i had private health cover but opted to go public hospital purely cause the reputation of the public hospital in the large town i live in was better than the private hospital here, example the baby care unit was more updated with equip, etc ...
so, i went into a public hospital as a ** private patient ** which meant i would have first choice of a private room (if there was a private room left available hour of birth) ... which i did end up getting (and if you don't the hospital will reimburse you) ... the public hospital here was encouraging private health insurance users to use their hospital so i was given the choice of a large summed gift voucher eg, for use at a day spa, etc ... i chose a $500 gift voucher for a local baby shop
i was a patient part of what's called a Primary Midwifery Care Program whereas there are 4 midwives in this team, you meet all 4 but 2 are particular close to looking after you during your pregnancy ... one of which is allocated to be at your birth but if she can't for whatever reason her partner midwife will be there at your birth.
i was also a high-risk patient and was given such brilliant care with the midwives & if i needed to see a OB i could if any concerns occurred.
***** SO, THAT'S ANOTHER OPTION FOR YOU TO LOOK INTO if the public hospital near you has the " Primary Midwifery Care Program "
I've done both public and private with my own ob and would choose private any day. The standard of care of me post birth at the private was heaps better than the public and there were no problems with DH coming and going as he pleased, even though I was in a private room both times stupid visiting rules at the public hospital. We needed NICU care both times too and the care at the private was much better because NICU was within the maternity ward and not separate as it was at the public.
We have top PHI and the only OOP was for the ob's premium which was due at 20 odd weeks, but that put us over the Medicare Safety Net threshold so we got a lot of it back anyway. I think we were only OOP by about $1000 in the end, but it does vary from dr to dr.
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stupid visiting rules at the public hospital. We needed NICU care both times too and the care at the private was much better because NICU was within the maternity ward and not separate as it was at the public.
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