Planning to start a family is one of the most joyous times of our lives, and preparation is key to make sure we’re ready physically, emotionally and financially for pregnancy.

As well as getting our bodies and minds into tip-top shape, planning for pregnancy means giving the finances a thorough checkover, including ensuring we have the right private health insurance for pregnancy.

You may be wondering what steps you need to take with your private health cover prior to falling pregnant, so we’re exploring everything you need to know.

What You Need To Know About Private Health Insurance For Pregnancy

In Australia, the cost of pregnancy and birth care in a publicly-funded hospital is covered by Medicare. However if you want private obstetric care, it will come out of your own pocket or be covered by a private health insurance policy that includes pregnancy.

We’ve done all the hard work for you, by teaming up with GMHBA to answer the questions you want to know when it comes to pregnancy and private health insurance.

1. Is there a waiting period to be covered for pregnancy and birth-related private health insurance services?

Like with most private health cover, there is a waiting period for pregnancy services. And of course, you’ll want to get the timing right!

With GMHBA the waiting period is 12 months, which means if you’re planning on a pregnancy you need to have had your private health cover for at least three to four months before falling pregnant. Or if you already have private health cover, just make sure you upgrade it at least three to four months before you fall pregnant.

2. What sort of cover do I need for my newborn?

It can be tricky to know whether you need singles, couples or family cover for your brand new addition once they’re born.

It’s good to know that with GMHBA if you have complications and your baby needs accomodation or medical attention, your newborn will be covered for that accomodation or any medical services, as long as you have served the relevant waiting periods.

Just make sure you make contact with GMHBA after the birth to have your newborn added to your cover.

3. What happens if I need IVF or assisted reproductive services?

More and more couples are turning to IVF and assisted reproduction for pregnancy, and it’s great to know that with GMHBA both are included under some of its hospital covers.

As with all hospital cover, you’ll be covered for the services provided to you while you’re admitted as an inpatient in hospital – so the day stay procedures for embryo collection and transfer.

There are numerous other tests and consultations when undergoing IVF and assisted reproductive services, and there are many covered by Medicare – just make sure you take the time to go over the costs with your IVF and assisted reproductive services provider.

4. Are there fees I need to know about associated with pregnancy?

If there’s one thing you’ll get used to while you’re expecting, it’s visits to the doctor, obstetrician or midwife! These regular appointments will monitor the health of both you and bub, and give you a chance to bring up any questions.

Once your GP refers you to an obstetrician after confirming your pregnancy, the remainder of your pregnancy appointments will usually be with your obstetrician or midwife, and they will most likely also deliver your baby.

The fees that your obstetrician charges you for the consultations in their rooms are outpatient services, so they’re not covered by hospital or extras cover. However, they are partially covered by Medicare. Your GMHBA hospital cover provides coverage for inpatient services that your obstetrician or their staff perform, as long as you have pregnancy cover and your waiting periods are completed.

If you happen to have other fees from GP consults, ultrasounds, blood tests and other consults and appointments before you give birth, these are not covered by hospital or extras cover. But they may be partially covered by Medicare.

5. Are antenatal and postnatal classes covered?

While giving birth and being a mum is completely natural, it’s also overwhelming! So antenatal classes are a great way to prepare for what’s ahead, and postnatal classes help you adjust physically to your body after birth.

With GMHBA Top Extras 75% and Top Extras Set Benefits, you’ll be able to claim benefits for sessions and courses provided by registered midwives or physios in a private practice. These could be antenatal classes or breastfeeding and sleep settling consults.

The classes have to be billed separately from a hospital account to qualify for cover, and the benefits aren’t payable for courses that are covered by Medicare. This benefit also has a two month waiting period and an annual limit of $350 per person.

6. How else could I benefit from having private health insurance in pregnancy?

Your body goes through an incredible physical journey during pregnancy, and there are so many ways to help make the nine months, and the postpartum period more comfortable.

Having combined hospitals and extras cover with GMHBA opens up a whole range of health and wellbeing services that are incredibly helpful during and after pregnancy. Extras cover can help cover the cost of specialist health providers including:

• Physiotherapy
• Remedial Massage
• Tens Machines
• Acupuncture
• Antenatal and postnatal services when visiting registered midwives, physiotherapists and lactation nurses
• Health and wellbeing programs

Other benefits of having private health insurance in pregnancy with GMHBA are the added choices including a private room and an overnight stay for your partner.

If you’re planning on starting a family in the next 12 months (how exciting!!) head over to GMHBA for a quote on including pregnancy in your private health insurance. And members on selected GMHBA hospital and package covers are eligible for additional benefits of up to $500 to cover the costs of any obstetrician inpatient fees.

Mouths of Mums is proudly working together with GMHBA to bring you this article. GMHBA is an Australian not for profit health insurance and care company. It has served the community since 1934, and with 85 years’ experience, has become one of Australia’s leading regionally based private health insurers.