Under the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing rules, we can only pay gap medical benefits for medical services provided to an admitted patient of a hospital. A newborn baby is classified as an admitted patient when one or more of the following criteria apply:

• The baby is admitted to an approved neo-natal intensive care facility
• The baby is the second or subsequent born in a multiple birth situation (i.e. twins, triplets etc)
• The baby is over nine days old while still in hospital.

If none of these criteria are met, your baby is not classed as an admitted patient for gap medical purposes, and you can claim expenses through Medicare only. You must indicate that your baby was not classed as an admitted patient. You will be eligible for 85% of the schedule fee through Medicare. No further benefits are available from CBHS.

Yes, your meals will be covered as part of the accommodation costs.

Generally, we do not pay for your partner's meals or accommodation while you and your baby are in hospital. Although there are benefits available for Boarder Fees (accommodation only) in some hospitals for specific situations if the boarder also holds Hospital cover with CBHS. However, these benefits are subject to the conditions of the contract that is in place with CBHS. Please contact us for further information.

Ante natal/post natal classes provided by a physiotherapist are covered on Top Extras under your ante natal/post natal physiotherapy limit.

If your classes are provided by a registered nurse or midwife, they will be covered under the midwifery services on Top Extras. 

To claim for ante natal/post natal classes you’ll need to provide CBHS with an official receipt showing the provider's name, registration number, dates and cost of each class.

Note: To claim for ante natal/post natal classes the service must not be claimable through Medicare.

If you have Sole Parent or Family cover, all waiting periods will be waived for your baby if you notify CBHS within two months of birth.

If you fall pregnant with a Single membership that includes Hospital cover (and pregnancy) you'll still be covered however, once your baby is born, you’ll need to upgrade to a Family or Sole Parent membership to ensure coverage for the baby. This is particularly important if your baby is admitted to hospital.

At CBHS you'll only be covered for pregnancy and birth in a private hospital if your policy is Complete Gold Hospital cover. Some products including KickStart (Basic Plus) package have restricted benefits, and you may incur large out-of-pocket costs in a private hospital. It's important to remember that some of our closed products also have a level of pregnancy cover. If you’re unsure what policy you have, give us a call on 1300 654 123 or email us on help@cbhs.com.au.

By having an excess or co-payment on your Hospital cover, you can help keep the premiums down because you’re contributing a small amount towards the cost. Depending on your Hospital product, you may have the choice of a co-payment or an excess. Some Hospital products have a pre-determined co-payment or excess built in.

A co-payment is a daily amount that you contribute for each day/night you're admitted to hospital. This might be capped or may not apply depending on the product.

If you choose an excess, it means that when you are admitted to hospital (same day or overnight) you’ll pay the excess amount directly to the hospital. You only pay the excess once per person up to a maximum of twice per couple/family membership per calendar year.

For more information visit ‘What to consider when choosing your excess or co-payment’ blog, or contact Member Services on 1300 654 123 or email us on help@cbhs.com.au.