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.

[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

[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