While pregnancy is joy, childbirth can get complicated. Delivering a healthy child is no cakewalk. There can be multiple complications during delivery that, if not handled properly, can lead to the death of the mother and/or the child. That is why parents do not compromise on medical care during pregnancy and childbirth for the mother – child health. Thanks to advancing medical technology, experts can handle most complications quite easily. However, the required treatments added to the cost of delivery can amount to lakhs. Are you prepared to bear this financial brunt of complicated deliveries?
Health insurance – the need of the hour
A health insurance policy can help in facing the financial implications of complicated deliveries. But do all health insurance plans cover complicated deliveries?
Sadly, the answer is no. Not all health insurance plans cover deliveries. However, you can opt for plans that do.
Maternity coverage is found under many health insurance plans. Some plans offer coverage as a part of their inbuilt features while under some plans the coverage is available on an optional basis. If you are newly married or you plan to start a family in future; you can opt for such plans and get coverage for –
- The cost of normal deliveries
- The cost of Caesarean deliveries
- Pre and post-natal medical costs
Moreover, under many plans, the newborn baby gets coverage under the policy for up to 90 days or up to renewal, whichever is early. So, if the child requires any treatment after birth, the policy would cover the cost of the treatment.
Health insurance for complicated deliveries
While health plans with maternity coverage usually cover normal deliveries, the scenario is different for complicated deliveries. Though such plans cover hospitalisation costs of the mother and pre and post-hospitalisation expenses. However, it does not cover the additional medical costs in the case of a complication during childbirth.
It is, therefore, essential to understand the scope of coverage. Read the policy wordings of the policy, especially the maternity coverage part. The policy wording would give you a clear picture; of whether complications during deliveries would be covered or not.
Also, keep the following points in mind –
- Coverage for deliveries is allowed after a waiting period that might range from 9 months to 48 months. So, if you want maternity coverage, buy the plan soon after marriage to wait out the waiting period.
- There is a limit on the cost of delivery covered under the plan. Check the limit and opt for a plan that allows a wider scope of coverage.
- Under most plans, the mother’s age should be up to 45 years to get coverage for delivery expenses. Check this clause in the policy.
- Also, delivery expenses for up to two children are usually covered under health insurance plans. You should, thus, check for this clause too
So, go through the policy wordings with a fine-toothed comb. Understand what is and what is not covered with respect to pregnancy and childbirth.
Coverage for assisted reproductive treatments
Couples facing problems with naturally conceiving might opt for assisted reproductive treatments like IVF, IUI, etc. Do health plans cover such treatments?
Many plans do not. However, there are some plans that provide exclusive coverage specifically for assisted reproductive treatments and infertility.
Even if it comes under the coverage, there might be sub-limits and a waiting period on the same. You should, thus, understand the scope of the coverage and the policy wordings would help you do just that.
Summing it up
No parent envisages childbirth to be complicated. Even doctors take precautionary measures and prescribe complete rest during pregnancy if they fear possible complications. So, while expecting parents can reduce the chance of a complication during childbirth, who is to say that there would be no complications at all.
So, couples should invest in a comprehensive health insurance plan that covers possible complications during deliveries. The health plan would tackle the financial dilemma while parents deal with the emotional strain if there is a complication.
So, look through the available health plans that offer maternity coverage and choose a plan covering all aspects of pregnancy and childbirth. To know more click on https://blog.oneassure.in/