The Commerce Ministry's Internal Trade Department will post the prices of 300 medical services offered by various private hospitals on its website later this month so people can view them before agreeing to treatment.
Whichai Phochanakij, director-general of the department, said the service prices cover room charges, food, medical checkups and blood tests. The prices will be made available on the department's website, www.dit.go.th, and via QR code.
"We expect overwhelming interest from patients and the public to browse information on the costs of 300 items of medical services and compare prices charged by different private hospitals in the same way as we've shown the comparative prices and costs of medicines," Mr Whichai said. "The department is finding guidelines to help promote private hospitals that offer affordable medicines and medical services."
He said the department recently conferred certificates of virtue on 166 private hospitals nationwide that provide medicines and medical services at fair prices. The names of the hospitals are also made available through the department's website.
The department rates the private hospitals in three categories: red (high prices), yellow (medium) and green (low).
Information on the grade of each private hospital will allow people to gauge whether they can afford the charges.
The names of private hospitals categorised as yellow and red have not been displayed.
A total of 354 private hospitals nationwide were assessed using three criteria: prices charged of up to 100% higher than the average retail price; prices 50% lower than the average price of similar items sold by private hospital peers; and no price complaints within the past year.
Private hospitals rated green included Theptarin, Saint Louis, Thonburi 2, Hua Chiew, Vichaiyuth, Nawamin, Mongkutwattana General Hospital and Rutnin Eye Hospital.