Maternity Insurance: What Should Your Health Plan Look Like?

Motherhood brings new experiences for a woman. Holding the new-born in the arms is pure joy. For the entire family, the arrival of a new member also brings priceless moments.

Pregnancy is a crucial stage in a woman’s life. She undergoes various physical and emotional changes; and requires quality medical care for safe delivery. Since maternity care has become expensive in India, especially in private hospitals, it is essential to be financially prepared. Opting for maternity insurance is a priority if you are planning for parenthood. Get free online and fast life insurance quotes here.

Maternity expenses are not only related to hospitalisation; instead, they include a host of expenditures arising before and after the delivery stage. Getting health insurance with maternity cover gives you the much-required financial support. 

Nowadays, there are customised maternity health policies that are also available in the market that prove highly beneficial. There are also general health plans available which offer maternity cover up to a specified limit. Choosing the right policy is necessary so that you do not face a problem due to out-of-pocket expenses. 

We explain the things you should check in your health plan when it comes to availing of maternity cover. 

Hospitalisation Coverage

In private hospitals in India, healthcare expenses are quite high, including maternity care. The cost for normal delivery ranges between Rs 20,000 and Rs 5 Lakh while it may be higher for delivery through C-section. A good maternity insurance plan offers cover for delivery expenses up to Rs 50,000. The plan should include cover for doctor’s fees, room charges, nursing expenses, etc. Many maternity health policies also offer new-born usually up to 90 days, starting from birth. 

Pre-and-post Hospitalisation Benefits

Maternity care begins much before the delivery stage and would be required even after childbirth. Health insurance with maternity cover should include cover for all the pre-and-post hospitalisation medical expenses. It would entail coverage for examinations, diagnostic tests, medication, follow-up visits, etc.

Waiting Period

There would be a waiting period for maternity expenses that you will have to adhere to, depending on the insurer. It may range from a minimum of 9 months to as long as six years. It implies that you would get cover for your medical expenses only after the completion of the waiting period. If you consider the waiting period clause, it is advisable to opt for health policy as early as possible so that you do not face any hassle when it comes to getting maternity cover. 

Cashless Treatment Facility 

Health insurers often have tie-ups with leading hospitals for offering cashless treatment facility for policyholders. When buying health insurance with maternity cover, checking the network hospital list of the insurer is highly recommended. It will ensure you have easy access to quality medical care and save you from the stress of paying hospital bills from your pocket. 

5 Best Maternity Insurance Plans in India

We list some of the best maternity health policies that offer excellent coverage and lower waiting period compared to other plans. 

Health Insurance Plan	Sum Insured	Waiting Period	Key Features
Joy Today and Joy Tomorrow by Religare Health Insurance	Rs 3 Lakh to Rs 5 Lakh	9 Months (Joy Today)/ 24 Months (Joy Tomorrow)	Cover for maternity expenses, including new-born baby for max. 90 daysCashless treatment facility at 7800+ network hospitals
Bharti AXA Smart Super Health Insurance	Rs 5 Lakh to Rs 1 Crore	9 Months (3-year policy term)	New-born baby cover for up to 90 daysOver 4500 cashless network hospitals
Star Health Wedding Gift Insurance Plan	Rs 3 Lakh to Rs 5 Lakh	36 Months	Offers coverage for up to two deliveriesCashless treatment at over 9,900 network hospitals in India
Edelweiss Health Insurance Gold and Platinum Plans	Rs 20 Lakh to Rs 1 Crore	48 Months	Maternity cover up to Rs 50,000 in Gold PlanCoverage up to Rs 2 Lakh in Platinum Plan
HDFC Ergo Health Suraksha Insurance Gold	Rs 7.5 Lakh to Rs 15 Lakh	48 Months	Cover for normal delivery up to Rs 15,000 and Caesarean delivery up to Rs 25,000. Cashless treatment at over 10,000 network hospitals in India

Article By V. Chauhan for Medchrome