Can a visitor give birth in the UK?
Nov 2, 2015, 2:08 pm
#121
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 18
I haven't paid a dime though. The NHS hasn't sent any invoices. I enquired about it twice and they said I'll get it in the mail. 
Nov 5, 2015, 6:35 am
#122
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Sydney, Australia
Programs: QFF Bronze, EK Skywards Blue
Posts: 94
Wow, the birth seems cheap at £1800?
In Australia a birth at a private hospital is AUD$10k, not covered by insurance.
Births at public hospitals are free for citizens I think.
In Australia a birth at a private hospital is AUD$10k, not covered by insurance.
Births at public hospitals are free for citizens I think.
Nov 5, 2015, 12:06 pm
#123
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: NW London and NW Sydney
Programs: BA Diamond, Hilton Bronze, A3 Diamond, IHG *G
Posts: 6,347
Nov 5, 2015, 9:16 pm
#124
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: London
Posts: 17,007
The NHS is not arranged for charging patients. The bill will come through eventually but it isn't going to be done at the speed you would find from a commercial organization.
Nov 6, 2015, 2:25 am
#125
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Sydney, Australia
Programs: QFF Bronze, EK Skywards Blue
Posts: 94
I don't know the cost for non-citizens, sorry.
I just googled it without success.
It seems though that the cost of a v*****l birth utilising a private obstetrician at a public hospital is AUD$2-6K.
And a fully private birth (checkups + birth (caesar?) + aftercare) is AUD$20-22k.
Come to think of it, my friend who paid AUD$10k for her birth alone had an (elective?) caesar.
A v*****l birth or emergency caesar may be cheaper?
edit:
Found some fees, not sure if they're the same everywhere?
Medicare is the Aussie version of NHS. Americans call it....ah wait,....no such thing in the USA is there?
https://www.thewomens.org.au/patient..._medicare_card
I just googled it without success.
It seems though that the cost of a v*****l birth utilising a private obstetrician at a public hospital is AUD$2-6K.
And a fully private birth (checkups + birth (caesar?) + aftercare) is AUD$20-22k.
Come to think of it, my friend who paid AUD$10k for her birth alone had an (elective?) caesar.
A v*****l birth or emergency caesar may be cheaper?
edit:
Found some fees, not sure if they're the same everywhere?
Medicare is the Aussie version of NHS. Americans call it....ah wait,....no such thing in the USA is there?
https://www.thewomens.org.au/patient..._medicare_card
Nov 6, 2015, 2:35 am
#126
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: London
Posts: 17,007
I don't know the cost for non-citizens, sorry.
I just googled it without success.
It seems though that the cost of a v*****l birth utilising a private obstetrician at a public hospital is AUD$2-6K.
And a fully private birth (checkups + birth (caesar?) + aftercare) is AUD$20-22k.
Come to think of it, my friend who paid AUD$10k for her birth alone had an (elective?) caesar.
A v*****l birth or emergency caesar may be cheaper?
edit:
Found some fees, not sure if they're the same everywhere?
Medicare is the Aussie version of NHS. Americans call it....ah wait,....no such thing in the USA is there?
https://www.thewomens.org.au/patient..._medicare_card
I just googled it without success.
It seems though that the cost of a v*****l birth utilising a private obstetrician at a public hospital is AUD$2-6K.
And a fully private birth (checkups + birth (caesar?) + aftercare) is AUD$20-22k.
Come to think of it, my friend who paid AUD$10k for her birth alone had an (elective?) caesar.
A v*****l birth or emergency caesar may be cheaper?
edit:
Found some fees, not sure if they're the same everywhere?
Medicare is the Aussie version of NHS. Americans call it....ah wait,....no such thing in the USA is there?
https://www.thewomens.org.au/patient..._medicare_card
Edit: apparently it isn't, good to know ...
Americans also have Medicare. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medicare_(United_States)
Nov 6, 2015, 7:14 am
#127
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: DAY/CMH
Programs: UA MileagePlus
Posts: 2,474
The profanity filter has gone a bit overboard here. This is a serious medical topic, it doesn't need to be demeaned by the suggestion that the vagina is a naughty word
Edit: apparently it isn't, good to know ...
Americans also have Medicare. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medicare_(United_States)
Edit: apparently it isn't, good to know ...
Americans also have Medicare. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medicare_(United_States)
Nov 6, 2015, 7:28 am
#128
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: London
Programs: BAEC Silver, Vietnam Airlines Lotusmiles Platinum
Posts: 2,375
That seems a little harsh to me. Wouldn't it be fairer to collect billing details from them, give them a bill when they're leaving, and only contact embassies etc if they haven't paid after some time? Writing straight to an embassy before you've even offered them a chance to pay doesn't seem very fair to me...
Nov 8, 2015, 4:25 pm
#130
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 18
Next should be 95x3=285
Actually they seem well setup for charging patients, there's a whole department for it. You can pay by phone using credit or debit cards, pay by post using cheques, pay by BACS or pay online via the hospital's website
I figured the invoicing process is slow because the payments department has to contact the nurses & doctors to know how to bill patients, then it has to be sent off somewhere, (omaha) I'm sure I heard wrong lol, then the a proper invoice comes back & they mail it out. The service is really good, no waiting around when you arrive. They're professional & friendly.
Nov 8, 2015, 6:37 pm
#131
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 18
Nov 9, 2015, 4:29 am
#132
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: UK
Programs: BA EC Gold
Posts: 9,236
It's reasonably priced, but if I need a c-section, or ICU for myself or the little ones or have to stay in the hospital they will charge for accomdation, meds etc. We could run into 5,000-15,000. It's a bit sad though, that the prices get exorbitant when you're in your darkest hour
Nov 9, 2015, 8:56 am
#133
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: London
Posts: 17,007
I agree that it is unfortunate that the heaviest cost falls on you when you are least equipped to deal with it, which is why I am glad my forebears invented a better system back in 1948
Nov 10, 2015, 2:59 pm
#134
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 18
Well the NHS costs are much better than the private hospitals. I enquired about doing an ultrasound with a private hospital and it came up to 800 gbp. Apparently it's 200 for the doctor's consultation then 300 per baby! So it's 1 ultrasound but they charge per baby.
Nov 10, 2015, 9:45 pm
#135
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Join Date: May 2000
Location: Little dot in Asia
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My niece went private for her birth instead of the NHS. She was charged over £10K for 2 days stay at the Portman Hospital in London.