HCi Factsheet – adding a baby to your policy
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Adding a baby to your HCi policy
January 2026
Having a baby is an exciting and tiring time. And it’s really important to remember to add your new baby to your health cover as soon as possible so they are also covered.
You might like to get in touch with us before becoming pregnant so we can be there to help you best plan the next year for you and your baby.
How to ensure your newborn is covered from birth
For your newborn baby to have private health insurance from birth, including for post‑birth hospital admissions, the baby must generally be active on an eligible HCi policy at the time of birth. If the baby is not active on the policy at birth, waiting periods may apply, and hospital admissions for the baby may not be covered.
Call us with your expected delivery date (EDD) so we can add the baby. You may need to provide written confirmation of your EDD from your healthcare provider. The most secure way to send it to us is via OMS.
Adding your baby before birth (strongly recommended)
To ensure your baby is covered for birth‑related and post‑birth hospital admissions, you should add your baby before birth, using the expected date of birth (EDD) supplied by your healthcare provider.
Why this matters
If your baby requires admission immediately after birth (for example, special care nursery or NICU), they will generally not be covered unless they were added to the policy before birth.
What this means for cover
- Your unborn baby will become active on the policy from the predicted DOB; if they arrive early, we will amend the activation date. Any required policy changes (eg couple cover to family cover) will be future-dated to occur on the birth date.
- Birth‑related and post‑birth hospital admissions for the baby will generally be included (subject to relevant waiting periods (if any) and policy terms and conditions).
- You must provide proof of birth within 60 days to confirm the actual date of birth. This will finalise waiting period status. Until proof is received, the baby will have waiting periods and not be eligible for claims.
Adding your baby after birth
You may add your newborn within 60 days of birth, and we will mirror the birth mother’s waiting period status (where the birth mother is covered on the HCi policy) from the date the baby is added.
Please note:
- Birth‑related and early post‑birth admissions (eg NICU or special care) cannot be retrospectively included unless the baby was already active on the policy at birth (that is, added before birth).
- If the baby is added after 60 days, standard waiting periods apply.
- Adding your baby after birth can be done by calling us or completing a change of policy form.
Providing evidence of the birth
To ensure your baby mirrors the birth mother’s waiting period status (as long as the birth mother is a person covered on the HCi policy):
- Provide acceptable proof of birth within 60 days (eg birth certificate, hospital letter, discharge summary, birth registration).
- Until this is received, the baby will have waiting periods and not be eligible for claims.
Pregnancy & birth cover – important clarifications
- The obstetrics waiting period is 12 months and must be fully served before the birth.
- Scheduled early births (eg an elective caesarean or induction) are not covered unless the obstetrics waiting period has been fully served.
- Premature births are also not included unless the obstetrics waiting period has been served.
Policy type requirements for adding a baby
To cover a baby, your policy type must be family, or single parent family.
Single and couple policies do not insure newborns. Upgrades can be future‑dated when adding an unborn baby.
FAQs about adding a baby to your HCi cover
Are birth‑related admissions covered if the birth mother is not insured with HCi?
No. Birth‑related admissions for the baby cannot be included unless the birth mother is a person covered under the HCi policy.
If the baby is added after birth, will they have waiting periods?
When added within 60 days of birth, and suitable proof is supplied, the baby will mirror the birth mother’s waiting periods. However, if adding the baby after 60 days, standard waiting periods apply. If relevant, waiting periods apply from the date the baby was added to the policy.
Can birth‑related or early post‑birth admissions be backdated?
No. These cannot be included unless the baby was active on the policy at the time of birth.
Summary of key rules around adding a baby
- Add your baby before birth wherever possible.
- Babies must be active on the policy at birth for birth‑related hospital admissions to be included.
- Provide proof of birth within 60 days to mirror the birth mother’s waiting periods.
- A family or single parent family policy is required to insure a baby.
- Birth‑related claims cannot be backdated.
HCi used its best endeavours to ensure this information was accurate at the time of publication. From time to time, circumstances relating to the subject matter may change which may impact the accuracy of the information. This information is also general in nature and does not take into account any specific health or financial situation. Before making any decisions in relation to this information, you should consider your own financial and health situation and seek professional advice. Health Care Insurance Ltd ABN 43 009 579 088. A Registered Private Health Insurer.
