Dealing with pregnancy can be tough for women if there isn’t a reliable health insurance plan. However, getting health insurance for pregnant women doesn’t come with a lot of criticalities. Instead, it is only about selecting the most aligned health insurance plan and adding a specific rider to it.
Women can top-up an existing insurance policy by adding a maternity rider with some additional premiums. The maternity insurance is capable of covering expenses pertaining to childbirth and post-natal care for both mother and child, irrespective of the delivery type.
Why Maternity Health Insurance Is Important for Today’s Families
The original ManipalCigna article stresses that women can top up an existing health policy with a maternity rider to cover expenses related to childbirth and post‑natal care for both mother and child. Without such cover, a delivery could wipe out your savings. Maternity insurance typically pays for hospital stays, doctor fees, nursing care and even vaccination of the newborn. It ensures that expectant mothers focus on recovery rather than finances.
Rising maternity costs in India
Medical inflation for maternity care is soaring. A Fincover analysis notes that health costs are rising 15–20 % annually; normal deliveries cost between ₹30,000 and ₹1 lakh, while caesarean sections range from ₹70,000 to ₹2.5 lakhs or more depending on the city. The Times of India reports similar figures, estimating childbirth expenses between ₹50,000 and ₹3 lakh and highlighting that rising caesarean rates and urban hospital charges drive demand for maternity cover. With costs climbing faster than general inflation, a maternity rider protects your finances during one of life’s most important events.
Need for planned pregnancies
Most insurers impose a waiting period before maternity benefits begin. The original article explains that insurers typically require a 3–4‑year waiting period, so your policy must already include the maternity rider long before you conceive. This makes maternity insurance an example of planned pregnancy: you need to anticipate when you might start a family and purchase cover well in advance. Attempting to buy a plan after conception will result in rejection.
Importance of having maternity cover before conception
Buying maternity insurance early also locks in lower premiums. Insurers consider age, medical history and employment when calculating rates. Younger women generally pay less and have more options. If you delay, you may face longer waiting periods or limited coverage. Some comprehensive plans reduce the waiting period to 9 months or 1 year, but these plans usually cost more and may have lower benefits. Start the process as soon as you begin family planning to maximise your choices.
When and How to Apply for Maternity Insurance
Purchasing a maternity rider is simple but time‑sensitive. Most women add the rider when they buy a health policy in their early twenties or just after marriage. You must inform your insurer that your policy includes maternity coverage and pay the additional premium. Once you’re hospitalised for delivery, raise a claim by submitting your policy details and medical documents. Because insurers deny applications when the applicant is already pregnant, plan ahead.
Key Benefits of Maternity Health Insurance
Maternity riders offer several benefits beyond covering delivery costs:
- Coverage for the newborn: Many plans pay for the baby’s medical care and vaccinations. ManipalCigna’s ProHealth Plus Plan, for example, covers newborn delivery charges and vaccinations, offering up to ₹10 lakhs of overall coverage, including ₹15,000 for a normal delivery and ₹25,000 for a caesarean.
- Pre‑ and post‑hospitalisation expenses: These include doctor consultations, diagnostic tests and follow‑up care.
- Private room and nursing care: Some plans cover room rent for a private air‑conditioned room during hospitalisation.
- No‑claim bonus (NCB): Like regular health plans, maternity riders often include a no‑claim bonus that increases the sum insured if you don’t make a claim.
- Cashless facility: Insurers settle bills directly with network hospitals, reducing out‑of‑pocket payments.
Choosing the Right Maternity Insurance Plan
Selecting a maternity plan involves more than just comparing premiums. Consider the following factors:
Compare waiting periods (2–4 years vs. 9‑month options)
Waiting periods vary widely. Most plans require 2–4 years before you can claim, as highlighted by the ManipalCigna article. However, some premium plans offer shorter waiting periods of 9 months to 1 year, albeit with lower coverage. Choose a plan whose waiting period aligns with your family‑planning timeline. If you’re planning pregnancy soon, a shorter wait may be worth the extra cost. Otherwise, a standard plan with a longer wait can be more economical.
Check newborn coverage limit
Policies differ in how much they pay for delivery and newborn care. The ProHealth Plus Plan covers up to ₹15,000 for normal deliveries and ₹25,000 for caesareans. Other plans may offer higher or lower limits. When comparing, look at both the maximum overall sum insured and the specific sub‑limits for maternity benefits. Keep in mind that typical delivery costs in major cities can exceed ₹2 lakhs. Choose a cover that realistically matches local hospital charges.
Look for vaccination cover
Newborn vaccinations can be expensive. Some insurers, including those mentioned in a Times of India article, cover vaccinations up to ₹1 lakh. Verify whether the plan you’re considering includes vaccination benefits and whether it covers additional costs like wellness check‑ups or genetic screening. A plan that extends coverage to the baby for at least the first 90 days is ideal.
FAQs
Can I buy maternity insurance if I am already pregnant?
No. Insurers require you to purchase the rider and complete the waiting period before conception. Applications made during pregnancy are generally declined because the risk is imminent.
What is the usual waiting period for maternity insurance?
Most standard plans have a waiting period of 3–4 years before maternity claims are admissible. Some comprehensive plans shorten this to 9 months or 1 year, but they may cost more and have lower sub‑limits. Always check the policy document.
Does maternity insurance cover newborn baby expenses?
Yes. Most riders pay for the baby’s delivery and post‑natal care. The ProHealth Plus Plan covers newborn delivery charges and vaccinations, and general maternity plans often include a baby cover up to ₹50,000 for emergencies and disorders.
When is the best time to buy maternity insurance?
The best time to buy maternity cover is before planning a pregnancy. Purchasing the rider in your early twenties or soon after marriage ensures that the waiting period passes before you conceive. Early purchase also locks in lower premiums, gives you more plan options and maximises the benefits when you need them.
