Health Insurance for Pregnancy

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Last Updated 17/10/2024
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Written by

Ellie Garran

Last Updated 17/10/2024

What changed?

Added membership preference information
Our aim is to help you make better informed decisions. That’s why iSelect’s content is produced in accordance with our fact-checking and editorial guidelines.

Find out more about how we make money.

View our Privacy Policy.

What’s the deal with Pregnancy Cover?

There’s no specific Health Insurance just for pregnancy, but coverage for pregnancy and birth is included in some Hospital Cover Plans. This means the birth itself, plus obstetrics treatment in the lead-up to it. You can also find coverage for IVF (assisted reproductive services) on some plans.

In 2023, almost 5% of iSelect customers told us their main reason for comparing their health insurance was because they were planning on having a baby.1Based on iSelect health insurance customer data 2023. The average age of those planning to have a baby was 31.

What out-of-pocket costs can I expect?

In the table below, we’ve gathered some of the costs you might encounter for common procedures as a private patient. Depending on the procedure, sometimes your Private Health Insurance chips in to help cover the cost; sometimes it’s just between you and Medicare. You might also initially pay more and have Medicare refund a portion of it.

The benefits of Health Insurance for pregnancy

You can choose your own doctor

In the public system, you often can’t choose which midwife or doctor you see. You also can’t necessarily see the same doctor over the course of your pregnancy. On the other hand, in the private system, you can choose your doctor. They’ll also treat you throughout your pregnancy, birth and afterwards. If this kind of choice and continuity of care is important to you, you probably want Private Health Insurance.

You could get money back for pre- and post-birth classes

Whether or not this is your first rodeo, you might be grateful for some practical support and advice. Some Extras Policies will give you financial assistance to take classes, both before and after the baby’s born. These could include topics like preparing for labor, breastfeeding and bathing your new bub.

You can (potentially) stay in a private, nicer room

In the public system, you might need to share a hospital room with others, which could mean your partner can’t stay overnight with you. As a private patient, you’re more likely to get a private room after you give birth, whether you’ve opted for a private hospital or a public one. In a private hospital, you might also have access to more pleasant facilities – and get to stay in hospital a bit longer if you want to.

You can access massage and some natural therapies

Pregnancy can be an exciting time, but we know it can also be tough on your body. This might be a time you need some extra help, whether it’s an acupuncture session to help with nausea or a massage to ease your muscles and joints – not to mention any stress you’re experiencing! Depending on your policy, many Extras Plans can help you access these treatments and more.

‘As a first-time mum, I was quite nervous about the pregnancy and birth experience ahead of me. I was fortunate enough to select the private system, which then allowed me greater peace of mind that I would receive consistent care from my preferred obstetrician and additional scans at each check-up appointment. The four-day stay in a private hospital allowed my husband and I the time we needed to adjust to the newborn bubble and to get the support we needed from midwives, paediatricians, women’s health physios and lactation consultants. Although going private hurt the bank account a bit, we chose to go private once again when my second child came along, as we knew we’d be guaranteed the consistency, comfortability and support we needed as we became a family of four.’

Jessie Petterd
Brand Manager, iSelect and mum of two

Who is planning on having a baby?

Everyone likely has a different idea of when the right time to start a family is. However, the average age of iSelect customers looking to start a family in 2023–24 was 31 years old. There was also common ground when it came to preferred policy types, with more customers looking to take out a single female policy, followed by those looking for a couples policy.

Helpful Tip:

 There is generally a 12-month waiting period before you can claim on pregnancy or obstetrics services. If you want the option of having your baby privately and choosing your own obstetrician, then you need to take out or upgrade your policy before you even start trying for a baby! Unfortunately if you wait until you are already pregnant, it will be too late to opt to have your baby privately, unless you are willing to self-fund and pay the full out-of-pocket costs yourself (which is very expensive)

Dr. Jill Gamberg

GP, Coach and Lifestyle Medicine Coach

Frequently asked questions

What types of Health Insurance include pregnancy?

What are the waiting periods for Pregnancy Cover?

What could my out-of-pocket expenses be?

When should I upgrade to a Family Policy?

Are IVF and assisted reproductive services covered?

Does Health Insurance cover the cost of a caesarean?

Does Private Pregnancy Cover have any exclusions?

Does Health Insurance cover prenatal classes or birthing courses?

Will I be covered for twins or multiple births?

Where can I compare Health Insurance Policies?

Need more help with pregnancy?

iSelect does not compare all health insurance providers or policies in the market. The availability of policies will change from time to time. Not all policies available from its providers are compared by iSelect and due to commercial arrangements, your stated needs and circumstances, not all policies compared by iSelect are available to all customers. Some policies and special offers are available only from iSelect’s contact centre or website. Click here to view iSelect’s range of providers

  • 1.
    Based on iSelect health insurance customer data 2023.