Upgrading to Family cover before baby is born

[Mia78]

When I was pregnant with DD, I had singles cover with MBF. I was told that I had to upgrade to a family cover 2 months before the birth to ensure that she was covered from birth....which I did, and all was fine.
After she was born, and everything was fine, I downgraded back to singles cover, as quite simply, we cant afford $200 a month of PHI.
I am pregnant with number 2 now, and due on the 9th May. I just called MBF to upgrade the cover to Family cover, to ensure bub is covered at birth...but the woman told me that I didnt have to do that, and that I had to wait until the baby was born, so that I could give them DOB etc...I questioned her several times to ensure that the baby would be covered should there be an issue when it is born, and she said that as soon as I call and add the baby once the details are known, they are covered straight away.....
this info isnt sitting right with me, and I am worried that should I need to use the cover for the baby, I wont be able to.
Does anyone have any details on this situation for me??

[Pippy the Hippo]

Hey Hun, I'm not 110% sure but if I were you I'd call back and ask a different consultant just to be sure. Also, at the end of the conversation maybe you could ask for a reference number of your conversation... So that way if they say the same thing as your prior conversation and it turns out to be wrong, you will have the reference to the recorded call :-) good luck and congrats!

[kylza]

I'm with NIB and with both bubs they were automatically covered, I just had to register their details (DOB, name etc) within about a month after their birth.
Sounds like your PHI scammed some extra money out of you :(
Actually my health fund contacted me after my last bub was born to congratulate me and get the details.

[aussiegal18]

I have just signed with with Latrobe and I spoke to 3 different people before signing up.

To cover bub when born if they need admitting to SCN or anything I need to upgrade to family cover 2 months before the baby is due.

I'd call back and speak to someone different. If you get the same info, ask for a reference so if there is problems, they can go back.

[MyCheekyMonkey]

I'm with Medibank and you just need to give details after birth to be covered - so all funds sound different.

I would call back, ask again, if you're told the same answer, take down the consultant's full name and location, ask them to add that to your notes and get a reference number if they have one - then all will be covered if something does happen and you're billed for it.

It sounds like the old way was 2 months prior, but many health funds are changing now to after birth.

[Izy]

Mia, there has only just recently been a change in policy at MBF, so it's right. Used to have to 'serve the family waiting periods' before birth, but now you don't. Just add bubba within 2 months of birth and it's all good :highfive:

You can also add DD1 at the same time and have them covered for a little while since it'll be the same price for one baby as 2 children.

[Cas79]

As other people say, it depends on the fund. I'm with Medibank and had same experience as Jackia. I talked to several different people as i so solidly believed i had to get family cover before the birth, but they wont actually allow you to until you've had the kid.

[Tortie]

The same thing has happened to me with HBA. Baby is due 5 May 2011 and I called to extend my cover so as baby is covered in case of special care. HBA told me to call when the baby is born and they will add to cover. I insisted that baby be covered from the date my cover kicks in which is 23 April and they sent me a form to complete. I will be making sure that from this date I am paying for Family cover as I do not want any suprises after baby is born.

Maybe you could advise them you would prefer to be covered prior to the birth and start paying the extra a month before. I dont trust these providers. I have had so many different answers for when my cover starts and in the end I asked for it in writing. They still tell me its from 6 May but I have 23 April in writing and bubs is arriving on 5 May so I am going to stand my ground on this one and cover all bases.

[Izy]

HBA I can assure you that baby is covered from birth as long as you add them within 2 months of birth. It takes the hospital that long to send the account and cover is backdated to date of birth. You only need to pay for family from the date a child or partner is added, not before. (this is assuming you have a non-exclusionary cover)

It's a nice change for us all.

[Izy]

For HBA look at the fund rules, page 32 (section F3.3)

If a policy holder adds a new dependant to their complying health insurance policy (other
than a newborn), any waiting periods and periods of restricted benefits that apply to that
complying health insurance policy must be served in full by the new dependant. A
newborn will be deemed to have served the same waiting periods and periods of
restricted benefits as the policy holder.

Also
F3.4 In the case of a newborn on a family or sole parent cover;
(1) Where the relevant cover was in existence prior to the birth of the newborn, the
newborn will not be required to serve waiting periods.
(2) Where the relevant cover was not in existence prior to the birth of the newborn, the
newborn will not be required to serve waiting periods where the newborn is added
within 2 month of birth.


Although the word single or couple is not listed in that above section, I can assure you that F3.4 (2) refers to it directly.
Ie. "Where the relevant cover was not in existence prior to the birth of the newborn" = You were not on a family or soleparent scale, but held a single or couple policy instead.

Hope that helps to put your mind at ease.

[Bemused]

Some of the above interpretations worry me, as I work in the industry (none of the funds mentioned). Our rule is that, if a single policy, it must be upgraded to family or single parent level at least 2 months before the expected date of confinement.

Some of you are making reference to adding the baby on within 2 months after, just make sure you're not misinterpreting when it actually means 2 months before.

However, if you are already on a family or single parent level of cover, it is okay with us to add the baby on afterwards. Maybe these two concepts are being confused in this thread.

I can't personally vouch for the rules of other funds, but it is often understood at our company that our rules are in line with the industry standard.

Check with your own fund carefully, maybe get confirmation in writing via an email. Cheers.

[Izy]

I can confirm HBA, Mutual Community, MBF, SGIO, SGIC and NRMA - well generally any BUPA fund, all share this same ruling and it's 2months after. If you wait longer than 2months your baby will need to serve ALL waiting periods though.

And YES, this is ONLY for the above mentioned funds and can be subject to change in future. Each fund operates on it's own rules so you need to check with them individually.

[Busy Bee]

I can confirm also for MBF. Even though in their product disclosure statement it states there is a 2 month waiting list I have confirmed with 3 different people from MBF ( yes 3 because i didn't believe them hehe) that it has changed and just need to do it within 2 months of being born. However they did say if your are expecting multiples to let them know.

[Izy]

the reason multiples are different is that the second baby will automatically be admitted for those birthing as private patients. It's important that you're aware that any excess or copayment will normally apply.