Is private hospital worth the money? Anyone with Latrobe or Medibank?

[Queenluxury]

I'm with medibank and have their top cover. Both my girls were born at SJOG in Subi and I paid nothing at all for either the hospital or my OB (private health cover doesn't cover OB visits up to birth though). FOr DD1 I stayed in 5 days. For DD2 I stayed in a few hours only, but that was my choice not theirs. They were all stunned I was choosing to go home. DH stayed with me the whole time after DD1 was born and there was a small out of pocket cost for his meals.

I have a friend who birthed at KEMH as a private patient and she was in for a few days, albeit after a c-section. She did have a private room but was told that they couldn't guarantee the private room.

SJOG is all private rooms in maternity so you would never have to share. I think Mercy is the same. Not sure of anywhere else.

Where are you considering? Also bear in mind that some OBs only deliver at one hospital, so you would have to choose which is more important if your OB of choice doesn't deliver at your hospital of choice IYKWIM. This baby will also be born at SJOG. I would rather have birthed at Glengarry (closer to our new home and its a lovely small private hospital), but I want to stay with my OB and he only delivers at SJOG.

Thanks LuluHB!! I was thinking to go SJOG Subiaco also. May I ask the name of your OB?
Is every OB at SJOG "no gap doctor"?
I still deciding between Dr Adam gubbay at SJOG or Dr. Bruce at Mercy

[LuluHB]

My OB is Simon Turner. I have personal reasons for not wanting Dr Gubbay but have heard he is a good OB. Haven't heard of Dr Bruce.

I think you will find some OBs charge more than others. There is one I can think of that I won't name that charges waaaay more than other WA OBs and I'm sure that no matter what your health insurance, you end up with a gap to pay. Their fees are their personal choice and nothing to do with the hospital, so I would suggest you ask for fee details and gap details when you make enquiries for appointments.

Also, don't leave it too long before making your appointment - even if you have an initial appt with two or even three to decide who you like best. The better ones seem to get booked up very early.

[Queenluxury]

My OB is Simon Turner. I have personal reasons for not wanting Dr Gubbay but have heard he is a good OB. Haven't heard of Dr Bruce.

I think you will find some OBs charge more than others. There is one I can think of that I won't name that charges waaaay more than other WA OBs and I'm sure that no matter what your health insurance, you end up with a gap to pay. Their fees are their personal choice and nothing to do with the hospital, so I would suggest you ask for fee details and gap details when you make enquiries for appointments.

Also, don't leave it too long before making your appointment - even if you have an initial appt with two or even three to decide who you like best. The better ones seem to get booked up very early.

Thanks for that.
I was thinking to change my insurance from Medibank to Latrobe due to waiting period. I'm scared If my baby born premature 2 weeks i wont be cover and ended up pay lots of bills due.
Do you know If I can change to go public at the last minute If thats happen??

[LuluHB]

I'm pretty sure if you just front up in labour at KEMH then you'll be fine. Good thing about public hospitals is they have to take you, no matter what.

[Queenluxury]

I'm pretty sure if you just front up in labour at KEMH then you'll be fine. Good thing about public hospitals is they have to take you, no matter what.

Thank you LuluHB xoxo

[Cass72]

I went to SJOG Murdoch - didn't have to pay any extra (we are with Navy Health). My OB was Dr Molloy - loved him - but also saw Dr Mincham a couple of times (also great). Dr Molloy is one of those that charges a little more.

[Cranky Kitten]

Be aware though, while you won't normally pay anything depending on your PHI and which Dr for in hospital services, you do pay for both appts (check-ups with the Ob and u/sounds) and the majority of obs have a planning and management fee which is usually somewhere around $1500-2500 out of pocket. You get about $500 of this back from Medicare.

Some public hospitals like to send you home relatively early but arrange home-visits from a midwife for you, others will allow you to stay a bit longer. I had DD at Bentley and pretty well begged to go home on day 3 while they would've preferred I stay longer as I was outside the home visit catchment area - and this was a relatively uncomplicated delivery.

[Queenluxury]

Be aware though, while you won't normally pay anything depending on your PHI and which Dr for in hospital services, you do pay for both appts (check-ups with the Ob and u/sounds) and the majority of obs have a planning and management fee which is usually somewhere around $1500-2500 out of pocket. You get about $500 of this back from Medicare.

Some public hospitals like to send you home relatively early but arrange home-visits from a midwife for you, others will allow you to stay a bit longer. I had DD at Bentley and pretty well begged to go home on day 3 while they would've preferred I stay longer as I was outside the home visit catchment area - and this was a relatively uncomplicated delivery.

Dear Cranky Kitten,

I live around the corner from Bentley hospital. Do you got private room?
If I have to go public I prefer to go king edward but My friend told methey wouldn't accept anyone with low risk.