How late can I change providers?

[pregnantladybird]

I am with HBA and have cover that includes pregnancy, with a $500 hospital excess

For a long time I have been thinking of switching somewhere that we can get better value for extras cover.

I am almost 36 weeks pregnant - is it too late for me to switch now and not affect my hospital cover for the birth? And what happens if I choose a lower excess knowing that I will be going into hospital in a few weeks?

Woulds appreciate any tips - as well as recs for great health funds. Are there any that include things like midwife/lactation consultant visits after the birth even if we have an ob for the birth? (I know Aus Unity do midwife but have a feeling its either midwife or ob)

thanks :)

[MyCheekyMonkey]

With only 4 weeks left I would probably stay with your current and switch after you have had bubs. The last thing you want is a discrepancy in join dates/paperwork and being stuck with the hospital bill.

I switched from Aus Unity to Medibank at about 20 weeks pregnant for similar reasons.

[Izy]

Although you could change now if you wanted,i'm going to agree with jackia... Would it be worth the stress.

Perhaps check if your current fund print clearance certs in the branch and go for gold if they do, but otherwise it can on occassion be a drawn out process.

You will normally still pay the higher excess too because of the rules of portability.