Semi-private patient??

[twotrunks]

Hi all,
I just read on another web-site that a woman had her baby as a private patient in our local public hopsital, but did not have a private Ob - she went through the hospital's midwifery program. It was my understanding that to be a private patient you had to have your own Ob. So is it possible to use your private health cover to get a private room (and whatever other "goodies" they offer private patients!) but not have an Ob? Aside from the cost, I think I would prefer my next baby to come at my pace, not that dictated by an Ob, as my last 2 have been!
TT

[~Kimba~]

Hi all,
is it possible to use your private health cover to get a private room (and whatever other "goodies" they offer private patients!) but not have an Ob?

:yes: When I had my son in a public hospital (I did shared care with my GP and Birth Centre midwives, no OB), I was given the option of using my private health insurance and going in as a 'private' patient, with no requirement to have my own OB.

However they still wouldn't 'guarantee' a private room even if I did that - they said private patients would get priority for a private room, but it would depend on if they had one available - so in the end I saved myself the excess and didn't bother.

And I don't think there were any other 'goodies' on offer? but I guess it depends on the hospital...

[MustangMumma]

However they still wouldn't 'guarantee' a private room even if I did that - they said private patients would get priority for a private room, but it would depend on if they had one available - so in the end I saved myself the excess and didn't bother.

And I don't think there were any other 'goodies' on offer? but I guess it depends on the hospital...
I went to a public hospital as a private patient i wouldnt bother i had to pay for the access and it wasnt worth they kick me out of my room wasnt very happy i had my ob he wasnt private

[sueb31]

In Qld its called being an intermediate patient: the point of it is that you have a private doctor in a public hospital, which is much cheaper on the hospital fees and often the OB fees too. The pros are being able to choose your own doctor, and also that if there are problems it is possible thaht they can ask one of the on-site doctors to help out, so maybe even a bit better service medically speaking.

They can't guarantee private rooms and may not even have them. The midwives are public as far as I know.

It is usually an optiion used for elective surgeries eg cataracts when people don't have insurance but want to go private, its much cheaper. If I had priovate insurance I don't think I'd be too interested in it. Hope that helps.

Sue

PS I imagine that the lady who went private in a public hospital with teh midwives would have had an OB in name if nothing else, but arranged with them to go through the midwives or something. Can't think why you'd do it other wise.

[millymel]

I had my baby in a pubic hospital as a private patient ... I did not pay an excess cause the hospital did not require me to cause they benefit from the money

You only get your own room if there is one available ( first night I had to share the rest I had own room ) The only other added benefit was you get a phone to ring out and papers everyday and a different menu

The main up for me was my own room cause I more relaxed in my own space

[twotrunks]

I had my baby in a pubic hospital as a private patient ... I did not pay an excess cause the hospital did not require me to cause they benefit from the money
You only get your own room if there is one available ( first night I had to share the rest I had own room ) The only other added benefit was you get a phone to ring out and papers everyday and a different menu
The main up for me was my own room cause I more relaxed in my own space

Our hospital is similar I think... I spoke to them and you can go in as a private patient but be under the midwives only, so no Ob involvement (unless there are problems in which case you'd get the on-call Ob). The advantage of it is they waive your excess, you get priority on private rooms, a different menu, newspapers, glass of wine with dinner, and a $100 Myer voucher. They are obviously very keen to get people to use their insurance as they make money out of it. And you are not stopping public patients from getting a place as it is maternity, so they cannot turn anyone away.
My thinking is we have insurance already, so we may as well get some benefit out of it, especially as it would cost us nothing.
Thanks for the replies everyone.
TT

[giveitago]

Hi just wondering what state and hospital you are referring too. I am trying to do this in Sydney but having difficulty.

[twotrunks]

Hi just wondering what state and hospital you are referring too. I am trying to do this in Sydney but having difficulty.

Sorry we are actually in Ballarat, Victoria, so not much help I guess.... although maybe you could tell them it is available? But as hospitals may be controlled by the states I'm not sure if it would help.:)
TT

[missie_mack]

I initially was going to do this as I couldnt get into see an OB and did start the course up until about 30 weeks where I was picked up by my lovely Ob that had a drop out :)

Antenatal clinic has for the most no idea who is public or private but really it isnt much of an advantage except it may possibly give you a private room if there is one free. I was told I would get a stack of stuff that didnt happen but I did get a daily newspaper, a free Tv and telephone. My healthfund meant I didnt have to pay a surcharge or gap and I chose this because I was about 6 weeks out of having top hospital (which would have fully covered my private hospital stay)

(My hospital is part of SE Sydney Area Health BTW for the poster in Sydney)