The Costs of Having a Baby: Out of Pockets, Options, and More..
If you’re planning on starting a family or are already expecting, we advise you to take some time to understand the costs associated with obstetrician fees in Melbourne. To help, we have compiled this guide with comprehensive information on the costs, what to expect out-of-pocket, and the options available.
Are Obstetrician Fees Covered by Medicare?
Fees and billing for private pregnancy care in Melbourne is quite complex. This is due to there being quite a number of groups involved in the overall care for, firstly there is the obstetrician fee for your antenatal visits, labour and postnatal care. There are several medical tests such as the NIPT blood test, sugar test, other specialists such as paediatricians and anaesthetists (if required) and then of course there is the hospital stay for birth and postnatal recovery. All of these facets and others form part of your care over the 10 month period that you are pregnant.
Having a specialist obstetrician care for you and your baby during your pregnancy journey does incur out-of-pocket costs. These costs will vary amongst private obstetricians . In the case of Guy’s services the fee charged covers you for the full term of your pregnancy from your first visit with him through to your postnatal visit at 6 weeks after delivery.
If you have a Medicare card and a valid referral then you will be eligible for a rebate on your antenatal visits and a larger rebate after you have paid your larger payment.
Most Mum’s-to-be require approx. 8-12 consultations to their obstetrician for the duration of their pregnancy. Sometimes patients need to see Guy or our Midwives more frequently and this is arranged on an needs basis and there is no additional cost.
The fee schedule for Guy and his staff covers all of your visits and scans at every visit, full support from our Private Practice Midwives both in-person and on the phone, liaising with GP’s and other specialists,as required and the coordination, organisation and review of tests and speciality scans at 13 and 19 weeks and of course the management of your labour and birth and postnatal recovery period and postnatal visit 6 weeks after birth. Guy is on call 24 hours a day for advice and support but there are occasions when he takes leave or is unable to work due to illness( this is extremely rare!). If Guy is away he ensures his covering arrangement is with highly experienced and senior Obstetricians.
Will the Fee change if I have a complicated birth or I require a caesarean section
Guy’s fee for your pregnancy will not change, regardless of the complexity of the birth or pregnancy.
Other expenses
There are other costs that you will incur such as Specialty Ultrasound that occurs at 13 and 19 weeks gestation, Anaesthetics for a caesarean, Blood tests (including your sugar and NIPT’s test and Pharmacy as required) and a Paediciatrian if needed. These additional expenses are billed separately by the independent practitioner and are not included in Guy’s fees.
Access Gap claiming scheme means the costs of the labour and delivery will be claimed directly from the Public Health Fund. Many funds with no gap cover will cover the full delivery fee with no out of pocket costs to your. Please ensure you check with your Private Health Insurance to determine if there will be any out of pocket costs to you.
Medicare Rebates
Medicare provides a rebate of approx. $45 per visit back to the patient and approx. $550 after payment has been made on your larger instalment amount. Please ensure you and all family members are registered for the Extended Medicare Safety Net (EMSN) so you can claim the maximum Medicare benefit. Once full payment is made on your last instalment our staff will be able to process your rebate for you direct to Medicare.
If you do not have Medicare please advise our Practice Manager and Midwives as additional fees will be charged for your antenatal visits and you will not be eligible for the $550 rebate following your larger payment (see above).
Private Hospital Insurance
The birth is taking place in hospital the birth fee will be billed directly to your Private Health Insurance (please ensure you have eligible pregnancy/obstetrics cover). Your private Hospital Insurance will also cover your in hospital stay (this is normally a stay from 4 – 5 nights) for labour, birth and postnatal recovery.
If you do not have Private Hospital Insurance that covers obstetrics please speak with our practice staff to understand what the cost of your hospital stay and birth will be.
Benefits of a Private Obstetrician
Seeing a Private Obstetrician is not for everyone. Public Maternity Hospitals in Melbourne offer pregnancy care and the majority of the costs will be covered via Medicare. Please ensure you speak to a Public Maternity Hospital about any additional costs that you may incur as an out-of-pocket cost to understand your financial responsibilities prior to registering.
What to Check in Your Policy:
- Waiting periods: Most policies have a 12-month waiting period for maternity cover.
- Level of cover: Make sure your policy covers the services you need.
- Out-of-pocket costs: Be clear on what you’ll need to pay.
How Much Does an Obstetrician Cost Out-of-Pocket?
Out-of-pocket costs for obstetrician services will vary widely depending on whether you go public or private, your health insurance coverage, your chosen obstetrician, and, of course, the extent of services you receive. For example, more services may be required when working with a high risk pregnancy obstetrician in Melbourne.
Is a Private Obstetrician Worth It? What Are the Advantages?
Bringing a child into the world is magical, but it can quickly become an overwhelming experience (even if you have had a child before). Working with a private obstetrician can offer several benefits throughout the process to make things more manageable.
Here’s why some parents-to-be opt for private care:
Advantages:
- Continuity of care: Seeing the same obstetrician and midwives throughout your pregnancy, labour and the postnatal period can help you build a rapport, and understanding, and enables you to be informed and free to ask questions know matter how big or small.
- On call availability: 24 hours a day
- Private Practice Midwives: Available on the phone and in person for advice and support.
- Flexible appointment times: Shorter wait times and more convenient scheduling are a big plus.
- Personalised care: Tailored care plans and more personalised attention providing you with experience and knowledge to have the confidence in determining the best birth plan for you and your baby.
- Different models of care: Maternity One and Maternity Plus are two different models of care that are unique to Guy’s practice. Maternity One is the traditional model of care and Maternity Plus is our midwifery led care model that is offered at a lower price point and is suitable for low medical risk patients.
Considerations:
- Cost: Higher out-of-pocket expenses compared to public care.
- Insurance cover: Ensure your private health insurance covers obstetrics
Cost of Giving Birth in Australia for Non-Residents
For non-residents, the costs can be significantly higher since they don’t have access to Medicare. Many Non-residents may not have Private Health Insurance either or they may have International Health Insurances. Here’s what you need to know if you’re a non-resident planning to give birth in Australia.
Private Obstetrician for Non-Residents in Victoria:
- Initial consultation: Approx. $300 – $600.
- Antenatal visits: Approx. $50-$100 per visit.
- Tests and Scans: Approx. $100- $500 per item
- Pregnancy management fee: Approx. $5500 – $8000
- Delivery fee: Approx. $2500 depending on the type of delivery
- Hospital stay: Approx. $7000 – $9000 (this fee is set by the hospital)
**Please note these are estimates only. For a more detailed quote please contact our Practice Manager on 039410147.
Making an Informed Decision
By being informed, you can ensure that your journey to parenthood is as smooth and stress-free as possible. Remember, the goal is to find a balance between quality care and financial feasibility, making this special time in your life as joyous and memorable as it should be.
When deciding on your pregnancy care, consider:
- Affordability: Compare the costs of public vs. private care.
- Convenience: Private care offers more personalised and convenient services.
- Health insurance: Ensure your policy covers the necessary services to minimise out-of-pocket expenses.
Learn More with Dr Guy Skinner
Navigating the costs associated with obstetrician fees can be daunting, but with the right information and planning, you can make informed decisions. Whether you opt for public or private care, understanding your options and financial responsibilities is key to ensuring a smooth and stress-free journey to parenthood.
As a long-standing obstetrician in Melbourne, Dr Guy Skinner is ready to answer all your financial questions related to pregnancy and obstetrics.