What is Maternity Coverage with Minimum Waiting Period?

• Written by Farina Khan

  Reviewed by Munmi Sharma

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Maternity insurance is a type of health cover designed to provide financial protection, be it the costs of pregnancy, childbirth, or postpartum care. Without proper insurance coverage in place, individuals might be in dire need of a monetary backup. The maternity insurance coverage does not only offer solid support during childbirth, but also covers all the expenses related to pregnancy.

However, it is important to understand the requirements and terms and conditions of the policies to get the most out of it.In this blog, we'll explore what maternity coverage with a minimum waiting period entails, its benefits, and how to choose the right plan for your needs.

What is the Waiting Period in a Maternity Insurance Plan?

Waiting period refers to the time when the policyholder cannot claim the plan benefits and every health insurance comes with this clause. Maternity insurance is no exception. The waiting period clause under a maternity insurance policy may vary depending on the types of coverage and the insurance company.

The initial waiting period refers to the duration between the start date of the policy and the eligibility to claim the benefits of the policy. Most maternity insurance plans come with a waiting period between 9 months to 4 years.

Types of Waiting Periods in Maternity Health Insurance Plans

When it comes to the waiting period in maternity health insurance plans, here are the categories:

• Initial Waiting Period: This is the most basic waiting period and starts from the policy's effective date. It generally lasts 30 to 90 days and is common in almost all maternity health insurance plans.
• Maternity Waiting Period: This is the period you must wait before you can claim maternity benefits. It usually ranges from 9 months to 4 years, depending on the insurance provider and the specific policy.
• Pre-existing Condition Waiting Period: Some maternity plans may include a waiting period precisely for pregnancy-related pre-existing conditions. This means you might have to wait longer before claiming benefits related to that condition.

Is there a Maternity Insurance Coverage with No Waiting Period?

Unfortunately, maternity cover without waiting period is not available in India. The only occasion where you can get maternity coverage without waiting period is in the Group Insurance Policy or employer-owned policy.

Key Features to Look for in a Maternity Plan

When choosing a maternity plan, it's essential to consider several key features to ensure comprehensive coverage and financial protection during pregnancy and childbirth. Here's what to look for:

• Minimum Waiting Period: The Maternity Plan offers a waiting period of 9 to 24 months, which may vary depending on the policy's choice.
• Coverage for Pre: and Post-Natal Expenses: Pre-natal expenses include routine check-ups, ultrasounds, blood tests, and medications during pregnancy. Post-natal expenses cover medical expenses for the mother and newborn until 90 days after birth, such as follow-up visits, vaccinations, and necessary treatments.
• Room Rent Limits: Room rents are generally capped, but they may vary depending on your chosen plan. Some plans cap daily room rent, while others cover a private room.
• Delivery Costs or Maternity Cover: Coverage for normal delivery and C-section delivery costs is crucial. The Care Joy Maternity Plan covers delivery-related expenses up to ₹35,000 for ₹3 lakh sum insured and up to ₹50,000 for ₹5 lakh sum insured.
• Cashless Hospitalisation: Look for plans that offer cashless hospitalisation at network hospitals. This simplifies the process and reduces financial stress during delivery.
• Newborn Baby Coverage : Ensure the plan covers medical expenses for the newborn, including vaccinations, treatments for congenital conditions, and any medical emergencies. The Care Joy Maternity Plan covers the newborn for up to 90 days.
• Maternity Complications: Check if the plan covers complications related to pregnancy and childbirth, such as ectopic pregnancy, preeclampsia, and gestational diabetes.
• No Claim Bonus: Some plans offer a no-claim bonus. NCB helps increase the sum insured for the no-claim years in the policy term.
• Inclusions and Exclusions: Always check the maternity cover policy documents carefully to understand what is covered and excluded.
• Additional Benefits: Don't miss out on extra benefits like free health check-ups, wellness programs, and access to maternity and parenting resources.

Hence, it is always worthwhile to invest in comprehensive maternity insurance coverage that has a minimum waiting period. As maternity care calls for long-term planning, most health insurance providers want you to serve a waiting period before claiming its benefits.

Tips to Buy Maternity Insurance with Minimum Waiting Period

While it is challenging to buy a no waiting period maternity health insurance, below are 4 tips to consider that will help you purchase maternity insurance with a low waiting period.

Determine Your Budget

Evaluate the coverage amount, your budget, your preferences, and the premium that you want to pay.

Do Your Research

Insurance providers that offer a low waiting period option should be your ideal choice. Additionally, check for the policy coverage and terms and conditions of the provider.

Try Buying Online

Buying a health insurance plan online is very simple and convenient. Our health insurance plans are easily accessible online where you can conduct a thorough comparison as well. However, make sure you understand the terms and conditions of the policy before proceeding with the purchase.

Can Maternity Insurance Waiting Period Be Reduced?

The waiting period in a maternity insurance plan can sometimes be reduced, depending on the insurance provider and the specific policy. Here are a few ways it might be possible:

• Existing Health Insurance Plans : Some health insurance plans include maternity coverage with a shorter waiting period if you have been with the insurer for a certain period.
• Special Add-Ons : Certain maternity insurance plans offer add-ons or riders that can reduce the waiting period for maternity benefits.
• Corporate Policies : Some employers provide maternity insurance as part of their employee benefits, which might come with a reduced waiting period.

Scope of Coverage under Care Joy Maternity Insurance Plan

While searching for maternity insurance coverage with no waiting period, Joy is one of the best policies you can get your hands on. Care Joy Maternity Insurance Plan is a tactfully designed health insurance plan that offers maternity insurance coverage for mom-to-be and newborn. The cover comes in two variants: Care Joy Plan- Today and Care Joy Plan- Tomorrow. The waiting period differs from one another. While Care Joy Today Plan has the shortest waiting period in the industry, i.e. only 9 months while the Care Joy Tomorrow Plan has a 24-month waiting period for maternity claims.

The policy also offers coverage for newborn treatment expenses. Besides covering over 540 daycare treatments, Joy maternity insurance coverage is the ideal pick that gives a combination of health insurance covering hospitalisation and maternity expenses.

The policy has an affordable premium and comes with an easy claim settlement procedure. This is to ensure that the coverage can offer immediate services. It covers in-patient care, day treatment care, pre-hospitalization, post-hospitalisation, ambulance cover, etc. All in all, the Joy policy could be your perfect pick if you have not opted for pregnancy health coverage yet.

Wrapping Up

Maternity insurance can turn out to be one of your best investments if you are planning to start a family. Depending on your family plans, you can select pregnancy insurance without waiting period, or with a minimum waiting period to get the best out of it.

Nevertheless, policyholders need to comply with the waiting period criterion to become eligible for maternity cover. Note that the eligibility criteria may differ across different insurance providers and policies. Hence, make sure you review and read the policy documents carefully before purchasing maternity insurance coverage.

>> Also Read: Know About Pre-existing Disease Waiting Period

Disclaimers: All plan features, benefits, coverage, and claims underwriting are subject to policy terms and conditions. Kindly refer to the brochure, sales prospectus, and policy documents carefully.