Sky-high obstetrician fees are destroying private maternity services, health insurers claim
It has been claimed that at least 10 private maternity hospitals have closed in the last seven years.
Private insurers says obstetricians are charging the highest out-of-pocket fees of any doctor group in the country and risk destroying the viability of Australia’s private maternity services.
It has been claimed that at least 10 private maternity hospitals have closed in the last seven years with five of these shutting their doors in 2023 alone.
A report by Catholic Health Australia has warned of “complete service failure”.
But Private Healthcare Australia, the health insurers’ national lobby group, says the sector is being crippled by obstetrician fees, with some charging $650 for an initial consult.
