Becoming a parent is undoubtedly one of the greatest joys in life. There is no disputing that new parents are also given a profound sense of duty at the same time, too. There are a lot of things that a parent needs to take care of, from providing a baby-friendly environment to making sure they receive the greatest medical care. Health insurance should be your primary concern when considering the well-being of the infant. This is because medical emergencies are unforeseen and can deplete your finances in no time. You can always take advantage of numerous family floater health insurance policies or maternity insurance coverages in order to get your infant insured against health problems that may arise. Your responsibility is to choose the plan with an adequate sum insured to meet the healthcare costs.
Health Insurance for Newborns
In India, newborn infants are not immediately covered under individual health insurance policies. A family floater health insurance plan, however, enables you to provide health insurance for your newborn. All your family members are covered under these plans with a single insured amount. Newborns are currently classified by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) as "babies born during the policy tenure and are 90 days old." Therefore, after your newborn infant turns 90 days old and you have a family floater plan, you can add your child to it. Then, just like the rest of your family, your newborn can use the insured amount.
Maternity Cover for Newborn Babies
Maternity coverage can be useful if you're looking for child health insurance policies to ensure that your baby's health is covered once he or she is born. Most maternity health insurance policies do pay for a new baby's costs, including any medically necessary procedures, shots, etc.
In addition to your baby's expenses, the maternity benefit also pays for the mother's prenatal medical costs. Also, maternity coverage features are integrated into many regular health insurance plans. Some insurers also provide it as an add-on for an additional fee under these policies. However, both dedicated maternity and regular plans will have a waiting period for maternity coverage. A dedicated plan can have a waiting period of up to nine months, whereas a regular plan will cover it after two years.
Benefits of Health Insurance Cover for Newborn Babies
- Includes provisions for hospitalisation, pre- and post-hospitalisation, contemporary daycare practises, ambulance fees, etc.
- Mental stability on both financial and emotional levels.
- The payable premium is much lesser.
- Allows you to utilize tax benefits under Section 80D of the Income Tax Act, 1961.
- The infant's yearly physical examination is covered by many health insurance companies.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Infant Health Insurance
Upgrade
Most newborn health insurance policies allow parents to enhance the plan's coverage once the baby completes 90 days.
Premium
Check your affordability for the premium amount you will need to pay for the same.
Plan Coverage
The coverage elements of newborn health insurance plans vary. Some insurers pay for prenatal, postnatal and vaccination costs, while others do not. Ensure the policy has maximum coverage to guarantee that the infant is constantly protected.
Employer Coverage
If you are covered through your company's group health plan, you can easily enroll your newborn by filling out an application.
Co-payment Requirement
Some newborn health insurance policies have a co-payment obligation requiring parents to pay a portion of the health insurance claim out of pocket. However, compared to other types of health insurance, co-payment features are less expensive.
Exclusions
Before acquiring health insurance, do check the policy exclusions. It will help you avoid claiming for something you are not covered against.
Waiting Time
Most insurers have a set waiting period during which you cannot receive insurance benefits. You can qualify for protection for your newborn as soon as feasible with a shorter waiting period.
What Documentation is Needed When Purchasing Newborn Baby Insurance?
- A birth certificate
- A card for maternity discharge
- Photograph for a cashless health card
- Picture of a baby
- Health papers describing the newborn's health (if any)
- Any additional paperwork your specific health insurance company requests
How Many Individuals are Eligible for Coverage Under Newborn Baby Health Insurance?
Newborn children and their parents are both eligible for family floater coverages. The family health insurance plan might also cover additional family members. It is best to choose an insurance provider that enables the parents to add the newborn as soon as possible to the plan. Normally, floater plans include yourself, your spouse, dependent children and parents.
Conclusion
The best insurance policies for newborn babies in India cover everything from hospital bills and pre and postnatal care to vaccination charges. With medical expenses rising day by day, you may want to get one of these to minimise the expenses of availing of the best treatment for your baby.
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