Usually, when it comes to pregnancy, most Canadian citizens have already qualified for Government Health Insurance. However, if you are a foreigner or you just want extra benefits from a personal health insurance plan, it is still possible for you to shop around for one.
What are the benefits of personal health insurance plans for mothers?
A health insurance policy can cover you and your baby for an extended period of time. Some of the expenses that you will be covered are:
- Prenatal and postnatal doctor check-ups
- Obstetrician and gynecologist (OBGYN) visits
- Ultrasounds and sonograms
- Birthing classes
- Delivery (normal or with complications/hospital or home delivery costs)
Without appropriate health insurance, these bills can cost an arm and a leg. So finding an affordable policy can be of great help to your family’s finances.
Other than that, with a more comprehensive maternity policy, you might also be covered:
- Care for infants
- Fertility treatments
- Congenital birth defects
- Medical treatment for babies if something unexpected happens
How much is health insurance for pregnancy and childbirth?
The childbirth benefits usually depend on the individual plan and its underwriting process.
However, an exemplary pregnancy-related premium can range from $3000 to $10000. The most comprehensive package will cover common medical emergencies, prenatal care, delivery, and other related expenses.
If you want detailed quotes, please contact us at Best Insurance Online.
Important reminder if you are already pregnant
Insurance companies in Canada might deny coverage for policyholders who are currently with child or will immediately be pregnant. Many providers typically have a waiting period from 10 to 12 months (also known as a moratorium) in which you have already paid premiums for future maternity coverage. This will include morning sickness medications, hospital bills and other pregnancy, birth and/ or newborn expenses.
As pregnancy and delivery costs can be expensive, insurance companies in Canada have to make sure they do not lose too much money from instant claims and give away free coverage.
The waiting time depends on each provider, so check before you and your partner intend to be pregnant. Some companies do have a shorter moratorium of 8 months. To be extra careful, it is recommended that you wait for approximately two months after your insurance plan has taken effect.
Traveling while pregnant, will you still be covered?
Your personal health insurance plan might still cover medical emergencies up to your 32nd week of pregnancy. However, after this period, the insurer will offer no medical treatment for either you or your baby.
Suppose you plan to use travel insurance while you are expecting. In that case, this type of policy does not typically cover medical expenses related to pre-existing conditions from 3 to 6 months prior to your trip.
Is changing insurance policies during pregnancy possible?
It is not advisable to switch insurance plans when you are already pregnant since your coverage options might be limited. Generally speaking, it is way more challenging to find a comprehensive pregnancy benefit policy at this point than planning ahead and buying a policy before conception. This is also because of the waiting time of 10-12 months that we have mentioned above.
The bottom line
If you are already eligible for Government Health Insurance, you will have had access to early prenatal care, a monthly benefit for nutrition during pregnancy, and the Healthy Baby Community Support program and resources. Only if you are not a Canadian citizen or you need the extra benefits from a personal health insurance plan should you purchase one.
Please keep in mind that each provider will have different terms and conditions. Consult your insurance broker to get a most holistic view of the pregnancy-related insurance market in Canada and get your insurance quotes online.
