[Roselet]

Definitely a read the fine print issue. I did loads of research when I was looking at changing funds and some definitely allowed the 12 months to be due date and still covered you if you were prem. But I'm pretty sure that wasn't true of all funds.
Good luck wtih your research.

[baileybunny]

The other thing to remember is any hosp during pregnancy will not be covered so if you have really bad morning sickness and need to be admitted, or complications requiring hosp bed rest that will not be covered either..

I never thought of this,,thanks for bringing it to mind. I wonder then if you could get admitted at a public hospital for things like premature labour, morning sickness etc, even if you weren't registered/booked in with the public hospital...and then only use your private hospital/ob or go there if you know you are definitely covered and had now exceeded the waiting period...?

[chookymonster]

I never thought of this,,thanks for bringing it to mind. I wonder then if you could get admitted at a public hospital for things like premature labour, morning sickness etc, even if you weren't registered/booked in with the public hospital...and then only use your private hospital/ob or go there if you know you are definitely covered and had now exceeded the waiting period...?

I don't know if that would work but if you do that, you will not be seeing your private OB, and they might not have a full history of your pregnancy so, if you have early complications, not sure if you want to risk that?

[stella777]

Hi OP
as PP's have said it is best to check with the fund you are with. I was initially with MBF and they only covered from the day the baby was actually born (not the expected due date). I ended up switching to Medibank Private as they would cover me from the expected due date as long as the doctor could provide proof that the baby arrived before it's due date. I was in your hypothetical situation, with twins due only a few weeks after I had served my waiting period, and as I knew there was a high probability they may arrive early I switched. As long as you have held equal obstetric cover in the fund you are with and the fund you are moving to, all waiting period times carry over to the next fund if you know what I mean

[brizvegas]

I'd say that it must be ok after 9 months as I am with one of the major health funds that has a 12 month obstetric waiting period and I fell pregnant (a surprise baby!) about a month after we got new insurance. When I rang up to cancel my insurance (as I was contemplating a change to Latrobe as they honor any waiting period already served and have a 9 month waiting period) my current insurer changed my waiting period to 9 months. I'd say it is at the discretion of the insurer if they insure you after 9 months.

Can I ask StudyMum which major fund you were with? I'm with MedibankP and am only 2 wks short and they won't cover me. Latrobe will cover me but I'm finding no many OBs have arrangements with them and there is a big gap that I'll need to pay. Thanks for any info you can provide.