In the lead-up to the national registration, what is the current situation for IMs?

[Schmickers]

I know I should know this, but Victoria hasn't really been taking on clients since Lily was born.

What is the current state of affairs for IMs? Can they attend antenatal care? Postnatal care? Births at home? Any of you wise women up to date on what is going on? Victoria has just had an enquiry and we've both just realised we're not sure whether she can accept it or not!

[BellyBelly]

I posted on my FB a link to the company who are dealing with insurance for midwives. Nothing is covered at home at all. Basically it wont be covered but it wont be illegal either. At the moment. LOL. But like other news, doctors are not prescribing drugs to homebirth women either. Something in me thinks they have planned this to try and wipe us out. They say they dont want to be sued. Yeah, right.

[Mother Goose]

I happened to speak to someone the other day about this Schmickers. I was told only independent practitioners that are required to take out professional indemnity insurance. Those who work in the Public Sector, are covered by the Govt. Those working in the private sector are covered by their employer. Those working as contractors or independently should take out their own insurance.

At the moment, there are only two companies who provide this insurance to the medical industry. I am happy to give you the names of those two companies if you PM me and can give you the contact details of one of the people I spoke with.

For me, I'm curious how the new legislation impacts on nurse who are employed by a major public hospital that provides midwives for home birthing as part of their care plan (which Sunshine Hospital is trialling).

MG

[Oorki Galoorki]

MG those mws are covered under the hospitals umbrella.

schmickers check out lisa's blog here Collaboration and the midwife | Homebirth: Midwife Mutiny in South Australia

should cover it for you..

[Schmickers]

Thanks Oorki, I read that.

So, the two-year exemption is out the window? The intention is that IMs will get insurance from one of those two companies, as long as they comply with the hundred-and-one conditions? And pay for it? Sheesh, thanks for nothing, Nicola Roxon. How much does it cost, anyway?

[Mother Goose]

I didn't go down the path of getting costs as I was investigating for other purposes. I imagine the cost will be determined on various factors including experience, previous litigation and so forth - similar to how they calculate a Doctor's insurance premium's. But do keep in mind that it will be tax deductible.

[Oorki Galoorki]

i have seen a figure about the place some where around 5-7k.... (thats whats popping in my head anyway!)

[*Infinity*]

So, the two-year exemption is out the window? The intention is that IMs will get insurance from one of those two companies, as long as they comply with the hundred-and-one conditions? And pay for it? Sheesh, thanks for nothing, Nicola Roxon. How much does it cost, anyway?

Schmickers, as a homebirth consumer (currently planning to birth at home in a few months) my understanding is that the two-year exemption will still apply in a number of states, SA being one of them. Unsure about the specifics but I believe the timing of the exemption relies on when particular state parliaments pass a law related to this issue. Sorry bit vague I know.

The Commonwealth Govt site for the maternity review initially quoted an insurance cost to IMs of about $7500 from memory. And to date I'm not aware of a package that covers the actual birth at home.....they're only covering antenatal & postnatal care. So go figure? Plus the frustration around the conditions and collaborative arrangements - some of these details are only just coming out and are still very unclear.

[Schmickers]

Okay, so after some research today, I can answer my own question. I don't like the answer very much, though.

The government has arranged for Medical Insurance Group Australia to offer public indemnity insurance to independent midwives, so they will be covered for antenatal and postnatal care and hospital birth (bot not homebirth) as long as they comply with a fairl proscriptive set of conditions. And the minimum cost of this policy is $5000 a year.

Because MIGA don't cover homebirth, homebirths have been exempt from the requirements for two years, but must still be insured for antenatal and postnatal care.

DW got three clients last year. Once costs are factored in, there is no way she could afford to hold a 5K insurance policy for three clients a year. She'd be operating at a loss. The insurance should have been on a per-client basis. This scheme is stupid.

Looks like we won't be taking on any more clients.

[*Infinity*]

This scheme is stupid.

The whole situation is just farcical.

For anyone interested the Maternity Coalition have posted a really good summary on their website about where things currently stand. Its probably the best summary I've seen so far that spells out the detail of what this will / might mean for IMs and women who want to birth at home. Its been hard to put it all together because of the drip-feed of information from the Feds, the insurance companies etc. Which is not accidental either.

[Tegam]

Looks like we won't be taking on any more clients.

Sad for everyone involved!

[r8chele]

Okay, so after some research today, I can answer my own question. I don't like the answer very much, though.

The government has arranged for Medical Insurance Group Australia to offer public indemnity insurance to independent midwives, so they will be covered for antenatal and postnatal care and hospital birth (bot not homebirth) as long as they comply with a fairl proscriptive set of conditions. And the minimum cost of this policy is $5000 a year.

Because MIGA don't cover homebirth, homebirths have been exempt from the requirements for two years, but must still be insured for antenatal and postnatal care.

DW got three clients last year. Once costs are factored in, there is no way she could afford to hold a 5K insurance policy for three clients a year. She'd be operating at a loss. The insurance should have been on a per-client basis. This scheme is stupid.

Looks like we won't be taking on any more clients.

There is another insurance possibility available. Vero via Mediprotect covers homebirth midwives for antenatal and postnatal care (no cover is needed for intrapartum care) and the cost is $1800 per annum. There is a $400 discount if the midiwfe is a member of the ACM.

[Tegam]

just means the price is going to have to go up...then how many of us will be able to have the HB we want!