Waiting periods

[leashr]

Just a question:
i don't exactly know how Pivate Health Insurance works but was wondering if you lovely ladies could help me out.

I am aware that Latrobe Health Insurance has a waiting period of 9 months for obstetrics. So here is the question, if i were to take out Top level health insurance now with them and i fell pg in feb would i be covered for the birth? Or do i have to wait the whole 9 months and then try and conceive number 2?

TIA

[Electric Rodeo]

Hi,
I assume most PH companies are the same and whatever length the waiting period, usually 9 or 12 months you can be PG during that time. If you are planning on ttc I'd take it out now so if it happens quickly you will be covered by the time bub arrives.

Our cover kicked in when I was 7 months PG, no problems.

Good luck

[keepsmilyn]

That is a great question as I too have wondered that myself. If you go under a health fund that has a 12 month waiting period do you have to wait until after the 12 months are up before trying to conceive. Its not very clear on any of the health fund websites and I am also confused about if I join today and fall pregnant within the next month or so whether I would be covered or not.

Is La Trobe the only one with 9 month waiting periods? Is there any additional conditions La Trobe don't highlight that might make it better to go with a different fund that has a waiting period for 12 months instead.



Just a question:
i don't exactly know how Pivate Health Insurance works but was wondering if you lovely ladies could help me out.

I am aware that Latrobe Health Insurance has a waiting period of 9 months for obstetrics. So here is the question, if i were to take out Top level health insurance now with them and i fell pg in feb would i be covered for the birth? Or do i have to wait the whole 9 months and then try and conceive number 2?
TIA

[WotWillBWillB]

Hi i used to work in PHI and the policy for the company i worked for is: The day the baby is born has to be after the waiting periods eg if you have a 9 month waiting period and join today then i would suggest you wait about 3 or 4 months the ttc, as if you were to go into labour and have your bub early and was before your waiting period was us then you would also not be covered.

Good luck

[keepsmilyn]

Thanks WotWillBWillB. Lots of mixed feedback on here about this topic though. Perhaps some PHI are a bit relaxed on the issue if they want to keep their customers happy and to stay with them in the long term.

[Mama2Mia]

I think it depends on the health insurer because i know with AHM we were due a couple of days after our 12mth waiting period was up (e.g. joined Jan 24th 08 and due date was Jan 26th 09) but we had bubs a couple of weeks early but thats ok so long as your 'due date' is after the 12mths you're covered. I think you may need letter from Ob confirming due date if you have baby early.

We're with LaTrobe now and Latrobe told us (also have in writing via email enquiry through their website) that if you join today and fell pregnant tomorrow then you'd be fully covered for Obstetrics.

But judging from WotWillBWillB's response i'd check with who you're looking to join as obviously not all insurers work the same way.

Hope this helps!

[keepsmilyn]

Yes I think you are right Mama2Mia. Each health fund seems to handle it a little different.


I just got a reply email back from NIB who seemed to have quite good prices, but their pregnancy conditions were not great, see below:

"Thank you for your enquiry via nib Online Services.
Please find following the information you require:


(Please note that Benefit Limitation Period applies to Family plus only for members who are NEW to health Insurance - Benefit limitation Period does not apply to Top Cover)

A Benefit Limitation Period applies to pregnancy under Family Plus. In the first 12 months of cover the standard waiting period applies where no benefits will be payable.
After the 12 month standard waiting period has been served, benefits for this service will then be limited to Public Hospital Benefits. This means you would be covered for pregnancy in a shared ward of a public hospital with your choice of doctor. For more information, please visit Waiting Periods (http://www.nib.com.au/home/newtonib/help/pages/waitingperiods.aspx)

After the 24 month Benefit Limitation Period has been served, you would be able to claim the full benefit for pregnancy. You would then be covered to have your baby in an nib agreement private hospital."


So instead of waiting 12 months with NIB you actually have to wait 24 months for full private cover.



Definitely worth reading the fine print and asking for more details of any PHI you want to join with.

[nat278]

So instead of waiting 12 months with NIB you actually have to wait 24 months for full private cover.



Hi

Wow glad I read this post... I am sure my waiting period is 12 months but will be double checking to be sure though, 24 months that SUCKS!

I looked at NIB and wasn't fussed at there coverage for a few things that were essential for what I was wanting.

Will go check now as it has me wondering now...
Nat :australia: