Parenthood is as exciting as our long-gone childhood. To encourage a safe and efficient parenthood journey, many trusted names in the insurance sector have introduced maternity health insurance. In the entire journey, from hearing the good news first to delivering a healthy baby – good health insurance with maternity cover must be a part of it.
Good news comes with not just loads of happiness but with a lot of financial responsibilities too. So, to prepare you for all the upcoming medical bills, maternity health insurance (both as a complete plan or add-on cover) is surely going to decrease the financial blow.
In this article, we explore the following points for better understanding:
- What is maternity health insurance?
- Benefits of maternity health insurance, and
- Best health insurance with maternity cover
What is Health Insurance With Maternity Cover?
PolicyX is here to simplify the concept of maternity health insurance, we will explain it to you as easily as possible. Health insurance plans that cover the overall medical costs during pregnancy and childbirth are called maternity health insurance plans. It includes coverage for:
- Costs related to pre and post-natal treatments
- Hospital room rent
- Delivery costs (both normal and c-section deliveries)
Sometimes, a baby’s medical costs are also covered though it may differ from one health insurance that will cover pregnancy to another.
Besides maternity health insurance, many insurers also offer add-on maternity cover along with already existing health policies to make new parents’ lives easier.
Maternity Health Insurance Eligibility Criteria
To make the claim process for maternity health insurance simpler, you need to keep the following eligibility criteria in mind:
| Entry Age | Min: 18 Years Max: 65 Years |
| Initial Waiting Period | 30 Days |
| Maternity Cover Waiting Period | Varies as per the maternity health insurance opted |
| Sum Insured | 2 L to 3 Crores |
Health insurance providers may deny you a maternity health insurance plan in case you fall under the category of common exclusions for maternity insurance such as
- Pre-existing congenital diseases
- Diseases that impact your ability to reproduce
Benefits Of Maternity Health Insurance
To make the best buying decision when it comes to maternity health insurance plans, let’s check out some of its unique benefits:
- Peace Of Mind
Bringing a child into this world requires strong financial backing as the healthcare costs related to pregnancy and childbirth are consistently rising.
Health insurance that will cover a pregnancy is not only your financial backbone but also offers peace of mind regarding availing the best possible medical care during this sensitive phase of your life.
- Avail Cashless Hospitalization
The best health insurance with maternity cover provides new mothers with cashless hospitalization with pre and post-hospitalization coverage. Additionally, expectant mothers are entitled to avail of medical services without paying at all network clinics.
- Pre and Post Natal Coverage
Maternity health insurance ensures the safety of the mother and child. It not only covers the mother during pregnancy but also covers the newborn for a specified number of days for congenital diseases and more.
- Unforeseen Expenses Due To Complications
We hear the need to keep the newborn under observation or in an incubator for a few days post-delivery due to medical conditions. Without a health insurance plan with maternity cover, the per day cost of such intensive care for the newborn will put a lot of strain on the finances.
- Newborn Vaccination
Post delivery, a newborn child requires a list of vaccinations for up to 1 year of age. The multiple vaccinations are covered by maternity health insurance as specified in the health insurance policy document purchased by you.
Best Maternity Health Insurance Plan
Top 5 maternity health insurance plans suggested by PolicyX.com are
| Maternity Health Plan | Waiting Period | Features We Like |
| Care Joy | 9 Months | Covers newborns from birth |
| Star Women Care Plan | 24 Months | Life saving surgeries such as Open fetal surgery |
| Niva Bupa Aspire | 9 Months | Advanced Reproductive Treatments like IVF, GIFT, etc. are covered |
| Star Health Assure Plan | 24 Months | Assisted reproductive treatment cover |
| Star Youngstar | 24 Months | Automatic sum insured restoration available |
Can Maternity Health Insurance Be Purchased After Getting Pregnant?
As seen in the Indian insurance market, health insurance for maternity coverage is not so commonly available. Mostly, maternity coverage is available as an add-on with base health insurance policies, like individual or family floater. After comparing the waiting periods of various named insurers, maternity coverage can be availed after completing a waiting period of 9 to 24 months.
No thanks to the long waiting period, most insurance advisors will suggest you purchase a maternity plan as soon as you’re planning a family.
What You Should Consider When Purchasing Maternity Health Insurance?
Whenever you are deciding to buy something as vital as a maternity health insurance plan, do give the following criteria a look for a better understanding:
- Always check the current position of the health insurer in terms of credibility, claim settlement ratios, and good customer testimonials among others.
- Nowadays, many to-be parents require modern treatments like IVF and surrogacy to be covered under maternity health insurance. And, keeping in mind these requirements, many insurers design health plans/add-on covers accordingly. For instance, the Niva Bupa Aspire Plan covers IVF, legal adoption, and others.
- Sum insured is one of the most crucial things – always check the sum insured available when it comes to maternity health insurance. It should cover all your pregnancy-related and additional costs whenever needed.
- Always check that your maternity health plan comes with a sub-limit or not.
Let’s Wrap It Up!
Motherhood is a unique experience that must be enjoyed without any stress – leave your financial worries at bay with good maternity health insurance! The journey of parenthood, from start to finish(though it continues for a long time) can be quite a mouthful for many. Worry not, as health insurance with maternity cover has your back.
PolicyX.com insurance advisors are always there to help you with all your queries related to maternity health insurance plans. We make sure that you get cover for all the needed facilities like a good sum insured, pre and post-natal expenses, vaccination costs, newborn cover and many others. So what’s the wait for? Find the best health plan for your parenthood journey!
