Cover for pregnancy

These are services that are directly related to hospitalisation for pregnancy and childbirth, including pregnancy complications, the delivery, and prenatal and postnatal support services for the mother.

Depending on your cover, these can also include:

• your own private room during your private hospital stay, depending on availability, with eligible hospital cover

• up to 100% of your hospital costs covered through our network of participating hospitals, with eligible hospital cover (other than any excess that applies to your cover and other small permitted gaps)  

• HCF-approved postnatal support services, including breastfeeding consultations and support services provided by the Australian Breastfeeding Association and pregnancy compression garments, with eligible extras cover

• HCF-approved antenatal and postnatal classes, including group physio classes and pelvic floor physio, with eligible extras cover.

More about pregnancy, birth and perinatal

Medicare can provide some coverage for childbirth, including hospital care and medical services in a public hospital, however it won’t cover all costs associated with your birth in a private hospital. For coverage in a private hospital and additional benefits like your own private room, access to support programs for soon-to-be or new parents, and postnatal support services, you may want to consider private health cover that includes pregnancy and birth-related services.

Public vs private hospitals for pregnancy

Does private health insurance cover pregnancy ultrasounds? 
 
No, private health insurance doesn’t cover pregnancy ultrasounds. Private health insurance only covers pregnancy ultrasounds if it’s deemed medically necessary and conducted as an inpatient in a hospital.

Does private health insurance cover obstetrician fees?

Private health insurance doesn’t cover consultations with your obstetrician before or after the delivery of your baby.

Learn more about antenatal care

No. You have to let us know that you’re expecting a baby.  

If you’re on a single or couples membership, it’s important to call us to inform us of your expected due date as soon as possible. We’ll then transfer you to a family membership from the expected date of birth. This will make sure your baby is covered and won’t have to serve any waiting periods. 

If you don’t tell us your expected due date, you have 2 months to transfer to a family membership from the date your baby was born, and your baby will be covered from this date. 

If you’re already on a family membership, you’ll need to tell us when your baby is born so we can add them to your cover.

Yes, you’ll have out-of-pocket costs if you have a baby at a private hospital. As Australia’s largest not-for-profit health fund, we strive to keep these costs as low as possible for our members by partnering with more hospitals, doctors and extras providers across Australia. We also make it easy for members to discover the typical out-of-pocket costs members can expect to pay for childbirth with our cost indicator tools.

Learn about vaginal birth costs

Learn about caesarean birth costs