9,762 reviews on 
Medical Insurance for Infants
While most Australians know about private health insurance for covering pregnancy costs, health cover for newborn babies isn’t as well-known. All infants in Australia are automatically covered by Medicare, but you can also include young ones in a family health insurance plan for lots of benefits.
How can I add a newborn to my family health insurance plan?
It’s easy to add a baby to your private health insurance policy. You only need to give your health fund a call. However, you may need to switch to a new policy to cover your newborn, so it’s a good opportunity to compare health insurance companies with the GoSwitch price comparison search tool. Whether you are a single parent or part of a larger family, child health services are a high priority and are worth the cost.
A family health insurance policy covers up to 2 adults plus children. Depending on your health fund, your children can remain on your policy until they turn 18 or 25 years of age.
Are newborn babies eligible for Medicare?
Much of the cost of the medical care a baby receives can be covered by Medicare. If there’s an urgent issue, babies can get treatment as public patients at public hospitals under Medicare. Parents are eager to give their children the best possible care no matter their age, including babies and toddlers who often need special attention and treatment, and this is where private hospital healthcare and extras cover for infants comes into the picture.
Your little bundle of joy is the most important member of your family, and Medicare doesn’t provide comprehensive hospital cover for all the medical expenses and consultations newborns can experience, so taking out private health insurance can be a worthwhile option for complete peace of mind.
Benefits of adding a new baby to your insurance?
Firstly, it’s worth exploring different health insurers to ensure you get the best deal. You generally won’t lose your waiting periods when you transfer to an equivalent policy, so there’s little risk in switching. Once you add your child to your private health insurance policy, they will be covered until at least 18 years, or up to age 25 if they remain dependent on you.
This gives you a safety net for childhood injuries, illnesses, x-rays, breaks and fractures, dental check-ups, fillings, and other medical treatments. Private health insurance allows you to choose your level of cover and premiums for a family policy that suits your style.
As private patients, you and your family have priority access to in-hospital medical services. You can give your child the treatment they need from the doctor or specialist you select. You will avoid long public hospital waiting lists, avoid out-of-pocket expenses, and can potentially be upgraded to a private room at no extra cost.
Do babies really need private health insurance?
A family health insurance policy can be tailored to suit your children as they grow from newborns and toddlers into young adults. Private health insurance for babies isn’t always essential, but it is a smart long-term investment in your family’s health and future. No matter what unexpected medical events arise in your child’s life, having private health insurance means you’ll have the essential financial protection you need.
How does family health cover benefit babies?
Family health insurance can provide a long list of benefits for babies, and it’s best to ensure your baby is covered well before they are born. If your newborn baby has health problems, and you already have private health insurance in place (including waiting periods), any treatment your newborn requires will be covered by your family health insurance.
If you wait until after birth to add your child to your policy, your little one’s health problems will be classed as pre-existing conditions and won’t be covered by your insurer. Private health insurance can provide many benefits throughout a child’s life, including:
 | Get waiting periods out of the way | By including your child on your family health insurance policy or single parent health policy as soon as possible, you’ll be able to serve any necessary waiting periods and be prepared for any ailments or injuries that may come along. |
 | Protect against the unexpected | Life is unpredictable and you never know what is waiting around the corner. Accidents and unexpected illnesses occur often in youngsters, so private health insurance protects against whatever the future may hold. |
 | Avoid public hospital waiting lists | With private health insurance cover, your child can avoid public hospital waiting lists and receive treatment in a private hospital, with your choice of doctor/physician. |
 | Cover a wide range of expenses | Private health insurance can cover hospital stays, surgery, accommodation, ambulance transport, dental treatment, glasses, and many other extras. Private health insurance can help ensure that your kids always have eligibility for the treatment they need and that your out-of-pocket expenses are kept to a minimum. |
How to add a newborn to Medicare
Whether or not your newborn is included in your private health cover, you still need to enrol them in Medicare as soon as possible. A doctor or midwife should have given you a Parent Pack, which includes a Newborn Child Declaration Form. A doctor or midwife will need to sign the form before you submit it to Medicare.
Switching for better medical insurance for infants
If you are considering family insurance, a single parent policy to protect a newborn, seniors health insurance, or you want to upgrade to a better co-payment couples policy with extras, GoSwitch can help. Simply enter your details to get started and get the latest deals from Australia’s leading health insurance companies. You get the best available insurance premiums and the GoSwitch service is 100% free to use.
FAQs
What is the best health cover in Australia?
The best health cover depends on your individual needs and the insurance premiums (cost) and excess required to pay when making a hospital claim. Some health insurance products might be great for families, while others are better suited to seniors, singles or couples. GoSwitch can help you compare different policies to find the perfect fit for you.
How much does private health insurance cost?
The cost of private health insurance varies depending on your age, the level of cover, and the for-profit health fund you go with. Some funds offer basic cover for a few hundred dollars a year, while others can cost a few thousand. It’s always best to compare different health funds and policies with GoSwitch to find the one that suits your budget and needs.
How do I get two private health insurance policies?
You can split your health cover between two providers if you prefer. This could mean having hospital cover with one insurer and extras cover with another. GoSwitch can help you compare and combine different hospital policies to find the right mix for you.
Does private health insurance cover dental services?
Dental coverage depends on your specific policy and level of extras cover. Many policies cover routine checkups and basic treatments, while some also cover major dental work like orthodontics. Use GoSwitch to compare policies and see what’s included in each.
What is the best health insurance company to go with?
The best health insurance company for you will depend on your individual needs and the specific health services you’re looking for. Some companies excel in hospital cover, while others offer better value for extras. GoSwitch makes it easy to compare different companies and their offerings so you can find the one that’s right for you.