What is the best health insurance in Australia for pregnancy?
Congratulations! You’ve received the great news you’re expecting the pitter patter of little feet, or you’re planning to start a family. Even before you’ve got that far you need to ask yourself a very important question – and it’s not what gender the baby will be. It’s all about private health insurance!
Billy Explores knows this is a very exciting time in your lives, so wants to make this time more enjoyable with less stress about money worries or about whether or not pregnancy will be covered under your private health insurance. We will also discuss Pregnancy with Medicare vs Private Health insurance. So, let’s delve a little bit more into what you can expect with pregnancy and private health insurance. Then of course, we will also help you start comparing health insurance in Australia, and doing a private health insurance in Australia compare project. Let’s get started (or of course you can find out more about private health insurance in Australia, and compare now!)
Differences Between Medicare and Private Health Insurance With Pregnancy
Care in a public hospital or birth centre in Australia is free because Medicare pays for it.
But if you want private obstetric care in a public or private hospital, you will need to pay for it yourself or get private health insurance for yourself and your baby.
This is the major difference between Medicare and private health insurance and pregnancy.
When Should I Start Comparing Health Insurance in Australia For Pregnancy?
Most health insurance plans have a 12-month waiting period during which you can’t claim any costs related to your pregnancy.
So, if you want private obstetric care while you’re pregnant, you’ll need to get private health insurance, upgrade your current policy, or pay for it yourself well before you get pregnant. This also means you should start comparing health insurance in Australia well before you get pregnant.
If you get pregnant with your first child, you may need to talk to your insurance company about getting family coverage. Or of course, you could always do a private health insurance in Australia comparison right now to find the best private health insurance for your needs here.
What should I look for in a health insurance policy for pregnancy and birth in Australia, for a Health Insurance comparison?
Before making a reservation, you should check with the hospital, your insurance company, and your doctor to make sure you will be covered and to talk about any costs you may have to pay.
Some policies don’t cover care for pregnant women or midwives. Many of the cheaper policies don’t cover obstetrics or only cover you if you go to a public hospital as a private patient. If you’re thinking about getting pregnant, check your policy to see if it covers these things and if your child will be covered automatically after birth or if you need to switch to a family policy.
Will the new baby be covered by my private health insurance policy?
It’s important to make sure that your baby is covered from the moment they are born, in case they need hospital care right away.
Check with your insurance company to see what their rules are about covering babies who are just born. Most funds need you to change your policy to a “family” policy three months before the baby is born, but some need you to give them notice a year in advance.
Of course, don’t forget the differences between Medicare and Private Health insurance with your new bub.Another way is to make sure your new bub will be covered is to do a private health insurance in Australia comparison. It’s even more important when thinking about a new born to think about comparing health insurance in Australia.
What if my baby is premature or born ill?
In private hospitals, sick babies or babies born between 32 and 37 weeks of pregnancy can get care in a special nursery. Your baby’s care in the nursery will be charged separately from the cost of your hospital stay. Find out from your health insurance company if your baby is covered.
Babies who are born before 32 weeks of pregnancy or who are very sick are taken to a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in a large public hospital, and Medicare pays for their care. If you go into labour before 32 weeks, you will usually be moved to a large public hospital where your baby can get expert care as soon as it is born. This will always be covered under Medicare, so it’s one of the differences between Medicare and private health insurance.
What if I have twins, triplets, or even more?
If you have more than one baby, you will be charged for at least one of them while they are in the hospital. Find out from your health insurance company how many of your children are covered. If you think it’s not enough, think about doing your private health insurance in Australia comparison as soon as you can.
How much will I have to pay out of pocket?
Another one of the differences between medicare and Private Health Insurance is gap fees. There are some costs that private hospital health insurance does not cover. These things are:
- specialist consultations and check-ups with your obstetrician
- a portion of the hospital fees
- paediatrician visits
But Medicare will pay for some of these costs. Check with your insurance company and hospital for more information
What will happen if I get pregnant and my health insurance doesn’t cover me?
Medicare will pay for you to get very good prenatal care and have your baby in a public hospital or birthing centre. If you don’t have insurance and want to go to a private hospital, you’ll have to pay a lot of money out of your own pocket. You can get some of the cost of care from a private obstetrician or eligible midwife back from Medicare, but you will have to pay for everything at the hospital.
Comparing Health insurance In Australia For Pregnancy
So we’ve found out more about how Pregnancy is covered in Australia under private health insurance, and the differences between Medicare and Private Health Insurance. As we have mentioned, you need to make sure that you will be getting the best private health insurance deal for your needs, and that’s through doing a private health insurance in Australia comparison. Save time and effort, and explore potential savings from our panel of health funds. To start comparing health insurance in Australia, just click here!