Will my baby be able to have private cover?

[becw]

Hello,

I am about to start IVF. I have had private health cover now for a number of years, however it is for myself only. Is there a waiting period for a baby to get health insurance (a year) or can I add it straight away and it will be automatically covered? I was just wondering because if the baby is not covered, may be I will have to go publicly in case any thing goes wrong...

Cheers,
Bec

[Sissy]

Ring your insurer prior to the baby's birth, and change your coverage from single to family. There is no waiting period, but it will need to be done prior to the babies birth for it to be covered at birth. Once bubs is born, and named, contact them and add bubs name to your premium.

[missie_mack]

I think it might depend on your healthfund :detective:

My DS was added at birth and we were immediately sent new cards which covered him from the time of birth.

But be aware adding a child to your cover will up your fees to family cover so if you have a DH/DP it might be worthwhile adding them to your policy as it wont cost you anymore to have 3 than just the 2

[Chickadee]

DH & I were with Medibank Private when DD was born and they told me she would automatically be covered from birth. It only takes a phone call to your provider to check - they should be happy to answer questions like that. I had a whole list of questions that I sent them! lol

[Lollie86]

Some health funds require you to change to a family policy at least 1-3 mths before the baby is born. Others cover babies from birth. You will definately need to change to a family or single parent policy to have your child covered.

Your best to call your healthfund to make sure.

[Izy]

Depends on your fund.... generally speaking though if you have a single cover than bubs won't be on it straight away.

You should be able to have a single parent policy (cheaper than 2 parent family) if you want to go that way, or you could add a partner as a family supportive cover and start the waiting periods now.

I know with my fund you need to have family supportive cover (couples can be OK as long as it's the right type) for 12 months before baby is born to be covered for congenital conditions and 2 months for all other.

I do find that some ladies choose to birth in a public facility as a private patient, with the knowledge that bubs would be a public patient if they need to be admitted.

Hope that helped a little.

[Nex]

I called my fund before birth to add my child.
they said I didn't need to do it before birth, and that she would be covered for any ordinary maternity treatments under my own insurance, she would only need separate cover if she required separate hospitalisation and I had a month to upgrade to family cover.

Call your fund.