Welcoming a new life into the world is a big responsibility. However, along with the happiness and excitement, there are also accompanying hospitalisation expenses to consider. To effectively manage the financial aspects of pregnancy-related expenses, one needs the best maternity cover health insurance.
What is Maternity Insurance?
Maternity cover, included as a part of medical insurance, provides support for the expenses associated with childbirth, whether it is a normal delivery or a caesarean section. The costs involved in these procedures can often put a significant strain on finances. Therefore, maternity cover serves as a valuable saving grace during such times.
The best mediclaim policy for maternity covers various aspects, including hospitalisation expenses, prenatal and postnatal care, as well as pre-delivery and post-delivery medical expenses. It overall offers comprehensive financial support throughout the maternity journey.
Maternity Insurance Coverage
Let's explore the key categories covered under the best maternity cover health insurance, keeping in mind that specific coverage may vary across different insurance plans:
- Pre- and Post-hospitalisation: It typically covers pre-hospitalisation expenses incurred up to 30 days before admission to the hospital. It also covers post-hospitalisation expenses incurred up to 60 days after discharge.
- Hospitalisation Expenses: The insurance policy includes coverage for various hospitalisation costs such as room charges, boarding, and nursing expenses, as well as fees for surgeons, anaesthetists, medical practitioners, and consultants. Some plans may also offer coverage for emergency ambulance charges.
- Pre- and Post-natal Cover: It provides coverage for delivery-related expenses, including pre and post-natal care. This encompasses medical consultations, diagnostic tests, medications, and other essential services related to the prenatal and postnatal period.
- Coverage for the Newborn Baby: In certain cases, it extends coverage to newborn babies if they are diagnosed with congenital disorders or critical illnesses. This helps in managing the medical expenses associated with their condition.
- Vaccination Cover: These plans may also include coverage for vaccinations administered to the newborn baby. Reasonable and customary charges for vaccinations are typically covered under the policy.
The Claim Process
Upon hospitalisation for delivery, it is important to inform your insurance company to initiate the claim process promptly. Claims can be made through both cashless and reimbursement methods.
Let’s explore how it works:
- Inform the Insurance Provider: Notify the insurance company about your hospitalisation for delivery by contacting them through their website or toll-free number. This step is crucial to kickstart the claim process.
- Submit the Claim Form: Fill out the claim form provided by the insurance company and submit it along with any required supporting documents. These documents will be verified by the hospital and forwarded to the insurance company.
- Cashless Claim Payment: If you are admitted to a network hospital, the insurance company will verify the documents and directly settle the payment with the hospital as part of the cashless claim process. This eliminates the need for you to make upfront payments.
- Reimbursement Process: If you are unable to get admitted to a network hospital or if, for some reason, your claim is rejected for cashless payment, you can opt for the reimbursement method. Under this approach, you will need to make the payment to the hospital at the time of discharge. Afterwards, submit the required documents and bills to the insurance provider for reimbursement of the eligible expenses.
Exclusions in Maternity Coverage
When considering the best health insurance policy with maternity cover, it's important to have a clear understanding of the expenses that may not be covered under the plan. These include:
- Tonics and Vitamins: The plan may not cover the expenses incurred for tonics and vitamins that are specifically mentioned as excluded in the policy.
- Regular Doctor's Visits: Routine checkups with the doctor during pregnancy may not be included in the coverage. It's essential to clarify with the insurance provider regarding coverage for regular checkups.
- Diagnostic Tests and Consultations: Expenses related to diagnostic tests and consultations during the entire nine-month duration of pregnancy may not be covered by the plan. It's advisable to review the policy terms and conditions to understand the extent of coverage provided for these expenses.
- Infertility Treatment Costs: Such plans typically do not cover expenses related to infertility treatments. These treatments fall under a separate category and may require specialised insurance coverage.
Wrapping Up
When buying maternity cover, it's important to consider key factors to make an informed decision. Compare different insurance companies and plans to find the best fit for your needs. Understand the waiting period before claiming benefits and be aware of any exclusions and coverage limitations. By carefully considering these aspects, you can choose a maternity plan that offers the most value and peace of mind during your pregnancy journey.
