HBF bundle of joy for homebirths

[bubs_and_us]

does anyone know if this is paid for homebirths?



Our ‘Bundle of Joy’ maternity package is designed to give you peace of mind in the transition from hospital to home. It provides such benefits as professional home care services by midwives and lactation consultants, and rebates for a range of products and services like nappies, domestic cleaning services, and even home-delivered meals.
Once we are made aware of your pregnancy, or you have advised us that your new baby has arrived, you will be sent an HBF maternity kit full of parenting information and specific offers from other suppliers ranging from baby essentials to clothing, photography and more!
Your length of stay in hospital following the birth of your baby will determine your benefit entitlements.




Am I eligible?

To be eligible for the Bundle of Joy package, you must be an HBF member who is covered for maternity care on a Hospital plan (except Basic or Young Single Saver Twin Pack). You must have had your baby in either a private hospital or as a private patient in a public hospital.

For other instances such as home birth and birthing suites in a public hospital, you should contact HBF on 133 423 to check your eligibility.


i rang the number to ask, but the guy i spoke to was totally clueless about the whole homebirth idea.

so, has anyone been able to claim it?

[bubs_and_us]

scrap that.... i found out nobody can claim it as of april 1st.......

cheers

[MilkOnTap]

Defence Health have increased their midwifery benefit to $1500 as of 1st of April 08.

[onemummmy]

that doesnt help u if ur not in the defence force though does it? I thought it was 4 defence personell & spouses only?

[MilkOnTap]

Your right onemummy.

Defence Health is available for full time serving members and reservists.

I just want to make sure that it is noted that there IS still one health fund that hasn't scrapped the midwifery benefit. What I would LOVE to know, is HOW they're increasing their benefit (from $550 to $1500) on the 1st of April, when all the other funds are totally scrapping theirs?

The new benefit $ isn't online yet - but was emailed to me from their helpdesk...


Midwifery benefits are outlined below. This information is only valid from the 1/04/2008 as this benefit has been increased from this date:

Midwifery:

Defence Health pays up to $1500 for midwifery per financial year. This is made up of $1000 for your midwife’s attendance at the delivery, $40 per pre-natal visit and $80 per post-natal visit. Your midwife must be registered and in private practice.
Note: Midwifery benefits are not payable if a doctor is required to intervene in the delivery.

[PunkyDiva]

That is bizarre considering it's our gov trying to run IM's outta town and forcing Private Health Funds & Medical Insurers to scrap Home Birth funding. :confused:

Considering they place the value of $4000 on a public hospy VB, $1500 is a pitiful amount really, but guess it all counts when you have to pay yourself.

[MilkOnTap]

Yeah PD... I'm confused too.

I'd love to know what the legislation is all about... I'm a bit unsure of why DH can still keep their midwifery benefits but everyone else is scrapping them.....

But hey - I'm not complaining about the benefit that I'm entitled to. $1500 isn't much in the whole scheme of things - but at least its $1500 less that I need to worry about.

[PunkyDiva]

But hey - I'm not complaining about the benefit that I'm entitled to. $1500 isn't much in the whole scheme of things - but at least its $1500 less that I need to worry about.

Ya sure there's not some gov fine print slipped in there somewhere:laughing:

The destruction of IM's and HB has been a nasty battle, but they haven't won yet :D

[MilkOnTap]

Ya sure there's not some gov fine print slipped in there somewhere:laughing:

The destruction of IM's and HB has been a nasty battle, but they haven't won yet :D

I had better check the fine print... Be just my luck to find out after the fact that I made the wrong decision (just like before)

[PunkyDiva]

I had better check the fine print... Be just my luck to find out after the fact that I made the wrong decision (just like before)

Ohhhh hun, you didn't make a wrong choice at the time,it's all too easy with hindsight to look back and say I wish or I wonder. Just fantastic that you are looking at other options seriously this time and opening your mind before making decisions. You are amazing :thumbsup: :hugs:

[Super Trooper]

Defence Health have increased their midwifery benefit to $1500 as of 1st of April 08.

Hey pink lady, how do i get defence health??

Are you a spouse, or are you actually in the defence force? are you in the army/navy/raaf?

DP has been in the army for 5 years, and leads me to believe that spouses arent covered by defence health, but ive always thought that was silly and that surely they would cover the family??:confused:

im having a homebirth with #2 (not even ttc yet tho:D), DP talked me into going to hospy with #1 in case something went wrong :rolleyes:

[MilkOnTap]

Oh - your DEFINITELY entitled to it!

Defence Health are a private health insurance that defence families have access too. Serving members already have coverage through the force, so you can use a cover for 'Military Families' that just covers yourself and your kidlets.

We are on top hospital and top extras and pay $70.31 a fortnight which is an allotment that comes straight out of hubbies pay.

I've been chatting with a girl named Tamara there who knows the latest on the homebirthing and midwifery benefits - best to ask for her.

Best wishes!!! And get onto it ASAP :)

[Super Trooper]

thanks pink lady!

how do i get a list of prices and what the different levels of insurance cover? i couldnt find this on the website...




ps. my god is DP going to get a ripping tonight! i have been putting off getting my wisdom teeth out until HE found out if i get cover thru the army, he is in so much trouble :mad:

[MilkOnTap]

https://www.defencehealth.asn.au/

Along the top panel, hover over 'Health Cover' and click on 'Cover options. It will bring up a list of pdf files - one for each state. Its a bit of reading, but at the bottom of the file are the premium prices.

Good luck!!!