Private patient using public hospital?

[Wazza]

Just wondering if anyone can help me????
I had first bubs in a public hospital and could not fault the care i received, although i hated sahring a room with 3 other women- not a lot of room.
I am now covered by my private health insurance. Can i go through the public system but pay for my own room- does it make sense?
Do private patients use public hospitals???

Hope someone can clear this up for me!!!

[dannii]

i really cant answer your question, but would be interested to find out the answer.

i actually loved the part about being in the same room with the other mummies, i actually still talk to them now after 8 years.

although i can see why some people would like to have their own room. for privacy and space. after just having your lil miracle.

[Wazza]

i too thought i would enjoy the company but it was cramped and the other ladies didn't speak english- I was lonely.
I know it may not happen next time but I think it is easier to bond with baby and my DS is getting louder by the minute so it would be good to have the privacy.

[FourAngelKisses]

I know that at the hospital I had my kids at, if you were a private patient, you still had to share and you still got the same meals as public patients.

ETA: there is a private hospital a few blocks away, but they can't deliver babies. :confused:

[WeloveHarriet]

I think from memory that once you mention that you are a private patient you will be charged whereas if you just go under public as a public patient there isn't normally any charge at all. Also if you use an OB you will need to check whether they will deliver in the public hospital.

[dannii]

i too thought i would enjoy the company but it was cramped and the other ladies didn't speak english- I was lonely.
I know it may not happen next time but I think it is easier to bond with baby and my DS is getting louder by the minute so it would be good to have the privacy.

thats understandable. i really hope u can get what your looking for. good luck :fingerscrossed:

[PunkyDiva]

Don't know if it's possible but maybe you deliver as a public patient and if you don't like the shared room, request a private one.

I personally enjoyed the company of other woman I am still in contact with now after 16 years. Had a private room once and ended up in the lounge for some company although sleeping was a bit easier.

[winniethepooh]

you can go into public hosp as private patient with your own dr. when you register the ob will ask whether you want a shared or private room.
soem obs do deliver at public hospitals you will just have to find one that does.
If I had health insurance I would go to a priv hospital. the rooms are nicer.

[pickles]

Totally depends what hospital you are at and what doctor if any you plan on having. My second was born at KEMH as a private patient. You ar likey to get a private rrom but you will have to pay for pathology / pharmacy etc as you do in the private system.
a girlfriend of mine just went private at a public hospital , stayed one night and then booked into a 5 star hotel for 2 nights. Still cost her far less than the out of pocket expenses you get when you have a private obst.
good luck
Pickles
DD 02/03
DS 03/05

[SorenLorensen]

i thought if you were private you only really got to go to the public hospital if you were a high risk patient, because to the publice tends to be more able to help babies who need attention, i know 2 people who went to public hospitals as private 1st had a bad pregnancy (fluid on babies lungs) 2nd was having twins ( dont know much about twins but there was something about twin to twin transfer)
i was a public patient and due to having a few problems with the birth and DD having problems i was given my own room right accross from the nurses station because they seemed to think i needed to be labled "high risk for depresion (sp?)"
hey go public and act like your not handeling it and you will get your own room:laughing:

[reAllytee]

Well you may be lucky & score a great hospy that allows you a private room etc due to being a private patient but i do believe its very rare.
Usually its a case of yes you can ask for one & pay for one but may not end up with it.
My hospy advised not to bother because it was so rare when it happened they could count it on one hand !
Private rooms are usually kept for those who have had traumatic labours, multiples etc.
I shouldve had a private room after the birth of Boof because of all that went wrong etc but they were so flat chat they had no choice but to put me in the only bed available which was the only large room which held 2 women. I wasnt happy at all but what could be done ? Anyways i still got special treatment due to needing more help etc so i managed.
If i had gone private that still wouldve been my fate & there is no way in hell i wouldve paid such an amount to have that happen !

Start making some calls & find out what your closest hopsitals advise etc you never know maybe you can get lucky !
Good luck !

[SorenLorensen]

i forgot to add, the friend of mine who had the twins arrived at the hospital and they put her in a room with 4 other people, so she just sat on the bed with her bag next to her and sat there for abou tan hour then a nurse came and asked her if anything was wrong and would she like help unpacking to witch she replyed in a nice tone"oh no thank you i am just waiting for my room". the nurs told her that that was the only bed there but my friend just told her "thats ok i will just sit here till one becomes available" the end result = with in 1 hour she was sitting by herself in the respite room that she had all too herself. :smiliedance: never mess with a pregnant woman :shame:

[Pink73]

A friend of mine had both her babies in a public hos as a public patient but as soon as bubs where born she was moved to the private hospital as a private patient.

She just told pub hos that she was paying for the private hos herself.

As both her bubs where CS it saved her a bucket load.