Is it really this expensive....

[starbucks2]

Hi, me again! If you have good insurance then they usually have a separate category for "complications from childbirth" or the like. So in my policy, I got US$7K for normal childbirth and then a much higher/or possibly even unlimited for "complications from childbirth" which, in my policy, included an emergency c-section. So we were more comfortable that if we ended up with a HK$300,000 odd bill then we'd be covered from a different monetary cap. This might give you some comfort but do check your own policy to make sure that they have this separate category for emergency c-section.

Also, my policy covered the baby's costs separately from my US$7K maternity cover so her jabs and tests (plus photo therapy for jaundice) were covered under a different amount.

 

[thanka2]

Thanks all, more stuff to think about. I've already paid the deposit for private so no going back.... Just a little taken back by it all. Weave insurance so should get most of it back, barring any complications.. Maybe it's just coz I'm a first timer, but they really should tell you all of this up front in like a leaflet or something.... But hey ho,guess you don't think about this until your in it.

You're really fortunate that you have insurance that covers maternity care...can you imagine paying out-of-pocket and not getting reimbursed?! We don't have insurance that covers maternity care and cannot afford to buy that type of insurance. You'll be fine.

 

[mummymoo]

Starbucks2, I would read the fine print very carefully. I have the best BUPA world wide coverage and I was under the impression that bubs is covered by a separate 'account' to the maternity one BUT I found out after my delivery that if the treatments were undertaken during the same admission as the birth then it all comes out of the maternity account!

 

[starbucks2]

Hi Mummymoo - I was with HSBC Insurance and baby's photo therapy was covered under her own cover even though it occurred within the 3 day stay for her delivery (which was under my maternity cover). But agree, all policies are different hence the warning to the OP to check her policy. That is a shame that yours didn't cover that. I really liked HSBC Insurance cover. Now my company is now covered with Allianz ...

 

[LOJITT]

To be fair, some Obs do provide a leaflet that breaks it all down for you, but they don't all do it, and one thing that many patients who are new to private healthcare miss is the fact that the hospital fee is just that- doesn't cover the Ob, the paediatrician or the anaethetist. I had my son at Matilda and I think we came in around HK$100k incl. the ante-natal care, but that was a straightforward VB (with epidural). My son's costs (the paed/ vaccs/ tests) etc were covered by his insurance (AXA through my husband's work)

Another thing re insurance is that often maternity is an "opt in" on work policies, so you choose to pay a bit more for that cover- it's not automatic.

 

[Honkyblues]

I was covered by Allianz through my husband's company. They didn't quibble about anything - even though I went quite a bit over the supposed limit on maternity costs. They covered the baby's initial pediatrician costs on my coverage but then covered his stay in the SCBU (oxygen tent, pediatrician visits, hospital charges, phototherapy+ my charges for staying in the hospital longer to be his accompanying parent) under his own cover.

 

[MommyTo3]

Mine were all born in the US, but it works the same way. Two-nights in the hospital (uncomplicated vaginal birth) is already close to US$10k, my doctor was under US$4k but close to US$6k the second time (twins). Anesthesiologist is separate as is your pediatrician. My first birth was completely covered (I think it was a about US$25-30k all together for the last 10 weeks of my pregnancy (no complications). The second time with twins it ended up being close to US$55k for an uncomplicated pregnancy, full term babies who went home with me 48 hours later. We paid US$2000 out of pocket (our annual deductible).

 

[FishMama]

Wow! Thanks all slightly scared now.... Off to see OBGYN in a couple of hours for 12 week scan and tests so will ask LOTS of questions now.
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[Caro2010]

You can choose to go to a public hospital like Queen Mary and then it is all free. You can't bring your OBGYN but the health care is excellent.

 

[carang]

no, it's not free at QMH.. they charge $100/day and $50 for admission. some of their tests are not free as well, but they are only a nominal charge.