Pregnancy is a significant life stage that involves extensive medical care, including regular consultations, diagnostic tests, delivery expenses and post-natal support. With healthcare costs steadily increasing, many women begin evaluating insurance for pregnant women soon after confirming their pregnancy.
A common concern that arises during this period is whether maternity coverage can be purchased after pregnancy is confirmed. Let’s find out the answer in this blog!
Can You Buy Maternity Insurance After Pregnancy Starts?
When couples assess health insurance plans, they often hope to find one that covers maternity expenses from the start. However, it is rarely possible, as in the insurance industry, pregnancy is classified as a planned and foreseeable event rather than a sudden medical emergency. Since insurance products are designed to cover uncertain risks, insurers typically do not offer maternity coverage to someone who is already pregnant.
Most standalone maternity policies and maternity riders come with mandatory waiting periods. These waiting periods prevent claims for an ongoing pregnancy, ensuring that policies remain financially sustainable.
Why Waiting Periods Exist for Maternity Insurance?
Waiting periods help insurers maintain balance in the policy pool. In maternity insurance, the waiting period usually ranges from 6 to 48 months. This means that even if you buy the policy today, maternity-related claims can only be made after the specified time has passed.
Waiting periods are essential for ensuring that maternity insurance remains affordable for those who plan. If insurers were to allow pregnancy coverage without any waiting period, many people would buy insurance only after conceiving, leading to high claim ratios and expensive premiums. Therefore, purchasing maternity insurance early is the only way to take full advantage of its benefits.
Alternative Options Available for Insurance for Pregnant Women
Employer Group Insurance
Employer-sponsored group health insurance may sometimes cover maternity without waiting periods. This depends entirely on the organisation’s policy structure. If your employer provides such a benefit, you may be eligible for coverage even if you are already pregnant.
Regular Health Insurance Plans Covering Complications
While most policies will not cover standard medical expenses, several comprehensive health plans do cover pregnancy-related complications. These may include ectopic pregnancy, miscarriages requiring hospitalisation or emergency C-sections performed due to health risks. These situations fall under major medical conditions, not routine maternity care.
Government Schemes and Support Programs
Certain national and state-level government schemes offer financial assistance for prenatal checkups, delivery costs and vaccinations. While these may not replace full maternity insurance, they can offer meaningful support during pregnancy.
What Can You Do If You Are Planning a Pregnancy?
If you plan to conceive in a year or two, this is the ideal time to purchase a maternity-inclusive health plan. Consider factors like:
- Sufficient sum insured
- Coverage for both normal and surgical deliveries
- Newborn and vaccination benefits
- Pre- and post-hospitalisation coverage
- Network hospital availability
Buying early ensures that the waiting period is completed before you need the coverage.
Conclusion
Insurance for pregnant women generally cannot be purchased once pregnancy has already begun, making early planning essential. Securing coverage in advance allows you to take full advantage of benefits when the time comes. Many reliable insurers, including TATA AIG, offer health insurance plans that provide maternity benefits when purchased in advance, helping families prepare better for this important milestone.