Giving birth overseas is a big decision and whether you are planning a child or not, if there is a chance you could fall pregnant you should arrange maternity cover. Expat Choice catches up with Natalie Drummond, Private Client Advisor at Expat Insurance to discuss Maternity insurance for expats living in Singapore.
Question: Can I get Maternity insurance for myself and my unborn child once I fall pregnant?
Natalie: Unlike in your home country, you can be charged a lot for maternity care overseas, sometimes tens of thousands of dollars. We are often contacted by expats who are already pregnant, at which point it is too late to get cover for your delivery, but we do have solutions for your new born. The best course of action is to purchase a comprehensive plan, or an international health insurance plan which offers maternity cover well before falling pregnant. Plans can differ greatly so it’s important to understand what level of cover you need.
Question: Is pregnancy by assisted means such as IVF and IUI covered by Maternity insurance in Singapore?
Natalie: Assisted conception not only means IVF and IUI but any vaccination or medication that induces ovulation. Most insurers in Singapore will exclude new born cover for babies born via assisted means for the first 90 days, but we can discuss the options. This means that you are at financial risk for the first 90 days of your baby’s life if baby is born prematurely or is in need of medical care in this period. Insurers may also cap any cover for complications to mum, if the pregnancy is as a result of assisted conception.
Question: How much will my pregnancy, delivery and post-natal care cost in Singapore?
Natalie: Singapore is among the most expensive places to give birth overseas without insurance. According to the Singapore Ministry of Health, giving birth in Singapore and staying in a ward for three days can cost between SGD$4,000 and SGD$12,000.
For a C-section, you might expect to pay SGD$20,000 – and complications to mother or baby hike that bill up even further to SGD$150,000 +. You could encounter costs at any stage of the pregnancy; from pre-natal care to aftercare for yourself and your baby. This is why it is vital that you buy an international medical insurance plan that includes the costs of maternity and childbirth, if there is any chance you could become pregnant while living overseas.
Question: What factors should I consider when purchasing my Maternity insurance?
Natalie: The five key factors to consider when purchasing Maternity cover are;
Waiting periods – This is the length of time you must wait between purchasing your policy and making a claim. For pregnancy cover this is usually 12 months, but can be as long as 24 months.
Plan limits – Some maternity plans have a limit on the level of cover they provide. For example some plans may only pay part of the procedure, leaving you to pay the rest of the costs.
Complications – Complications during childbirth can seriously increase the cost of care. You should establish whether your plan covers complications.
Co-insurance – This means that the cost for any treatment is shared between yourself and your insurer. For example you could pay 10 percent of any charges while your insurer pays 90 percent of them. This is a good way to lower your premiums providing you are willing to pay towards the cost of care.
Fertility treatment – is it covered and what effect will this have on other benefits?
Whether you are living abroad and there is a chance you could become pregnant, or you are already pregnant and wondering how to cover your new born from birth; contact the expert team of international medical insurance advisors at Expat Insurance who are there to guide you through your options.
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