Women go through plenty of stages in their life – child, daughter, mother, sister, wife, and more. Of all these phases, motherhood is considered as one of the most defining milestones in a woman's life. Just like all other healthcare, maternity-related expenses have increased steeply in India, in the last few years. 

Irrespective of the type of delivery – normal or C-section – pregnancy costs range from several tens of thousands to lakhs of rupees. Besides the medical bills on the day of delivery, there are other expenses like pre-natal scans, check-ups, postnatal care for the mother and infant, and more.

With increasing maternity-related medical costs, today several women and their families opt for pregnancy insurance plans. Also known as maternity health insurance, these plans offer coverage for delivery and post-delivery childcare expenses. 

Here, in this guide, let's take a look at what pregnancy insurance plans offer – features and benefits, as well as the top maternity insurance plans in India.

Five Things to Know about Maternity Insurance Plans before you Choose One

1. Coverage 

Maternity health insurance (pregnancy insurance plans) cover the medical expenses a family faces while a woman is pregnant. It includes pre-hospitalisation costs (for up to 30 days before delivery), delivery charges and fees, post-delivery hospitalisation expenses (for up to 60 days after childbirth), and other pre and postnatal expenses for the mother and baby.

2. Waiting Period 

Almost all pregnancy plans come with a waiting period. The plan’s coverage comes into effect only after the waiting period is over. The waiting period ranges from 3 to 6 years, depending on the type of policy chosen. 

Hence, it’s highly recommended that couples opt for a pregnancy plan as soon as they tie the knot. This way, the waiting period gets over by the time the couple is ready to grow their family. 

3. Available for Women before they get Pregnant

People often assume that since the plan is named a pregnancy plan, it should be taken only after a woman gets pregnant. However, insurance companies allow women to sign up for the pregnancy plan before they are pregnant, not while carrying a baby.

If you're already pregnant but haven't taken a maternity plan, you can check with your employer if they provide any maternity benefits. Generally, most corporate companies offer maternity benefits and maternity leave of up to 26 weeks after delivery, as per the Maternity Benefit Amendment of 2017.

4. Maternity-related Expenses are on the Rise 

The average cost of normal delivery starts from Rs. 35,000 at regular hospitals. If you choose a maternity home with the latest infrastructure, the cost will undoubtedly be more. Similarly, if you have a C-sec delivery, then the cost of delivery ranges from Rs. 50,000, and more. Very often, couples think that they can pay the hospital bills out of pocket.

However, with changes in lifestyle and medical complications, more and more women are getting pregnant in their 30s. This increases the risk of delivery, which, in turn, increases medical costs. Most middle-class families are unable to foot the medical bills for delivery, especially as they have to pay it as a lump sum.

With maternity insurance, you don’t have to dip into your savings to pay the maternity-related expenses. 

5. Two Categories of Maternity Insurance 

Pregnancy insurance is of two types:

• The first is a comprehensive health insurance plan that also offers coverage for maternity-related expenses. Some medical insurance plans provide pregnancy coverage as riders that you can opt for while applying for the policy.

• The second is a standalone pregnancy insurance plan. It's specifically designed to offer coverage for pregnant women. The waiting period of an independent maternity insurance plan is lower and ranges from 9 months to 2 years. Pregnancy insurance plans also offer coverage for any birth defects of the newborn baby.

Additional Pregnancy: Arogya Sanjeevani Health Insurance

Top 5 Pregnancy Plans in India for 2020 

1.Religare JOY Maternity Health Insurance Plan 

If you are looking for a pregnancy plan that covers both the mother and the infant, then Religare’s JOY Maternity plan is the best choice. Besides offering coverage for the delivery, the policy also covers the medical costs for the newborn baby for up to 90 days from the date of birth. 

Plan Highlights

There are two variations under this plan. Let’s take a look at the various features of both these variations.

Features	Joy Today	Joy Tomorrow
Sum Insured	3 lakhs/5 lakhs	3 lakhs/5 lakhs
Waiting Period	9 months	24 months
Eligibility Age	18 to 45 years	18 to 45 years
Newborn birth defects	No	Lump-sum – Rs. 50,000

 

Benefits

• Maternity cover

• Newborn baby cover

• Comprehensive hospitalisation coverage

  • In-patient care (at least 24 hours)

  • Pre-hospitalisation (up to 30 days)

  • Post-hospitalisation (up to 60 days) 

• Direct claim settlements – cashless treatment

• Long policy term – up to 3 years

 

2.HDFC Ergo Medisure Classic Insurance

As one of the leading health insurance providers in India, HDFC Ergo offers a comprehensive health insurance plan that provides coverage for maternity-related expenses. If you're looking for a regular healthcare plan that includes maternity coverage, this plan is an excellent choice.

Plan Highlights:

Features	HDFC Ergo Medisure Classic Insurance
Sum Insured	Up to Rs. 20,000 for normal deliveries Up to Rs. 40,000 for C-section deliveries
Waiting Period	4 years
Eligibility Age	No restrictions

 

Benefits

• Coverage for both the newborn and mother for up to 90 days

• Discounts on premiums when two or more members opt for this comprehensive healthcare plan

• Coverage for day-care procedures, in-patient treatment, pre, and post-hospitalisation expenses

 

3.Star Wedding Gift Insurance 

Star Wedding Gift insurance plan is a standalone maternity insurance plan specifically designed for newlywed couples. If you're looking for a gift for your newlywed friends, you can give them this gift of security and protection.

Plan Highlights:

Star Wedding Gift Insurance (Option 1)	Star Wedding Gift Insurance (Option 2)
Hospitalisation Expenses – Rs. 3 lakhs Child-delivery Expenses Normal delivery – Rs. 15,000 C-section delivery – Rs. 20,000 Newborn baby cover – Rs. 30,000	Hospitalisation Expenses – Rs. 5 lakhs Child-delivery Expenses Normal delivery – Rs. 20,000 C-section delivery – Rs. 25,000 Newborn baby cover – Rs. 50,000
Offered for the following periods: 1 year 2 years	Offered for the following periods: 1 year 2 years
Any couple aged between 18 and 40 years	Any couple aged between 18 and 40 years

 

Benefits

• Hospitalisation cover – pre and post hospitalisation expenses, in-hospitalisation care

• Newborn baby care

• Pre and postnatal expenses

• Coverage for pre-existing diseases and non-allopathic treatments 

• Free benefit – coverage for the cost of the test (up to Rs. 1000) for detecting any defects in the foetus

 

4.ICICI Lombard’s iHealth Plan – Maternity Cover

ICICI Lombard’s iHealth Plan helps you embark on the journey of parenthood – well-prepared. If you're looking for pregnancy coverage, you have to opt for the maternity cover while applying for the iHealth plan. 

Plan Highlights:

Features	Maternity Cover
Sum Insured	Ranges from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 50,000 depending on the plan chosen
Waiting Period	3 years
Eligibility Age	No restrictions

 

Benefits

• Coverage for medical expenses incurred during childbirth (normal as well as C-section)

• Coverage for lawful medical termination of pregnancy 

• Pre and postnatal costs are covered as per the policy's conditions

• Newborn baby cover for up to 90 days

• Outpatient treatment cover 

• Wellness and preventive healthcare 

 

5.Manipal Cigna ProHealth Insurance 

This is another comprehensive health insurance plan that offers maternity benefits as added cover. 

Plan Highlights:

Features	Maternity Cover
Sum Insured	Up to Rs. 50,000 for a normal delivery Up to Rs. 1 lakh for C-section delivery
Waiting Period	4 years
Eligibility Age	No restrictions

 

Benefits

• In-patient hospitalisation, post, and pre-hospitalisation expenses during childbirth

• Ambulance cover

• Newborn baby cover 

• First-year vaccination expenses for the newborn 

• Reduction in the waiting period for pregnancy care is available on paying a one-time premium

EndNote

Find the Right Maternity Insurance Plan and Secure your Family 

Choosing the right pregnancy insurance plan is a crucial step in family planning. After all, securing your loved one financially as she goes through one of the most critical milestones in your life is your top priority. Understand the features, benefits, and coverage offered by maternity plans and choose the right one that best fits your family's needs.