Did you know that during the fiscal year of 2021, health insurance plans covered around 514 million Indian citizens[1]? Despite this large number of policyholders, there are a lot of myths that are prevailing. One such myth is about maternity coverage. Many Indians are under the impression that maternity coverage is automatically included in their health insurance plan. However, this is an entirely mistaken point of view.
The majority of health insurance policies exclude coverage for pre-and post-natal care-related costs. The fact that giving birth has evolved into a process that is now relatively expensive makes this a cause for concern. As a result, an ideal course of action would be for you to have a health insurance policy that offers comprehensive maternity care.
Here are some things that you should consider while purchasing a maternity cover:
1. The inclusions and exclusions
In an ideal world, health insurance plans for family, including maternity coverage, would include all costs beginning with the moment that the couple finds out they are going to be parents, all the way through the post-birth care and vaccinations. However, in reality, most maternity coverage plans only cover the costs associated with the pre and post-natal stages of the pregnancy.
Some insurance companies have taken things a step further and sought to include additional costs, such as:
- Expenses associated with childbirth*
- Expenses related to any complications during childbirth*
- Charges for Caesarean delivery*
- Purchasing children’s vaccines*
- Fees for newborn care, and so on. *
However, comprehensive coverage must also compensate for the costs associated with the following:
- Outpatient services
- Ultrasounds
- Routine checkups
- Medications
- The termination of pregnancies
- Consultations
- Preventative and wellness services
2. Waiting Period
Several folks make the terrible error of waiting until they are pregnant to seek maternity coverage for themselves. Pregnancy is termed as a pre-existing condition that is excluded when buying maternity coverage in a health insurance policy.
A good course of action is to take the initiative and purchase a health insurance plan for a family with maternity coverage at least two to three years before you intend to start a family. After a waiting time that could range from two to six years, plans that include maternity coverage will begin paying for expenses incurred during pregnancy. However, this waiting period is typically required. *
In this specific regard, group health plans that the business provides for their employees are a step above other options because they typically have a shorter waiting period (usually, it is only nine months).
3. Sub Limits
Just having maternity care as one of the benefits of health insurance is not enough. Checking the sub-limits of your coverage is one more item you need to take care of. For example, if the total amount insured under your health plan is Rs. 2,00,000, then the sub-limit for the maternity coverage included in this plan should be somewhere in the range of Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 20,000.*
Suppose this amount is insufficient for your needs, then you should look for a health insurance policy that provides maternity coverage with lower sub-limits.
Conclusion
It is prudent to prepare in advance to deal with any issues that may arise during pregnancy. If you have maternity coverage, you won’t have to worry about expensive medical expenses destroying some of the happiest moments of your life.
* Standard T&C Apply
‘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.’