cost of going private in a public hospital

[lizzymcfizzy]

hi,

I have private hospital cover (no extras) and am thinking about birthing as a private patient in a public hospital.

What I'm trying to work out is how much this will cost me. I have contacted my health fund who said I will have to pay the gap for any doctors fees that aren't covered by medicare.

But because I get my choice in doctor, do I need to pay their imdemnity fee?:confused:


Also does anyone know what I would be out of pocket for? I was told

The doctors bills (in a public or private hospital) for the delivery are
covered 100% to the Medicare schedule fee. HCF pays 25% of the schedule
fee and Medicare 75%. If the doctor charges above the schedule fee you
will need to pay the gap.


Thanks


Liz :)


ps - yes I have read this thread . It was very helpful but hasn't covered what I'm looking for http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/showthread.php?t=3819

[Supermum]

I did exactly that.

I was a private patient at the RBWH.

My obstetrician worked at the Private Practice Specialist Suite within the hospital(given a choice of four) who I saw monthly, then fortnightly, then weekly ... all bulk-billed as she is an employee of the hospital and therefore indemnified on their insurance.

I was out of pocket $25 for a blood test and paid $200 excess on my private health insurance and that was it.

I also had my own room.

When you say choice in doctor do you mean you have a choice from a few who are employed by the hospital or you intend seeking one outside of the hospital? If you choose an obstetrician who is self-employed in private practice then I suspect you would need to pay those phenomenal fees.

[mysonroger]

my friend did this in melbourne, don't know which hospital, and she got treated like a public patient regardless. she ended having to spend her first night of labour in the emergency ward because they didn't have any beds for her, with all the comings and goings around her. and the nurses would ask her if she needed anything, then disappear for hours not coming back with anything for her. she felt so ripped off.
dont' know what she spent though???

[Beany]

I'm a private patient (with no health fund cover) at a public hospital in Sydney. I've been told that all in all, while I have to pay for everything up front, after the medicare rebate I will be out of pocket about $2000.

'Spensive stuff.

Having said that, the OB I ended up with is a bit more costly than most. As is anything done in Sydney.

[lizzymcfizzy]

I did exactly that.
When you say choice in doctor do you mean you have a choice from a few who are employed by the hospital or you intend seeking one outside of the hospital? If you choose an obstetrician who is self-employed in private practice then I suspect you would need to pay those phenomenal fees.


A-ha. That makes such perfect sense! I guess if the doctor isn't covered by the hospital, I'll have to pay the cover.

I just rang my current Ob, apparently he's not going to be doing public births after the end of this year :( Only private. I'm not pregnant yet so I guess there goes that idea.

I guess it will be delivered by one of the public hospitals obs that I will choose from. Which hopefully means I won't be out of pocket :) thanks supermum!

[lizzymcfizzy]

I'm a private patient (with no health fund cover) at a public hospital in Sydney. I've been told that all in all, while I have to pay for everything up front, after the medicare rebate I will be out of pocket about $2000.

'Spensive stuff.

Having said that, the OB I ended up with is a bit more costly than most. As is anything done in Sydney.

Beany how are you a private patient if you don't have private health cover?

[Beany]

I decided to get a private OB, so I'm considered a private patient at the hospital.

The OB charges me upfront, which I then claim back from Medicare, leaving me with a $2000 (or so) gap.