These days, having a baby is a huge commitment. Apart from the responsibilities as parents, there is also the financial aspect of pregnancy, childbirth, and so on to consider. Here’s where having health insurance for maternity purposes can help alleviate some of your burdens as you welcome your bundle of joy to the world.
Basic health insurance policies usually only cover certain medical emergencies. Therefore, if you are planning to conceive, it’s worth considering women-specific health insurance, which often includes maternity and baby care benefits.
Women-specific policies are designed to cover specific female healthcare needs that standard health insurance plans may not provide. For example, female-related illnesses, maternity care, newborn baby coverage, and more. For moms-to-be (and even dads-to-be), ladies-exclusive insurance that includes maternal coverage provides something for parents to fall back on should unexpected medical expenses during pregnancy or labour arise.
For instance, Prudential’s PRULady policy covers all mothers-to-be against pregnancy complications and their children against congenital illnesses such as spina bifida, cleft lip, ventricular septal defects, and others. The coverage also accounts for unfortunate conditions resulting in the loss of a child, including disseminated intravascular coagulation (after seven months of pregnancy), ectopic pregnancy, eclampsia, late miscarriages after the 18th week, and death of a foetus or an infant after 30 days of birth.
The plan also includes childbirth benefits, which you can claim up to three times. On top of this, you are also provided coverage for a wide range of female-related illnesses. These include female cancer (breast, cervix uteri, fallopian tube, ovary, uterus, or vagina/vulva) and systemic lupus erythematosus with severe kidney complications and age-related conditions such as osteoporotic fracture and rheumatoid arthritis.
Other women-specific health policies may also incorporate coverage for infertility. For example, the PersonaLady policy from Etiqa and Lady Protector from Great Eastern offer compassionate cash compensations to assist those who can no longer get pregnant due to accidents that cause injury to their reproductive organs (ovaries or womb).
Before deciding on the right maternity benefit plan, consider these important factors:
- Identify your financial budget and how much you can invest in a health insurance policy. This will help you select the right amount of premium.
- Check with your agent or the insurance company on the waiting period of the maternity plan.
- Be aware of the health insurance provider’s network of healthcare institutions or hospitals.
- Read the policy terms carefully to avoid any disputes or inconveniences that may arise during claims settlement.
