More than 1 million Kiwis have got health insurance covers in place. This is interesting as Kiwis have access to a good public healthcare system where most treatments are subsidised. Non-residents will largely fall outside of the health care system except when it comes to injuries which is taken care of by the government's ACC scheme.
One of the main reasons for getting health insurance is that it gives Kiwis the option to access private medical care and treatment. The wait to get non-emergency public health treatment can at times be a long wait.
There are a number of benefits of health insurance but in this post, we'll focus on child birth (i.e. obstetrics) benefits.
Below is a list outlining obstetrics benefits provided by a number of Health insurance covers in New Zealand.
Accuro
Cover: SmartCare
Benefit: This benefit covers obstetric care during pregnancy by a registered medical specialist. This benefit doesn’t cover antenatal ultrasounds.
Amount: $1000 every policy year
Eligibility: After three continuous years it covers the costs of obstetric care during pregnancy.
Cover: SmartCare+
Benefit: This benefit covers obstetric care during pregnancy, and infertility diagnosis and treatment by a registered medical specialist. This benefit doesn’t cover antenatal ultrasounds.
Amount: $2000 every policy year
Eligibility: After three continuous years it covers the costs of obstetric care during pregnancy and infertility.
AIA
Cover: Private Health Plus
Benefit: Pregnancy, Maternity and Infertility Allowance: Covers the cost up to the maximum cover for this benefit of obstetric care (including scans), infertility diagnosis and treatment carried out by a registered medical practitioner or a specialist at an approved facility. This benefit includes cover for reasonable accommodation costs incurred by a life assured for maternity, pregnancy or infertility related stays in an approved facility.
Amount: $1,500 per pregnancy, per life assured, per policy year
Eligibility: Only available to a life assured who has had two years of continuous cover under AIA Private Health Plus. No excess is payable for any claims under this benefit.
Cover: Private Health and Health Plus
Benefit: Obstetric Care Allowance: Covers the cost up to the maximum cover for this benefit of medically necessary obstetric care referred by the life assured’s registered medical practitioner, specialist or registered lead maternity carer (Midwife) for assessment and monitoring of a recognised risk factor(s) in respect of complications during pregnancy.
Amount: Up to $2,000 per life assured per policy year
Eligibility: AIA Private Health Cover and AIA Private Health Plus. No excess is payable for claims under this benefit.
nib
Cover: Base Cover
Benefit: Loyalty – Obstetrics Benefit
Amount: Up to $1,500 every policy year
Eligibility: After three years’ continuous cover.
Cover: Premium Hospital
Benefit: Cover for the cost of treatment by an obstetrician. We cover treatment that happens during pregnancy, but we don't cover IVF, caesarean sections, treating ectopic pregnancies or public hospital admissions.
Amount: Up to $1,500 per pregnancy
Eligibility: 12 months wait period
Southern Cross
Cover: Wellbeing Two
Benefit: For obstetric care and services carried out by a Specialist vocationally registered in obstetrics and gynaecology or anaesthesia and/or for accommodation in an approved facility and 2D and Doppler ultrasounds.
Amount: $750 per claims year
Eligibility: After 1 year continuous cover. Excess applies.
Cover: UltraCare
Benefit: For obstetric care and services carried out by a Specialist vocationally registered in obstetrics and gynaecology or anaesthesia and/or for accommodation in an approved facility and 2D and Doppler ultrasounds.
Amount: $1,000 per claims year
Eligibility: After 1 year of continuous cover on this plan.
UniMed
Cover: Hospital Select with Add-on Module - Specialist Module 'S'
Benefit: Treatment by a Registered Medical Practitioner for obstetric conditions.
Amount: Per Year $1,000
Eligibility: Available with Add-on Module - Specialist Module 'S'
Cover: Advantage Care
Benefit: Treatment from a Registered Medical Practitioner for obstetric conditions.
Amount: Limit $300.00 Per Visit/Year
Eligibility: Benefits apply after three years’ continuous membership in this plan.
Please note:
The information in the table above is taken from the Health policy documents made available online on 11 April 2020 by the respective insurance provider. This summary table is intended to be a high level guide only. Child birth benefits is only one of the features of many within a Health insurance policy. If you need help with deciding the right policy for you, speak to the insurance company or an insurance expert. For the latest and most accurate information, get in touch with the insurance provider.
Fun facts from Stats NZ:
Close to 60,000 babies are born each year
29 September is the most common birthday
The 10 most common birthdays all appear in the 13-day period from 22 Sep to 4 Oct
The least common birthday is 25 Dec (apart from 29 Feb on leap years)
The least common birthdays tend to be around public holidays
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