Costs of having a baby

[bubhub]

When you are newly pregnant with your first child, it can be very confusing/worrying to know what costs you are going to incur for medical services and what costs you might get back through medicare and your private health insurance.

It would be great to use members' recent experience of having a baby in Australia to let others know what they had to pay for, at what stage of the pregnancy and what they got back.

We can then collate a general guide.

An example would be along the lines of (note these are completely made up figures):

12 weeks
Scan and obs appointment: cost: $150. Got $100 back on medicare

16 weeks: obs appt: cost $75, got $50 back on medicare

20 weeks:
Scan and obs appointment: cost: $150. Got $100 back on medicare

And the hospital costs for the birth.

There'll be different types of birth - eg natural, no drugs, through to c-section where the costs vary widely, but we can include all that type of info in the final 'guide sheet'.

Thanks for your input!

[Preggie1]

I wish to ask if we have to pay extra for the glucose challange test? Because I had been paying around 35$ to my Obs for every visit but this time I got my reciept of 100$:confused:

[bubhub]

Just bumping this one to see if we can build up a list of the costs involved from the experiences of our viewers...

[catt]

I have identical twin girls and everything seemed to cost so much that we very quickly passed our medicare threshold (for a couple $1000).
Due to previous miscarriages and the fact they were identical, we had ultrasounds from week 5. i calculated that we had approx 15 ultrasounds that cost $300 each go! This was because they were twins. I think I only got about $75 back for each. We also had to have weekly heart monitoring for about 8 weeks at $40 each visit. My ob visits were every fortnight at around $90 each go plus his delivery fee for the C-section. It was more than usual as it was classed as a complicated birth.

At hospital I didn't receive a bill from the anethatist and as the twins were in special care for 4 weeks we ended up being out of pocket $800 to the pediatrician. Now each visit to him is $175 for each! on top of that I had to have 4 ultrasounds done for their hips when we LEFT hospital at $215 for each x 4!!!!

Although we have had many expenses we have 2 beautiful and precious girls! And having a private room where my husband could stay every night with me after their birth when they were very sick was WORTH it!

[kdemonj]

I am seeing a specialist ob in melbourne for type 1 diabetes. In a nut shell I am a private patient seeing a private ob in a public clinic.
Luckily I am able to see him in the public pregnancy management/diabetic clinic at the Royal Womens, so I don't have to pay for any of my consults. I just pay a one off management fee of $2,100(total out of pocket expense) at about 20 weeks.
All bloods and urine etc is done in the hospital, and due to it being public there is no charge.

I am going to have to pay about 250 excess as I am having the baby at Frances Perry, but my private health insurance (MBP) covers all of the delivery fee and bub is automatically covered for any hospital costs also, meaning you don't have to take out family cover two months prior to birth like you do with some other funds. We just have to add bub onto the cover within a month or two after the birth. This is good news because the family excess is much more then the single excess (about $700).

[livly]

Hi hi.

I'm only 9 weeks along, but have had two dating/viability scans (one to date the bub, another because we enjoyed the first so much!)

The first cost $190, the second (different clinic) cost $180.

We get $110 per scan back from medicare (i think).

I'll add in my costs as I come across them.. I think this would be a useful resource for people..

Cheers

Liv x

[MilkOnTap]

I'm seeing an Independant Midwife (IM). She is charging me $4K for the whole kit and caboodle. Thats ante-natal care, 24/7 phone help, delivery of the baby, daily for the week following the birth and once a week in the post-natal period. She will provide the birthing pool and everything that we need here at home for the birth.

I will receive $2000 back from private health insurance. $500 for ante-natal care PER financial year, so I can claim that twice, and $1000 for delivery and confinement by a midwife.

[~Emmylou~]

DD - Public - $0 :D

DS - Private - out of pocket about $1500 after medicare and PHI rebates.

I have a detailed list of what costs were involved but it's a bit boring to post here.

OB visits were $90 each, and PMF was $2500 I think. Got most of those back through Medicare as we reached our threshold a few months into the pregnancy thanks to a hospital admission for DD.
Hospital was $250 excess and there was no OB charge for the birth as he had an arrangement with health fund for no out of pocket.

Money aside, hated private. If I had to birth in a hospital again I would go public and not pay a cent.

[livgoesagain]

Our costs are a little at the top end as we're using a specialist obstetrician in the city but here goes.

First ob appointment $229 (including quick ultrasound) - received about $60 back

12 week ultrasound $190 - received about $60 back and then downs syndrome blood test $100 (don't know what I'm getting back yet but am now at safety net).

20 weeks - ob management fee $3099 (can be claimed on medicare)

30 weeks - another ob management fee $2000 (can't be claimed on medicare)

After birth we will receive a bill for all the appointments but that is apparently 100% claimable on medicare.

With DS we needed a paediatrician after birth which was around $600 we got about half back.

Hope this was informative

[cho]

Sorry but what did that cover? Scans, hospital stay and everything?


DD - Public - $0 :D

Money aside, hated private. If I had to birth in a hospital again I would go public and not pay a cent.

[christinem75]

Hi everyone

My obs appointments were $136 for 1st appointment (got $65.70 back from medicare) and this included a scan as he has the equipment in his office. My monthly visits are $47.90 and I get $38.30 back due to being over the medicare safety net. My planning and management fee at 20 weeks will be $1119.50 but will get some back on medicare. Delivery fee will be (out of pocket after medicare and MBF) $1400 and hospital stay excess is $500. My midwife visits are $10 (my Ob has a midwife that looks after you as well during your pregnancy and birth so you get the same Dr and midwife wihen giving birth).

I had my NT scan today and it cost me $150 (this included blood test) and I will get nothing back for that.

I'm not sure how much my 19 week scan will be (I'm having 3D), but will let you know when I do.

Anyone else giving birth at North West Private Hospital in Brisbane?

Christine

[pkbub]

12 weeks
Scan and obs appointment: cost: $150. Got $100 back on medicare

16 weeks: obs appt: cost $75, got $50 back on medicare

20 weeks:
Scan and obs appointment: cost: $150. Got $100 back on medicare

And the hospital costs for the birth.



Oooooo:yelclap: What a good thing to do! I wish I had something to go by when I was embarking on my pregnancy journey...I just added up all my figures cause I wanted to know...and here it is.

Private Hospital and OB, vaginal delivery, Location: Perth, HBF was my fund.

Note - additionally- I had a GP visit and early scan to confirm pregnancy was not ectopic (sp?) Cost $160 medicare reimbursed $83.

Total Paid:
OB appts $2250
12 wk scan $165
20 wk scan $170
Hospy Delivery fee $3156
Private Rm with spouse 4 nights $1156
In Hospy Paed $410
Grand Total Paid: $7465

Total Reimbursed:
$1839 by Medicare and $4167 by HBF

Total out-of pocket $1460

[bubhub]

That's great info - thanks for that. Keep them coming...!

[Malu]

Hi,

Private with HBA delivered at FPH in Melbourne.
Initial consult & quick scan at 9 weeks in OBs rooms $120, got $80 back from Medicare.

12 wk scan $200 - got $120 back from Medicare

NT Blood test $50 - got $30ish back from Medicare

19 wk scan $200 -got $120 back from Medicare

20 wk OB management fee $2600 - got $1900 back from Medicare (was over safety net threshold).

30 wk OB management fee $1400 - claimable on income tax

Swab and glucose test $50 - totally covered by Medicare

OB in-hospital management of labour $1,100 - totally covered by medicare and HBA

All in all we were out of pocket $2,300, $1,400 of which is claimable on tax, so not tooo bad.

[doulatash]

Before kids, we were at a Pregnancy and Baby Expo in Adelaide, and went into one of the health insurance booths to "sign up" for private cover. We told the guy our only reason was for pregnancy, and he told us not to do it!!! Said it wasn't worth it, public hospital was every bit as good as private, and if there were any major problems with myself or baby we would be taken to the big public hosp anyway!!
So we took his advice, didn't take out insurance, and have had 4 beautiful babies in the public system with one-on-one personal "private" care from our midwife, for $0!! You can't do better than that.
Can't imagine that guy kept his job for long though, they could have made a fortune from us!!!:laughing:

Doula Tash

[kiwibird27]

All free, I chose not to have the nuchal trans scan at 11 weeks cause thought it was un-necessary, went thru the public system, everything bulk billed. Had to see an ob at 20 wks pg as developed a cyst, midwife at the hospital organised that and the immediate removal of it, also all free. Excellent care all the way through.

Don't know why u would pay when u don't have too!!! The private system is a rip off, If things go wrong u end up in the public sector anyway.

Also my daughter spent 8 months in the childrens hospital, also all free, including all specialists and follow up appointments, includes free tests for genetics when we have the next baby.

[KiwiinPerth]

Thanks Kiwibird27. I am another Kiwi but only been in austrailia for a year. Am having a suprise baby (No3) but have no idea how the system here works, with the medicare and bulk billing and should I go private etc...So you have put me at ease - and we cant afford private anyway!!!:)

[Sassi]

Hi Girls,

It costs a bomb I'm afraid, but I appreciated the specialist care. I went private in a public hospital, and had a normal delivery, no intervention and the out of pocket costs were as

13 x Ob appoint $90 each = $752 (OP)
Pathology Tests = $81 (OP)
Ultrasounds = $280 (OP)
Birth Payments = $2700
GP Appoints = $35


Total = $3848 so say bye bye to your baby bonus!

Because we were in a public hospital we didn't have to pay the excess on our private insurance, and didn't have any anaesthetist fees.

Hope this helps you all

[Bel1978]

Don't know why u would pay when u don't have too!!! The private system is a rip off, If things go wrong u end up in the public sector anyway.
.

I went through the public system originally and had no success, now private my Ob helped us delivery a healthy baby Girl and due to have another baby in a week or so... I wouldnt have it any other way. Our Ob found the problems that the public system didnt...

I love the fact that i have my Doc on call 24hrs if i have a problem also i get my own room in the hospital...

DD was admitted to the childrens ward at a week old.. They wouldnt help me with BF and i had to give up at 1 week.. i felt :( ....

As for the fee's 1st visit $160 then $40 per visit.. I have many extra visits to start due to medical condition couldnt tell you exactly how many... Management fee $1700 extra scans $180 each depending on how many you get.... Then medication each month for me......

I wouldnt have it any other way...... But if they take out the baby bonus it will push too much of a strain on the public system i would imagine

[Nex]

It cost us about $6000 to concieve her, but I think it's only been about $300 all up for everything else! Being on Drought Assistance entitles us to a health care card, and with the Medicare safety net I've had very little out of pocket expenses. It also helps that my Ob is a relative and put me through public. And we live in a small town, so I got a room to myself anyway.

[mumsangel1]

So glad i looked at this thread as i want to have my next child in a private hospital just only for the reason of having a garentee of my own room after the birth! (had my first in public and had own room, and was great would love it again as i could have ppls visit me anytime and not disturb anyone and best of all your own bathroom, its almost like a single appartment!) but reading the out of pocket expences makes me wonder if it is all worth it just for a private room? Hopefully i'll get my own room, the only problem is i feel like i expect it!:yes:

Overall the Public hospital was great helpful in every way and i still had a doctor for my appointments so all and all, all good!

[niknax]

Hi everyone


Anyone else giving birth at North West Private Hospital in Brisbane?

Christine

Hi,

Had my daughter at North West Private and can highly recommend them. The before and after care was excellent and the nurses were all lovely! :thumbsup:

Good luck with your experience

[dawnygirl]

I was very lucky as I had a very healthy baby girl, who gave me a relatively wonderful pregnancy and labour. I went through the public health system and so paid a big, fat $0 for the entire thing.

I had aout 6 ultrasounds by the end as I had an implantation bleed at 5 weeks and then later in the last trimester my ob was worried about size (told she was over 8lb 3 weeks before she was born; born 7lb 9oz!). I also had numerous blood tests (as I was rhesus positive), glucose challenge test and urine test; all covered as done in the hospital. I visited the hospital clinic for all of my appointments, and had Charlotte in hospital. Didn't pay a cent, the nly thing we only thing we had to pay for was a hip ultrasound when she was a few weeks old, as she was born with clicky hips. Cost was $175 (as hospital didn't have a staff member equipped for this kind of ultrasound) and we got about $75 back from Medicare.

I would definitely use the public health system again. Only disadvantage I suppose is not getting the private room, but I felt it gave me the opportunity to bond with other mums on my ward and share experiences. Also gave me visitors when mine had left! Again too, if you have complications you may need to pay to gain piece of mind that your precious little bundle will be okay.

Me 22 :valentine: DF 24
Charlotte 14/10/2007 :laughing:

[SweetDreams]

DD we had through public system and from memory apart from GP appts until I switched over to going to hospital for them the only other cost involved was for the first ultrasound.

We had a private room as bubs came out blistered and in hindsight given the misdiagnosis which I believe led to the loss of sight in one of her eyes I wish we had been private then. The hospital staff etc with DD were very helpful though with b/f etc.

Then we moved and I was pregnant again however miscarried at 13 weeks. Only cost was for one ultrasound (the one no one wants to see). GP bulk billed. Hospital staff were ATROCIOUS. Ended up with PTSD. Oh. If I include the cost of my ongoing psych appts this will end up my most expensive pregnancy both emotionally & financially. :(

Pregnant again however this time covered by our PHI - going to private hospital. GP referred to ob/gyn and following charges:

Initial Appt ($136) + scan (8wks) ($81) = $217 - 192.70 back from Medicare (over threshold) = $24.30
Next appt ($86) + scan (12wks) ($82) = $168 - $62.65 (new year - threshold reset) = $105.35
Next appt ($86) + scan (16wks) ($89) = $175 - $65.20 = $109.80
Planning & Management (20wks) = $1,750 - $1,266.70 (part over threshold) = $483.30
Next appt (24wks) = $86 - $75.40 (over threshold) = $10.60
Next appt (30wks) = $86 - $75.40 = $10.60
Next appt (32wks) = $72 (saw midwife as ob delivering a bub!) - $61.45 = $10.55

I'm assuming my next appt (this coming week) will continue on in the same vein... I can't remember when you go to weekly visits (36 weeks?) but I imagine the costs will remain the same ($10.60/visit including refund).

No excess at hospital - will have to pay for paediatrician to see bubs if he/she not admitted but not sure on that cost.

So to date total out of pockets:

$754.50

Estimating another 6 ob/gyn appts ($10.60 x 6) = $63.60
Paediatrician (guessing) $200 with about $175 back = $25

I'm anticipating it will cost us under $1000 all up. If anyone sees any glaring holes where I've left something out let me know!

Just want to say that being private gives no guarantee that you'll get a private room!

[Susan Mac]

I was living overseas until 28 weeks with DS. That cost the equivalent of $4 a visit to an Australian GP that happened to be an obstetrician previously. So that included my 20 week scan. and another scan or two because he didn't have a doppler in the clinic.
when I got back to Oz, I went through the public system (my private health was suspended while we were out of the country, and I didn't have high enough cover for preg), and that didn't cost a cent.

my most recent pregnancy I was doing shared care with my GP. That was $28 out of pocket for the first visit, and $10 for subsequent visits, after medicare.
I had a dating scan at 8 weeks which was entirely covered by medicare, and my 20 week was going to cost $150, but I would have got about half back.
I don't know what other costs there may have been if my pregnancy had gone full term, but my guess was there wouldn't have been any (unless they had come across a problem I guess). So, it would have been around $300?

I still don't have top level health insurance so pregnancy isn't covered. I am umming and aahing as to whether to consider going private in the future. it just seems so expensive. Mum had seven babies private and I think they were all entirely covered by her insurance and medicare - baby number seven is only 9 now. Times have changed.

[wibble]

Could anyone tell me if you can claim any of your private room accommodation costs back from Medicare? We are paying private, but do not have private health insurance. Thanks.

[katieinwa]

no, you can't claim private accommodation costs with Medicare, that includes theatre fees, surgeon fees, hospital bed, meals, etc.
Medicare only covers the cost of consultations and procedures, for inpatient its 75% of schedule fee. The difference between that and what dr charges is your out of pocket expense. you can use it towards your tax medical expenses net.

[Nattles]

It cost us a small fortune in antenatal care for DS but everything was covered in hospital (except my epidural) including vacuum extract delivery, 2 CTG's pre delivery day, private room (great food), twice daily follow up from Ob and 6 days in special care for DS, including paediatrician, bloods, etc. I also had ante natal classes fully covered.

Average cost was about $90 per OB visit- medicare refunded about $32
$220 each for 12 and 20 week ultrasounds, plus another $220 at 28 weeks to check a few things- Can't remember how much Medicare paid, less than half I think. There was also the cost of blood tests throughout the pregnancy- I had more than usual due to unstable blood pressure. Medicare refunds very small amounts for bloods/pathology depending on what they are. I also had to pay $250 excess.

HOWEVER, I would not change anything about the standard of care I received at every Ob visit, the delivery and follow up care. My Ob was amazing throughout the pregnancy and delivery and was contactable 24/7.

Our fund costs us $45/week (NIB family cover) and we have definitely gotten our money's worth. Apart from the $10 000+ DS and I were covered for in hospital my husband has also had surgery and follow up for a stomach condition the public system (as a private patient) failed to pick up 3 times. NIB covered the costs of his care and he is finally healthy. I have also worked in the public hospital system and while the staff do the best they can, they don't have the resources to give the same level of care we have received. Money's tight with me not working ATM but I will be forgoing other things to keep my coverage and will definitely be going private for bub #2.

[bubhub2009]

I am pregnant and have received a quote a private Ob.

I was quoted:
$165 (bout 75 after medicare) for first appointment.
$80 ultrasound
$2400 at 22 weeks for all appointments there on in.

I am confused about what the $2400 covers. Can anyone clarify what this includes? Are there no appoinments in between 12 and 22 weeks?? Does the 2400 cover the doctor attending the birth? or is this where my private cover comes into things. Please enlighten me!

When I am in hospital, am I right to conclude that I only need to pay the excess that is stipulated in my MBPrivate health cover policy?

[kdemonj]

In my experience, that big fee you pay at around 22 weeks is a general management fee that covers the remainder of your pregnancy. If you are unsure, you should get your ob, or someone in their office (usually the receptionist knows everything you need regarding this) to clarify for you. You should ask whether this fee covers all the appointments other than your first or whether you will have to make additional payments per visit. Different obs do things differently and have different price structures.
No question is to silly - they are there to inform and help you.

I am also with MBP. With my level of cover I will be paying an excess and a daily co-payment. It will depend on your level of cover whether this applies to you. Bub is covered under my cover including any special care if it is needed (hopefully not). I simply need to make sure that I add bub onto my cover within 2-3 months. I had recieved much conflicting advice on PHI and whether/what stage to add bub on. Even the Private Hospital I am going to has the wrong info regarding this on their website.
The best advice I can give is to always get your information first hand (i.e. go into a MBP outlet) and then ask for it in writing. That way there are no nasty surprises!!

[LivingINhope]

DS - Public $0 out of pocket and had public endocrine care

No2 - IVF baby- so far we have spent over $10,000 on IVF alone and now we have been told becasue I had thyroid cancer in my first pregnancy that I would need OB care in private hospital (long story).

Anywhoo found out about cost today:-
Initial Appointment $140
Subsiquent appointments $80
PMF - $1980
7 week scan at SIVF - $160
10 week BT $120
12 week scan $205

I have a $300 hospital excess, the oB charges the scheduled fee so no out of pocket expenses. However I have no idea about anesthetists paediatrics ect if required...

I will also get back 80% of all costs from medicare this year as I am well over the threshold thanks to our IVF journey.

[kazarina]

well i am only 17 weeks along but i have been a little bit surprised.As we do not qualify for healthcare cards it has been as follows

~u/s scan at 6 weeks -$120
got 50 back rebate
~u/s scan 15 weeks -$144
53 back rebated

we will be having another scan on the 28th and its going to cost $185, can anyone explain to me why it costs more the "more pregnant" you are?just curious.

all my docs visits cost $50 but i get 33 back and i get all the blood work bulk billed:)
hope that helps.

[vanessasoma]

I'm going through Arrivals in South Brisbane, Dr Paul Bretz, accross from the Mater. All up I will be around $1800 out of pocket. That's assuming a natural birth (no anesthetist fees). That is approximately;
$145 for the first visit
$80 for scans after that
$2500 for an obstetrician 'handling' fee (or as my friend and I like to call it 'trophy wife / sports car fee' ;)
$200 private insurance excess for the hospital stay (in a private hospital)
then about $80 each for two follow up visits.

With medicare and private health, we're probably looking at 2 grand out of pocket. I was initially wary of this, but I work in the hospital system, and I know that private care is a LOT better. This is my first child too, so of course I want to make sure we have the best we can (while we're so new to all this). Maybe I'll be a bit less anxious with the next one and go public, who knows. :)

It's a lot, and it does make me think sometimes that the money could go somewhere more useful than to an Ob, but overall I have come to the conclusion that 2 grand is not a lot to pay for peace of mind in what is probably the biggest event you will ever experience...your first child. :)

[tommo787]

kazarina,

my cost have been similar to yours, so far i have had
a 5 week GP consult - $50 (33 medicare)
a 9week GP consult - $50 (33 medicare)
due for my 13 week tomorrow prob same as above.

Viability scan @ 10weeks - $155 (60 from medicare)
Nuchal Scan @ 12weeks - $105 (no medicare claimable) (we had to go back for another scan, as they couldn't get the measurements, no charge)
Blood tests @6weeks - $100 (think i got 30 back?)

so to 12 weeks you could say $250 so far, this is through public, with no ob, ect.....

[emstar21]

have just had our first child these were our costs.

first ob visit $130 ($65 back from medicare)
12 week scan $165 ($60 back )
specialist ob $238 for maternal illness ($202 back)
$1500 ob management fee ($770 back)
had ob visits till monthly till 28 weeks $80 each visit ($32 back)
then we hit the $1000 threshold and from then on it was $80 each ob appt forthnightly then on to weekly but got $69 back for each visit.
2 scans one at 20 weeks then another at 38 both $165 (back $85 then $132)
the birth....
$500 excess for the private hospital
$200 excess for epidural dr bill was $800
$300 out of pocket for xrays and blood tests in hospital as our little one was not well
$500 out of pocket for paeditricians.
She spent 8 days in neonatal ICU but didnt have to pay the $500 excess again.

She was transferred to a public ICU for 3 days and I have to say we certainly noticed the difference in care between public / private and leading up to delivery we thought about dropping our private cover once she was born.
That will definetly not be happening now. I will keep it for ever.
Money well spent.....:)

[MelissafromSyd]

Independent midwifery fees vary from state to state and midwife to midwife. Fees range from $1000 to $5500 (maybe $6000). You may claim a rebate through your private health fund dependeing on your level of cover. Not every fund will rebate you, but if you let them know the total cost, some will agree to pay as it is significantly cheaper than a private hospital birth.

[kazarina]

tommo787 (http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/member.php?u=33465)


yep all public here and a gp visit every month.

i am still trying to understand why it costs more for u/s the " more pregnant you are " lmao

[gamsarah]

It looks like going private still leaves you with quite a lot of out-of-pocket expenses.

I was thinking we'd go on private health insurance before we TTC, but I want a homebirth and not a hospital birth anyway, so I'm wondering whether we'd be better off going public for antenatal care and paying privately for an independent MW. Does anyone have any thoughts (or experience) on this?

[Baby86]

I think the u/s costs more the 'more pregnant' you are because there is more measurements and checks they can do on the baby as it develops.
I went through MGP at WCH in Adelaide both times. THIS WAS THE BEST EVER and did not cost me a penny.

tommo787 (http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/member.php?u=33465)


yep all public here and a gp visit every month.

i am still trying to understand why it costs more for u/s the " more pregnant you are " lmao

[mammakel]

Hi Girls,

It costs a bomb I'm afraid, but I appreciated the specialist care. I went private in a public hospital, and had a normal delivery, no intervention and the out of pocket costs were as

13 x Ob appoint $90 each = $752 (OP)
Pathology Tests = $81 (OP)
Ultrasounds = $280 (OP)
Birth Payments = $2700
GP Appoints = $35


Total = $3848 so say bye bye to your baby bonus!

Because we were in a public hospital we didn't have to pay the excess on our private insurance, and didn't have any anaesthetist fees.

Hope this helps you all


I'm still a bit confused - the prices for going private seem to vary quite a bit. Does it depend on the OB or the hospital?

Sassi, did you get any of this money back from your private health fund?

I'm 4 weeks pregnant and feeling a bit overwhelmed by it all! I'm deciding between RPA & North Shore Private as a private patient. Does anyone have any prices to compare with OB's at either of these hospitals?

Thanks!

[MelissafromSyd]

Hi there,

yes, the prices for going private vary a lot! I've heard of OBs charging anywhere from less than $1000 to $10,000! In the hospitals you're talking about, they probably charge in the vicinity of $5,000 - $10,000. Depends which OB you have. RPA also has midwifery care as a public patient, or you could go through the birth centre - this is free. You can also go through the birth centre as a private patient.

I'm not sure about the hospital - this would depend on your excess.

RPA is public, so it might be cheaper than NSP.

Melissa.

[cindye]

mamakel - I had my baby at NSP in May. Here is a previous thread about OB fees in Lower North Shore Area http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/showthread.php?t=212293

I felt private was the best option for me, and was really glad with my choice. The standard of care was excellent.

HTH

[mammakel]

Thanks for the feedback ladies!

Cindye, of the prices you listed in the other thread, coming to nearly $5000, did you get any of that back from Medicare or your private health fund?

Also, who was your OB at NSP? Would you recommend them?

Thanks!

[Pices_79]

Hi there

I had my DD in a private hospital and am going private again with this pregnancy. I am 33w pregnant with DS and due in January...I am having bubs at Burnside War Memorial Hospital in Adelaide. LOVED my experience there last time and my Ob.

I cant remember the costs I had regarding scans - but for the 12w & 20w scans - I got at least 1/2 back from medicare.

My Ob fees were $1700 - I got $1051 back from medicare

I didnt pay anything for the Glucose Challenge Test or for any other blood tests that I have had...

I will be up for $200 excess for my hospital stay and a couple of hundred dollars for the Paed checkup of our newborn in hospital....

I never got charged for an epidural last time...

I couldnt be more thrilled with my experience and will be going down this track again if we go back for #3.....

[cindye]

mammakel - I was out of pocket almost $5000. About $3000 for my OB, $500 for anesthetist, $500 for booking fee / excess for hospital and the rest for scans, blood tests etc, which I had more than usual.

The management fee at 20weeks pushed me over the medicare safety net, so I was about $1000 out of pocket from that amount. The "birth fee" of $1800 I paid was not refunded at all by medicare or private health. I found private health pays very little of doctors fees - I think my anesthetist charged $750, but the scheduled medicare fee is around $250, which medicare pay 70% (say $175) of and then private pay 30% of ($75) (so you're still out of pocket $500...). Medicare Safety net only applies to out of hospital expenses. Private Insurance covers more your hospital charges.

If you want to go private, then you'll need to book into an OB and the hospital ASAP. (I did it the day I missed my period!)

Hope that helps!

[kez23]

I have found this thread very informative so far, thank you ladies!! I am in my 12th week and going private, I'm in Perth and I've got full HBF cover. My first OB appointment was last week and cost $290 and I got $67 back from medicare which I was a bit disappointed with!! My 16 week appointment is $90, and we've got a management fee of $2700 to be paid by week 22. I've got my nuchal scan thingo next week which apparently costs about $150 and you get nothing back for that one.

I must say I was overwhelmed by the costs - silly me didn't realise that private health insurance covers you in hospital but not your OB appointments and ultrasounds - d'oh!! Also because the medicare safety net runs by calendar year I'll be set back to zero soon and so probably won't get as much back from that big $2700 management fee bill. I certainly hope going private is worth it - I do like the option of choosing your own OB and the potential of having my own private room in hospital!!

Lets keep this thread going ladies its very helpful!!

[Joey73]

I'm 21 weeks and my hubby and I thought we'd go private. We saw the ob, got the rundown on fees - $160 first visit, $120 per visit thereafter (Medicare refunds $53 per visit), $2500 at 22 week mark. We were sent for blood tests (which I had already had done by GP but the ob wanted his own done) my GP blood tests have always been bulkbilled, the ob's blood test cost over $100 (Medicare refund about $50). Also, while we would be seeing the same ob during the pregnancy, there was no guarantee he would attend the birth! He and the other doctors at the hospital had a roster for out of office hours to attend births that occurred out of office hours! Hmmm.

When the ob wanted to do a 12week scan (just over $200) before we could do our nuchal fold scan (approx $300), hubby and I dug our heels in and swapped to public. Best decision! Not only are the doctors and midwives at the public hospital just lovely, they also organise it so you have continuity of care with the same doctors/midwives. On top of that, everything is free - doctor visits, scans, blood tests etc.

Having said all that, private v public is obviously a personal decision. What suits some people may not be right for others.

[mammakel]

Thank you all so much for all the brilliant information and advice! It has all been so helpful and things seem a little clearer now.

I think I'm going to make an appointment with a private OB and make my decision after that.

Anyone have any recommendations at the Mater or North Shore Private in Sydney? There seem to be a lot of good options at either...

[vanessasoma]

These are our costs through 'Arrivals' at Stanley St South Brisbane;

First Obs visit: $250 (including scan)
Subsequent visits: $53 each (one visit every month till 28 weeks then one every 2 weeks)
12 week and 20 week scans: $350 each
Obs Handling fee: 2500 (upfront at 20 weeks)
Hospital: $200 out of pocket from Medibank Private (paid upfront)
Antenatal Classes: 250 (about 100 back from Medibank for the Physio part)

All up, it's about a 4k outlay, from which we will get about half of it back.... so about 2k out of pocket.

The hospital and Antenatal classes are reimbursed by medibank private and medicare gives about half back of everything else.

If you are lucky enough to be having your baby all in the one calender year, you will get 80% back of everything after you reach your threshold (about $1100) which is the out of pocket part after you claim back through medicare. If like us, you fall pregnant one year and give birth the next, you won't get as much back, as the medicare threshold is re-set at $0 the beginning of each year on Jan 1. Meaning the $1200 we are out of pocket by the end of this year wont count next year.

I am 19weeks today and although I was very sceptical about private cover at first II am really happy I chose it now.

I decided to go private at the hospital I work at because having worked in the public system, I have seen too many mistakes and confusions happen through lack of consistent care, and the combination of med students and newly practicing doctors and midwives. In public you can get anyone on any day. You dont have a consistent obstetrician or midwife, and you could end up being delivered (including emergency c-sections) by a 21 year old student resident who is nowhere near as experienced as a reknowned ob with an excellent reputation.

Arrivals are great. There are 4 obs (all with excellent reputations for no tears, natural births) and one is rostered to each day for delivery, so you get someone who is not only experienced and expert, but also someone well rested and alert, who has not been up studying or working all night already (as many residents and reg's in public are forced to do as they gain their qualifications).

I chose to see one at each appointment, and get to know them all, so that I feel comfortable with whoever is there on the day. I think it's ridiculous to expect to get the same ob you have for every appointment, firstly, who could possibly do that? See patients all day as well as deliver babies anytime of day or night, and secondly, even if they could, how could they possibly be alert and on the job if they had that kind of workload? I think the group practice is a great idea, and it's not such a big deal to see 4 obs, as they all share the information, so each one is well versed on your history so far before you even show up to the appointment, and by the end, they all know you well.

That's just my opinion anyway, I totally understand not wanting to pay that kind of money though, we aren't rolling in it, and we had to save up for a year to afford it, but so far I am really happy and comfortable with my desicion, and I think that peace of mind is worth the 2k (especially as it is my first and working in a maternity hospital does make you a little extra sensitive to everything that could go wrong).

Thanks to everyone for contributing to the thread. I have really benifitted from all your replies and I hope mine helps (and doesn't sound too opinionated!). It seems there is a LOT of variance in fees and it pays to do your research and I know this forum will definitly help more than just me to do that! :)

[vanessasoma]

oh and just another thing I like about private, I can call my midwife any time at all for free advice, free of charge! :)

[AnneApple]

Hi everyone, great thread, its answered a lot of questions I have been wondering :)

I am 19 weeks pregnant and due to pay my pregnancy management fee next week. Since it is the start of a new year, my medicare safety net balance is back at 0.

I need to pay my OB $1800
Does anyone know if I will get back only
1) 101.80 from medicare, and then subsequent bills 80%
or
2) Will I get back the proportion of this that is over the medicare safety net? I would get $101.80 from the $1800, and the amount over my safety net (which is 1111.60)
So, would I get back $571.00 in total?

Sorry it sounds confusing. I called medicare twice as I wanted to make sure. First person said I would get back 80% of my out of pocket expenses over the 1111.60, so around $571 refund.
Second person said I would only get back the 101.80 :confused:

Thanks :)

[HeidiLee]

Hi everyone, great thread, its answered a lot of questions I have been wondering :)

I am 19 weeks pregnant and due to pay my pregnancy management fee next week. Since it is the start of a new year, my medicare safety net balance is back at 0.

I need to pay my OB $1800
Does anyone know if I will get back only
1) 101.80 from medicare, and then subsequent bills 80%
or
2) Will I get back the proportion of this that is over the medicare safety net? I would get $101.80 from the $1800, and the amount over my safety net (which is 1111.60)
So, would I get back $571.00 in total?

Sorry it sounds confusing. I called medicare twice as I wanted to make sure. First person said I would get back 80% of my out of pocket expenses over the 1111.60, so around $571 refund.
Second person said I would only get back the 101.80 :confused:

Thanks :)

You will get the $571. Then until December 31 you will get back 80% of your out of pocket expenses for everything you claim :)

[vanessasoma]

Good news, the first person was right. :) You will get the 571, as the answer above says. I called heaps of times to make sure myself as we had the choice to pay our management fee at the end or beginning of the year. We ended up choosing to pay it at the end of the year as we would get more back. I am 22 weeks, and have had all my expensive scans etc, so it was better to use that toward the threshold amount, and get more back from the management fee than to get 80% off my appointments this year. I confirmed before we lodged it that your management fee will go toward the threshold and when you reach it, the rest of the management fee (anything over the threshold) you will get 80% back. This proved to be true, and with our prior appointments etc, we got $1797 back from $2500.

If anyone was wondering about the baby bonus also, that is calculated on your estimated combined incomes for the 6 months following baby's birth and paid fortnightly from the date the forms are lodged. If your combined income is over 75k for this period you need to pay some of it back (depending on how much over you were paid etc). I don't know many people who would have a problem qualifying for this though, as with mat leave one of you will usually only be getting 3 months worth of pay over this time. My friend took early mat leave to make sure they qualify though, lucky thing! :)

[sandy119120]

I went through the public system originally and had no success, now private my Ob helped us delivery a healthy baby Girl and due to have another baby in a week or so... I wouldnt have it any other way. Our Ob found the problems that the public system didnt...

I love the fact that i have my Doc on call 24hrs if i have a problem also i get my own room in the hospital...

DD was admitted to the childrens ward at a week old.. They wouldnt help me with BF and i had to give up at 1 week.. i felt :( ....

As for the fee's 1st visit $160 then $40 per visit.. I have many extra visits to start due to medical condition couldnt tell you exactly how many... Management fee $1700 extra scans $180 each depending on how many you get.... Then medication each month for me......

I wouldnt have it any other way...... But if they take out the baby bonus it will push too much of a strain on the public system i would imagine


HI girls!!

I definetly have to say this i had my first baby back in my country 6 years ago my own ob my own suit,everything pay NOTHING out of the pocket. And i even use twice ambulance coz i had too much morning sickness(not even close to this one) and the other a fall at 35 weeks. No charge. MMMM i wonder now. I think the private sector here really suckss. Needs a big change. here thing i caanot beleve you dont get in private:

- You shouldnt not be charge in the visit that is why you have you private.

- No out expenses unless ,medicare covers for it.

I have private insurance as i ussually had one back where i come from, but i dont see the point on having one here is just not worth it. You better off just on public as the best hospitals are pblic anyway. And yuo dont have to pay a fortune on private.

Sorry i dont agree but i had better experience in private somewhere else and i think is nothing wrong with just make the private sector they are not looking after their patients but their share holders.

Thanks for reading!!!!

[tommo787]

sandy, its so true, you pay out of your own pocket for private, and then STILL have to keep paying, whereas,
public, pay nothing, and then pay nothing!

We didnt have private till we had to (get slugged on tax at end of year if we dont), and seeing as dh is 30 this year, figure we may as well keep paying otherwise we'll get slugged later on....
:rolleyes:

[mammakel]

Hi ladies,

I looked into going private and had an appointment booked, but my cousin is a midwife and she has begged me to go public saying that the hospitals and the care is so much better in the public system. She said that often at the private hospitals there is not even one ob present and that there are half as many nurses to patients as in public. This has been really hard for me to get my head around as its hard to believe that by forking out the thousands of dollars in out of pocket costs, you don't actually get better care?? I'm sure this depends on which public hospital you go to, but just thought I'd share it in case anyone else is trying to decide which way to go.

In saying that, I've got loads of friends who have gone private and had great experiences as well, I guess it just depends on your situation.

One thing she said that really took me by surprise is that she doesn't know any doctors (public or private) whose wives have had babies in a private hospital, if anything they go as a private patient in a public hospital.

I'm going to give RNS a go, I've had one appointment so far and they were great. I think going public probably means more time in waiting rooms though, so I'm lining up some good books!

[AnneApple]

The choice between public/private can be a hard one. I was a public patient with my last pregnancy. Which unfortunately ended in a m/c and D&C. Although the care I received from my GP and the hospital experiences were OK - aftercare and advice were just not there. If I had a query regarding anything that was going on afterwards, I'd have to make an appt with my GP. Who really didn't know what should be happening after my D&C anyway. I ended up in a pretty bad physical state and it could have caused irreversible damage. Not that I am trying to blame it entirely on the public system.But I guess I feel more comfortable and better looked after as a private patient this time around. My OB is so lovely and I can always phone her with any questions etc. Also her care seems so thorough. Referrals for U/S & tests are with people who seem to take so much more time.

Paying the extra is a bit hard, but I guess to me its worth it after my past experience




vanessasoma & HeidiLee
Thanks for your replies :) I now feel pretty confident I should get the larger amount. Which should help as we've got to now start budgeting for baby items!