Essential Birth Consulting is committed to applying for Medicare and Pharmaceutical Benefits.  Medicare benefits will enable women to claim some of the cost of private midwifery care, much the same way we do when we see a GP.  This is the first time that the Government has provided benefits for the services that I provide.  Medicare benefits will be in place from 1st November, 2010 and I anticipate that women may be able to claim between $1,500 and $2,500 for a hospital birth - this has not been confirmed and I will provide an update when more details are known, closer to November.  Contact me to be included in my email list for updates. 

In addition, costs of private midwifery services can be claimed through private health insurance.  Funds will pay anywhere from a few hundred dollars up to several thousand dollars. 

Women may be able to claim the cost of midwifery services through the Net Medical Expenses Tax Off-set.  You may claim 20% the cost of services after $1,500 has been spent.  Please contact your accountant for further advice on your individual situation.

The bottom line: I am confident that women who are due to have their babies after November 1, 2010 will be able to claim a greater portion of private midwifery fees through various means so that in effect, midwifery care will be absolutely affordable to most families.

What is a Medicare-Eligible Midwife?

In order to claim Medicare benefits from care with your midwife, you will need to ensure that your midwife is Medicare Eligible.  A Medicare-Eligible Midwife meets certain advanced requirements:

• Current general registration as a midwife in Australia with no restrictions on practice;
• Midwifery experience that constitutes the equivalent of 3 years full time post initial registration as a midwife;
• Current competence to provide pregnancy, labour, birth and postnatal care to women and babies;
• Successful completion of an approved professional practice review program for midwives working across the continuum of midwifery care;
• 40 hours per year of continuing professional development relating to the continuum of midwifery care (20 hours in addition to standard requirements);
• Formal undertaking to complete an accredited and approved program of study to develop midwives' knowledge and skills in prescribing within 18 months.

Essential Birth Consulting provides a high standard of care to women and babies and is committed to becoming a Medicare Eligible Midwife.  Clients of Medicare-eligible midwives are able to claim Medicare benefits for midwifery services and are able to have their midwife order and interpret tests, prescribe, supply and administer medications and access visiting rights to hospitals.

Hospital visiting rights will be available after November 1, 2010.  This enables women to receive:

Pregnancy care in their own home or in the midwife's clinic

• 1-hour consultations
• Childbirth education
• Continuity of carer
• Medicare benefits

Birth in hospital or at home

• Births that take place in hospital will be funded by Medicare and covered by insurance

Postnatal care

• 1-hour consultations in the Client's home
• Medicare benefits