Hello to all,

As I already had written in previous post I am ca. 7 weeks pregnant. And of course I am still with a LOT of questions and doubts

I try to book an appointment to see a doctor in the Frauenklinik in KSBaden, but the only time available has for the 24th of June. In the meantime I had a serious cold, with fever and a lot of cough and I had visit my family doctor that advice me to visit a GO because of the medication that I could take. So I have done that. Last week I went to a private GO (I try to call to the frauenklinik in Baden, but they can not see me on that time) because of my cold but he decide to see if everything was ok with the baby and performed an ultrasound and blood tests.
So now I don't know what to do in my appointment in the KSBaden, should I say that I was in the doctor before? Should I ask the private GO to give me my exams results and take then with me to the appointment in KSB?

Probably if I repeat the exams again I will have to pay one of the appointments because I only have basic insurance, am I right? Thus anyone have idea about the price of this exams?

I keep calling to my insurance company to have some informations but has been impossible, or no one speaks English at the moment or no one answers the phone.......

Thanks for your help.

Regards,

J.

HI

Normally basic insurance takes o charge everything that is in relation with your pregnancy. So nothing to pay, except if you want extras (simple room at the hospital etc)

About your doctor, it depends if you felt ok with this doc you saw or not. Also, here in ZH basic insurance are not always reimbursing kliniks... So you should be sure of that.

Take care,
G

Thanks for your aswer, but I did not understant something:

"Also, here in ZH basic insurance are not always reimbursing kliniks... So you should be sure of that."

You mean the klinik that belongs to the kantonalspital (http://www.kantonsspitalbaden.ch/bad...auenklinik.php) ? Please tell me if I am wrong, but I though that this was a public place to have babys, like a maternity????

I understand that the basic insurance only cover exoenses from public places, like this that belongs to the kantonal Spital.....

Thanks and regards,

R.

Hi There,

I think it is important to understand that for the most part, basic health insurance refers to the type of treatment you require and not the person/place that provides the treatment. All costs relating to pregnancy, other than say a private room in the hospital, are covered by basic insurance.

The normal procedure is that when you visit a doctor/consultant for the first time, they ask you to fill out some forms and provide health insurance details. At this stage they will normally inform you if your treatment will not be covered by the insurance. So if the GO you visited did not tell you that the insurance covers their fees, it is reasonable to assume that it will be covered by your insurance.

One thing to remember about the insurance is that depending on the franchise you have chosen, the first X amount of costs will not be covered. So for example if you have selected a franchise of say CHF1,500, then the insurance only kicks in after you have covered the first CHF1,500 of expenses. For this reason it is important to keep all the invoices you receive in respect of medical expenses.

Another point to keep in mind is that the health insurance will not normally cover hospital stays outside the kanton, unless there is a special reason such as you were taken there as a result of an accident, you needed special treatment that was not available else were and so on.

Concerning your health care, I would suggest that you should rely more on your family doctor for advice. Make an appointment with them and discuss all your concerns etc. while they may not be the experts, they will at least be able to advise you on who you need to visit etc..

Later on when it comes near to delivery time, you should sign on at the hospital for their "tour of the facilities". During this session, you will get to meet the staff, see the ward and birthing rooms, get information about the documents you need to bring with you and your husband will be shown where he has to go to do all the registration stuff. Which is important if you are a foreigner and don't know the language, as at least it will be one less thing to worry about on the big day.

Most communities also offer a course for new parents, which can be useful if you understand the language, as you get a chance to find out about all the services they offer, meet the local child care professionals, get advice on the standard child care products used in Switzerland and so on. Depending on where you live, these courses are often offered in different languages, so be sure to check it out.

Good luck with that,

Jim.

I think you should definately talk to your insurance company to find out how much you are covered for. Different gynaecologists practice at different hospitals and clinics. If you have a choice you can visit to see where you would prefer.
Family doctors probably wont want to prescribe while you are pregnant, your gynaecologist can give you advice once you have chosen one.

Joanne, many congratulations on your pregnancy. If I were in your position, I would continue to consult the GO. He carried out the initial tests, and if you stay with him, will monitor your pregnancy until the time of your confinement. Not only will this give you peace of mind as far as your health is concerned and that of your unborn child, but he will also be able to answer all your questions regarding the practicalities of the delivery, and other matters on which you may need clarification.

My very best wishes to you!

I hope you are feeling better. Just so that you know, had you gone to the emergency department at the Kantonspital in Baden, (you need to phone ahead first and give all your details) they woud have sent an OB/GYN to see you once you were there. It doesn't seem right but this is the "fast track" way to get seen, though you may have had a long wait.

However, you were able to see a doctor. Did you ask the OB/GYN you visited what hospital he does deliveries at? If you were comfortable with him, I see no reason why you can't continue on as a patient with him.

__________________

Firstly, congratulations. Pregnancy is unfortunately a time when I have lots of doctors visits. When you feel ill (non PG related), you can just go and see a normal GP. They can also tell your over the phone what meds you can take.

Your insurance company will have published on their website which ultrasounds they cover. My San San basis policy says 8 doctors visits, 2 ultrasounds (normally around 20 weeks and 30 weeks), 3 breastfeeding consultations and CHF 100 towards a birth prep course. Having the extra insurance bits it says they will also pay for more ultrasounds during complications. My last insurer (Progres) paid for around 20 preventative ultrasounds on the basic insurance when my son wanted to arrive early.

The doctor will list on the bill what week you are in and having a repeated ultrasound with a different doctor when nothing was wrong won't be covered. If you were spotting or cramping, then it would certainly be covered. If you go to see a private doctor because your doctor wasn't available, then it should be covered too. Extra ultrasounds are quick and my doctors list them under a normal diagnosis appointment.

I would postpone your appointment at the other clinic until the 12 week when they can do the 1st trimester test/NT scan at the same time.

Just one thing: pregancy related medical visits, scans, blodd test are not submitted to franchise. You simply pay the 10% contributions.

Medecinie (i.e. magnesium, vitamins etc) are submitted to franchise, as is the midwife coming to your home after birth and pump rental.

The insurances say 8 vists and 2 ultrasounds and typically, if all is well you will be visited once every 6 weeks. If the doctor deems he needs ot see you more often or if you are sick and need an extra visit you will be covered.

Also, many doctors here in zürich for example do ultrasound every visist which they do not charge you as they like using their machines and it is good for them to have the info anyway

All the best for the rest!

Ciao
K

I don't know a single doctor who would advise a patient about what medication to take without having seen them, particularly if there is an underlying condition, like pregnancy.

I have called Telmed where I have spoken to a doctor who has given advice on the phone, but this is very limited and in most cases I would say when there is fever, it is best to visit the doctor.

I recently had an ear infection and I couldn't see a doctor until later that day. I was in agony. Over the phone they confirmed that paracetamol was okay to take during pregnancy. What was more helpful was telling me the meds I couldn't take, although they did tell me not to use a vicks inhaler

Totally agree Mrs Doolittle. During the first semester of my first pregnancy, I had an eye infection. The emergency doctor I consulted (it was a Saturday afternoon and I was due to go on holiday the following day), would not even prescribe eye drops for me when he learned that I was pregnant!