public with OB

[HanCh]

I have booked into the hospital as a private patient to make sure I get my doctor, but because we are not in a health fund, we are thinking about changing to a public patient (to avoid extra costs). Does this mean I will now have to start seeing the midwives as well as my doctor or can i continue just seeing my doctor?? He is going to book me in for a c-sect or induce me a week early too.......

[LisaF]

If you are public you cant have your own Dr. Unless he arees to do shared care which means he will seee you for appts till 36 weeks until you go into the public system and take what you get at delivery. going private at public hopital is an option as its not as dear.

[Milliner]

I went is as a public patient! I was having visits with my Ob the whole preg I don't have private cover! I had to pay him a one of fee of $300 it was called an obstetrics fee (sp?) All I paid for were the visits to him I got most back with medicare. I didn't have to pay anything to the hosp. My ob booked me in to be induced and he would come down and check up on me and then go back to his office when It was time to get DS out he came back again and delivered him. I was lucky enough to get a private room they were not busy! But I didn't have to pay at all and I got my OB there, but I guess places are different. I hope that makes sense!