Maternity Agreement Number in New Zealand
Maternity Agreement Number in New Zealand: What is it and Why is it Important?
If you are expecting a baby and you live in New Zealand, you may have heard of the term “maternity agreement number” (MAN). But what exactly is it, and why is it important?
The MAN is a unique identification number assigned to a woman who is eligible for maternity care in New Zealand. It is also known as the “maternity booking number” or the “midwife booking number”. This number is given to the mother-to-be when she first contacts a midwife or a maternity care provider to initiate her maternity care.
So, why is this number important? Here are some reasons:
1. It ensures continuity of care
The MAN enables the maternity care providers to track the mother’s progress throughout her pregnancy, birth, and postpartum period. This helps to ensure that she receives continuous and coordinated care. The MAN is also used to share information between different healthcare providers who may be involved in the mother’s care.
2. It helps to plan and coordinate services
The MAN is used by the maternity care providers to plan and coordinate the services that the mother and baby will need before, during, and after delivery. This includes the timing of antenatal appointments, scans, tests, and other procedures.
3. It is required for funding and reimbursement
The MAN is used by the Ministry of Health to monitor and manage the funding and reimbursement for maternity care services in New Zealand. The government provides funding for eligible women to access free or low-cost maternity care services. The MAN is used to determine the eligibility of the mother for this funding and to allocate it to the appropriate maternity care provider.
4. It facilitates data collection and analysis
The MAN is used by the Ministry of Health to collect and analyze data on maternity care in New Zealand. This data is used to monitor and improve the quality of maternity care services, to identify areas for improvement, and to inform policy and decision-making.
How to get a Maternity Agreement Number?
To obtain a MAN, you need to contact a midwife or a maternity care provider as early as possible in your pregnancy. They will provide you with a MAN and book you for your first appointment.
If you are unsure about who to contact, you can call the Maternity Services Consumer Council on 0800 4 MATERNITY (0800 462 837) or visit their website for a list of midwives and maternity care providers in your area.
In conclusion, the Maternity Agreement Number (MAN) is an important identifier for women who are expecting a baby in New Zealand. It ensures continuity of care, helps to plan and coordinate services, is required for funding and reimbursement, and facilitates data collection and analysis. It is important to contact a midwife or a maternity care provider as early as possible in your pregnancy to obtain a MAN and initiate your maternity care.