Emma have you considered a homesbirth instead?
For the amount you would pay on a 12 month waiting period for PHI, then another 10 months for pregnancy, plus any oustanding costs (which I am unsure of, but I know each little thing (epidural, peth, c/sec) tends to cost more) - that medicare may cover part of but that still leaves you out of pocket.
I guess PHI is probably not as much as a homebirth, but for being in the comfort of your own home, guaranteed continutity of care etc...?
Might be worth considering.
oh cr@p...
i was thinking that the 12 month waiting period would be from the time i start PHI to the time i give birth... do i need to be covered for 12 months BEFORE getting pregnant??? if that is the case then its probably out of the question as i think i want to get pregnant in the first half of next year... all going well.
i'm not sure about a homebirth.... if i've had a c-section previously does that mean a homebirth is less, hmmmm, ideal? because of how badly my labour went last time, the thought of being at home scares me a bit, as its a good half hour to the hospital, if anything was to go wrong...
i also like the idea of being away from life for a few days while i recover, without having to think about cooking, cleaning, everyday things... and to have a few days selfishly with my newborn, without my first child and without my partner at night.... god does that make me sound awful!!!
does anyone know a ball park figure of how much it would cost to go private without the insurance?
Emma - are you weighing up T'gon v W'gul hospitals? from what i've heard W'gul have a much higher level of care.
i would check with your PHI about coverage. Most obstetric coverage only has a 9 month waiting limit - so essentially you have to be covered before falling pg. i'm about to call my PHI as i look to have to have shared GP/Ob care and want to know what it's going to sting me for the Ob side of things! i have medium (i think) hospital cover so i'll have some out of pocket, but not sure how much
our PHI had a 12 month waiting period and yeah, this was before you were pg...really shoddy really!
some private hospitals here in melbourne have 'priority' rooms for out of town patients. i think it is the freemasons that has the family rooms for regional visitors (ie DH can stay with you)....maybe worth checking out hossy policy for regional visitors...
yes refering to Tgon and Wgul, I have previously been to Tgon, and know Wgul would be better, but not keen on sharing... did prefer facilities at Tgon but that can't be a good enough reason to go there again...
very interesting re: regional family rooms!! will look into.
i've just spoken to PHI - and they don't cover much in terms of Ob fees - if they sock you more than medicare scheduled fees, you wear the costs.
we thought about travelling further, but prefer to be semi-local as DH will come home daily and care for the menagerie - so even though t'gon is "newer" and has the birthing suites, we've opted (at this point) for w'gul. it's about 65k's from here, and scares me if we have a quick labour - which is why i don't think i'd be brave enough to choose any of the more "metro" hospitals.
i understand about the shared room thing - but i don't think i could travel twice as far for a single room
have you thought about scoping out Sale? not sure if they have private birthing suites up there...
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks