Lessons Learnt #4

Private Hospital Scam

My wife gave birth to a baby boy recently at a private hospital in Shah Alam. She gave birth through C-sect procedure although we were expecting her to give birth normally. This experience has taught me a thing or two on how to avoid being over charged by private hospitals especially when giving birth.

I think most of us must have heard of the scams in private hospital where they take us for a ride conducting unnecessary procedures just to overcharge the patient. This prompted the Health Ministry secretary-general to issue a statement warning errant hospitals. The Health Ministry will also come out with new guidelines on hospital fees by March. So guys, make sure what you are being charged for yeah.

I've heard from a friend where he was asked to do a heart screening although he was admitted to the hospital on suspicion of dengue. My wife during her pregnancy once complained of backache. We went to a private hospital (in Johor Bharu) only to be taken for a ride doing unnecessary procedures. Ask any medical doctors, and they will say if a pregnant lady complains of backache, the first thing that they will do is to conduct urine test to determine whether there are signs of urine infection since this is common among pregnant ladies. At that private hospital, urine test was conducted as the last procedure. The bill came up to more than RM800 for an outpatient treatment and some panadols which I can buy cheaper from pharmacy!



My wife was attended to by a specialist gynaecologist at this private hospital since the beginning of pregnancy. She didn't just pop up at the hospital when its time to give birth. So the doctor has all her records. Despite having all her records, the specialist could not even advise whether she was able to deliver normally or not. She was induced by the doctor when her opening was only 1cm. After 20 hours, then only the doctor decided that the baby was too big for her and she needed C-sect. Preparing herself all this while for a normal delivery, she was quite traumatic when told she needed an operation. Anybody would be. So what's the point of paying a specialist every month when he can't even advice on this kind of thing? Alhamdulillah, everything went well during the operation. My wife is recovering and our baby is healthy.

After gathering all the facts, we concluded that we were taken for a ride. I did complain to the hospital's head of corporate services but I doubt that they will give us any discounts on the fees which is about 2 times compared to a normal delivery package. Here are the steps that you can take as precautionary measures to limit the damage that can be done by private hospitals especially when giving birth:

• Do not reveal the nature of work you and your spouse are in and the company you are working with especially if you are a professional and working with MNC. Just say that you are a kerani only lah. Sorry, no offence lah kerani. Just show that you are not well to do with. Chances are, behind the scene the hospital might have targeted those who they think they can overcharge (in other words, sembelih!). I'm just speculating but why take the chance? It's not an offence to lie on your job nature. It's even irrelevant to the treatment that you are seeking.
• As much as possible, avoid inducement unless it's really necessary. Only opt for inducement if your vagina opening is already 3 to 4cm. At 1cm, it's very arguable whether there's even an opening. Others might say there's no opening yet. Be clear with your doctor and state this upfront before he/she checks your vagina opening. This is to avoid the doctor from inducing you according to his/her whims without consulting you. This is what happened to my wife.
• However, after you are induced, opt to stay in the labour room. Avoid them from transferring you to the ward. You will not know for how long before you give birth. If you are transferred to the ward, the ward charges will kick in. If you only deliver the next day, that's already an extra day ward charges.
• During your routine check-ups with the doctor, insist on having your pelvis opening and the baby's head width measured especially nearing due date and if your baby is big (more than 3kg). This will determine whether you will be able to deliver normally or will need C-sect. With all the 3D and 4D's scan, it's just pointless if this most crucial measurement can't be made known to you. This info was not made known to us or maybe the specialist did not measure at all!

It really feels bad when you are cheated. Hopefully with these measures, you can avoid from being overcharged. Have a memorable birth giving experience!