Health insurance semi/private costs

Ttc number 2

Hi

I know this has been done to death. Could someone who actually went semi private give me the actual cost of it? We are hoping to get pregnant early next year and trying to figure out the cost.
I want to go to the coombe or rotunda. Ideally the coombe due to parking.
According to the website the cost is €750 but you pay for scans max €480. My health insurance gives me €400 towards consultant fees so would that make fee €350 and then I claim back 50% scans €240 on day to day health insurance? So I would pay €590 then claim back 20% so it would really only cost €472? Also a girl in work who is currently very very pregnant said she can get private room (if available) in coombe even though only semi private patient as her health insurance covers private room?? I am sure mine covers private room but I always thought you had to be private to get private room?

The other option is private so in the rotunda loads of consultants are €2500, health insurance covers €400 so we pay €2100 but claim back 20%. Net cost is €1680. I am guessing you don't claim anymore back on health insurance on day to day? According to website private fees include all scans etc.

Tbh I don't think we will bother with semi private as colleague seems to see different person every visit.

I have discounted holles street due to the lack of parking. We had first baby there


Thanks a million.

bovril

I've only gone semi private so can't comment on private care but yes your figures for semi private at correct. Also if it's a straight forward pregnancy you won't hit the cap on the scans. Your colleague is correct in that you can stay in a private room if your health insurance policy covers it and if there is one available. More often than not there is no private room available though.

Ttc number 2

bovril wrote: »

I've only gone semi private so can't comment on private care but yes your figures for semi private at correct. Also if it's a straight forward pregnancy you won't hit the cap on the scans. Your colleague is correct in that you can stay in a private room if your health insurance policy covers it and if there is one available. More often than not there is no private room available though.

Bovril thanks a million for your response. I have no clue about all of this! I know I will need an extra scan to measure length of my cervix. So could possibly hit the max figure. What do you actually get for semi private over public? A better bed? Are apps in a different place to public? I have no clue about all this.

bovril

Ttc number 2 wrote:

Bovril thanks a million for your response. I have no clue about all of this! I know I will need an extra scan to measure length of my cervix. So could possibly hit the max figure. What do you actually get for semi private over public? A better bed? Are apps in a different place to public? I have no clue about all this.

Appointments are in the semi private clinic. The waits vary. I've been in and out in 30 mins and other times have had to wait hours. You'll get a mini scan at each appointment. You also have a chance of a semi private room or private if your health insurance covers private. If you go public there is no cost for appointments or scans. You'll get great care either way but you'll almost certainly be in a public ward with public care. That might not bother you if you're not staying long after the birth. This is all for the Coombe by the way and I've never gone public so I can't comment for sure on it.

Ttc number 2

Ok, thanks a mil do you know how much private consultants start at in the coombe by any chance? It is closer to me than rotunda.
I would like to stay as long as possible after birth. If I get left on a public ward though I am sure I want to go home ASAP!!

bovril

Ttc number 2 wrote:

Ok, thanks a mil do you know how much private consultants start at in the coombe by any chance? It is closer to me than rotunda. I would like to stay as long as possible after birth. If I get left on a public ward though I am sure I want to go home ASAP!!

I can't remember private costs sorry. It might be on the hospital website under the list of consultants.

angeldelight

Consultant costs in the Coombe are from €3k and up - best to ring the secretaries of any you are interested in

Liam McPoyle

Ttc number 2 wrote: »

Ok, thanks a mil do you know how much private consultants start at in the coombe by any chance? It is closer to me than rotunda.
I would like to stay as long as possible after birth. If I get left on a public ward though I am sure I want to go home ASAP!!

I can pm you details of our consultant if you like, we are going private in the Coombe.

Ttc number 2

Saul T Nutzz wrote: »

I can pm you details of our consultant if you like, we are going private in the Coombe.

Yes please Saul. Did you ever consider semi? I cant figure out any benefit from going semi p in coombe tbh. Do you know is €3k cheapest or are any €2.5k?

Semi p in rotunda has 2 options one cheaper one where you see registrar or a dearer one where you see one of three consultants. I would be happy the the latter one (except time doesn't suit) but unlike coombe you get a semi p bed even if health insurance covers private? If anyone has don't this option I would love to hear.

MichB2012

Went semi p in holles at three years ago. Cost at the time (balance covered by laya) was €900, claimed 50% of this back at end of year plus 20% tax on the other 450. Also got hit with a €47 odd charge for pathology after the birth that wasn't included in the fee. This was baby num1 so we stayed 3 nights (not sure if it was because it was baby1 or if they wanted the full amount out of health ins but there were a few other mammys on baby 2 and 3 that also stayed the full 3 nights) semi private room is holles st was a ward of 6 beds!, went public there also and was in a room of 6 beds, only difference was the semi p ward wasn't always full. Standard of care was pretty much the same in both, I found the midwives in the public ward nicer and easier to deal with but that was prob just the luck of who was on duty at the time. Semi private clinic times are diff also - public was morning in holles st, semi p was afternoon. Found we were quicker in and out of appointments when we went semi private, generally in and out in half an hour whereas public took about 2 to 2 and a half hours per apt.

bovril

Ttc number 2 wrote:

I cant figure out any benefit from going semi p in coombe tbh.

The benefit is the choice of semi private/private room for a lesser cost than fully private. Also you get a scan at every appointment. Don't think you scanned at every visit going public except maybe if it was a complicated pregnancy.

Ttc number 2

MichB2012 wrote: »

Went semi p in holles at three years ago. Cost at the time (balance covered by laya) was €900, claimed 50% of this back at end of year plus 20% tax on the other 450. Also got hit with a €47 odd charge for pathology after the birth that wasn't included in the fee. This was baby num1 so we stayed 3 nights (not sure if it was because it was baby1 or if they wanted the full amount out of health ins but there were a few other mammys on baby 2 and 3 that also stayed the full 3 nights) semi private room is holles st was a ward of 6 beds!, went public there also and was in a room of 6 beds, only difference was the semi p ward wasn't always full. Standard of care was pretty much the same in both, I found the midwives in the public ward nicer and easier to deal with but that was prob just the luck of who was on duty at the time. Semi private clinic times are diff also - public was morning in holles st, semi p was afternoon. Found we were quicker in and out of appointments when we went semi private, generally in and out in half an hour whereas public took about 2 to 2 and a half hours per apt.

Michb2012 I have a policy with Laya where I claim back 50% of the day to day expenses back. With Normal consultant visits I get 50% back, but under maternity it says €400?
All very confusing.

Ttc number 2

bovril wrote: »

The benefit is the choice of semi private/private room for a lesser cost than fully private. Also you get a scan at every appointment. Don't think you scanned at every visit going public except maybe if it was a complicated pregnancy.

Do you know what kind of doctor do you see when semi private? Girl in work says she only ever sees someone from the "team".

bovril

Ttc number 2 wrote:

Do you know what kind of doctor do you see when semi private? Girl in work says she only ever sees someone from the "team".

The head consultant is usually there every week along with one or two registrars from the team. You'll get to see one or the other. You might not get to see the same dr each visit.

Blingy

Ttc number 2 wrote: »

Do you know what kind of doctor do you see when semi private? Girl in work says she only ever sees someone from the "team".

Semi private in holles St I saw the consultant (I had chosen) 95% of the time. I think there were only 2 appointments where she wasn't there.

Jonny303

Sorry to hijack but I didnt see the point of starting a new thread.

We are going semi-private in Holles Street. When we went in for out first scan on Monday, we paid the €900 and then got a bill a few days later for the blood tests at €125.

While we were there we got the information pack on the costs of the rooms. €1000 per night for private or €815 for semi private. This is where I get confused. We are with Aviva. Will we be paying this money or will health insurance cover?

fits

Check your policy or phone them up.

genie_us

Hi!

Bit late to this but thought I would answer anyway.

We are currently semi-p at the Coombe, I have seen the same consultant at all of our appointments so far.
On my first pregnancy, there were some complications at the birth. Following that they have to keep a closer eye on us this time around. I cannot fault the level of care we are being given by the consultant and other doctors from other teams within the hospital.

On our last appointment we ended up waiting an hour because the consultant was called to an emergency section. I'm pretty sure this can happen if you're going private too. Otherwise we're usually in and out within about half an hour. I love getting the little scans at each appointment and to be honest for me that in itself is worth it!

On my last baby (also semi-p) I was given a private room and have indicated this as my preference this time around too if there is a room available. I spent my first night on a ward and was moved the next day when a room became free.

Hope that helps! Good luck.

Jen44

Jonny303 wrote: »

Sorry to hijack but I didnt see the point of starting a new thread.

We are going semi-private in Holles Street. When we went in for out first scan on Monday, we paid the €900 and then got a bill a few days later for the blood tests at €125.

While we were there we got the information pack on the costs of the rooms. €1000 per night for private or €815 for semi private. This is where I get confused. We are with Aviva. Will we be paying this money or will health insurance cover?

Be very careful about this ring your insurance company asap!! We changed our policy in Jan and at the time we were told our maternity package was the same as our last package! In our last package we were covered for three nights accommodation in a semi p ward or a private room for three nights should one be available. However when i rang glo health to clarify accommodation coverage after seeing that letter in the pack, its wasnt there last time so thought there may be a change, they told me they are only giving 385 euro towards my whole length of stay! So if i stay two nights i will be charged the 825 or whatever it is for each of the two nights and my insurance will only give me 385 euro towards it! I have asked the insurance company to listen back to the tapes as we were definitely told our new plan was the same from a maternity point of view as our last!

fits

That's very strange Jen. What policy are you on?

Jen44

It's with glo health the plan is called bloom our previous plan was good! I rang cornmarket today to see if there is any update but they said it takes up to five working days to review the tapes!

fits

Im with Glohealth also. Net most 500 with enhanced maternity and it should cover me for 3 full nights in private room and semi private after that.

Jen44

That's what I had and what I thought I still had hopefully it will all get sorted!

Ttc number 2

Thank you to all the replies. I am just wondering, if you go private do you do combined care with the GP? If yes is there are discount in fees?

Also if you get admitted during pregnancy do you get put on a public ward if you are private?

The other thing I discovered which may be of use to someone is "hsf plans". If you get one the month before you are pregnant they pay out a grant on the birth. Grant is paid even if you go public etc. Grant is basically the amount of the plan but you can claim up to 100% back on loads of things depending on plan. A lot of people getting hsf plans in addition to health insurance.

angeldelight

Ttc number 2 wrote: »

Thank you to all the replies. I am just wondering, if you go private do you do combined care with the GP? If yes is there are discount in fees?

Also if you get admitted during pregnancy do you get put on a public ward if you are private?

The other thing I discovered which may be of use to someone is "hsf plans". If you get one the month before you are pregnant they pay out a grant on the birth. Grant is paid even if you go public etc. Grant is basically the amount of the plan but you can claim up to 100% back on loads of things depending on plan. A lot of people getting hsf plans in addition to health insurance.

If you go private you can do combined care if you wish but really there's no need as consultant will see you every 4 weeks anyway and there's no reduction in fees. It does mean the baby would be entitled to the free 2 and 6 week check after birth though.

If you get admitted during pregnancy you are more likely to be in a semi private ward, but if a private bed is available you may get it

lazygal

angeldelight wrote: »

If you go private you can do combined care if you wish but really there's no need as consultant will see you every 4 weeks anyway and there's no reduction in fees. It does mean the baby would be entitled to the free 2 and 6 week check after birth though.

If you get admitted during pregnancy you are more likely to be in a semi private ward, but if a private bed is available you may get it

I went fully private and 2+6 week checks were done with my gp at no cost. Also gp visits on the rare occasion I needed them were free.

Ttc number 2

lazygal wrote: »

angeldelight wrote: »

If you go private you can do combined care if you wish but really there's no need as consultant will see you every 4 weeks anyway and there's no reduction in fees. It does mean the baby would be entitled to the free 2 and 6 week check after birth though.
If you get admitted during pregnancy you are more likely to be in a semi private ward, but if a private bed is available you may get it

I went fully private and 2+6 week checks were done with my gp at no cost. Also gp visits on the rare occasion I needed them were free.

Lazygal does consultant not do the 6 week check if private?
Hsf cover harmony test if anyone interested! Rang them today.

angeldelight

Consultant does 6 week check for mother but baby also has one and a check at 2 weeks. If you haven't signed up for combined care the GP doesn't get paid for the checks so wouldn't generally do them. We were happy to have a paediatrician do the 6 week check anyway as there was an anomaly on ultrasound that meant paed checked her after birth anyway so we went back to same doctor

lazygal

Ttc number 2 wrote: »

Lazygal does consultant not do the 6 week check if private?
Hsf cover harmony test if anyone interested! Rang them today.

My gp did 2+6 week checks. Wasn't paying €100 for the paediatrician to check them when I knew they were fine! I had a separate check up with my consultant at 12 weeks post partum, but I know if I required it I'd have had more appointments.

Ttc number 2

Ok I thought the 6 week check was included in the fees
My sister went fully private on her two kids and had to pay for gp when pregnant (not that she went much).

It's all money!! My insurance covers 3500 or 3200 accommodation. Does anyone know what happens if you are admitted for 4 nights? Or if you get admitted prior to birth?

bovril

Ttc number 2 wrote:

It's all money!! My insurance covers 3500 or 3200 accommodation. Does anyone know what happens if you are admitted for 4 nights? Or if you get admitted prior to birth?

You can ring the insurance company to be sure but if it's medically necessary for you to stay before then it's most likely covered on your normal policy (outside pregnancy care). After the birth if you have to stay longer it's usually covered too.

uck51js9zml2yt

We went public on 2 in the rotunda.
My wife was given a semi private bed on the first as a public patient and was in 4 days.
The second she was in a week. 3 days prior to birth and 4 after. Junior was in an incubator for 3 nights.
Any extra scans we wanted ,we just went to a private clinic and claimed back on insurance.
We spent most of both pregnancies in the emergency room.
The "secret" to getting out of clinics quickly was to get an early slot and be there early to get your number quickly when checin opened.

Jen44

Ttc number 2 wrote: »

Ok I thought the 6 week check was included in the fees
My sister went fully private on her two kids and had to pay for gp when pregnant (not that she went much).

It's all money!! My insurance covers 3500 or 3200 accommodation. Does anyone know what happens if you are admitted for 4 nights? Or if you get admitted prior to birth?

I had big drama with my insurance company in the last few weeks over accommodation luckily they reverted me back to my old plan as when they listened back to the calls at the renewal stage we were not informed about the changes to the maternity accommodation on our new plan we were told the maternity cover was the same. Basically the new plan we went with in Jan only covered 385 euro in total off all accommodation stay which of course wouldn't even cover one semi p night. We would have had to pay for any additional nights unless we have to have a c section then we would have been covered for as many nights as were deemed medically necessary. But for a vaginal delivery we would have only got 385 back. Costs could have went up dramatically I stayed three nights after my first baby so that would have cost €2475. Its really important to clarify about your accommodation as you dont want to feel like you have to rush out the door before you are ready because of costs. I wanted to stay the three nights last time to make sure my milk was in and I feel i will prob be the same this time to make sure all is ok with the feeding.

Ttc number 2

Ok just checked online. My insurance covers 3500 for accommodation. If you stay less than three nights they cover 1200 post natal home nursing.
They cover 275 for gp when pregnant etc.

For normal day to day we claim 50% back so that 6 week check for baby with consultant would come under that or if we get that hsf plan we would get 100% back.

If fully private how many consultant visits do you get?

fits

As many as you need. That's my experience anyway.

lazygal

I was seen every five or six weeks, then every two weeks after 28/30 weeks then weekly after 36 weeks.

angeldelight

Depends on your consultant but my experience was similar to lazygal's with one or two extra visits when something cropped up

fits

I was seen weekly from weeks 7-12 and fortnightly from then until now (week 28). I have seen consultant/another doctor maybe 7 times so far.

LegacyUser

Semi private in the Rotunda, in 2014 and 2016.
1100eur I think for Registrar led care. That's the only money we ever paid, we went with the combined care HSE scheme, so I alternated the GP and the hospital each visit. Mini scan at every visit. We were booked in according to the combined care "timetable", so gets more regular as pregnancy goes along. You may see a different consultant every visit, with our second child, the first consultant we saw liked to see his patients all the way through, so he booked us in for him for each visit.
Appointments can be slow, but really just depends.
Semi private room each time. Five days in hospital after no.1 (due to her needing antibiotics) and a return the following week for me (post partum haemorrage). No problems with insurance etc, straight to semi-private room each time.They won't schedule you for a private room if your insurance doesn't cover it, but you can ask on the day (I checked this second time round!) and you might get lucky.
You can claim back on tax. And my insurance company never really answered that but told me - sure send it in and we'll see what we can do (Aviva).
Can't fault the hospital or care on anything, they were superb.

Ttc number 2

Ok so maybe I may be seen 10-12 times? That is a lot per visit if you divide it up? Much more expensive than seeing the same consultant for a gyne issue? I paid 180. I presume though you may see them more depending on your pregnancy?
Does anyone know do private fees cover harmony test?

I had a "live chat" with laya and conversation gets emailed to you. I am covered 3 days or 3,500 for normal delivery and 5 days for c section. If admitted for any other reason I am covered for private room for as long is necessary.

angeldelight

No Harmony would be extra. I had maybe 15 appointments with consultant then she saw me each morning I was an inpatient (7) and again before she went home those days. She delivered the baby and did my six week check then a few weeks later smear and put in coil for me. I didn't pay extra for any scans as she did them all herself

Ttc number 2

We have decided to go private.
Question is which has more private rooms 1) rotunda 2) coombe?

If pregnancy goes over 2 insurance policy years can you claim back in each year? As you pay consultant in instalments?

Thanks a million

arrianalexander

Ttc number 2 wrote: »

We have decided to go private.
Question is which has more private rooms 1) rotunda 2) coombe?

If pregnancy goes over 2 insurance policy years can you claim back in each year? As you pay consultant in instalments?

Thanks a million

No its per pregnancy , I see your point if your renewal is in between but the insurance company will more then likely get one total bill from consultant, even if they don't they would still only count a number of bills as one if its same pregnancy.

Ttc number 2

arrianalexander wrote: »

No its per pregnancy , I see your point if your renewal is in between but the insurance company will more then likely get one total bill from consultant, even if they don't they would still only count a number of bills as one if its same pregnancy.

Not to worry

If I go private do I go to gp first to sign that form for free gp visits, then go to consultant whole time? But sign form in case I need to go gp that is pregnancy related? I suffered hyperemesis last time

jaja321

Hi Ladies,

I have a question on semi-private cover. I am currently considering whether to go semi-private or public in Holles Street/The Coombe. I'm trying to establish however the full costs of going semi-private. I rang my insurance company yesterday and they said that I'm covered for 3 nights for a normal delivery and 5 nights for cesarean. Holles st warned me to ask though if they covered any pre-natal nights that I might need to be in the hospital before delivery - for whatever reason. My insurance company wouldn't give me a straight answer and basically said it would depend on the consultant's report whether they would cover that. Also if there are any complications with my pregnancy (I'm still very early stages, so no complications yet - but I am 38) there might be a need for day visits - which cost about Euro400 per visit with Holles Street. My insurance seems to only cover pre/post medical expenses up to Euro400 and I can claim a max of 200 back. This would be fine if its one or two visits - but what would end up happening if I had to come in numerous times and/or stay additional nights above the 3/5 for delivery. I'm worried I could end up landed with a huge bill afterwards (aside from the standard Euro900 for fees that isn't covered by insurance) Its for this reason I'm considering going public - has anyone any advice??

Thanks so much
x

arrianalexander

jaja321 wrote: »

Hi Ladies,

I have a question on semi-private cover. I am currently considering whether to go semi-private or public in Holles Street/The Coombe. I'm trying to establish however the full costs of going semi-private. I rang my insurance company yesterday and they said that I'm covered for 3 nights for a normal delivery and 5 nights for cesarean. Holles st warned me to ask though if they covered any pre-natal nights that I might need to be in the hospital before delivery - for whatever reason. My insurance company wouldn't give me a straight answer and basically said it would depend on the consultant's report whether they would cover that. Also if there are any complications with my pregnancy (I'm still very early stages, so no complications yet - but I am 38) there might be a need for day visits - which cost about Euro400 per visit with Holles Street. My insurance seems to only cover pre/post medical expenses up to Euro400 and I can claim a max of 200 back. This would be fine if its one or two visits - but what would end up happening if I had to come in numerous times and/or stay additional nights above the 3/5 for delivery. I'm worried I could end up landed with a huge bill afterwards (aside from the standard Euro900 for fees that isn't covered by insurance) Its for this reason I'm considering going public - has anyone any advice??

Thanks so much
x

The key word is medically necessary.

Pre / post natal cover is usually out patient things ,

If your consultant deems if you have to come in early or stay additional nights as long as its medically necessary your insurance company will cover it , the 3/5 nights is for delivery , even the 5 night is only when medically necessary it can't be elective though most consultants will put it down as necessary.

Coming in early to feel more comfortable wouldn't be medically necessary.


But never assume you are or aren't covered always ring . if your consultant says he/she wants to bring you in early ask for specifics so you can relay to your insurance company.

Same with addition nights some semi private will like to keep you for 4 nights for normal pregnancy but your insurance company will only cover 3 unless an additional night is deemed medically necessary .

jaja321

Thanks arrianalexander very much for your reply! Very helpful

mirrorwall14

jaja321 wrote: »

Hi Ladies,

I have a question on semi-private cover. I am currently considering whether to go semi-private or public in Holles Street/The Coombe. I'm trying to establish however the full costs of going semi-private. I rang my insurance company yesterday and they said that I'm covered for 3 nights for a normal delivery and 5 nights for cesarean. Holles st warned me to ask though if they covered any pre-natal nights that I might need to be in the hospital before delivery - for whatever reason. My insurance company wouldn't give me a straight answer and basically said it would depend on the consultant's report whether they would cover that. Also if there are any complications with my pregnancy (I'm still very early stages, so no complications yet - but I am 38) there might be a need for day visits - which cost about Euro400 per visit with Holles Street. My insurance seems to only cover pre/post medical expenses up to Euro400 and I can claim a max of 200 back. This would be fine if its one or two visits - but what would end up happening if I had to come in numerous times and/or stay additional nights above the 3/5 for delivery. I'm worried I could end up landed with a huge bill afterwards (aside from the standard Euro900 for fees that isn't covered by insurance) Its for this reason I'm considering going public - has anyone any advice??

Thanks so much
x

Just to reassure you I was public in the Coombe with lots of complications including inpatient treatment, BP checks three times a week, induction and distressed baby during delivery. I found it excellent. I was taken out of the GP combined scheme and moved to consultant led weekly/biweekly visits as problems started to crop up. I had so many full scans I didn't even keep all the pictures!

The post natal wards are manic but to be honest if I'm deciding again it really will be a case of 'am I willing to pay that much money for a private/semi private room' because I found the prenatal care second to none

jaja321

mirrorwall14 wrote: »

Just to reassure you I was public in the Coombe with lots of complications including inpatient treatment, BP checks three times a week, induction and distressed baby during delivery. I found it excellent. I was taken out of the GP combined scheme and moved to consultant led weekly/biweekly visits as problems started to crop up. I had so many full scans I didn't even keep all the pictures!

The post natal wards are manic but to be honest if I'm deciding again it really will be a case of 'am I willing to pay that much money for a private/semi private room' because I found the prenatal care second to none

Thank you so much mirrorwall14 - I really appreciate that. As a total newbie it can all be a bit overwhelming!

mirrorwall14

jaja321 wrote: »

Thank you so much mirrorwall14 - I really appreciate that. As a total newbie it can all be a bit overwhelming!

No problem. I have plenty of faults with the post natal care due partially to understaffing and a particularly irritating head of the ward but it did no harm and I was fully confident that we were in good hands pre natal.

The very best of luck