Maternity & Newborn Coverage in Family Health Insurance

The maternity & newborn coverage in family health insurance provides coverage for pregnancy-related expenses in the prenatal, delivery, and postnatal periods. This coverage extends to the mother during and after pregnancy and also to the newborn baby. Depending on the policy, the coverage varies. Pregnancy is one of the most incredible experiences for women, but are they provided adequate care without a financial burden on the family? Normal deliveries can cost anywhere from 30,000 to 80,000, and it can go up to 1,20,000 for C-section deliveries. This can increase even further if there are pregnancy complications and the baby needs care after birth. This is where maternity health insurance for family comes into the picture. Let's understand maternity insurance in detail.

The maternity & newborn coverage in family health insurance provides coverage for pregnancy-related expenses in the prenatal, delivery, and postnatal periods. This coverage extends to the mother during and after pregnancy and also to the newborn...
The maternity & newborn coverage in family health insurance provides coverage for pregnancy-related...
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What is maternity coverage in family health insurance?

Maternity coverage in family health insurance is a type of insurance policy that covers maternity expenses. This can include prenatal checkups, delivery costs, and postnatal care expenses. Depending on the policy, the coverage may extend to the newborn, covering costs of vaccinations and treatments, if any.

Generally, maternity insurance is offered as a coverage in personal health insurance or family floater plans. While buying insurance, you must opt for this coverage and pay the corresponding premium if you are planning a family. 

The right time to buy maternity coverage in family health insurance

Most maternity plans come with a waiting period of up to 9 months. With some plans, this can extend to up to 6 years. If your maternity insurance plans have a waiting period, your pregnancy expenses will not be covered if you raise a claim during that timeframe. So, the right time to buy maternity health insurance is before you try to get pregnant. If you wait to buy pregnancy health insurance after getting pregnant, you must pay all the expenses out of your pocket.

Benefits and key features of maternity coverage in family health insurance

A well-defined maternity insurance policy offers the following benefits and features:

Financial Security

Health insurance for pregnancy can ensure financial security for your family. Some policies limit the number of times you may make these claims throughout the policy period. 

Peace of Mind

You can go through pregnancy peacefully, knowing that any cost incurred up to the sum defined by the policy terms will be covered by your insurance provider. This reduces your out-of-pocket costs.  

Pre and Postnatal Cost Coverage

Most pregnant women may need to visit their gynaecologist every month to monitor their health and to the baby's normal growth. If there are complications, more tests and additional care may be required after delivery. These can incur additional costs, which can be covered by your pregnancy insurance under the newborn coverage. 

Specialised Coverage

Sometimes, newborns need additional care. For example, they may need some time in the NICU if there are some complications. An insurance policy covering these expenses allows you to focus only on the health of the baby, as it provides a financial safety net.

Tax Benefits

Under Section 80D, you can claim deductions for premiums paid for your health insurance with maternity cover.

What's covered and not covered in maternity coverage in family insurance?

The coverage varies based on the terms and conditions of the policy. Here is a quick overview of what may and may not be covered by your maternity insurance policy:

CoveragesExclusions
  
Pre and postnatal hospitalisationIVF or infertility treatments
Delivery expenses (normal and C-section)Pre-existing pregnancy
Newborn cover (up to 90 days in many plans)Third or more deliveries in most cases
Vaccinations (limited to schedule)Non-allopathic treatments
Ambulance chargesUnprescribed tests or procedures

How to buy a maternity insurance plan online

Here are the steps to buy maternity insurance online.

  1. Visit the insurance company’s website or download their app. 
  2. Explore the maternity insurance policy and other types of comprehensive health insurance plans you may need. 
  3. Choose a plan and go through the policy terms. 
  4. Enter your details and complete the online verification. 
  5. Pay your policy premium online.

The insurance company will now contact you for the next steps.

Comparison between maternity insurance and newborn coverage

Maternity insurance covers the expenses of women during and after pregnancy. Generally, it covers only the mother, but some policies extend coverage to newborns, too. When the plan includes newborn coverage, it covers the medical needs of the baby after it's born (mostly up to 90 days ). Here is a comparison between maternity insurance and newborn coverage.

FeatureMaternity InsuranceNewborn Coverage
   
PurposeCovers mother’s pregnancy-related costsCovers baby’s medical needs post-birth
Coverage StartAfter the waiting periodFrom birth (up to 90 days, varies)
Included inHealth plans with maternity coverAdd-on or part of family floater plans
Key BenefitsDelivery, hospitalisation, testsNICU, vaccination, checkups
Waiting Period9 months to 3 yearsUsually, no waiting if the baby is added early 

Documents required for claiming maternity coverage in family health insurance

The following documents may be needed for claiming maternity benefits.

  • Valid photo ID and policy copy
  • Hospital bills and discharge summaries
  • Doctor’s prescription and consultation receipts
  • Pathology and diagnostic test reports
  • The birth certificate of the child
  • Claim form (duly filled)

The bottom line

Maternity insurance policy provides financial cover during pregnancy and also for giving birth. Certain policies provide cover for the newborn child until 90 days. It is recommended to purchase a policy in advance to overcome the waiting period and obtain complete cover for mother and child. Online purchase of a policy saves time and money, and you are able to obtain the best rates.

Frequently asked question

Here are some frequently asked questions related to maternity & newborn coverage in family health insurance.

Yes, various insurers provide family health policies with in-built or add-on maternity insurance.

Yes, it assists in paying for high pregnancy costs and provides care without worrying about money.

It reimburses prenatal, delivery, postnatal, and newborn charges in certain policies.

At least 1–3 years in advance of conceiving to complete the waiting period.

Most insurance companies do not provide maternity-related insurance coverage if you are already pregnant. However, you can always check with the insurance company and confirm.

Disclaimer: The plans, services, features, processes, and other details mentioned on this page are subject to availability and changes. Please check the applicable policy wordings before making any insurance-related decisions. Feel free to reach out to us at 1800 266 2256 for any queries.

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Written by Roocha Kanade

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Reviewed by Rupinderjit Author info Icon

A content enthusiast who turns complex topics into easy, binge-worthy reads—fueled by SEO, creativity, and way too much chai! Loves juggling multiple projects, cracking impossible deadlines, and sprinkling humor into the mix. When not geeking out over digital trends, you'll find her lurking on Quora and Reddit, planning the next getaway, or passionately decoding all things health and insurance!

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