Is maternity covered in health insurance policies

It depends on the health plan that you hold. Some health insurance plans that offer maternity coverage by default are:

• Religare Joy Today/Tomorrow Plan
• HDFC ERGO Health Suraksha Gold
• Star Wedding Gift Insurance Plan
• Royal Sundaram Lifeline Elite
• Apollo Munich Easy Health Young Family

Generally, most health insurance plans do not offer maternity coverage. Instead, the insured has to pay for maternity coverage as an add-on benefit during policy purchase.

Here are a few points to keep in mind while purchasing a health plan for the maternity coverage:

• Pregnancy is treated as a pre-existing condition. This means maternity coverage kicks in only after a waiting period that ranges from 9 months to 6 years. So, if you're planning a baby, then you need to purchase a maternity health plan as early as possible. This way, the waiting period is over by the time you conceive and are ready to deliver the baby.
• Maternity coverage includes medical expenses incurred by a woman while she is pregnant. Generally, most maternity plans include pre-hospitalisation fees (30 days before delivery), post-hospitalisation expenses (60 days after childbirth), pre and post-natal cover for the mother and newborn, ambulance charges, C-section and normal delivery expenses, room rent, etc.

A word of advice – Don't rush into purchasing a health insurance plan just because it offers maternity coverage. Note that maternity coverage is only one of the many benefits of a health plan. Make sure to evaluate the other terms and conditions, and pick the right policy that will offer you adequate coverage in the long run.