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

[Queenluxury]

Hi Ladies... all the mommy to be

I just want to know your experience with Private Hospital.
-How much Gap you have to pay?
-Is Medibank fully covered?
-Is it better to be Private patient at Public hospital? ( some people reckon you can get private room if you have private insurance)
-Is it true that you pay more gap when you with Latrobe?

I live in WA. The public hospitals near my house wasn't a plesant place to stay esp shared the room with others.
also heard they will try to kick you out within 48 hours. is that true?

Thanks in advance

[LuluHB]

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.

[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.