Midwifery Assistance Grant

Women insured with statutory health insurance are entitled to midwifery assistance during pregnancy, during and after childbirth in addition to the right to medical care. Midwifery assistance includes the provision of services during pregnancy and childbirth by a state-certified and recognised midwife or maternity nurse. The provision of services is regulated by the midwifery assistance contract

Midwifery assistance includes:

• maternity care and prenatal care services;
• Obstetrics
• Postpartum benefits up to 12 weeks after birth, and
• other services, such as counselling the mother for breastfeeding difficulties or postnatal gymnastics for group instruction.

Midwifery assistance can be used during pregnancy and up to 12 weeks after delivery (exception: counselling of the mother in case of breastfeeding difficulties or feeding problems of the infant).

Midwifery assistance is made available to insured persons as a benefit in kind, i.e. the midwives settle directly with the health insurance companies. Only services that are regulated in the midwifery remuneration schedule can be billed.

The insured children are also entitled to midwifery assistance if they cannot be cared for by the insured person, e.g. in the event of adoption, death or absence of the mother due to illness.

Note: If you have private health insurance, you should clarify the assumption of costs with your insurance company before claiming the service.

Contact point

• Your health insurance company