Sanatorium or Adventist? AND Delivery budget

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lina27

Registered User
After reading many posts regarding private hospitals, I am considering either Sanatorim or Adventist. Which of these two should I choose: what are the pluses and minuses in both? Details: I live close to both (Happy Valley). My new doctor is Patrick Chan. I'd like to opt for a delivery with an epidural.

Also, could someone give an indication of costs at these two clinics, including the OB/GYN delivery fees. I've checked both clinics' websites but it's all an estimate, and since I have no insurance I am afraid the 'hidden' and unforseeable costs will sky-rocket as soon as I am at the hospital... Thanks in advance for the information.
 
I delivered at both hospitals and would definitely choose sanatorium over adventist because the facilities are new, the staff are more with it...Adventist is undergoing renovation so, at least when I was there 1/2 year ago, my window was all covered up so no sunlight. The OBGYN fees should be constant it's just the room fees that would be different. If I recall correctly the overall price was about 10-15% higher at the sanatorium but worth it since your experience is much better, particularly if you can't get a single room in Adventist. When I checked in they only had a double room, but the bed available was next to the door and only a curtain was dividing you and the other lady. There was only room for 2 people ...1stand and 1sit and it was tight when they pushed the baby into the room to feed. If however, you are enough to get the bed near the window in the double room (on the side) then you have a nice sofa area that can sit 5-6people and are next to the toilet. In the sanatorium you will always have your own room though for a cheaper rate you could share a bathroom instead of having your own private room. At the end of the day you can request, but there is no guarantee. When I delivered #2 they only have 4 people sharing a bathroom or a deluxe room...I went with deluxe as I had insurance and wow...that was such a treat...the only private rooms I peeked into looked equally nice, just the size of the "living" room was smaller.
 
lesliefu: "If I recall correctly the overall price was about 10-15% higher at the sanatorium but worth it since your experience is much better, particularly if you can't get a single room in Adventist."

Thanks, lesliefu, this is helpful. Do you mind providing a rough total figure for the delivery w/out complications at the sanatorium? I'll discount for the deluxe room you had :)...
 
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Hi lina27, 13k at sanatorium and 11k at the Adventist...Adventist I had a regular single room. Costs are quite similar actually...
 
That is very cheap, I thought our bill at Sanatorium was 23k for shared ward and normal vaginal delivery without epidural. Will check tomorrow
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2010-NewDad said:
That is very cheap, I thought our bill at Sanatorium was 23k for shared ward and normal vaginal delivery without epidural. Will check tomorrow
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Thanks for the reply. 23k is very reasonable. This doesn't include doctor's fee, does it? With epidural it will be in the vicinity of +5k, I suppose.
 
lina27 said:
Thanks for the reply. 23k is very reasonable. This doesn't include doctor's fee, does it? With epidural it will be in the vicinity of +5k, I suppose.
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Ahh, you are right - just checked the receipt this morning and although I paid 23k at the end, that didn't include the initial deposit of 20k. So, total was 43k. Split was $19,778 to the hospital, $20k to the Doctor and the remainder miscellaneous fees like hearing test, and pediatrician checkup for the baby.

I think an epidural would be more than 5k, but not really sure. You should be able to call them up and ask for their fee schedule.
 
2010-NewDad said:
Ahh, you are right - just checked the receipt this morning and although I paid 23k at the end, that didn't include the initial deposit of 20k. So, total was 43k. Split was $19,778 to the hospital, $20k to the Doctor and the remainder miscellaneous fees like hearing test, and pediatrician checkup for the baby.
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As a quick aside for the OP, you should also make sure that you are prepared to cover emergency costs if things don't go as planned. I went into labor 6 weeks early and had to have an emergency c-section (totally unanticipated) on a Sunday night (fees are higher after hours and on weekends) and our bill ballooned to over HK$200k.
 
2010-NewDad said:
So, total was 43k. Split was $19,778 to the hospital, $20k to the Doctor and the remainder miscellaneous fees like hearing test, and pediatrician checkup for the baby.

I think an epidural would be more than 5k, but not really sure. You should be able to call them up and ask for their fee schedule.
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Thank you for the precise information. Still, the costs are manageable. I'll go for Sanatorium.
 
elle said:
I went into labor 6 weeks early and had to have an emergency c-section (totally unanticipated) on a Sunday night (fees are higher after hours and on weekends) and our bill ballooned to over HK$200k.
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Wow, 200k is steep. I am now trying to see if my partner can put me on his insurance as he works for a multinational company. Not sure if it works out... SInce my pregnancy was not expected I didn't check my (relatively good) insurance plan and, surprise, surprise, it didn't cover pregnancy at all. Even my visit to the doc when I was just diagnosed with pregnancy I had to cover out of my pocket. So my advice to anyone who's thinking fo becoming pregnant - check/get a good health insurance - mostly for emergencies like elle's, but not only. This is the lesson I've learnt.
 
lesliefu said:
Hi lina27, 13k at sanatorium and 11k at the Adventist...Adventist I had a regular single room. Costs are quite similar actually...
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Oops...forgot a "0". It's actually 130k and 110k...not quiet that good of a deal, but not bad considering the quality of service...sorry for the mix up - terrible with numbers :)
 
elle said:
As a quick aside for the OP, you should also make sure that you are prepared to cover emergency costs if things don't go as planned. I went into labor 6 weeks early and had to have an emergency c-section (totally unanticipated) on a Sunday night (fees are higher after hours and on weekends) and our bill ballooned to over HK$200k.
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I think this point is well worth repeating, especially for those without insurance coverage. If we didn't have insurance there is no way we would pay for a private hospital for two reasons:

1. The basic costs are too high for something available for free on the public system
2. The costs can balloon completely out of control if there are any complications... and the last thing you want to be thinking about during the delivery is the cost.
 
lina27 said:
Thank you for the precise information. Still, the costs are manageable. I'll go for Sanatorium.
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Epidural was 10k, pediatrician 6k (depends on doctor- I had one for 10k but not worth it), hearing I did outside, the pediatrician recommended I not do it at the adventist. The miscellaneous costs didn't add up to more than a couple thousand for us.
 
lesliefu said:
Epidural was 10k, pediatrician 6k (depends on doctor- I had one for 10k but not worth it), hearing I did outside, the pediatrician recommended I not do it at the adventist. The miscellaneous costs didn't add up to more than a couple thousand for us.
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Crazee... Epidural 10k?! Sanatorium lists it at 5k... 130k in total is too high, and it's without complications...
 
Lesliefu's numbers are correct. I paid about the same too for an uncomplicated 3-day delivery. The cost can be reduced by choosing a different class of room. Cost, for the same procedure, goes up exponentially depending on your room type. Epidural is 10k for private room, and 5k for non. Sanatorium has a price list you can refer to. Matilda charges are similar too. I had my first at M and second at S.
 
Obiwan said:
Lesliefu's numbers are correct. I paid about the same too for an uncomplicated 3-day delivery. The cost can be reduced by choosing a different class of room.
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Cost can also be reduced by haggling! Most people dont think about this option and many feel embarrassed, but the option is there and you can get significant savings by simply saying "I have no insurance, I cannot afford it and I need a break". We did and saved thousands.
Hospitals are inflexible but doctors are quite flexible.
 
lina27 said:
So did you pay 43k in total WITH insurance coverage?
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43k was the bill..our health insurance covered it in entirety. Sanatorium billed me direct & I claimed back from the insurance provider so don't think the bill was influenced by private payer vs insurance payer.
 
The billing at Sanatorium is pretty transparent. We paid exactly the amount listed in the package brochure for a c section. Additional costs of $600 for my husband to accompany me in the operating room and $620 (approximately) for him to stay overnight in my room. No other costs unless you have other special blood tests or tests for the baby. The Bcg and hep b shots for baby are also included.

http://www.hksh.com/en/package/maternal_normaldelivery.html
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