I went public with DD and didn't pay a cent, we made sure to book our scans and get referred to bulk billing clinics. Same for scans this time, although this time we have private midwifery care so have birth and booking fees, a few for each appointment etc. The only things we paid for for DD's pregnancy were extras; a birth class and 4d imaging.
The only scans I ever paid for were the scans I had through private practices - even some of which are IN the public hospital. So I paid out of pocket expenses (the gap) for all SKG scans, and for the scans I had at Imaging the South - which is the PRIVATE company operating in the public hospital in Mandurah, in WA.
All antenatal classes conducted by the hospital were free. Although, I never went to them with DD2 - they were very poor the first time around and I had no use for them. I strongly recommend private classes anyway, much better information.
I also had to pay for my TV in the hospital - wtih DD1 I was supposed to pay, but it was already on and they never charged me, with DD2 I paid.
Aside from the scans and the TV, I never paid a cent for anything in a public hospital for either of my births (an ecs and a VBAC).
#1 Paid for birthing classes $50, morph scan bulk billed
#2 paid for dating scan, morph scan bulk billed
#3 paid for dating scan, private gender @20 weeks and 4d scan @32 weeks, doula
#4 paid for dating scan, morph scan will be bulk billed, will pay $50 for birth classes
12 weeek scan was over $100 as I wasnt classed as high risk so arranged it privately through my gp
20 week morphology scans were done through the public hospital at no cost
antenatal classes were free through the hospital but we only went to two as I found they didnt hold much value to me and I educated myself online and through books/docos
Midwife came to me most appointments so didnt even have transport/carparking costs
I had all my girls on the Mid North Coast. First 2 in Coffs Harbour. I saw my regular GP & an Ob. Ob was private, so I paid the gap as a public patient (no other option in the area). I think back then scans were bulk billed at the only locals x-ray place (7 & 10 years ago).
I had DS in the Central West. Wasn't exactly cheaper, because I had to travel 2 hours to the nearest birthing hospital (Dubbo), but it's a lower socio economic area & everything was free. Antenatal clinic with ob's for high risk & m/w's for general patients. Scans at the hospital or medical centre before 12 weeks.
I had DD3 back on the MN Coast, in a smaller hospital, MW run labour ward. By then things had changed. At the same place I had DD1&2's scans, I think I had to pay a gap, & it got more the further you are along. I think $80 for 12 weeks & $130 for 20 weeks.
Everything else was free for me though. Bloods etc were always bulk billed.
In the last 10 years on the MN Coast, its gone from gp's mostly bulk billing, to you having to ask the gp & them being able to say no (one actually did say no to me, I couldn't stand him). Where as in Dubbo they've opened up a huge medical centre with x-ray's, dentist, bloods, gp's all bulk billed, walk in basis, then the clinic at the hospital. In Coffs I think they've just started a clinic in the last few years.
I agree with Clover about the area.
I had DD1 in Sydney, private, paid for everything.
DS in Southern/Central NSW, private in a public hospital as no private GPs. Paid for no bloods but all scans until the end when someone suggested (like one of the m/ws) I ask for a hospital u/s (was having lots after some probs) and that I should have done that all along and not paid for anything.
DD2 in Central Australia. There is no private care here. I didn't pay for anything.
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