Living or Moving Abroad? Considerations for Maternity Insurance
Pregnancy is a wonderful and exciting time in any woman’s life, whether it is planned or unexpected. However, your body, emotions, and family life are changing, which can also make maternity a very stressful time. Coupled with moving or living in a different country, this can be one of the most stressful times of your life, especially if you are far from your social support network.
With numerous new changes, it is essential to have a comprehensive international medical insurance plan for prenatal, childbirth, and postpartum care. Knowing you are covered against medical emergencies as well as general care gives you the freedom to enjoy the excitement of your pregnancy and to discover life abroad worry-free.
Maternity Benefits and Pregnancy Insurance
The cost of pregnancy and maternity care varies widely across the world, differs across medical institutions, and is influenced by many factors.
It is, therefore, crucial to have international health insurance with maternity coverage as early as possible to ensure both the baby and the mother have access to quality medical care and to prevent being caught off guard by high out-of-pocket expenses that are impossible to manage.
It is essential to select a plan that covers prenatal and postnatal routine exams, complications during pregnancy, and delivery and newborn care.
There are several points to keep in mind when purchasing maternity insurance:
1. Timing
While pregnancy is not an illness, insurers will not accept your application if you are already pregnant because it is considered a pre-existing condition.
While American citizens may be aware that, under the Affordable Care Act, pregnancy is not considered a pre-existing condition, the ACA generally does not apply to expatriate insurance.
Additionally, most plans have a 10- to 12-month waiting period before you can apply for maternity benefits, and you must not be pregnant at the time of application.
While it is very difficult to plan the timing of pregnancy, being prepared and having an insurance plan in place well in advance will remove a potential stress factor associated with expenses. Applying for coverage before you become pregnant ensures you’re fully protected when the time comes.
2. Pregnancy and Delivery Complications
Even though the majority of pregnancies are qualified as low-risk pregnancies, complications still happen. Complications in pregnancy are referred to as medical conditions during pregnancy.
A complication of delivery is a medical condition that arises during childbirth. Finding a plan that covers the cost of these complications is necessary for your peace of mind.
3. Newborn Care
Newborn care is not included in all plans and can only be received for a limited number of days after delivery; it may include congenital conditions, lab work, health checks, vaccinations, some doctor’s visits, and more.
4. Congenital Conditions
The most common wish for parents is to have a healthy baby. However, the baby can be born with a congenital condition that was not detected during the pregnancy.
Congenital conditions or birth defects include Down’s Syndrome, Spina Bifida, Cystic Fibrosis, and heart murmurs, among many others.
Ensure you understand which conditions are covered by your plan for newborn care and for how many days.
5. Exclusions
All plans have limitations and exclusions; understanding all the clauses can help limit possible surprises.
For example, some plans do not cover cesarean sections if they are an elective procedure, and will only cover the procedure if recommended by a doctor.
Infertility treatments and procedures like IVF are not usually covered.
Additional Considerations for Dealing with an International Pregnancy
In addition to insurance, there are many other things to consider if you are trying to conceive or are pregnant while living abroad or considering moving abroad.
Thorough research into the host country’s practices and culture is necessary to ensure adequate preparation.
There are numerous online resources, such as forums and blogs, and getting in touch with someone who has undergone prenatal care and the birthing process in your host country will help you be better prepared.
Have a Birth Plan
No matter what the country is, you more than likely will be confronted with some personal, cultural, and religious differences. Having a birth plan is always a good idea.
Inform the hospital staff and ensure they understand what you want and what you do not. Birth plan templates can easily be obtained from your doctor.
They usually include checkboxes to mark your preferences.
Medical Facilities, Birth Practices, and Cultural Differences
Discover your hospital options. Some hospitals or local clinics might not be certified to perform more complicated procedures like cesarean sections.
It is essential to review and understand your health insurance plan coverage to make an enlightened choice of a medical institution.
Birth practices, customs, and beliefs vary substantially from one country to another; therefore, it is essential to be prepared and plan for this carefully.
For example, in the United Arab Emirates, some institutions do not allow your partner to be present in the delivery room.
There is also a bigger push for cesarean sections, as these procedures are more costly than natural birth. In Japan, epidurals are not commonly administered.
If you are counting on this, it will need to be requested in advance, and it may not be easy to obtain outside of working hours.
Some hospitals will ask that the parents bring towels and, in some cases, bed sheets for the duration of the stay, which is usually a minimum of five days and even longer for cesarean delivery.
Germany and some other northern European countries favor holistic approaches and midwifery care as opposed to other countries, where only certified doctors are allowed to deliver babies.
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for a Hospital Tour. Taking a hospital tour before delivery helps you understand the dos and don’ts, familiarize yourself with standard procedures, and reduce stress on the big day.
Language Barriers
Depending on the host country, it might be challenging to find a doctor and medical staff who speak fluent English.
If you encounter a language barrier, it may be beneficial to have someone who speaks the language accompany you or to hire a professional translator to eliminate this stress factor.
Delivering a baby is difficult enough without having to worry about understanding what is going on around you at the same time.
Birth Certificate and US Citizenship
It is essential to research how to obtain a birth certificate in your host country. Some countries may not issue a birth certificate if the parents are not married or if the marriage certificate is not dated prior to conception.
Please bring copies of your marriage certificate. Ensure your child is a U.S. citizen by applying for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA), U.S. passport, and social security number at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.
Ensure you have all the required supporting documents for the application. This should be done as soon as possible after birth, especially if a return to the United States is planned, as a U.S. passport is required to enter or leave the country.
Maternity Insurance and Pregnancy in the USA
The United States is the most expensive country for health care, including maternity and delivery services.
If you plan to become pregnant and deliver your baby in the USA, a high-quality health insurance plan is highly recommended.
Again, you will need to purchase insurance before you get pregnant, or your application will be denied.
Maternity Insurance for Non-US Citizens
The following two plans offer coverage to non-US citizens residing in the USA who wish to obtain maternity benefits, including delivery.
Please note that you are not eligible if you are already pregnant. We strongly recommend that you apply now, before you get pregnant, so you are covered when you need it.
Cigna Global Insurance Plan
- Flexible plans tailored to your needs and budget
- 1.5M+ providers in 200+ countries
- 24/7 multilingual customer support
BCBS Global Solutions Worldwide Premier
- Unlimited annual and lifetime coverage
- Pre-existing conditions covered with prior insurance
- For U.S. citizens abroad or foreign nationals in the U.S.
Be Prepared for Pregnancy; You Are Worth It
Pregnancy and maternity are beautiful and heart-warming life moments that should be experienced with as little stress as possible.
Babies are little miracles and deserve the best possible care. Having an insurance plan in place to cover medical care is a wise decision, especially when life brings you unexpected challenges.
Request a quote today to find a plan tailored to your needs. Our team will help you compare maternity benefits and pregnancy coverage plans from multiple premium providers to find the best plan.
Best Expatriate Medical Plan for Maternity Coverage
The Cigna Global Insurance plan, available to nearly all nationalities and residents worldwide, covers maternity and newborn care under its Gold and Platinum level plans and offers the following benefits.
- Routine maternity care
- Complications from maternity
- Homebirths
- Newborn Care
Again, you must apply before you become pregnant, as the insurer will not accept an application if you are already pregnant.
Find the Best International Medical Insurance
- Compare multiple quotes from top insurers
- Get expert advice at no additional cost
- Find the right plan for your needs and budget
Joe Cronin, President of ICI, is a leading expert in international health, life, and travel insurance. An MBA and founder of multiple global businesses, he helps expatriates and travelers access trusted, comprehensive insurance solutions worldwide.
View
Full Bio
