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Prenatal expenses cover pregnancy costs before birth, while post-natal expenses include those after childbirth, like check-ups and baby care. Having maternity coverage in health insurance can be beneficial to couples planning a family.
If you plan to start a family soon, you must be aware of the joy and excitement of welcoming a new life into the world. Yet, amid this, be ready for the challenges and expenses of pregnancy and childbirth. In India, the average cost of standard or C-section deliveries can go up to ₹2 lakhs and above in most cities.
Moreover, extra charges are involved in prenatal and postnatal care, such as doctor consultations, tests, medicines, and vaccinations. These expenses can strain your finances and affect your well-being as a parent.
Fortunately, there is a way to ease your financial burden and ensure a smooth and safe pregnancy journey. You can go for a health insurance policy that offers maternity coverage, which will help you cover the prenatal and postnatal expenses.
What is Maternity Insurance?
Maternity insurance is a special feature or rider# you may add to your existing health insurance policy or buy it as a standalone policy. It covers all medical expenses incurred during pregnancy and childbirth up to a specific limit or sub-limit.
Most maternity insurance plans in India come with a waiting period, which means you cannot claim any pregnancy-related expenses during this period. The waiting duration can range from 9 months to 6 years, depending on the plan and the insurer.
Therefore, buying a maternity insurance plan at least a few years before you plan to conceive is advisable, so that you can easily pass the waiting period before you require its benefits.
What are Pre and Post-Natal Expenses?
Let us first understand the meaning of pre and postnatal expenses. Prenatal means before birth, and post-natal means after birth. Pre/post-natal expenses are the medical costs for caring for the mother and the child before and after childbirth. These expenses include:
Pre-Hospitalisation Expenses
These are the expenses that are incurred before the hospitalisation for delivery, such as doctor consultations, ultrasounds, blood tests, urine tests, medicines, etc. Most health insurance policies with maternity benefits cover these expenses up to 30 days before hospitalisation.
Hospitalisation Expenses
These are incurred during the hospitalisation for delivery, such as room rent, nursing charges, doctor fees, anaesthesia charges, operation theatre charges, medicines, etc. Insurers usually cover both normal and C-section deliveries.
Post-Hospitalisation Expenses
It includes follow-up consultations, tests, and medicines. Insurers cover them up to 60 days after hospitalisation if your health plan has maternity cover.
Newborn Baby Expenses
These expenses are for the treatment and care of the newborn baby. It includes vaccinations, immunisations, congenital disability treatment, and more. Most insurers cover these expenses for up to 90 days after childbirth.
Benefits of a Health Insurance Policy with Maternity Cover
Having a health insurance policy with pre and postnatal expenses covered has several benefits for you as a parent-to-be. Some of them are:
- It reduces financial stress and lets you focus on your health and well-being during pregnancy and childbirth.
- It ensures you get quality medical care from reputed hospitals and doctors without worrying about the costs.
- It protects you from any unforeseen complications or emergencies during pregnancy or childbirth.
- It covers the expenses of your newborn baby and ensures that they get the best possible care and treatment.
It gives you peace of mind and happiness as you welcome a new member to your family.
How to Choose the Best Maternity Insurance Plan?
There are many factors that you need to consider while choosing a maternity insurance plan that suits your needs and budget. Here are some of them:
- Check how much coverage your maternity insurance plan offers. Pick one that provides enough coverage for hospitalisation charges, pre and post-natal care, newborn baby expenses, and complications arising during or after pregnancy.
- Check how long you have to wait before you can claim any pregnancy-related expenses from your maternity insurance plan. Choose a plan with a shorter waiting period to avail the benefits as soon as possible.
- Check if your maternity insurance plan has any sub-limits or caps on certain expenses related to pregnancy and childbirth. For example, some plans may have a sub-limit on room rent charges or C-section delivery charges. Choose a plan that has higher sub-limits or no sub-limits at all.
- Check the exclusions or conditions your maternity insurance plan does not cover. For example, some plans may not cover ectopic pregnancy, voluntary termination of pregnancy, infertility treatment costs, or pre-existing diseases related to pregnancy. Pick a plan that has fewer exclusions or more flexibility.
- Check how much premium you have to pay for your maternity insurance plan. Go for a plan that offers affordable premium rates without compromising the coverage amount or quality of service.
Confirm if your insurer offers cashless claim benefits. Go over the list of the network hospitals they have tie-ups with.
Conclusion
To sum up, health insurance is a must-have for anyone who wants to secure their health and finances. And if you are planning to have a baby, having a health insurance policy with maternity cover is even more essential. It will help you cover the pre and post-natal expenses and ensure a smooth and safe pregnancy journey.
So, what are you waiting for? Start looking for the best health insurance policy with pre and post-natal expenses covered within the maternity limit today, and get ready to embrace parenthood with joy and confidence.
