costs of private hospital stay in HK

[babyblue#1]

Hi guys..

I'm 3 months pregnant and I was told that it's time to start booking bed for delivery since they get booked out very quickly... is it true?
I was looking at Tsuen Wan Adventist Hospital and they have a package for 3 days 2 nights stay price depends on what kind of room i want to get. But when I looked up closely i realised a lot of things are not included in the price and total up could cost up to 40k for a local. Is other private hospitals the same?
And has anyone have any recommendation? I would prefer private hospital since I had very bad experience with publics...

 

[carang]

other hospitals are often more! all inc, a stay at matilda or many of hte other private hospitals could easily cost you over $100K!

ps> private hospitals don't care if you are "local" or not, that only applies to public hospitals where the gov't covers much of the cost.

 

[TheQuasimother]

BabyBlue#1

I delivered at the Matilda on what is probably the cheapest package - Ward Room 4 days/3 nights - $63 000.
It was a fantastic experience and would recommend it if you could afford it. It's like being in a 5*hotel!
You get a lot of personal attention from the midwives, lactation consultants and even the amahs! They all made time for my needs during my stay. Every penny was well spent!

I did budget for $150000 as that would have been the cost for a natural birth - no complications for a first class ward at the Matilda. I didn't have to worry about a birth with complications as my insurance would cover all costs of such a birth.

Good Luck! I'm sure the public sector does a great job too - especially given the price tag. I've heard both good and bad experiences.

 

[FutureHKmom]

If you are three months pregnant already, you should hussle and get yourself a booking if you want to be at a private hospital. Lots of private hospitals fill up really early - I booked my room at the HK Sanitorium when I was 8 weeks pregnant and paid my deposit at 12 weeks.

 

[LOJITT]

Just to add, when you get a quote from a private hospital for a maternity package, all they are quoting you for is the use of the facilities, midwifery and nursing. They are NOT including the costs of the Obstetrician to attend the delivery, paediatrician or anaethetist, who are all independent of the hospital. Obs fees depend on the individual Ob and the room class (they charge more if you take a private room than a 4 bed room- can range from $20k-$50k). Anaethetist is around $12,000 for an epidural. Paediatrician fees (attend delivery and daily checks during your stay plus the initial tests and vaccs) can be around $10,000. Therefore it can all add up very quickly.

If you go public, it costs about $300 but you cant then choose your Obs. You just get who is there on the day. The other downsides to the public system are short visiting hours, restrictions on when your birth partner can be with you (varies by hospital) and less support on things like breastfeeding. However, you have to weigh this up against the cost, and if I didnt have insurance , I think I'd be off to QM like a shot.

 

[howardcoombs]

.....Anaethetist is around $12,000 for an epidural. Paediatrician fees (attend delivery and daily checks during your stay plus the initial tests and vaccs) can be around $10,000. ....

Something that most people never talk about but it goes on all the time is the art of bargaining. Maybe some people feel shy about it and are reluctant but it does happen and can give you great savings.

I have not heard of anyone being able to bargain down the hospital rates, but when it comes to doctors and their charges feel free to negotiate. We did it
Epidural : Initial quote for us (8 years ago) was $8500. We negotiated down to $5,500.
Padiatrician : Initial quote for us was $7000. We negotiated down to $4000.

Dont be shy; if you dont ask you wont get anything.

HC

 

[LOJITT]

howard- good info, but believe me, by the time i decided i needed an epi, i was in no position to bargain - lol

 

[Liquorice]

BabyBlue#1
Good Luck! I'm sure the public sector does a great job too - especially given the price tag. I've heard both good and bad experiences.

Quasimother, what are the bad experiences you've heard of? It is just bedside manner and such things isn't it rather than quality of medical care?

I'm starting to get a little nervous about my due date - I'm having a planned c-section and starting to worry about just getting whichever doctor is there on the day doing the operation. I'm worried about a junior doctor doing it, in particular, as those are the doctors I have had most experience with at check-ups so far, and they don't really inspire confidence...

 

[lesliefu]

have you looked into Canossa? i recall there rates for packages were the most reasonable, but the number of maternity beds is also the lowest so you would need to book soon...do you have a fixed OBGYN that will deliver for you? if so, you can just push the nurses to get the room for you, they are more effective than the patient cause of their (your doctors) connections.

 

[babyblue#1]

Thanks guys for the info.. the main reason I'm so concerned's because I don't have insurance and public hospital is a big no to me.. ( havent had any experience with HK publics but the publics in Australia and Macau turned me off real bad)
I'm just very surprised that I have to start booking myself in asap for a space, and that panicked me a little. But I have finally decided which hospital I should go... and I do really hope that it wont cost me a fortune for a birth!