Welcoming a newborn baby into this world is the happiest moment for parents. However, childbirth comes at a cost. The cost should not overshadow the joy of parents, which is where maternity coverage in health insurance comes into the picture.
Maternity coverage is part of health insurance and covers medical treatment expenses related to pregnancy and childbirth. It covers normal delivery and caesarean section (C-section) delivery. Maternity coverage also covers expenses towards lawful medical termination of pregnancy during the policy period.
When choosing maternity coverage, an individual should look for the following things:
1. Waiting period: Most health insurance plans offered to retail customers come with a waiting period for maternity coverage. The waiting period usually ranges from 9 months to 48 months. The lower the waiting period, the better.
2. Coverage sub-limits: You may have chosen a health insurance plan with a specified sum assured. However, do keep in mind that the maternity coverage has sub-limits within the sum assured. Most plans have separate sub-limits for normal delivery and C-section delivery.
3. Number of deliveries covered: Most plans usually cover up to 2 deliveries.
4. Whether included in the base policy or offered as an add-on: Maternity coverage is either built into the base policy or as an optional add-on.
Choosing the best maternity coverage can be overwhelming. Hence, you must consult a health insurance advisor. They will analyse your requirements and, accordingly, recommend an appropriate health insurance plan with the best maternity coverage to suit your needs.
