Medical Insurance Group Australia (MIGA) is calling for clarification over whether private midwives accompanying their patients to public hospitals are considered to be providing a continuation of care or simply offering support.

The insurer says it has real concerns around this question, as midwives are not covered for care in public hospitals under the current professional indemnity guidelines.

MIGA CEO Mandy Anderson says the current scheme provides cover for midwives in their private practice, but not for hospital care.

She says several midwives have raised concerns over their coverage while they are with patients in public hospitals.

Although MIGA is still waiting for further advice from the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, Ms Anderson says if this is considered a continuation of care many midwives would have issues with their insurance.

“We are still trying to get clarification,” she told insuranceNEWS.com.au. “But there could be a need for a significant change in the Federal Government’s philosophy around how it indemnifies midwives.”