Cost of Obs ???

[Lucy'smum]

Hi I was wondering acn anyone help me out....I recently visited my gyno /ob....only for a pap smear...and when I told him I was thinking about concieving soon with #2 he said I should come to him, ( I had Lucy just through the public system and public hispital)...so I asked him how much would it cost....he said for free !!!! I thought he was joking as he said it like " if you bring that smile It'll be free" or something like that...I said no really how much and his said " did you pay fro this visit " I said "no".... I just don't understand...I thought private obs cost $$$$$.....

So I was wondering if anybody knows if there would be a reasons for him being free...like some type of new medicare rules etc....Or if anybody else has had this experience.....I thought maybe the visits are covered by medicare then the delivery might cost more$$$....

I'll keep you all posted when I do find out more info, becuase I'm thinking I will go to him when I fall pg then I can find out all the info....


Also interested in what cost others have expirenced with obs...
Thanks any info will be good... :)

Bel

[bubbalove]

Well! How interesting! I work with private o/b's everyday, and they all cost big $$, believe me. An average amount would be $70 per o/b visit, of which you get about $25 back from Medicare. I'd be asking this guy a few more questions first, especially, as you said, hospital fees for a private delivery. Good luck!

[Jennifer]

Hi,

I had a private O\B and cost each time I went approx $80, but got about 1/3 back from Medicare. After I gave birth, I got sent a bill for $800 and thats after Mutal Community paid over $2000. Some private ob's get covered totally from private health, but mine was obviously a bit more expensive after everything got covered and had to pay a bit extra.

That was my scenario anyway.

Cheers

[Vic]

I go to private OB/GYN and a private hospital. I pay around $200 for the first visit then $65 (some of which is covered by Medicare) every visit after that for my antenatal visits. I then pay a gap of $600 (some of which is covered by Medicare - this is new) for delivery (with my OB/GYN this is stock standard regardless of which private health insurance you are with - however with my first it depended on who you were with). Then I pay the hospital a $200 excess and the Paedatrician (spelling?) about $400 (some of which is covered by Medicare) including the six week checkup. The rest of my hospital costs (theatre charges, anaesthist, surgeon, medication, etc) are covered by my Health Insurance. For my last pregnancy I think my Health Insurance paid over $8000 in costs.

I looked at changing my Health Insurer last year and discovered that it depends on your doctor and their agreement with the Health Insurer as to the gap that you pay. It can range anywhere from $0 to $400 to over $1200.

Plus on top of this you need to factor in your scans which for me is about $400 as I have to have more than the regular 2 and also blood tests etc which is about $300 (all of these costs are also partially covered by Medicare)

Remember on top of all of this to keep all your medical receipts or copies plus any receipts from the chemist etc as you can put these into your tax and receive some back if it exceeds a certain amount. Also remember that there is now the new Medicare thing where they increase the amount you get back when your medical expenses exceed a certain amount.

[Lucy'smum]

Thanks Jennifer, Kerrie-ann and Vic,
For all your info...
After reading all your post I'm thinking the public system wasn't that bad...lol.....The cost are so much..if you go private.

Another Question then ...
If I do go to a private ob, do you still have to pay for all the scans?? Aren't they covered by medicare??....

When I had all my ultrasounds done I was still only seeing a GP at a medical centre and all the ultra sounds where done there . I never had to pay and I had to have 4!! Just bad positioning of baby etc...but medicare covered it all.....
I didn't have to go to hospital and "check in" until I was around 20 weeks....then I had all my blood tests done etc at the hospital...again didn't ever have to pay.

So If you go to a ob do you have to pay for blood test??

Also if you go private, do you have to go to a private hospital?
Or does this depend on your dr....for eg..he/she only delivers in certain hospitals etc....

I'm very interested in this topic now, will have to do some research I think.. :p

I was thinking maybe becuase of the area that I live in, ie the socio-econmic standard of the area, might have something to do with it too....I live near Campbelltown...and I know there is a shortage of obs in the area......thats why I said maybe thats the reason why he said he would be free.....He may have some type of agreemant with medicare to see a certain number of patients for free...

I know when I had Lucy 15 months ago there was a shortage of obs at the hospital...I only saw midwives...it wasn't until the day I had Lucy that I ever saw a ob.....doesn't that sound bad.....and to make things worse she was breech :eek: ....un diagnosed by the midwives....so hence my reasons for asking so many questions about obs.....lol.......

Well haven't I gone on and on......lol....

Any more info will be great...thanks again..
Bel

[bubbalove]

Hi Bel

Ultrasounds as a private patient do have a gap that you have to pay, I can't remember what mine was (pretty sad when it was only a few weeks ago!). I can't help you with the blood tests, my ob bulk bills me, but I think that's cause he's a collegue.
Private ob's have admitting rights at certain hospitals, and this will vary between doctors. Maybe find a hospital you are happy with and ask for a list of ob's with admitting rights.
Hope this helps!

[willsmum]

I'm in Adelaide. My wonderful ob bulk billed all but the first appointment (approx $30 gap to pay) and I was out of pocket $1,100 for the delivery (c-section in a private hospital). The post-natal 6 week check up was also bulk billed. This is for one of the best obs on Adelaide who is also one of the cheapest. And an excellent carer as well. No concerns here. By the way, the hospital was no-gaps thru Mutual Community. So apart from about $100 out of pocket because of 5 ultrasounds along the way (placenta praevia), I saw a private ob, had c-section and a private hospital stay of 5 nights and had 5 ultrasounds all for about $1,200. :)

[Lucy'smum]

Thanks willsmum,
Your costs weren't so bad....I will just have to wait and see, I'm thinking of asking some of my cousins etc who have had baby's with private obs. They may be able to help me with some suggestions too. They are in the same area as me so they will also know hospitals etc...
Thanks again to all who have posted. :)

[PearlHobbes]

I'm in Adelaide. My wonderful ob bulk billed all but the first appointment (approx $30 gap to pay) and I was out of pocket $1,100 for the delivery (c-section in a private hospital). The post-natal 6 week check up was also bulk billed. This is for one of the best obs on Adelaide who is also one of the cheapest. And an excellent carer as well. No concerns here. By the way, the hospital was no-gaps thru Mutual Community. So apart from about $100 out of pocket because of 5 ultrasounds along the way (placenta praevia), I saw a private ob, had c-section and a private hospital stay of 5 nights and had 5 ultrasounds all for about $1,200. :)

Looks like I may be moving to Adelaide very soon and my baby is due 16th March but will b delivering by c section, wouldloive to hear from you as to who your ob was and which hospital?

[willsmum]

I did reply privately to this one, but for anyone else interested, will tell you via pm.

[Elfin]

Hi Bel

I think a couple of posts were lost from this thread the other day when Hilary was doing some stuff to the server. I remember you were saying that you were thinking of going private without insurance. I replied to this but it is gone now, so I will repost in case you didn't see it.

Just my 2 cents worth anyway. I would just encourage you to do a lot of research if you choose to do this as with childbirth the unexpected can happen such as giving birth to a prem who requires special care or an emergency c-section. You really need know the costs of these services otherwise you could end up with a huge bill once you bring your new bub home.

Someone might be able to correct me, but my understanding is that if you are going private you can't opt back in as public patient such as if you need an emergency c-section. So just be as well informed as possible so you don't end up with a huge bill. Just because the ob won't bill you, doesn't mean the hospital and other medical professionals won't and you can't be sure that everything will run smoothly.

Easterlily :)