Will they cover some?

[LittleMissyMoo]

We signed up for family hospital insurance with AHM about 3 weeks ago (paid a year's cover in cash). They have a 1 yr waiting period for maternity/obstetrics. We've just found out we're pregnant and are wondering if we can pay a fee and still go to a private hospital? Will AHM cover any of it?

If they won't cover it can we get our money back because we wont be using their fund?

[Ange&Seth]

I doubt they'll cover it and I doubt they'll give you your money back - unless you cancel the membership altogether but I'm not sure on that one.

It sucks chic :hugs: Maybe give them a call and find out what your options are?

[KatiesMum]

they wont cover anything ...

the waiting time is basically 12 months from the date you signed up to your due date......

The best you could do would be cancel the policy and get your money back - if they allow that.

[Sissy]

No, they won't cover any expenses related to your pregnancy.

Did you pay upfront, or are you paying monthly? I'm sure they will not refund any premiums that you have already paid if you are paying monthly, but you may be able to cancel any future payments. Not sure if you paid in advance, all you can do is ask!

[moonke]

yeah unfortunately no.

Sux hey.

[missie_mack]

Unless you have had the policy 12 months when the baby arrives they won't pay anything.. and really in some ways I can't blame them... the costs of having my baby to the healthfund was nearly the same if not more than what I had paid in health insurance that year!

[Izy]

12month wait, is 12months. Unless you have held the cover for 12 months when the baby is born they will not pay a cent.

As for refund. You can cancel your cover from todays date (whenever that today will be) and get a refund from the date of cancellation. But the monies applied to your cover from joining to cancellation will not be refunded.

Good Luck hon. Perhaps you would like to keep the cover in case anything private is needed after the birth??? Personal choice really.

[coogeemum]

I'm pretty sure that insurer's are required to have a cooling off period (30 days?) during which time you can change your mind cancel and get a refund. You will find it in the fine print.

[Izy]

good pickup coogeemum. Some insurers do this, but I don't think its a 'requirement' as such. Ask them if they allow you to change your mind... as long as you haven't claimed any extras like dental yet.

[LittleMissyMoo]

Oh nooooo!

No, we haven't claimed anything yet and yes, we paid for a year's worth up front. I figured by the time we have the baby next year we'd be 8 months into the policy and we could get away with paying a fee or something...:confused:

I think we'll keep it rather than cashing in just incase we need it during the year (you never know what could happen).

[Izy]

Check with your fund- normally sudden illnesses and accute conditions will be covered in 2 months time.

This will mean that even though you won't be covered for the baby's birth. And baby won't be covered for congenital conditions (things that develop in the womb such as hole in the heart, downs syndrom etc). You will be covered for things that happen spontaneously (like miscarriage- but you won't need to worry about that at all!!!!), and it will cover things for baby if they are conditions that develop during or after the birth (because you will have had the cover longer than 2 months by then).

[Mama2Mia]

we joined up with AHm back in Jan 08 and although i'm now pregnant, baby isn't due till Feb 09 (just made it past the 12mths waiting period!) so we'll be covered but they said even if Bubs arrives early and it hasn't been 12mths i'm still fully covered so long as a get a doctors note to say i wasn't due till Feb 09.

i don't think you can pay a 'fee' for whatever time period you have left if you want to have the baby privately.