A maternity insurance policy is a specialised health insurance plan designed to cover expenses related to childbirth, including delivery (normal or C-section), hospitalisation, doctor consultations, and prescribed medicines.
Welcoming a child is one of life’s most precious milestones, but with the rising cost of medical care—especially in private hospitals—the journey can also become financially overwhelming. This is where a comprehensive health insurance plan for expecting mothers proves invaluable.
It provides access to quality healthcare throughout pregnancy, from prenatal check-ups to postnatal care, ensuring that you don’t have to worry about hefty medical bills. Simply put, maternity insurance serves as a financial cushion, allowing you to focus on the joy of bringing your baby into the world rather than the expenses that follow.
When to buy Maternity Health Insurance?
Maternity health insurance, also known as pregnancy insurance is designed to protect expected parents from the high costs of pregnancy and childbirth. It covers expenses such as prenatal care, delivery charges, and postnatal care. It is recommended for women who are planning to conceive or those who are already pregnant.
Purchasing maternity insurance coverage should be done well in advance of conception. This is because there is usually a waiting period, which can range anywhere from a few months to a year, before the policy becomes effective.
Another good reason to purchase maternity insurance early on is to ensure that any pre-existing conditions are covered. These include medical conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure. By securing maternity insurance policy before getting pregnant, expectant mothers can ensure that they will receive adequate coverage for any medical complications that may arise during their pregnancy.
Why do you need maternity insurance?
Maternity health insurance can be beneficial in multiple ways:
Financial protection: Maternity expenses can be significant, including prenatal care, hospitalisation, and postnatal care. Maternity insurance provides financial protection by covering these expenses.
Comprehensive maternity coverage: Maternity insurance plans offer comprehensive coverage, encompassing routine check-ups, diagnostic tests, delivery costs, and postnatal care. This ensures that all aspects of maternity care are included in the policy.
Customised maternity plans: Maternity insurance plans can be tailored to your specific needs. You can choose the coverage amount, add-ons, and the duration of the policy, allowing for a personalised and flexible insurance solution.
Protection against unforeseen complications: Maternity insurance covers unforeseen complications during pregnancy or childbirth. This includes coverage for emergency C-sections, preterm births, and other complications that may arise.
Preventive and postnatal care: Maternity insurance does not just cover delivery expenses. It often includes coverage for prenatal and postnatal care, encouraging a holistic approach to maternal health.
Preventive and postnatal care: Maternity insurance does not just cover delivery expenses. It often includes coverage for prenatal and postnatal care, encouraging a holistic approach to maternal health.
What is maternity health insurance?
Maternity health insurance policy covers the costs for C-sections and normal deliveries up to the sum insured. You can also opt for health insurance with maternity coverage as an add-on cover. Further, several maternity insurance companies provide coverage for up two pregnancies. This add-on coverage also provides financial assistance for the newborn’s vaccination and other medical costs that may arise. Get pre-and post-hospitalisation coverage up to 30 days before and 60 days after hospitalisation.
Key features of maternity health insurance
Here is a quick look at the key features of maternity health insurance.
Features |
Specifications |
Network hospitals for cashless facilities |
6,500+ |
Coverage |
Up to Rs. 50 lakh* |
Newborn care |
Covered |
Tax benefits |
Available |
Daycare procedures |
Covered |
OPD cover |
Covered |
Ambulance charges |
Covered |
What are benefits of maternity health insurance
A maternity health insurance policy comes with several benefits. Some of these are as follows:
Comprehensive coverage
Get complete coverage for expenses associated with delivery, hospitalisation, medicines and more.
Newborn care
The policy provides coverage to the newly born child if diagnosed with any form of critical illness at birth. You can get an additional child health insurance too.
C-section delivery
Maternity health insurance typically covers the cost of a C-section delivery, which can be significantly higher than a normal delivery. This coverage ensures that both mother and baby receive necessary medical care during and after the procedure without the financial burden, offering peace of mind during childbirth.
Stem cell preservation
Some maternity health insurance plans also cover the cost of stem cell preservation, which allows parents to store their baby's stem cells for potential future medical use. This benefit can be invaluable for families seeking advanced medical treatments for various conditions in the future.
IVF treatment
Maternity health insurance can provide financial assistance for IVF treatments, which are often expensive. This coverage helps couples manage the high costs associated with fertility treatments, increasing their chances of starting a family without overwhelming financial strain.
Ambulance charges
Buy a maternity health insurance policy online without any paperwork.
Cashless facility
You can benefit from the 10% cumulative bonus offered for having claim-free years.
Hospitalisation coverage
Get tax exemption up to Rs. 60,000 under the relevant sections of the income tax act. Check health insurance tax benefits.
Is there an option to buy maternity health insurance while you are pregnant?
Obtaining health insurance for pregnancy while already pregnant is typically challenging. Most insurers consider pregnancy a pre-existing condition and exclude coverage for it. However, some insurers may offer limited maternity benefits with a waiting period.
It's essential to explore policies that provide maternity coverage in advance to ensure that health insurance that covers pregnancy is in place when you need it. Some insurers may offer limited maternity benefits, but these policies may still include exclusions or a waiting period. Hence, securing health insurance that covers pregnancy early is crucial for comprehensive protection.
- Pre-existing condition: Pregnancy is usually deemed a pre-existing condition.
- Limited coverage: Some insurers provide limited maternity benefits. These may include room, nurse, and surgeon; anaesthetist consultation; medical practitioner and emergency ambulance charges.
- Waiting period: Policies often have a waiting period before benefits apply.
- Early planning: It’s advisable to get health insurance for pregnancy before conceiving to ensure comprehensive coverage.