Maternity insurance..Pro & Con?

Lancerx on 07/09/2015 - 12:02
Last edited 07/09/2015 - 12:15

Hi all,

Just wondering what are the pros & cons of having maternity insurance. From what I read in the cover notes, it seems like it's just an overpriced insurance policy with not-much benefits to customers (unless you have major complications during pregnancy?). So is it just the case of "what if shit happens" policy? Other than that, I can't see much benefits in spending $2K + excess on policy with a year waiting period.

In fact, 2 of my friends actually bought them but never ended up claiming for anything. I was told the pre-check up appt with specialist are not covered (which is the most common expenses?). I mean both of them had their babies in public hospital, King Edward WA too and never had any complaint too.

Appreciate the advice from the mums & dad on OzB! Thanks!

Health & Beauty

Comments

  • spackbace on 07/09/2015 - 12:05
    +4

    Have had 3 without private cover. Mrs had her own room all 3 times. As far as we were concerned, the private cover would've just got her a newspaper and meal vouchers each day :P
    Otherwise everything was fine and taken care of!

    All 3 @ King Edward, complications with 2.

    • Lancerx on 07/09/2015 - 12:14

      And Medicare covered most of the expenses with the 2 with complications?

      Kudos to you spackbace for replying to every single one of my thread! Stop stalking me will ya! lol..jk

      • spackbace on 07/09/2015 - 12:16
        +1

        Lol stop making threads :P

        Medicare covered everything, from memory it's only the scans that have out-of-pocket expenses.

        • Lancerx on 07/09/2015 - 12:18

          Can't help it! Love the speed of reply here, especially from you ;)

          Good to know, wouldn't expect taxpayers to pay for the scan for sure.

          Do you have to register to go to King Edward by the way? Or they just admit you to the nearest hospital?

        • spackbace on 07/09/2015 - 12:20

          @Droid11:

          Have to register for your hospital of choice, I don't know by which week it had to be done. King Edward is mainly for high-risk births, otherwise there are other public hospitals.

        • altomic on 07/09/2015 - 12:22

          same situation as spackbace - 3 kids - all public. wife had a private room pretty much everytime (twice had to share -in a double- for the first night). medicare took care of everything - thank you Gough Whitlam.

          My sister-in-law went private for her first and after that birth realised there was no difference than being private. she went public with the next 2 births and had no complaints (except she had paid for private for the first).

        • Lancerx on 07/09/2015 - 12:23

          @Spackbace: Well "just in case", I might as well register there..I knew some people on private health still ended up in King Edward that's all

        • peteru on 08/09/2015 - 15:14

          @Droid11:

          Indeed. In almost all cases, any child birth that requires specialist care will end up in a public hospital specialist unit at a largish catchment hospital.

          I for one can not fault the public system as far as having children is concerned. Sure, you have to be patient and do a lot of waiting while seeing the various specialists and you see whoever happens to be available, rather than insisting on a particular doctor. From my experience, everyone seems to get as much as attention as they actually require for their circumstances. I can see how "needy" or "stressy" people may benefit from paying extra money to minimise waiting time or to get to see the same person every time they pop in, but in reality it's not needed.

          If one is to assume that OzBargainers would rather not spend money on things that provide minimal value, than this is certainly one area where Medicare is the bargain and everything else gets down-voted. ;-)

        • m00c0w on 09/09/2015 - 22:26

          @Droid11: Actually, there are some places that bulk bill the scans. Just need to all your GP if they know of any local ones.

    • [Deactivated] on 07/09/2015 - 21:15

      @Spackbace, are congratulations in order? Last week, you said you had 2.

      • spackbace on 07/09/2015 - 21:17

        No jj
        1 was born at 26 weeks, survived for 4 weeks

        • [Deactivated] on 07/09/2015 - 21:20
          +3

          I'm so sorry for your loss :(

        • spackbace on 07/09/2015 - 21:21
          +2

          @Jar Jar Binks:

          That's ok, we all have our demons

        • [Deactivated] on 07/09/2015 - 21:38
          +1

          @Spackbace: and fighting battles that no one knows about :(

  • OzPunter on 07/09/2015 - 12:20
    +1

    My Mrs is currently pregnant and we are going public after comparing risk/reward ratio.Fortunately, we live in the catchment area of Westmead NSW hospital which is considered as one of the best hospitals in Sydney. We have checked with many friends and all have suggested against going private.
    So just visit your local hospital and if you are satisfied with facilities then you go public(yeah cookies and meal vouchers are not wortht the premium you pay for maternity insurance)

  • mskeggs on 07/09/2015 - 12:27
    +1

    Be aware that private hospitals have a much higher clinical intervention rate, particularly caesarean deliveries. If you are seeking a surgical delivery, this can be good, as they tend to accommodate happily elective requests. If you aren't it can be difficult to avoid.

    • Lancerx on 07/09/2015 - 12:34

      Mrs insisted on natural, so finger crossed everything turn out fine though

      • mskeggs on 07/09/2015 - 12:42
        +4

        Certainly my recommendation, in terms of better health outcomes. Caesarean deliveries are major surgery, with accompanying risks and recovery times. A normal vaginal delivery leaves everyone in better shape.
        Note, I am not a clinician.

      • airzone on 07/09/2015 - 13:27
        +5

        I wouldn't get too worried about the process.. The end result is what's important - a healthy baby. Sure, a vaginal birth is as simple as it gets… But if an emergency c-section or other assisted technique comes your way, please don't get hung up on how the "birth experience is ruined".. It's insignificant compared to the lifetime of parenthood that follows… There are always a multitude of other things she can feel guilty about if she desires… Such as the brand of pram.

        • [Deactivated] on 07/09/2015 - 17:59
          +5

          a vaginal birth is as simple as it gets…

          "simple" isn't quite how I would describe it.

          Source: I delivered my first born…in our driveway.

        • airzone on 07/09/2015 - 20:46
          +14

          @Jar Jar Binks: I can understand that people want to DIY to save a buck, but petrol money to the hospital is probably one of those things I'd put down as an unavoidable expense..

        • [Deactivated] on 07/09/2015 - 21:11

          @airzone: …especially if the mrs is pregnant with twins, like mine was.

      • CLoSeR on 09/09/2015 - 21:18

        Of course most mums would prefer natural if possible, but if there are complications you want intervention for the safety of mum & bub.

    • CLoSeR on 09/09/2015 - 21:17

      It's really the OB's call in a private hospital so it depends on your doctor.

      • mskeggs on 09/09/2015 - 21:28

        Which I think is the main reason private has higher intervention rates. Most public hospital births are run by midwives, whose attitude is generally that birth is a normal, healthy thing, not something requiring a doctor's involvement unless there are problems.

        • CLoSeR on 09/09/2015 - 21:31

          Well that's one way to look at it, another is that there is a high degree of waiting in public hospitals and intervention is not so easily accessible. I have one friends wife who was left on a bed in the hallway of a public hospital in pain for way too long due to poor decisions of the on duty dr. They ended up having to intervene to save the baby who was in distress.

  • Lancerx on 07/09/2015 - 13:30

    Just wondering how much emergency c-section would cost typically without private health?

    • spackbace on 07/09/2015 - 13:31
      +3

      Nothing. We've been in that case.

      • Lancerx on 07/09/2015 - 13:42

        Really?! Makes you wonder even more why on earth people keep saying you need to buy maternity hospotal insurance..

        • OldBugger on 07/09/2015 - 14:03
          +2

          A good thread here about people's experiences with HI and some going into maternity cover.

          Like spack, we went through public (Swan Districs) for our two. Both difficult but fortunately escaped surgery (they say if we had gone private we a c-section may have been more likely). Received own room. Variety of experienced staff and specialists within building (ie. not 'on-call'). All expenses covered including excellent follow up home vists and specialist support when required.

          I think the draw card for private patients is to have their own room, which is fair enough, but it also allows them to choose their own obs. Personally I wouldn't pay the $2000+ obs fee as what often happens (at least with those I know) is that the ob is away on the big day (especially if it is on a weekend) and you have someone random anyhow.

          Good luck!

        • patinadiary on 08/09/2015 - 10:48

          Yes, the mrs opted for natural birth, but due to last minute complication she had to get an emergency c section - The emergency room was sorted within an hour and all went well.

          Cost of Surgery - $0
          Care and experience of the staff at the hospital - $1 Billion+
          Joy you seeing your baby for the first time - Priceless.

    • ESEMCE on 07/09/2015 - 16:00
      +1

      $0

      Source - personal experience

      • stumo on 09/09/2015 - 22:28

        Also, if you so choose, the subsequent elective c-sections for future births are also $0 each.

  • naccas on 07/09/2015 - 16:31

    Do you get to choose your obstetrician when going public?

    • Lancerx on 07/09/2015 - 16:38

      I would say no? Or else there's even more reason not to have PI.

      Then again, who cares who does it as long as they know how? They're all qualified anyway. We're not in some third world medical facilities

    • maximum on 07/09/2015 - 17:18

      No but there are only a couple where I live so when I had to go to one and so I got the same one as my friends paid over $1000 to see. If no complications I personally prefer a midwife anyway. I went public with both of mine second one I had a private room and the first was straight into Neo natal so I was never in my room anyway.

    • altomic on 07/09/2015 - 22:18
      +1

      My sister-in-law had her Obstetrician all sorted for her first with HI. When the day arrived he was elsewhere and another Dr delivered. She went public for the next and found no difference in treatment, service, room, etc.

    • bluedufflecoat on 08/09/2015 - 08:31
      +1

      I went public… and had "complicated" pregnancies … so I often saw the same "specialist" doctor for my appointments. And I don't really remember who delivered my babies - but they did a good job and I have no complaints about our public healthcare from a maternity / pregnancy point of view.

    • patinadiary on 08/09/2015 - 10:55

      Im not sure what the fuss about choosing your own Obstetrician is? Unless they are a friend/family member, as a first timer how does one know whom to choose anyway?
      We went the public route and all Docs we saw were highly experienced and excellent to deal with. Appointments were recorded in detail. At the next appointment a different(not always) doctor picked up from where we left last time.

    • parisienne on 08/09/2015 - 18:43
      +3

      Absolutely not.You get whoever is on at the time (not an obstetrician but a resident if issues,otherwise it's a midwife.O&Gs don't see public pts unless an interesting case or massive issues).How do i know….i am a maternity nurse

  • clarebear on 07/09/2015 - 18:35

    Ob fees are not covered. You need an Ob for a private hospital. I recently went public as a private patient and got zilch extras. The other wards got free TV etc for private patients the maternity ward doesn't get that, was not happy.

    • Lancerx on 07/09/2015 - 18:52

      You're saying on top of premium for maternity insurance, I have to pay extra for Ob fees too? What the?

      • ESEMCE on 08/09/2015 - 09:08
        +1

        Can confirm this..
        Source - my sister

        • minniethemoocher on 08/09/2015 - 12:21

          Yes it can be $1,000s. Mine was $5000 but that was back in the day when Medicare rebated 80%.

  • bobwokeup on 07/09/2015 - 22:17

    We had the insurance for the year and ended up going public. The Ob we had did private and public as it turned out. That wasn't the deciding factor though. For us the only benefit to go private was your own room and for the cost (not even factoring in the insurance premiums) we decided it wasn't worth it. Needless to say once we decided that I downgraded the insurance. The other benefit is choosing your Ob and we didn't have a preference but we were really happy with the one we got (we had a choice of about 3-4 Obs for that hospital).

  • whitewatermelon on 08/09/2015 - 06:29

    I had private insurance for my first, and am glad I did. I wasn't considered high risk, had absolutely no sickness or concerns during pregnancy, but was told I would probably have a larger than average baby (they reckoned about 8lb). I ended up being induced, and then I had all sorts of complications during delivery. My baby ended up being 10lb 1 oz, and because of his size, he had to stay in the special care nursery the 1st 2 nights, and they brought him to me only when he needed feeding, as due to all the complications, I could barely move. I have been told that this would not have happened in public, but don't quote me on that!
    Our second bub we had through public system, as we were having an elective c-section and didn't want to pay all the associated fees to do that privately. I had no complications, and my visit was wonderful. Yes, I had to share a room (private I had my own), but it was a fairly quiet time of year, and 2 out of 3 nights it was just me and one other lady, and both our babies slept through the night!
    Honestly, I preferred my public stay more, however my elective caesar had far less complications than my "natural" delivery. It's hard to know if I would have had the same level of care in public. In our area, if you have a natural birth during the day, you are sent home 4 hours after delivery (night time delivery you can stay the night).

    • ESEMCE on 08/09/2015 - 09:12
      +3

      had to stay in the special care nursery the 1st 2 nights, and they brought him to me only when he needed feeding, as due to all the complications, I could barely move. I have been told that this would not have happened in public

      Sorry, had to quote cause that is pure rubbish!

      you are sent home 4 hours after delivery

      Your source for this?
      Was the source "sent" home, or did they elect to go home? (big difference!)

      • spackbace on 08/09/2015 - 10:20
        +1

        had to stay in the special care nursery the 1st 2 nights, and they brought him to me only when he needed feeding, as due to all the complications, I could barely move. I have been told that this would not have happened in public

        Sorry, had to quote cause that is pure rubbish!

        Fully agree

      • whitewatermelon on 08/09/2015 - 10:35

        I was told (hence the reason I said don't quote me) that my baby would not have been big enough to go into special care in public. This was from a lady in my mothers group that had a bigger baby than me, public, not in special care.

        One local hospital only takes low risk and doesn't have a maternity ward AT ALL. They have a birthing room, but no recovery ward. They are SENT home within 4 hours after birthing. I had all my prenatal visits at this hospital and know this as FACT. I wasn't even allowed to consider birthing here, if I wanted a natural birth not caesar.
        Other local hospital has maternity wing, but (and I personally heard it said to BOTH natural births while I was there), "you had a normal delivery, you've had a sleep, you can go home now". I didn't see any other births in the 4 days I was there, so either there were no others, or they were sent home straightaway.
        This is on the Central Coast (1hr north of Sydney), so we are in no way considered rural.
        Perhaps it's the hospital's way of dealing with the massive shortage of rooms and beds.
        I will say that there have been masses of complaints due to the short hospital stay, but whether anything has actually come from it, I don't know.

      • parisienne on 08/09/2015 - 18:50
        +1

        The 4 hrs rule is true…a normal delivery,no issues,4 hrs later we aim to get you out.CS delivery…we aim for 24 hrs out the door.This is for 2 reasons:
        1:You aren't sick as such after an normal delivery,so you are better off at home (less chance of bugs being caught from the public,your own surroundings being more comfortable and honestly….we need the bed)
        2:After a CS,midwives see you on a daily basis at home,any issues,you can come back via delivery suite and be checked (same reasons as above are the rationale)

        • peteru on 08/09/2015 - 22:20

          It depends on which state you are in and even on the individual hospital, but most importantly on the requirements of the patients.

          You are not going to be sent on your way of there is any risk to you or your baby. That includes the mental state of the mother.

          Also bear in mind that there is a difference between delivery suites and maternity ward. The time of day will also make a difference.

    • patinadiary on 08/09/2015 - 11:01

      We were in a similar situation….had to to be induced, then had a c eventually. The Mrs was in hospital for 2 nights and 3 days. Being a c section we also had our own room and yes we went to a Public Hospital.

  • Deridas on 08/09/2015 - 08:58

    As much as I feel that private health insurance is a waste of time, just wanted to let you know the 'choose your own doctor' clause means if you do end up a cesarean section, you have an experienced consultant doing majority of the work, and not the trainee obstetrician… But that's about all the real benefits you get…

    • OldBugger on 08/09/2015 - 17:30
      +5

      A trainee would not conduct a c-section solo and it is a misconception that in public you are left with inexperienced medical staff. The most experienced specialists in the state are found in public hospitals.

      • mskeggs on 09/09/2015 - 13:40

        But the ones most motivated by money are in private. Surely they would be the best choice?

      • Deridas on 09/09/2015 - 14:36

        Hi OldBugger, that is correct, a trainee that it's not completely competent will not perform any procedure solo, the Australian health system minimizes anything unsafe to our patients. As I mentioned before though, I did say 'majority of the work'. The trainee (which can be quite junior), won't perform solo, but normally participates based on level of experience. The private health system is the difference between someone suturing your wound with 500 previous experience compared to 5, or the Anaesthetist spinal with 500 experience compared to 5. It reduces the likelihood of having two stabs or more with any needle work, or perhaps minimal suboptimal cosmetic effect due to a less experienced practitioner.

        As I eluded to earlier, the benefits are quite minimal, but they are there.

  • redlover on 08/09/2015 - 10:13
    +1

    Well for me im glad I have private insurance. I had 2 miscarriages so far and still trying for a healthy pregnancy . the reason im glad I have private insurance is because I can rest assured I have the best care from my obgyn. From my very first miscarriage he already done many test on me to check if there is anything wrong. I heard from my friend experience with going public they wont test you until 3 subsequent miscarriage. I don't think I can go through that. it only beneficial if you have complication I guess . if everything is okay and all healthy then I don't think private insurance is needed. Yet.. we never know whether there will be complication. I am all healthy , non smoker, young and never thought I will have this problem with miscarriages.
    on another note, a friend of mine was gone through a healthy pregnancy for 9 months and suddenly have complication on high blood pressure on the day she deliver. luckily for her the obgyn (she has private insurance) was very competent and experienced and all was well.
    so for me i always on the lookout for the cheapest premium that can cover what i need. once my provider increase the premium i will just switch to a cheaper one. but just be careful to read all inclusions etc.

  • JimB on 08/09/2015 - 11:18

    I was trying to figure out what Maternity insurance was, basically private health insurance.

    Anyway, I recommend it for at least the first child. Compared to friends who went to the public system, you get much more attention from nurses, choice of OB (a good one will answer all your questions and provide good advice/reassurance) and will teach you how to breastfeed, wash the baby, making formula, sterilising, etc etc.

    Friends who have given birth at a public hospital for their first child were sent home after one night without what I deem to essential skills mentioned above.

    I think it was money well spent, prob about $2k out of pocket all up, but it was well worth it for us.

    We went private the second time round too, but I would be been comfortable if it was a natural birth with the public system.

    As above, our concern with the public system was getting a trainee obstetrician. Both were delivered via C-Section due to complications with the birth, instead we had the same highly experienced OB for both births. For us there was no question it was worth it.

    We had a nursing student training to be a midwife who was doing placement at a public hospital who followed my wife's pregnancy & was in hopital for the birth as part of her coursework. She also commented that you get much more attention & care in the private hospital as there is a nigher staff to patient ratio.

  • Lancerx on 08/09/2015 - 11:20
    +8

    Thanks guys & girls for your comments! After chatting with my wife, It came to me what are $2k to lifetime of happiness, even it might be waste of money. It's our first, and I guess I can't bear the thought of regretting not getting insurance etc..

    For once, I'll take off my OzB hat, and just splash money…guess it's out of love :P

    • JimB on 08/09/2015 - 11:24
      +4

      Good choice.

      What's the point of saving money if you can't spend it on what is important to you.

    • bluedufflecoat on 08/09/2015 - 12:24
      +1

      You do what's right for you and your family. Good luck.

    • roiboi123 on 08/09/2015 - 13:57
      +3

      exactly the reason we went private. If you have a uncomplicated birth, the pre and post care when going private is better than going public. Also, don't forget there's potentially an additional $5-7k in obs and scan costs if you choose to deliver at a private hospital.

      we went private for our first mainly because we could choose the ob and also because i was able to stay with her for the 4 nights after birth to help out. It was also a good bonding experience with the newborn. Also, everyone i know who went public weren't lucky enough to get a room of their own and a few of them left after the first night because the other babies were crying at alternate times to their own, which makes it quite stressful for a mother who's just given birth. We also appreciated being able to tell people whether to come or not during visiting hours. In a shared room the other mother might have visitors when you don't really want too many people around. I'm not rubbishing the public system, i'm saying if these things are important to you then you will need to go private.

      The actual delivery and care if minor complications arise would be equivalent in both private and public. In situations of major complications the mother and child would be transferred to a public hospital as their emergency care if the private hospital wasn't certified to handle that level of emergency. I'm only speaking for Melbourne East though, obs and hospitals will vary a lot throughout the state/s.

    • imahapyboy on 08/09/2015 - 16:30
      +1

      well done! im on your side!

    • CLoSeR on 09/09/2015 - 21:28

      12 month waiting period for pregnancy benefits usually, so don't start trying for atleast 3 months after signing up. Your wife's expected due date needs to be after that 12 month period for cover.

    • redlover on 10/09/2015 - 10:56

      well done!
      just wanted to share so far I found La Trobe health insurance to be the cheapest. choose their top hospital cover.
      I have tried to compare to so many provider even took ISelect challenge (they challenge you to call them and if they cant find a cheaper heatlh insurance they will give you $300 giftcard) and even them cant provide me with a more valuable provider

  • cashews on 08/09/2015 - 11:58
    +1

    Public was great for my wife. Prior to and after the birth we had home visits from a midwife. When we were at the hospital we had a room to ourselves, they allowed me to sleep in the room as well and also provided me with a couple of meals.

    We had to stay 3 days as our baby needed antibiotics every 3 hours intravenously at the special care children's ward. Overall it cost us nothing except the parking at the hospital.

    Some advice that I found useful as a new parent: everyone will be giving you advice on what to do with your kid. Just because other people have had kids doesn't make them experts on your kids. Take on only advice that you feel is right.

  • DarkOz on 08/09/2015 - 13:40

    Like all other insurances in life, just in case shit happens you have something to wipe it off. Good luck.

    • peteru on 08/09/2015 - 15:24

      Not in this case. If you are unfortunate enough and your baby does not make it, the insurance is of no use. It won't even cover the funeral costs.

  • jonathonsunshine on 08/09/2015 - 14:25
    +1

    There was some sort of deal for cheap maternity insurance a while back but it's expired now :(

  • Costco97 on 08/09/2015 - 17:00

    I am not sure if it is different per state.

    We always had corporate cover which covered maternity by default.

    With pregnancy of first one when we consulted private hospital and public hospitals, there was not much difference except for room to yourself at the cost of $2000-$3000 which specialist charges you as out of pocket expense (would have increases because that figure was 5 years ago). This figure was with having top notch hospital cover. That is because somehow you cannot go to public hospital for all appointments and delivery in private hospital. Although same Gynecologist which was practicing at private hospital was also on call Gynecologist at next door public hospital.

    Then wife had gestational diabetes and public hospital moved her from level 3 to level 2 hospital.

    We had room to ourselves anyway because hospital didn't need that room anyway due to beds available in other rooms.

    With second baby, we had delivery in public hospital.

    Very happy with all the maternal staff at all 3 hospitals we had to visit in past (Monash Hospital Clayton, Dandenong hospital and Casey hospital)

    • Costco97 on 08/09/2015 - 17:02
      +1

      One more thing which I learnt in all these years, god forbids if things go wrong usually patients are refereed to public hospitals with specialists. Hospitals have grading system.

      Only thing to add is that if it is your first baby and natural birth which needs some stitches, be sure it is not someone who is on its L plates.

      • CLoSeR on 09/09/2015 - 21:20

        Exactly.. if it's your first and you need stitches the oncall Doctor will do it.. results will vary.

  • BartholemewH on 08/09/2015 - 20:55

    My first child was born a week ago. We both have private hospital but don't have maternity on the policy. The local public hospital only has private rooms in the maternity ward so there is essentially no benefit to private in my eyes. The midwives that delivered were first rate, the doctors and surgeon we're the same as if we went private. As for a TV being a benefit, are people serious? 4G plus tablet and Netflix beforehand and too busy to watch TV afterwards. Incidentally we moved from one room without a TV to a room with a TV (which you would get as private patient) due to plumbing works, but the room with the TV didn't have the massive covered balcony the standard room had. Go figure.

    • [Deactivated] on 09/09/2015 - 11:03

      Congrats on the new baby:)

  • jayzee on 09/09/2015 - 02:04
    +1

    Two kids born on private hospital, I think it's well worth it.

    First kid with no complication, stayed six days in hospital private room, partner was allowed to stay overnight, they gave you a makeshift bed to sleep next to your wife.

    Second was sent to hospital on 28 weeks of pregnancy on doctor's order. He even ordered not to get out of bed unless using toilet, other needs just press buzz calling nurses. Because the doctor considered that the baby could be born prematurely, then all sorts of problems would come with premature birth. That's pretty scary! So wife stayed in a private room for 8 weeks until the gestation considered full term, they sent her home as it's safe to go home then. Doctor had asked if she wanted to go home or preferred to stay, she chose home, guess she had enough of hospital food. We came back after two weeks home stay, had baby delivered without complication. Total stay in hospital was 60 days for second child, total hospital bill was $25k, all covered by private health insurance. Well, I really don't think NSW public hospital would let you stay for eight weeks in our situation. And one more thing for people consider using public system, NSW public hospital's parking meter rate is on par with Sydney airport's, consider that's your contribution to our public health system.

    Private health insurance only covers your hospital bill, not your doctors' (OB and Anaesthetist) bill. Some OBs do package deal, you pay a set fee, it covers all his fees with or without complication. Now you can't claim Medicare rebate for OB's expense anymore, so you would be looking at out of pocket expense around $3k-$4k. However, the expense does count towards Medicare safety net expense. You could plan your family's medical appointments accordingly, it would only cost around 10% of the total bill when seeing a specialist after hitting the safety net. Pay your OB's bill first, then schedule other specialists' appointments. You would find you only pay $20-$30 for seeing a specialist within the calendar year.

    • brazen00 on 10/09/2015 - 11:16
      +1

      partner was allowed to stay overnight

      This for me was the key. First was born naturally in a private hospital. I was able to stay until they were discharged 3 days later.

      Second came at 30 weeks, so my wife was transferred to public where baby was born by emergency c. Had to beg the ward manager to let me sleep in a chair and they weren't happy about it. Was forced to go home next day.

  • Dr Techno on 16/04/2021 - 20:13

    FIrst kid went public, ended up paying $75 parking since wife was yelling & screaming at me saying she cant wait for me to hunt around for free parking.
    (Natural Delivery) Second kid just last week same public hospital but induced & had forcep delivery. Was able to get free all day parking so cost $0. Both cases wife stayed in private room.. last stay was for 5 days. Wife will kill me if we had anymore kids :P

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