Baby war breaks out over high-charging docs

HEALTH funds have offered to pay huge obstetrician booking fees to stop the stampede of women moving back to public hospitals to have their babies.

The offer comes as new research shows the medical bills for having a baby have skyrocketed more than 1000 per cent above inflation in the past 24 years, leaving mums facing an average $264 bill to visit an obstetrician.

In addition new mums face an average $781 gap fee for a hospital delivery, a 77 per cent rise above inflation since 1992-93.

Research published in the Australian New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology today does not include the upfront booking fees of between $2000 and $13,000 charged by many private obstetricians.

These massive fees are not covered by Medicare or health funds. Private Healthcare Australia chief Rachel David said low wage growth and women facing time off work after having a child can no longer afford these fees so they are deciding to birth in a public hospitals.

The proportion of women giving birth in private hospitals dropped from 28.2 per cent in 2006-07 to 24.5 per cent in 2015-16.

Private hospitals are losing business and it is hard for newly qualified obstetricians to build a private practice, it also means young families never take out health cover.

The high obstetrician’s charges add to mounting pres- sure on the government to force doctors to publish their fees so consumers can make a more informed choice.

Health Minister Greg Hunt has set up a committee to examine why doctors are charging out-of-pocket medical and find ways consumers can be better informed of fees.