*NEW* Insurance options for midwives

The Australian College of Midwives has circulated to members information on new insurance options for midwives who provide private maternity care (excluding homebirth) and education.

"1. The Commonwealth supported insurance policy

Last week, Health Minister Nicola Roxon announced that MIGA (Medical Insurance Group of Australia) has won the contract to offer midwives professional indemnity insurance, with support by the Commonwealth under the Midwife Professional Indemnity (Commonwealth Contribution) Scheme Act 2010 and the Midwife Professional Indemnity (Run-off Cover Support Payment) Act 2010. Click here to see the Minister's press release.

The policy will provide insurance cover for eligible midwives for pregnancy and postnatal care in any setting, and for labour and birth care in a clinical [ie hospital] setting.

This policy will cost $7,500 per year for full time practice. Reduced rates will be available for caseloads that are less than full time.
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The policy is not yet available to purchase, but is expected to be available very soon, and will definitely be available before 1 July 2010. You can read more about the policy by visiting MIGA's website, or ask questions by phoning them on Freecall 1800 777 156



"2 Vero insurance policy for pregnancy and postnatal care only
A second option for meeting the insurance requirements is to purchase a policy through an insurance agent called Mediprotect. ... The policy will cover pregnancy and postnatal care in any setting. It does not provide cover for labour and birth care in any setting.

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Vero is an Australian insurer, regulated under the Australian Prudential Regulatory Authority. You can elect to have cover of $1million, $2million or $5million. Prices vary depending on the level of cover you choose and which state you live in (because of stamp duties), but because labour and birth care is excluded, this policy is less expensive than the Commonwealth-supported one with MIGA. Information about the Vero policy can be obtained from the Mediprotect website or by phoning Mediprotect on 07 3426 0440."

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The Vero insurance will cost a midwife between $1,830 p/a for a $1,000,000 cover, to $3,010 p/a for $5,000,000 cover. The excess on the policy is $2,500 (each and every claim).


Other possible insurance options, yet to be confirmed, will be available for members of some of the State branches of the union, Australian Nursing Federation (ANF). At present, all members of ANF in Victoria except independent midwives have professional indemnity insurance. Queensland Nurses Union has a similar member policy. It is anticipated that this member benefit will be extended to midwives' private practices, with the exclusion of home birth. If you are interested in this option, you should contact ANF.