be paid for by insurance, I said No, and that was the end of the discussion.

[Keithcaley]

One more thought - If you do have insurance, don't you have to contact your insurance company before starting treatment, to get authorisation?

[WotNoDeeds]

I have had excellent service at the state hospital in Girne. When I broke my wrist, a doctor was called out at eleven o'clock at night.
My partner was rushed there with a snake bite and again, the treatment was excellent. Couldn't fault the treatment received on either occasion.

[PapaBravo]

I have had excellent service at the state hospital in Girne.

Agree. My wife broke her ankle and we received excellent care from the State Hospital.

[ozankoys]

Woodspeckie your post is very interesting, was there a State Hospital you could have used nearby? Did you agree with the insurance company before undertaking treatment?
It seems you have a good Policy, those of us who live in TRNC have to pay a fortune to get one especially as we get older......

[zcacmxi]

X-ray, consultation and wrist support for ~£300 in a private hospital... How's that compare with other private hospitals both in Cyprus & UK? I've paid not much less than that for 1hr with an NHS dentist in UK!

Of course, using state hospital in any country may be free / cheaper.. Travel insurance a must if you prefer to take the private route abroad.

[Cally]

Sophie, I am actually a member of BRS but didn't think of it on this occasion, it's not something I use. I joined in case anything happens to me while visiting & they could make things easier for my friend to arrange repatriation.

zcacmxi, to me it is not about comparing what I can get in UK compared with NC. I wanted to know why I was charged in euros, when all the people I know who live there are charged in TL. The charges incurred for xray & consultation (5 mins) were hugely different to charges made to people I know who live there, who have had the same.

[ozankoys]

Fleece the tourist! It happens the world over & is a sad fact of life. We have only ever been asked for TL there & have found the normal fees to be very reasonable.

[Sewage]

Cally I don’t understand why you were charged euros,I have had to use this hospital a lot recently due to cancer and they charge me tl. My mother is geriatric patient on the first floor she has Alzheimer’s,she has been a patient there now for 18 months fee being 3,500tl month that’s without medication nappies etc.End of March I was told the fees going up to 4,000tl starting April ,then Last week I was completely shocked out of the blue I was told that the price has gone up to 5,500tl immediate no notice ,having had chemo the day before this really really upset me I was in shock with worry what with mums expenses and my cancer treatments which is costly and they could not give me a valid reason why it’s gone up so much in such a short time they are very ruthless people ok I know it’s a business and things have gone up but please come on And one last thing I have said before on this forum always ask questions don’t be shy I have seen to many things going on I that hospital but that’s another story

[Cally]

I don't understand either & the chap on the desk had no English & the person he called had little more. I truly believe I was seen as a stupid tourist. I have many friends there & one made it her mission to find out, she also has had similar treatments & never been charged in eoros or any where the amount I was charged. After several meetings & with an interpreter to make sure nothing was lost in communications.
She gave up as "that is how it is" in other words we can do what we want...…..

Very sad to treat the people that bring money to the economy like this

[Keithcaley]

...Very sad to treat the people that bring money to the economy like this

Yes, well these are not the people trying to manage the economy or improve the lot of Turkish Cypriots, these are people trying to get your cash into their coffers!

[Cally]

Sadly Keith it was a little less for the dogs & cats I help there

[woodspeckie]

One more thought - If you do have insurance, don't you have to contact your insurance company before starting treatment, to get authorisation?

We didn't have time to contact the insurance before treatment but they paid up. We stay at the Pia Bella they phoned for the doctor at the Ozel.
The instance in Turkey the Hospital dealt direct with my insurance I didn't have to phone them, they also phoned my GP to get details of my medication. The hospital transport used to pick up my husband from the hotel at visiting time and then take him back.
The insurance is one we get free with a Nationwide account, we just pay a little extra for ongoing medical problem

[Keithcaley]

woodspeckie, that sounds like excellent service from all concerned - am I correct in thinking that the insurance is 'Holiday Cover', and that you are not permanent residents here?

I only ask, as it clarifies the type of cover that you have.

[woodspeckie]

woodspeckie, that sounds like excellent service from all concerned - am I correct in thinking that the insurance is 'Holiday Cover', and that you are not permanent residents here?

I only ask, as it clarifies the type of cover that you have.

It is 12 months European cover we are in the U.K. We are in North Cyprus for 3 months and have 2 -2week holiday in Turkey, cost £112 for the 12 months to cover age (we are 80) and we tell them all medications and hubby is Diabetic.

[Keithcaley]

Thanks for that woodspeckie!

I would think that the insurance company regards you as 'UK Residents' who Gad About quite a bit

[jofra]

It is 12 months European cover we are in the U.K. We are in North Cyprus for 3 months and have 2 -2week holiday in Turkey, cost £112 for the 12 months to cover age (we are 80) and we tell them all medications and hubby is Diabetic.

Interesting - we come twice a year (6-7 weeks each time), are over 70, and cannot find any (online) that will cover over 31 days duration - either for single trip or annual..... And that's before I list "existing medical conditions"....

[woodspeckie]

It is 12 months European cover we are in the U.K. We are in North Cyprus for 3 months and have 2 -2week holiday in Turkey, cost £112 for the 12 months to cover age (we are 80) and we tell them all medications and hubby is Diabetic.

Interesting - we come twice a year (6-7 weeks each time), are over 70, and cannot find any (online) that will cover over 31 days duration - either for single trip or annual..... And that's before I list "existing medical conditions"....

It is a Nationwide account free insurance the insurers are UK insurance a premium of £20.40 was included for extension to 85 days.

[Jonnie]

Medical insurance come with some AMEX cards as part of the fee. If you PM me I can give you more info. Also covers flight delays. It is important if you are visiting on holiday to have. I knew a lady who broke her arm and leg in a simple fall and needed extra room and a nurse on the flight home. The flights were late booking and she effectively needed four seats.

[SunnyParkers]

Jofra, try oktotravel.co.uk. They are extremely helpful and will cover over 70’s, up to 183 days a year, provided you have been in UK for 6 out of last 12 months, also included cover for our pre existing medical conditions.

[sophie]

Any recommendations for an over 76 and an over 82 visiting Turkey from TRNC for 12 days later this year. To include lost luggage as well as health issues. No pre-existing complications.

[jofra]

Thanks for all the suggestions; I'll have a look at all of those (we had accounts with Cheshire Building Society which was taken over by/merged with Nationwide, so I'll check whether there's still a couple of quid in them.... )

[Soner]

re message 28 the web address is actually: http://www.oktotravelinsurance.co.uk