Health Insurance for New Born Baby
- Author :
- TATA AIG Team
- ●
- Last Updated On :
- 12/02/2024
Newborn babies are delicate and are vulnerable to different health risks. Paediatricians, especially neonatologists, are specialised doctors who treat babies who are unwell and require specialised care.
With a still-developing immune system and bodily processes, infants need the best possible care they can get. Without the right health insurance plan, families can find themselves facing steep medical bills that can strain their finances in such situations.
However, health insurance for infants is usually not available for the first 90 days of their life. Therefore, you need to be aware of the exact scope of coverage and its availability when you buy one.
Today, we are going to talk about health insurance for newborn babies and cover everything that you need to know about it.
What is Health Insurance for a Newborn?
Health insurance for newborn babies is designed to help you manage all costs associated with the treatment and medical care of infants. There are primarily two types of health insurance policies that cover infants:
Family Floater Policy that covers all members of the family, including the baby.
Maternity Insurance that covers the mother and the baby for up to 60 days after delivery.
Infant medical insurance should typically cover expenses such as hospitalisation costs, consultation charges, tests, vaccinations, and specialised care, among other neonatal services.
Why Do You Need Medical Insurance for Your Child
A newborn medical insurance policy or a health insurance policy that includes coverage for your child has the following features:
Care for your newborn: Sometimes, newborns need medical attention and care for a few days before they start the development process.If the policy covers the child from Day 1, then you can be assured of getting your baby the best medical care if needed without having to worry about the costs.
Hospitalisation coverage: If there are any complications and the baby needs to be hospitalised, then the insurance policy will cover all expenses. Hence, you will be able to get the best hospital for the child and the best treatment he/she needs.
Maternity-related coverage: If you are planning to buy a maternity insurance policy that offers prenatal and postnatal expenses, then you get a comprehensive policy that takes care of the costs associated with childbirth and after it too.
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Charges: If the child needs to be placed in a NICU, then the costs can soar as these facilities are costly. The best health insurance for infants ensures that these costs are covered.
Access to medical experts: If you buy a policy from a reputed insurer, then you get access to a network of specialised medical experts. This helps you get expert opinions and make crucial medical decisions.
Different Types of Health Insurance Policies that Cover Newborns
Here is a quick look at the different types of policies that offer coverage for newborns:
Standalone Maternity Cover: This includes prenatal and postnatal expenses. It usually includes the mother and the child and offers coverage for up to 60 days after delivery.
Family Floater Plan: Since these policies include all members of the family, the newborn is included too.
Standalone Newborn Medical Insurance: Some insurers offer policies for newborns. These are not family floater plans. The babies are given coverage as per their unique needs.
Child Health Plans with Newborn Coverage: Many child health insurance plans offer coverage from infancy to adulthood.
Government Health Schemes: The Indian government keeps coming up with various plans and schemes to offer healthcare and financial support to people. These include medical checkups and treatment at highly subsidised costs and insurance plans at affordable rates.
Things to Remember While Buying Health Insurance for Newborn
While the details of a government-backed scheme might vary, here are some things to keep in mind before buying private health insurance for newborn babies:
If you are comfortable with insuring the baby after 90 days, then you can include the child in your insurance policy.
If the mother has opted for a maternity policy or is getting maternity coverage via her insurance plan, then the baby gets coverage too. Make sure to talk to the insurer to understand the scope and extent of the coverage offered to the newborn.
If you are adding your child to your policy, then ensure that you inform the insurer about the birth and understand whether the coverage is being offered from Day 1 or after a cooling period.
You will need a list of documents to get the coverage. This will include the child’s birth certificate, discharge letter from the hospital, etc.
Check the premium offered. Compare insurers to get the most cost-efficient and comprehensive cover for your newborn.
Understand the claims process. Many people prefer the cashless claim settlement option as it does not strain their finances. Make sure that you check the process and the list of network hospitals..
Conclusion
Medical insurance for newborn babies is essential to ensure financial coverage in case your baby requires expert medical care. Additionally, mothers tend to opt for maternity insurance to cover the costs of hospitalisation and medical care associated with childbirth. These policies offer coverage for the mother and the baby for up to 60 days after the delivery.
With Tata AIG, you can opt for a suitable health insurance plan for your child and get access to a wide network of our associated hospitals for quality treatment and healthcare needs for your kids.
FAQS
Do I need newborn health coverage from Day 1? My insurer is not offering standalone newborn insurance, what should I do?
If you have a comprehensive maternity cover that includes newborn coverage, then there is nothing to worry about. This will offer newborn coverage from Day 1 to Day 90. After this period, you will be able to add your child to your policy or purchase a child insurance plan.
Are NICU charges covered by insurance?
While most policies offering coverage for newborns include NICU charges, it is prudent to check with the insurer before buying. Remember, NICU charges are high. Hence, it is important to ensure that they are covered by the policy.
Which insurance is best for a newborn baby?
Typically, a family floater health insurance plan includes maternity cover. Hence, the baby gets coverage from Day 1. Once the child is 90 days old, you can include him/her as a family member under the plan.
Are international healthcare facilities covered by newborn health insurance in India?
While some insurers might offer coverage, others won’t. Hence, it is important to talk to your insurer and understand the policies around it. You can also ask for a list of network hospitals available where you are going.
Disclaimer / TnC
Your policy is subjected to terms and conditions & inclusions and exclusions mentioned in your policy wording. Please go through the documents carefully.