What is the MPIS
The MPIS helps professional indemnity insurers with the cost of claims against midwives. Payments under the MPIS are 80% to 100% of eligible claim , depending on the amount of the claim.
The MPIS is one of the Australian Government’s medical and midwife indemnity insurance schemes.
Services Australia administers the MPIS for the government.
Why is it important
The MPIS helps to lower insurance premiums for midwives by reducing the:
- payout amount insurers must pay
- reinsurance amount insurers must buy to fund claims.
By supporting midwives, it also helps to provide greater choice and access to maternity services for Australian women and their families.
Who is it for
The MPIS helps insurers who provide professional indemnity insurance to midwives in private practice.
Currently, only Medical Insurance Australia (MIGA) can apply for MPIS payments.
The Australian Government has an arrangement with MIGA to provide indemnity insurance to private midwives. It is currently the sole provider in Australia.
Eligible claims
Go to the Services Australia website for:
- level 1 eligibility requirements – for claims between $100,000 to $2 million
- level 2 eligibility requirements – for claims above $2 million.
What it covers
The MPIS has 2 levels of cover:
- level 1 reimburses 80% of eligible claim costs
- level 2 reimburses 100% of eligible claim costs.
The MPIS does not cover the delivery of babies outside a hospital other than in emergencies.
How it works
The Australian Government fully funds the MPIS. Insurers can go to the Services Australia website to find out how to:
Legislation
The government set up the MPIS under the Midwife Professional Indemnity (Commonwealth Contribution) Scheme Act 2010. Find out about the legislation that supports indemnity schemes.