Pregnancy could be an expensive time in a woman’s life, and a good health insurance plan with maternity insurance coverage can help her plan ahead for her financial needs during her pregnancy. *
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Maternity insurance covers multiple costs associated with labour and delivery, hospitalisation, prenatal and postnatal care, diagnostic tests, medicines, and other necessities for both mother and child.
Maternity insurance: The meaning
Insurance specifically curated to cover pregnancy and childbirth, including both the traditional delivery and caesarean section delivery, is called maternity insurance.
Maternity insurance coverage may cover costs incurred before, during, and after pregnancy and those associated with a brand-new infant. As a bonus, several corporations provide maternity insurance to their female employees either as a stand-alone policy or as a rider to their primary health care plan. *
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Already pregnant condition
If you are already pregnant, then you cannot apply for Maternity Health Cover. A pregnancy is considered pre-existing by most insurance providers, and it is beyond the policy cover.
Can you get a pregnancy cover without a waiting period
Waiting periods for maternity coverage in India can be anywhere from nine months to six years. All maternity policies in India come with a condition of a waiting period. During this time, insured women shall not be allowed to make claims for costs associated with their pregnancies. *
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This is why it is advised that women should sign up for maternity health insurance a few years before they intend to start a family. Also, they should research the waiting period for maternity insurance before deciding on a policy.
Eligibility criteria
Most insurance companies require a woman to be a minimum of 18 years of age; the maximum age for most is 45, with some offering the insurance to an older woman of up to 65 years too.
The premium for pregnancy insurance cover
A maternity insurance policy has a higher premium than a standard medical insurance policy. There is higher certainty that the insured shall claim under the insurance at some point in future and that is why insurers charge a higher premium for these plans. You can always compare various policy premiums online by using a health insurance premium calculator.
It is essential to understand that your maternity insurance premium will increase as you age. Moreover, pregnancy-related expenses continue to rise daily. To ensure you get an affordable plan with the most health insurance benefits, make a purchase soon and do not wait.
What are the inclusions of maternity insurance?
The following are some benefits included in a maternity insurance policy:
- Delivery and labour costs
- Caesarean section delivery: Surgeon fee, anaesthesia charges, and operation theatre charges shall be borne by the insurer
- Costs associated with pregnancy and childbirth
- Birth-related costs
- Payment for terminations caused by medical necessity
- Budgeting for baby’s vaccines
- Complications during pregnancy
- Safekeeping of stem cells
- Medical expenses of the baby for the first 90 days
What are the exclusions of maternity insurance?
Maternity health insurance coverage may not cover certain costs like* –
- Ectopic pregnancy
- Harvesting stem cells
- Medical bills incurred after discharge
- Pregnancy screenings and prenatal care consultation
- Pre hospitalisation costs
- Treatment costs regarding infertility treatment
- Routine surrogacy check-ups
* Standard T&C Apply
It is always recommended that you check the eligibility criteria, waiting period, inclusions, exclusions and premium amount before finalising a maternity insurance plan.
Insurance is the subject matter of solicitation. For more details on benefits, exclusions, limitations, terms, and conditions, please read the sales brochure/policy wording carefully before concluding a sale.
