Private or Public Health

[kimcam]

Hi There,

My DH & I are TTC #2 and we had DD1 privately. After DD1 was born we cancelled our private health insurance as we could not afford it.

However, I was on the phone to a friend today and they have private health cover and I was telling her that my MIL is in hospital as she had a hip replacement and she said that's expensive and I said that she is in the public health system. Then she asked if I have private health cover and I said no. As we are wanting to TTC #2 she said going public will cost. Does it cost anything going public? How much is the cheapest cover and which fund?

Any advice would be great.

Kim

[sam's mum]

public is free, that is the good thing about living in Australia. :thumbsup:

[MamaKoala]

The only thing that will cost you money is if you want any additional scans that are not covered by your state. For example, in QLD the only scan that is covered by medicare is the 18-20 week scan. The 11-13 week NT scan is not covered so you would have to find a private tech to do that one if you wanted it.
Hospital stay is 3 days at no charge (if it's still the same as 5 years ago) and all your midwife appointments are covered. If you see a Private non-bulkbilling GP or you want to see an OB you will have to pay the normal out of pocket and get our medicare rebates. Good luck on TTC #2.

[HunterzMummy]

The only thing that will cost you money is if you want any additional scans that are not covered by your state. For example, in QLD the only scan that is covered by medicare is the 18-20 week scan. The 11-13 week NT scan is not covered so you would have to find a private tech to do that one if you wanted it.
Hospital stay is 3 days at no charge (if it's still the same as 5 years ago) and all your midwife appointments are covered. If you see a Private non-bulkbilling GP or you want to see an OB you will have to pay the normal out of pocket and get our medicare rebates. Good luck on TTC #2.

hrrrmmm really??? I had about 5 or 6 scans and i didnt pay anything? I live in QLD brisbane as well... I just went to the ones that bulk bill, i just called around till i found one.

My husband and i were gonna go private for number 2 but after seeing how much my friend had to fork out i thought NO WAY... I got excellent care in the private, i was even at a hospital (redlands) where i got my own room, shower and toilet.. as well as a big comfy recliner for bf... best experience ever... this time i am praying i get into the birth center :fingerscrossed:

Good luck with your choice :hugs:

[biscotti]

For example, in QLD the only scan that is covered by medicare is the 18-20 week scan. The 11-13 week NT scan is not covered so you would have to find a private tech to do that one if you wanted it.


I'm in Qld too and both my NT scans were completely covered :yes: Actually, all my scans were and I had a few.

[rainbowmummy22]

Public is free! But remember to get an Ambo Subscription as Medicare wont cover that. We have cancelled our private health when DD was born too, but when we TTC again it will be when the health insurence is paid up lol. I just dont like skimping on my health or my babies health. I have had troubles in the past and like to be assured the best possible care. Private room etc bonus, choosing your own surgeon etc is priceless. If you are NOT worried about having too many complications then give the public system a go! I personally dont like being treated by trainees etc when I am sick. Lol sorry : ( I think its a personal thing.

[SomewhereOverTheRainbow]

Public is free! But remember to get an Ambo Subscription as Medicare wont cover that. We have cancelled our private health when DD was born too, but when we TTC again it will be when the health insurence is paid up lol. I just dont like skimping on my health or my babies health. I have had troubles in the past and like to be assured the best possible care. Private room etc bonus, choosing your own surgeon etc is priceless. If you are NOT worried about having too many complications then give the public system a go! I personally dont like being treated by trainees etc when I am sick. Lol sorry : ( I think its a personal thing.

Althought MOST pregnant women aren't 'sick'. They are simply pregnant. :) The problem with modern medicine is that pregnancy is often viewed as an illness, and doctors like to 'cure'. I work in the public system so am completely aware of its shortfallings but I would ideally have only midwives at a birth anyway, I would prefer to not have a doctor interfering unless absolutely necessary!! Women have been giving birth for thousands of years without intervention! And as for getting treated by trainees, you still are under the care of a qualified OB whilst in a public hospital, but if something goes wrong there are always registrars and interns nearby to help 24/7 (which isn't always the case in a private hospital, at least not where i live).
I agree, private or public is definitely a personal choice. But I think public definitely has it's perks too.

[mrsmov]

public is free - UNLESS you choose to go as a private patient, which is wheree you choose your ob etc.

[Sheer Bliss]

I'd check out your local private & public hospy's before you make a decision. There are some great public hospitals out there, and if they are better than the private ones about i'd be sticking with public. Our local hosy is AWFUL. I have heard soooo many stories about rude and stupid, interferring midwives, that there was no way i was going there, so we went private. I got my own OB, my own room, and had a lovely experience. BUT IMO it all depends on what you have about. I HATE hearing posts about how public is the ONLY way to go as it is the best. We all live in different parts of the country, and have different facilities available, so check with the locals before you decide. Private can be $$$, but being able to stay in hospy with my premmie son, and not be sent home without him wass brilliant.

[Egall]

Well, I have all the private health insurance, but still went public for #1 and will be doing the same for #2 as well. Even with private cover, you are out of pocket at least a $1500-$2000+ for obstetrician costs. Personally, I think that with a trouble free pregnancy an OB isn't necessary. I was perfectly happy with the care I recieved from midwives and in the public hospital I went to, I had my own room (larger than my girlfriends' rooms who went private) and own bathroom, and was able to stay for five days whn my bub had trouble feeding. It was great. i don't feel like I missed out on great care at all.

[mama2jandh]

I went public for both of my children and had great care both times.

I don't see the point (personally) of having private health cover and still needing to pay out money for OBs etc.

But that's just me:)

[~Candy~]

Hubby and I USED to have private health (before kids)..and couldn't believe how much it costs and still have more to pay MORE ontop of that directly to the specialists ect..OMG :eek:
No thanks....I had all 4 babes in public hosp (#3 I had private accom because public was full)....Only thing I can compare it to is motel accom..2 star as to 4.5 star....as for the care....it's all the same..your's and baby's health is always a priority...just depends on if you want your own OB, or you are happy with whoever is rostered on at the time :)

[deesalie]

Private health insurance is a scam. It is INSURANCE... they exist to profit SHAREHOLDERS... not the average person. Naturally, the Govt. wants more people in private health insurance to take the pressure off them & allow substandard health care. Private hospitals & Ob's also have a MUCH higher rate of intervention & c/sec's in regards to birth- I mean why wouldn't you- you can earn good cash the more you screw with birth.

[Gumby]

Public all the way for me. With all 3 pregnancies I seen my own ob each visit (no midwife care) and he always bulk billed. He was also there for my deliveries even if he wasnt the on call doctor. I have great faith in our public system..

[Milk_Monkey]

I went public for both of my children and had great care both times.

I don't see the point (personally) of having private health cover and still needing to pay out money for OBs etc.

But that's just me:)

:yes: I agree completely! Public was fantastic for us, esp for no.2

Someone mentioned ambulance cover - isnt it included in your electricity bill? Or is that just QLD?

[unhappy]

The public system is free, and you should find no extra hidden costs. unless of course you want an ob etc.
I personally would never give birth in a public hospital or have any procedure done in one. I dont like that people are treated as numbers not people.
I had a friend who gave birth in a public hospital that was supposed to be really good. Well if that was good then i hate to think what the bad are like.
I like having my ob look after me throughout my pregnancy, i would hate to have to see someone different each time.
I have given birth to both my boys at pindara private on the gold coast and i have had a wonderful experience both times. It really is just a personal decision at the end of the day.
I dont find private health insurance to be a scam at all. I know that if anything happens to someone in our family they will get the best possible care. Its really not that expensive for the peace of mind.

[Bronwyn]

Private health insurance is a scam. It is INSURANCE... they exist to profit SHAREHOLDERS... not the average person. Naturally, the Govt. wants more people in private health insurance to take the pressure off them & allow substandard health care. Private hospitals & Ob's also have a MUCH higher rate of intervention & c/sec's in regards to birth- I mean why wouldn't you- you can earn good cash the more you screw with birth.

I don't think PHI is a scam because it gives you choice. You chose to have PHI but still go public hospital with private ob or go private hospital as well.

I find it odd that everyone happily insures their cars and houses (which in reality we can still be alive without having either of these assets) but its such a debate about whether we would insure our bodies???????

I personally would not go public for anything because I like to chose my own doctor, whether it be for pregnancy or my husbands knee operation - I want to know that I have chosen who is looking after me and my family not just whoever is on duty that day.

I had a dreadful pregnancy and don't think I could have gotten thru it without my very kind ob who rang me nightly at home to check on me and I was happy to pay him whatever his fees were as he went above and beyond his duty of care.

[OneCheekyMonkey]

I have no faith in the public system, thus am going private.

I would never let my PHI lapse as I have other health complications. I like the idea of choosing where I want to give birth and my obs that I have chosen.

Total cost I think will be about 1500. To me that is worth it for peace of mind.

If I need a c-sect I like knowing that it won't be a trainee obs doing it !

[mummyJ]

Public Health is great if you ask me!!!
If there are any major complications, the private hospitals will transfer you straight over to the public hospital anyway!! So they have much more resources.
Really the main thing you get with Private is a nice room and an Ob. In most private hospitals the rate of cs is much higher. They generally have more intervention as well!!
I personally prefer midwife care, and would prefer to spend a few grand on a family holiday rather than a hospital stay!!!
I will be leaving same day with this bubs when born (#2), and having the midwife come to our home.

[kiwibird27]

PUBLIC is totally free... and I had BRILLANT care!!! I think private births and insurance are a total rip off!!!

The public hospitals are the ones with all the training and experience, most of the private hospitals don't even have paediatricians there and if there are complications u are transferred to public anyway cause they have better resources.

Obstertrians don't practise on patients they do stuff along side experienced obs..... I think private hospitals try and SCARE mothers into there system which is actually in my opinion only good for straight forward births

[gabETandme]

My Opinion is Private.

I had my dd public and it was the worst experiece of my life. Full of intervention.

Due to the town I was living in I had DS private in a public hospital and transfered to Private.

My Ob was great although I was induced he went with my wishes and diddnt give me the DRIP. So I had him naturally without any intervention. Other than a cervadil thing.

My DS was born not breathing due to having the cord around his neck twice, and was bought back to us. He had many problems and was in the NICU/special care nursery for 2 weeks. I had my choice of Paed doc. And I was able to stay in the hospital the whole time he was there in a private room. Other mums I know whom had had their babies at public hospital were sent home after 2 days and their bubs were still in hospital.

He has since had to have 2 lots of grommets. We were put on the waiting list at the public but I rang an ent and got him in within two weeks with no out of pocket expense If i did not have private insurance then I would have had to wait 10 months for him to have the surgery public as a result he now hears and has just started saying words. A benefit for his intervention and development.

My DD age 6 has been having dental check ups for years and I have no out of pocket expense for dental for my kids so thats $$$$$ that I have saved. And I had my dentist not someone just out of dental school.


Just my OPINION and the benefits I get.

[Refresh]

I find it odd that everyone happily insures their cars and houses (which in reality we can still be alive without having either of these assets) but its such a debate about whether we would insure our bodies???????

Because there is no altenative to hacing car insurance etc......you are either insured or you aren't...and being insured guarantees you a better outcome....with health insurance you are not necessarily guaranteed of a better outcome (in the case of having a baby you have a higher chance of having a c-section and other intervention in a private hospital.) We have the public system, which we all pay for and while it is definately not perfect, it is there for anyone who wants to use it.

[fiona76]

I totally believe in Private Health Insurance. At the end of the day, if there are complications, i want an experienced obstetrician to take care of the situation, not a registrar with only a couple of years behind them.

I had a fantastic experience with my pregnancy and delivery in the private system (not a c-section).

Plus, i noticed that a lot of people keep saying that the private (especially the North Shore) have much higher rates of c-section. This is true, but lets not forget that is also due to a large proportion of those women CHOOSING to have an ELECTIVE c-section. Of course then, the rate is going to be substantially higher, as you don't have that choice in the public system.

[poppie]

Private with DD1 - ok treatment, out of pocket $4000 with top cover!

Public with DD2 - had complications, got the best care and specialists and if I had been in a private hospital we would have been transferred to the public!

TTC #3 and will definitely be going public again:yes: