[epl0822]

I've been calling a few different OBs in my area to get a good idea of the costs I can expect for childbirth/pregnancy. So far they have all given me specific costs of consultation, pregnancy management fee etc but nobody seems to have any idea on the ultrasounds and other tests I might do during pregnancy.

My first bub was born at a public hospital so this is all very new to me. Assuming I'm going to have a healthy pregnancy and all I need are the routine scans and tests, what are the anticipated out of pocket expenses for these?

Also, my friend mentioned she had an ultrasound done every time in the OB's office when she went to him during pregnancy. Do OBs normally charge for this or is it covered in their normal consultation fees? Do OBs normally do one of those basic scans that midwives use for a routine check up or do they do anything fancy like printed 3D photos? I'm looking at going to Mater, if this helps.

And if anybody can PM me their experiences with Dr Stephen Tan or Dr Adrian Kwok that will be much appreciated, thanks!

[Sassy Dingo]

Mine does do US in his office, charges $80 for them. However, I've only ever had one there after some bleeding. THe big US at 12 weeks, 20 weeks and 34 weeks get sent to a specialist US place. They cost me $204 with $59.50 refunded from medicare (I kept the medicare receipts for tax).

Blood tests have been bulk billed.

The only other out of pocket thing I can think of during pregnancy has been the antenatal classes. Mine cost $300ish.

Hope that helps.

[Lukaboo]

Hi,

The private ultrasound clinic that i went to for my first dating scan at 7 weeks was $150 with approx $50 back from medicare.

I am due for the 12 week scan soon and was quoted $390 for the scan with $50 only back from medicare, so quite a gap.

Blood tests were charged to me by pathology for my last pregnancy and you could claim some cost back from medicare. Unfortunately i had to have them every 2 weeks so that cost added up a little by the end of my last pregnancy

The 20 week scan and a growth scan i had done at 36 weeks in my last pregnancy i cant recall the costs for sorry as it was a few years back.

HTh

[Little.One]

My OB does US most visits and they are just part of the visit (no extra fee). For the big US eg 12, 20 week scan and any other growth scans that may be required I have been to two different clinics of varying price. One is $350 and the other is around $150. Both cases u generally get back $50. I got back more because I have reached the safety net though. I had the option of which clinic to go to even though my OB gave me referrals to one particular place.

[jobo77]

This was back in 2010 but -

NT blood tests were $80
NT scan was $220
Morphology scan $270

I got some back from Medicare for those. There was also my PHI excess for the hospital stay plus postnatal visit to the ob and being a private hospital also meant private paed for bub which was a further $480 ($300 back from medicare).

My ob also did little scans at his visit (no photo prints) but they were covered in his fees.

Hope that helps

[w-emma]

My OB does US most visits and they are just part of the visit (no extra fee). For the big US eg 12, 20 week scan and any other growth scans that may be required I have been to two different clinics of varying price. One is $350 and the other is around $150. Both cases u generally get back $50. I got back more because I have reached the safety net though. I had the option of which clinic to go to even though my OB gave me referrals to one particular place.

This is the same for me - I'm in Sydney.

[Feefifofum]

Gosh, it sounds like there's a huge variance in charges. My ultrasounds, done at an imaging clinic in Melb, were around $250 each, with $60-$80 rebated. My blood test costs were rediculously high - the tests I had early on in the pregnancy for various immunities and diseases ran into the $100's!

These extra charges, which just kept coming without warning, were what prompted me to switch to the public system at 20 weeks. It's good that you are doing your research up-front, so you won't be as shocked as I was!

[Cyaira]

In Sydney, my private ultrasounds were all bulk billed except for the 12 week NT scan which cost about $80 or $120 (can't remember which). I didn't go to the one my OB recommended as 'the best' except for once.

So I did go to the 'specialist' ultrasound place once and it cost $250 before Medicare rebates. I sure wasn't going to pay that every time when I had so many of them done!

My OB is one of those you mentioned so I will PM you if I can figure out how. I am going to NSP but if I had my time again I might have picked the Mater instead (all my appts are at the Mater).

[MrsLexiK]

I had a ref for both a dating scan and NT scan from my GP. Dating scan cost $135, NT scan cost $175. My OB then sent me to a spec OB who is a sonographer as well it was $190. I think I got about $50 back from medicare for all three. There was bloods for the NT scan as well which was $100.10 I think and I got some back as well.

My OB has a scan thing he checks to make sure everything is going along good, it is not a fancy one or anything

[Libertine]

With my second DD I called three different ultrasound places and got them to tell me their costs and the rebate.

My Ob has a 'preferred' ultrasound provider but was happy to refer me to the one of my choice. There is a huge difference in costs. For Dd1 I didnt realise i had any choice in the matter and went to the 'recommended' place and paid $350!!!!! For the 12 weeks scan and the same for the 20 week. DD2 I paid $150 for 12 week and the 20 weeks was bulk billed!

In my first pregnancy I was shocked at how much out of pocket costs there were. You spend all that money on phi and yet you still have to she'll out time and time again.

Another tip (or warning) for the OP. if you end up needing a csection its likely that you will have out of pocket costs for the anaesthetist and paediatrician - again you can call in advance and ask costs / rebate etc.

Good luck OP!