Imagine being able to experience a human growing inside you. Nothing less than a miracle, right? This is indeed one of the happiest feelings in the world. However, during pregnancy, you might face some challenges, such as preterm labour, gestational diabetes, heavy bleeding, and more, leading to a life-threatening situation. Such reasons increase the demand for pregnancy insurance.
Let’s explore pregnancy insurance in detail.
Understanding Pregnancy Insurance
Pregnancy insurance is a specialised policy designed to cover medical expenses associated with pregnancy and childbirth. It mitigates your financial stress by covering medical expenses, including prenatal and postnatal care, labour, room rent, prescription drugs, delivery costs, and more. The best plan for medical insurance offers emotional support during this time, which enables you to focus on yourself rather than the expenses.
The best health insurance companies cover the following:
Prenatal Care: Regular check-ups and consultations that help in monitoring your and the foetus's health are included in the best plan for medical insurance.
Newborn Care: The best plan for medical insurance includes coverage for all necessary vaccinations for your baby and prioritises health and safety. Typically, this plan encompasses immunisation expenses for the first year, according to the National Immunisation Schedule.
Diagnostic Tests: Pregnancy is a transformative journey, and healthcare providers typically advise ultrasounds and blood tests to identify any potential complications at an early stage. This results in timely treatment and improves your overall well-being. The best health insurance companies cover such expenses.
Emergency Care: Pregnancy can sometimes lead to life-threatening medical conditions, such as haemorrhaging and ectopic pregnancy. Having insurance offers 24x7 access to emergency services, which can reduce your stress and improve your health.
Hospitalisation: Pregnancy is a different journey for a woman. Some women face placenta issues, the baby's incorrect positioning, or heavy bleeding. Such conditions require immediate hospitalisation. The best plan for medical insurance ensures that you receive treatment timely and at a reputable healthcare facility. Such plans cover costs of delivery, whether normal or caesarean, as well as other treatment-related expenses, alleviating your financial burden.
Postnatal Support: It's common to feel weak after giving birth. Doctors advise you to take good care of yourself during this period. Frequent check-ups and screenings are suggested to detect any complications. Insurance covers you post-delivery, offering mental, emotional, and financial support.
Factors Affecting the Sum Insured of the Insurance Policy
Choosing the best insurance for your requirements can be challenging. Make sure to consider these factors when buying a policy from an insurance agent or on your own. This helps you make a wise decision.
Geographic Location: Depending on where you receive treatment, healthcare costs can vary significantly. Medical expenses are frequently higher in urban areas than in rural areas. Conduct thorough research on the maternity average costs to determine how much coverage you'll need.
Delivery Type: The sum insured is also determined by the type of treatment you seek. For instance, a cesarean section is generally more expensive than vaginal birth because it requires surgery and extended hospital stays.
Additional Expenses: Life is unpredictable; you should always consider other potential expenses that may arise, such as:
Prescription medications for you during pregnancy or after childbirth.
Newborn vaccinations may not be covered by regular health insurance.
Any potential complications that may necessitate special care or hospitalisation for the baby.
Prior Medical History: If you have a history that could affect your pregnancy, you should consult the coverage with your insurer before purchasing the plan. For insurance, higher-risk pregnancies lead to high medical expenses. Therefore, choosing a higher sum insured is a wise decision.
Protection Against Complications: Ensure that your insurance includes coverage for complications, such as gestational diabetes or premature birth. These conditions can significantly increase healthcare costs, so having adequate coverage is essential.
Criteria for Choosing the Right Sum Insured Policy
Once you've prepared your budget for your required sum insured, compare various insurance policies for pregnancy in the market. Here’s how you can do that.
Compare Coverage: Coverage varies depending on the insurer and the type of plan. Look for policies that cover a wide range of expenses, including prenatal, delivery, and postnatal care, as well as any potential complications.
Costs: Consider premiums, deductibles, and co-payments carefully before investing in the plan. Choose the one that best suits your budget preferences.
Waiting Periods: Insurance policies include waiting periods. It's that time frame during which you are not allowed to make claims. Ensure you understand these waiting periods and how they relate to your pregnancy timeline.
Review the Policy: Make it a point to read the policy terms and conditions carefully. Understand the exclusions, limitations, and any conditions that may impact your coverage. This can help you avoid future surprises.
Wrapping Up
Sum insured is one of the most important factors to consider when selecting an insurance policy. Understanding your healthcare needs, researching costs, and comparing policies allows you to make an informed decision that will give you peace of mind as you embark on a new chapter in your life.
If you are looking for the best plan for medical insurance, look no further than Niva Bupa. It is one of the most trusted insurance providers in India, with more than 1 crore happy customers. Niva Bupa offers a wide range of services, including wellness programmes, OPD care, surrogacy, adoption, pre-and post-natal care, and more, mitigating your stress.
