My Chiang Mai Hospital Experience (2026): CT Scan, Dermatology and Insurance

In 2026, I had a few very different experiences with medical care in Chiang Mai. After a motorcycle accident, I went to Sriphat Medical Center for a head CT scan. Later, when I developed acute hives and wanted to see a dermatologist, I asked at Sriphat and the public hospital before eventually visiting a private clinic.

My takeaway? Cheaper care can mean waiting in line, while faster care can be pretty expensive. Even at the same medical center, availability can vary a lot between departments.

One thing I found reassuring: most hospital staff I encountered could communicate in English. Some doctors had a strong Thai accent, but overall I didn't have much trouble communicating.

My costs and waiting times at a glance

• Head CT at Sriphat: 6,000 THB; scanned the same morning, with a phone call about the result the next day.
• Dermatology: Sriphat's next appointment was a month away. At the public hospital, I was told I could queue at 7 a.m. the next day for a chance to be seen.
• Private dermatology clinic: nearly 5,000 THB in total, including a 500 THB consultation fee.
• Insurance: SafetyWing reimbursed me in about a week.

These were my personal experiences in 2026, not guaranteed prices, waiting times or insurance outcomes.

Head CT at Sriphat Medical Center: cost and waiting time

After the motorcycle accident, I was still worried about the impact to my head and wanted to have a CT scan. From what I had read, a scan at the public hospital could cost much less but might involve a long wait. I chose Sriphat Medical Center, the private medical center associated with Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital, also known as Suan Dok.

I was impressed by how smoothly everything went. I had the scan that morning, received the CD the same day, and got a phone call from the doctor with the result the following morning. I didn't need to make another trip just to hear the result. The doctor's Thai accent was fairly strong, but otherwise the service was genuinely good.

The trade-off was the price: my head CT cost 6,000 THB. For the accident itself, my public hospital emergency visit and the Grab insurance claim, see my Chiang Mai motorcycle accident experience.

Ask for a medical certificate on the day of your public hospital visit

If you might need a medical certificate for an insurance claim, ask about it and request it on the day you visit the public hospital. In my experience, going back to request one later can mean waiting another two or three working days. A certificate generally costs around 300 THB, though the hospital's current fees and process may differ.

Trying to see a dermatologist at Sriphat and the public hospital

Because getting a CT scan at Sriphat had been so quick and straightforward, it was my first stop when I later wanted to see a dermatologist for acute hives. This time, though, the receptionist told me dermatology consultations weren't available every day. The next appointment was a month away.

So even at a medical center where one service was very fast, a specialist department might have a very different schedule. It's worth checking the specific clinic in advance.

I then walked over to the triage desk at Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital. Staff told me I could come back at 7 a.m. the following morning and queue for a chance to see a doctor; otherwise, an appointment would also be about a month away.

From my research, I understood Maharaj Nakorn to be a well-known teaching hospital in northern Thailand with a wide range of departments. Some doctors may also see patients at their own clinics outside hospital hours. Public care seemed relatively inexpensive, but I wanted to see a dermatologist sooner, and neither waiting option was particularly convenient for me.

Private dermatology clinic: a 500 THB consultation and a nearly 5,000 THB bill

A day later, I found a dermatology clinic with a very high rating on Google. It turned out that a high rating doesn't necessarily mean you'll have a pleasant experience.

The nurse and doctor didn't seem particularly patient with me. Staff asked whether I had insurance, and the consultation itself was very quick. After assessing my condition, the doctor asked whether I wanted to try a month's worth of medication, but I wasn't told what it would cost beforehand.

The clinic prescribed three medications to take with meals three times a day, plus a topical steroid medication. When the bill arrived, it came to nearly 5,000 THB, of which only 500 THB was the consultation fee. I remember thinking: how did it get so expensive?

Next time, I'll ask about the price of each medication and the expected total before picking up my prescriptions. If I'm unsure what a medication is for or how to use it, I'll also ask the doctor to explain.

My SafetyWing claim for the clinic visit

Fortunately, I had insurance. Before the appointment, though, I had asked SafetyWing's customer service whether the visit would be covered and couldn't get a clear answer. I felt uneasy until the claim was settled.

In the end, SafetyWing reimbursed me in about a week. For this claim, I only needed to provide the invoice, credit card receipt and a medical certificate stating the diagnosis.

I've also made a claim with a local Thai AIA insurance policy. On that occasion I had to send paper documents to Bangkok, which I found less convenient than the process with SafetyWing. Those are my experiences with two claims; requirements can differ by product and case.

If you're considering insurance, here's my SafetyWing Nomad Insurance referral link. This is my referral link, and it offers a US$20 discount when you purchase through it. Whether a claim is covered and which documents are required depend on your policy and circumstances. Check the terms and ask the insurer before buying or seeking treatment.

Looking back

Honestly, before my motorcycle accident, I didn't think insurance was all that important. Afterward, I realized that getting medical care in Chiang Mai could bring unexpected waits and expenses, so I decided to buy insurance. When I later saw that nearly 5,000 THB dermatology bill, I was glad I had it—and relieved when I received the reimbursement.

These experiences taught me that speed and affordability don't always come together. The same medical center can have very different waiting times for different departments, and I'd rather ask about medication costs before the bill arrives.

Next time, I'll ask about appointments, medication prices and the expected total in advance. If I need to claim on insurance, I'll keep my documents and ask about the medical certificate on the day of the visit. For a broader look at budgeting beyond medical expenses, see my Chiang Mai cost of living guide.

This article reflects my personal experiences in 2026, not medical or insurance advice. Prices, waiting times and claim outcomes can vary. In an emergency, seek medical help promptly rather than delaying care while waiting for an appointment.

Frequently asked questions

Can I communicate in English at a Chiang Mai hospital?

Most hospital staff I encountered could communicate in English. Some doctors had a strong Thai accent, but I generally didn't have much difficulty communicating. My experience may not reflect every hospital or department.

How much did a head CT at Sriphat cost?

My head CT cost 6,000 THB in 2026. I had the scan and received the CD the same day; a doctor called me with the result the next morning. Prices and schedules can differ.

How much did the private dermatology clinic cost?

My total bill was nearly 5,000 THB, including a 500 THB consultation fee and the cost of prescribed medication. It's a good idea to ask about medication prices and the expected total beforehand.

When should I ask for a medical certificate?

If you need one for an insurance claim, ask the public hospital on the day of your visit. In my experience, requesting it later can take another two or three working days, and a certificate generally costs around 300 THB.