Pregnancy and childbirth are predictable enough to plan — but insurance cover is often timing-sensitive. With international private medical insurance (IPMI), maternity benefits can come with waiting periods, underwriting rules, and pre-authorisation steps that affect what is payable. Those mechanics vary not only by insurer and plan, but sometimes by your country of residence and the policy’s issuing entity. This guide explains how IPMI maternity cover typically works for expats, how to compare local vs international options, and how to plan your purchase timing without assuming pregnancy is always covered.
If you’re planning a family abroad (or want the option), these are the practical essentials to confirm early:
- Whether maternity is included by default or only available as an add-on / higher tier.
- The waiting period length and when it starts (policy start date vs add-on selection date).
- Whether the waiting period varies by issuing entity or country of residence (some insurers explicitly state it can).[4]
- How “routine maternity” vs “complications” are defined in your policy wording (definitions vary).[8]
- Whether delivery requires pre-authorisation and how far in advance you should request it.[5]
- Your newborn enrolment window, documents needed, and whether newborn underwriting may apply.[4]
- Waiting periods are the main constraint: maternity benefits often only become available after a defined membership period, which can vary by plan and sometimes by issuing entity/country of residence.[4]
- “Maternity” isn’t one standard package: routine prenatal care, delivery, complications, and post-natal elements may sit in different benefit buckets and have different limits.[8]
- Pre-authorisation is a workflow: for planned admissions, insurers often require you to contact them in advance; missing this step can affect payment outcomes.[5]
- Newborn cover is time-sensitive: adding a baby often involves strict enrolment windows and may trigger underwriting depending on circumstances.[4]
- Local vs IPMI is a fit question: local cover can align well with one system; IPMI can support mobility — but the fine print (definitions, network reality, billing) decides your experience.
- Plan ahead, don’t assume: many insurer materials describe typical maternity elements, but they also caution that coverage varies and you should check the fine print for your specific plan.[8]
- Why maternity cover matters in IPMI
- Waiting periods and underwriting considerations
- What maternity benefits include (prenatal care, delivery, newborn cover)
- Optional benefits (fertility, post-natal care)
- Comparing local vs international maternity cover
- Planning timelines (when to buy)
- Broker’s role
Why maternity cover matters in IPMI
Maternity is one of the clearest examples of why IPMI is more than a benefits table. Pregnancy and childbirth are predictable life events, but the way insurers structure maternity benefits is designed around predictability. That’s why IPMI maternity cover often involves waiting periods, defined benefit limits, and admin steps that matter at the exact moment you need them.
If you’re living abroad, there are three practical realities to plan around:
- Healthcare reality: how maternity care is organised locally, how early you need to book providers, and what “standard” looks like in your country.
- Billing reality: whether the hospital expects deposits, how itemised invoices are issued, and whether the provider will bill your insurer directly.
- Policy reality: waiting periods, definitions (routine vs complications), pre-authorisation requirements, and newborn enrolment rules.
Insurers themselves signal how much these constraints can vary. For example, Allianz describes maternity benefits as included on certain plans, with a stated waiting period in its planning-a-family guidance.[1] Now Health describes routine maternity care on higher-tier cover after a stated waiting period.[2] Bupa materials show different waiting periods in different product contexts (illustrating plan variation).[3] And Cigna’s plan details page explicitly warns that waiting periods may be longer depending on the insurance entity — which is another way of saying: your country of residence and issuing entity can change the rules even under the same brand.[4]
In IPMI, maternity is typically time-gated. Many policies only pay maternity benefits after a waiting period. Some insurers also warn that waiting periods can vary by issuing entity.[4]
“Maternity” may include routine prenatal care, delivery, complications and post-natal elements — but the split, limits and requirements vary. Insurers themselves advise checking the fine print.[8]
Newborn cover often has strict enrolment windows and may involve underwriting depending on circumstances. Treat the newborn process as a time-critical step, not an afterthought.[4]
- Maternity benefit: the policy section that may cover pregnancy-related costs. Scope can include routine prenatal care, delivery and sometimes post-natal elements; insurers often caution that coverage varies by plan and you should check the fine print.[8]
- Waiting period: a defined period after policy start (or add-on activation) during which maternity benefits are not payable. Some insurers publish waiting periods and also warn that they can vary by issuing entity or plan design.[4]
- Pre-authorisation: the insurer’s approval process in advance of certain treatment categories. Some insurer materials explain that failure to obtain required pre-authorisation can affect the benefit payable or claims outcome.[5]
- Routine prenatal vs complications: many policies distinguish routine maternity care from complications; what counts as a covered complication is insurer-specific. Some insurers advise checking the fine print because coverage differs.[8]
- Congenital conditions: conditions present at birth. Handling can depend on newborn enrolment timing, underwriting and policy definitions (verify in policy wording).
- Newborn underwriting: the insurer’s process for adding a baby as a member and assessing risk; some insurers state the newborn may be required to be medically underwritten.[4]
- Moratorium vs full medical underwriting: two underwriting approaches (varies by insurer/product). Moratorium typically applies a “lookback + exclusion period” for pre-existing conditions; full medical underwriting assesses history upfront and confirms terms at outset.
- “Reasonable and customary”: a reimbursement concept used by insurers to cap payable amounts to typical charges. Now Health defines this as the standard fee that would typically be made for treatment in that location.[5]
- Network vs out-of-network: network providers have insurer arrangements that may support direct billing; out-of-network claims may be reimbursed (if eligible) but often with more paperwork and potential charge limits (verify your plan rules).
Waiting periods and underwriting considerations
If you want to understand IPMI maternity cover abroad, start with the “clock”. In many international policies, maternity benefits are designed to become available only after you’ve been insured for a defined period. Insurer documentation often lists waiting periods explicitly, and in some cases warns that the period can change depending on the issuing entity (which can correlate with your country of residence).[4]
Waiting periods: what the market looks like (and why it varies)
Across major international insurers, published maternity waiting periods often fall in a broad range. Bupa materials illustrate plan variation by showing maternity cover after different timeframes in different contexts (for example, 10 months in one product context and 18 months in another).[3] Allianz describes a waiting period for maternity benefits in its planning guidance.[1] Now Health describes routine maternity care after a waiting period in its WorldCare overview for a higher-tier plan.[2] Cigna’s plan details page describes maternity benefits becoming available after 12 months, but explicitly adds that waiting periods may be 24 months depending on the insurance entity.[4]
The safe takeaway is not “the waiting period is X”. It’s: waiting periods vary by insurer, plan design, and sometimes by issuing entity/country of residence — so you need to verify your exact clock before you rely on maternity benefits.[4]
| Benefit area | Common ranges seen in the market | Typical restrictions and “gotchas” to watch |
|---|---|---|
| Routine maternity (prenatal + delivery) | Often around 10–24 months depending on plan/entity[4] | May only be available on higher tiers or as an add-on. Some insurers warn that the waiting period can be 24 months depending on the insurance entity.[4] Confirm what starts the clock (policy start date vs add-on date) and whether upgrades reset eligibility. |
| Complications of pregnancy/childbirth | Often aligned to the maternity waiting period (plan-specific)[1] | Definitions vary widely. The policy may treat complications inside the maternity benefit, or separately (sometimes with separate sub-limits). Don’t assume “complications” are covered if routine maternity isn’t yet eligible. |
| Pre-authorisation-related inpatient events | Not a waiting period, but a process trigger | Many insurers require pre-authorisation for inpatient / planned treatment categories. Some insurer materials note that missing required pre-authorisation can affect benefits (for example, limiting payment to reasonable and customary charges or impacting claims outcome).[5] |
| Newborn cover / adding a baby | Varies (often based on enrolment window + underwriting rules) | Strict enrolment windows are common. Some insurers state the newborn may be required to be medically underwritten depending on circumstances.[4] Confirm interim cover, the cut-off date, and what happens if you miss it. |
The table above is intentionally general. It’s based on public insurer guidance showing different waiting periods and entity-dependent rules. Your exact terms depend on your policy wording, issuing entity, and sometimes your country of residence.[4]
Underwriting: what can change your real coverage
IPMI is typically medically underwritten at application (or uses another underwriting approach depending on the product). Underwriting is the insurer’s process to decide whether to offer cover and on what terms. You might be accepted on standard terms, accepted with restrictions, or declined.
Importantly, maternity planning isn’t only about the pregnancy itself. Underwriting and policy definitions affect how related claims are assessed: what the insurer considers pre-existing, what it considers routine vs complication, and what documentation it expects. This is not something to guess — it’s something to clarify in writing.
Upgrade/plan-change rules: the overlooked detail
Many expats buy an entry-tier plan and assume they can “upgrade into maternity” later. Sometimes you can upgrade — but improved maternity benefits may only apply after completing a waiting period at the new tier. Cigna’s published policy rules for one UK policy set include an example of how plan upgrades interact with maternity waiting periods (the details are policy-specific, but the principle is common).[6]
If maternity matters to you, treat it as a design choice at purchase — not a future upgrade problem. Even when upgrades are possible, eligibility clocks and benefit limits can make last-minute changes ineffective for a near-term pregnancy.
Fast checklist: what to confirm about your waiting period
- Exact maternity waiting period for your plan and issuing entity (ask for written confirmation if unclear).[4]
- When the waiting period starts (policy start date vs add-on selection date).
- Whether the waiting period differs by country of residence / issuing entity (some insurers explicitly say it can).[4]
- Whether being pregnant at start affects eligibility (policy-specific).
- Whether plan upgrades restart the maternity clock or restrict benefits for a period (policy-specific; often yes in some form).[6]
What maternity benefits include (prenatal care, delivery, newborn cover)
“Maternity” is not a universal bundle. Even within one insurer’s product range, maternity can be positioned as a higher-tier benefit, an optional add-on, or a defined set of sub-benefits with separate caps. Some insurer guidance describes typical maternity care elements — while also warning that coverage differs and you should check the fine print.[8]
What “maternity” often includes (high-level)
Cigna’s general expat guidance describes maternity plans as usually covering elements such as prenatal and postnatal check-ups, complications during pregnancy and delivery, childbirth, and newborn care — but explicitly notes that coverage differs and you should check the fine print.[8] That’s a useful checklist of categories, not a guarantee that your plan includes them.
Often includes routine check-ups and monitoring associated with pregnancy, subject to limits and definitions. In some plans, prenatal costs may sit under maternity benefits only; in others they may link to outpatient benefits if maternity isn’t included (policy-specific).
Often treated as an inpatient event with potential pre-authorisation requirements and network/billing implications. Planned admissions are where admin steps matter most, especially where direct billing is expected.
Often time-sensitive. Insurers may define newborn benefits and may require enrolment within a set window. Some insurers warn newborns may be medically underwritten depending on circumstances.[4]
Prenatal care: routine vs complications (the definition trap)
From an insurance perspective, the most important distinction is whether a cost is treated as routine maternity or complication-related care. Policies often define these differently, and insurers frequently caution that coverage differs and you should check the fine print for your plan.[8]
Practically, this matters because the benefit limit, waiting period, and claim route can change depending on the classification. If you want fewer surprises, ask the insurer (in writing if possible) how they classify:
- Routine pregnancy appointments and monitoring
- Additional investigations requested due to symptoms or risk concerns
- Hospital admissions during pregnancy
- Delivery-related inpatient care
You’re not asking for medical advice. You’re asking for policy classification rules.
Delivery: the billing and pre-authorisation reality
Delivery is commonly the most expensive component, and it’s usually a planned inpatient event. That means your insurer may require pre-authorisation, and the hospital may ask for confirmation of payment arrangements. Now Health’s member handbook explains that pre-authorisation is required for certain categories (including inpatient treatment and planned surgery), and warns that failure to obtain pre-authorisation can affect benefits (including limiting payment to reasonable and customary charges or impacting claims outcome).[5]
In practice, you should assume that your insurer will want:
- Provider/hospital details and expected admission date(s)
- Estimated costs (where available)
- Clinical documentation (referral letters or reports, depending on the insurer’s process)
- Confirmation of whether the facility is in-network (and whether direct billing is possible)
Even with in-network hospitals, direct billing can be partial (for example, hospital charges billed directly but clinician fees billed separately). That’s not “wrong” — it’s how billing works in some countries. The way to manage it is to ask early what you may need to pay upfront and reclaim.
Newborn cover: what “coverage” can mean
Newborn cover is where terminology causes confusion. In insurer materials, “newborn cover” can refer to:
- A defined newborn benefit category (with its own rules and limits)
- Interim cover for a short period after birth (policy-specific)
- The process of adding the baby as an insured member (often with strict timelines and possible underwriting)
Bupa’s plan comparison materials include a specific “newborn care benefit” and note that it is paid instead of any other benefit — a signal that newborn costs may be handled through a dedicated benefit logic rather than “automatic full cover”.[9] Cigna’s plan details page states that “the newborn may be required to be medically underwritten”.[4] And Now Health’s handbook includes newborn cover wording and conditions tied to enrolment timing and premium payment, reinforcing that newborn admin is time-sensitive.[7]
Don’t treat “newborn cover” as a single promise. Treat it as a set of rules: (1) what’s covered in the immediate period after birth, (2) how to enrol the baby, (3) whether underwriting applies, and (4) what happens if you miss the enrolment window. Your insurer can usually confirm the steps, but the burden is on you to act within the required timeframe.[4]
What documents you may need for maternity/newborn admin
- Policy number and member ID details
- Provider details (hospital/clinic, treating clinician)
- Estimated costs (if the hospital provides them)
- Clinical letters/reports the insurer requests for pre-authorisation (policy-specific)
- Birth notification or birth certificate (or local equivalent)
- Newborn enrolment form (if required) and confirmation of premium/payment
Requirements vary by insurer and country. Use your insurer portal/member services to confirm the current list and submission route.
Optional benefits (fertility, post-natal care)
Optional benefits are where it’s easiest to over-assume. If something is described as “optional” or “available on higher tiers”, treat it as a separate coverage decision. That means verifying eligibility, waiting periods, sub-limits and exclusions — and making sure you’re not relying on a benefit that isn’t in your chosen tier.
Fertility and assisted reproduction (if offered)
Some international plans offer fertility-related benefits, but these are often tightly defined and may be subject to separate limits and exclusions. Because this is highly insurer- and policy-specific, the most reliable approach is to request the exact policy wording (or benefits schedule) and verify:
- Whether fertility is included at all (or only as an add-on)
- Which services are covered and which are excluded
- Any waiting periods that apply (which may differ from general outpatient waiting periods)
- Pre-authorisation requirements (often more likely for higher-cost treatment categories)
- Whether benefit limits are annual, lifetime, or per treatment cycle (policy-specific)
This guide does not provide medical advice. For health decisions, rely on your clinicians. For coverage decisions, rely on the policy wording and insurer confirmations.
Post-natal care: what it might include (and what to verify)
Post-natal cover varies. Some policies include limited post-natal check-ups as part of maternity benefits; others may treat post-natal appointments under outpatient benefits. Cigna’s expat maternity guidance mentions postnatal check-ups as part of what maternity plans usually cover — but again notes that coverage differs and you should check the fine print.[8]
The practical questions to ask are:
- Is post-natal care covered under maternity benefits only, or also under outpatient benefits?
- Is there a time limit (for example, only within a defined period after delivery)?
- Are there sub-limits for post-natal appointments, tests, or follow-up services?
- Does anything require pre-authorisation?
- Ask the insurer to point you to the exact policy section describing the benefit (not a brochure summary).
- Confirm limits, sub-limits and whether the benefit is subject to a waiting period.
- Confirm any pre-authorisation requirement (especially for higher-cost services).[5]
- Ask what documentation is required for claims (and whether network use is required for full benefit).
Comparing local vs international maternity cover
The decision is rarely “local is better” or “IPMI is better”. It’s about fit: your mobility, your timeline, your budget, and how much you want one policy to work across borders.
Where local cover can fit well
Local private insurance (and in some countries, statutory health systems) can align tightly with local maternity pathways. If you’re settled long-term in one place, local cover may offer:
- Access aligned to one healthcare system and one set of provider norms
- Billing processes that local hospitals expect
- Potentially simpler provider navigation if you’re fully inside that system
The trade-off is that portability can be limited. If you move countries, you may need to reapply, restart waiting periods, or switch systems.
Where IPMI can fit well
IPMI is built for people living outside their home country, potentially across multiple countries over time. In maternity planning terms, IPMI can be useful when:
- You want cover that can remain in place when you relocate (subject to area-of-cover rules)
- You prefer a central insurer workflow for pre-authorisation and claims support
- You need multi-country access rather than one-country alignment
But IPMI maternity is easiest to misunderstand. Insurer materials show that waiting periods and benefit availability can vary by plan and sometimes by issuing entity. Cigna explicitly warns that waiting periods may be 24 months depending on the insurance entity (even where the headline might suggest 12).[4] Bupa materials show that maternity waiting periods can differ across product contexts (illustrating that you must verify your chosen plan).[3]
| Decision factor | Local maternity cover (typical strengths) | IPMI maternity cover (typical strengths) |
|---|---|---|
| Portability | Often limited to one country/system | Designed for international living (subject to area of cover) |
| Waiting periods | Depends on local regulations/market norms | Often explicit; can vary by plan and issuing entity[4] |
| Admin workflow | May be simpler inside one system | Often structured around pre-authorisation and insurer processes[5] |
| Network/billing | Local networks may align with local provider billing | Network can support direct billing, but billing practices vary by country/provider (verify) |
| Newborn process | Varies locally | Often time-sensitive enrolment; some insurers warn newborn underwriting may apply[4] |
A practical comparison framework (what to test before you decide)
Use this as your “commercial investigation” checklist. It’s designed to keep you out of assumptions.
- Is maternity included, optional, or only available on higher tiers?
- What is the waiting period and when does it start?
- Does the waiting period vary by issuing entity/country of residence?[4]
- How are routine prenatal costs treated (maternity benefit vs outpatient benefit)?
- How are complications defined and handled?[8]
- What are the limits (per pregnancy, per year, sub-limits for scans/tests)?
- What requires pre-authorisation (especially delivery/admissions)?[5]
- Is your preferred hospital in-network and will it direct bill for maternity?
- If out-of-network, how is reimbursement calculated (reasonable and customary caps)?[5]
- What is the newborn process (deadline, documents, cover start date)?[7]
- Could the newborn be medically underwritten?[4]
- What are the key exclusions that affect maternity decisions (policy-specific)?
If you want a broader IPMI comparison framework (beyond maternity), BIG’s long guides can help: IPMI Abroad: The Guide to Getting Health Cover Right Before You Move and Choosing the Right Insurer for International Health Insurance.
Planning timelines (when to buy)
With maternity insurance (including IPMI maternity benefits), timing is the strategy. The core reason is simple: maternity benefits commonly have waiting periods, and insurers sometimes warn those waiting periods can differ by issuing entity (which can correlate with country of residence).[4]
That doesn’t mean you should rush into buying a policy you don’t understand. It means that if maternity matters, you should design your cover early enough that the waiting period is satisfied before you need to claim — and verify how the clock works for your plan.
Planning timeline (text-based)
Pre-conception (ideally 12–24+ months before expected delivery) • Compare local vs IPMI; confirm whether maternity is included or optional. • Confirm maternity waiting period and what starts the clock (policy start vs add-on date). • Verify whether waiting period differs by issuing entity/country of residence. [4] • Map preferred hospitals/clinics and check network reality (and likely billing route). Pregnancy (early) • Contact insurer member services/maternity team for the maternity workflow. • Confirm what requires pre-authorisation (planned admissions often do). [5] • Confirm how routine prenatal vs complications are defined and documented. [8] Pregnancy (mid / booking phase) • Confirm delivery provider/hospital and whether direct billing is available. • Request any insurer documents required for hospital booking. • Clarify what you may need to pay upfront (deposits, clinician fees, non-network billing). Delivery • Ensure pre-authorisation is in place where required. [5] • Keep copies of authorisations, invoices and any hospital admission paperwork. Post-natal • Confirm what post-natal follow-up is covered and which benefit bucket it falls under. [8] • Submit claims promptly with the required documentation. Adding newborn (time-sensitive) • Follow the insurer’s enrolment window and document requirements. [7] • Confirm whether newborn underwriting may apply (policy-specific). [4]
Common pitfalls (and how to avoid them)
This is the short section many people wish they’d read earlier. Most maternity “insurance problems” abroad are not medical problems. They’re admin, timing, and expectation problems.
- Buying too late: if the waiting period is not satisfied, maternity benefits may not be payable for that pregnancy. Cigna explicitly notes that waiting periods can differ by insurance entity, so “I’ll buy it now” can still mean different clocks depending on your setup.[4]
- Assuming travel insurance equals maternity insurance: travel cover is typically designed for emergencies, not routine prenatal care and planned delivery. Verify scope, not labels.
- Misreading “routine vs complications”: insurers caution that coverage differs and fine print matters. If you don’t know how your policy defines complications, you can’t predict how claims will be assessed.[8]
- Network vs out-of-network surprises: even in-network hospitals may not direct bill every clinician. Clarify likely out-of-pocket portions and reimbursement rules (including reasonable and customary concepts).[5]
- Pre-authorisation timing: Now Health explains that pre-authorisation is required for certain categories and missing it can affect benefits. Don’t leave planned admissions to the last minute.[5]
- Newborn enrolment delays: newborn cover often depends on strict time windows and enrolment conditions; some insurers also warn newborn underwriting may apply. Put the deadline in your calendar.[4]
- At purchase: record policy start date + maternity waiting period end date.
- At booking: confirm whether your delivery provider/hospital is in-network and how billing works.
- Before delivery: confirm pre-authorisation is approved (if required) and keep the reference/confirmation.[5]
- On birth: set a reminder for newborn enrolment deadlines and document requirements.[7]
Mini-script: what to ask your insurer’s member services / maternity case management team
Use the contact details on your member card or insurer portal. Keep your questions process-focused, and ask for confirmation in writing if the answer affects major decisions.
- “Can you confirm whether my plan includes maternity benefits, and whether they cover routine maternity, complications, or both?”[1]
- “What is the maternity waiting period for my specific plan and issuing entity, and when does it start?”[4]
- “Does my country of residence affect the waiting period or benefit availability?”[4]
- “Which maternity-related services require pre-authorisation, and how far in advance should I request it for a planned admission?”[5]
- “How do you define routine prenatal care vs complications for claims assessment?”[8]
- “Are maternity benefits paid per pregnancy or per insurance year, and what happens if the pregnancy spans renewal?”
- “Is my intended hospital in-network, and will you direct bill for maternity? If not, what should I expect to pay upfront?”
- “What is the newborn enrolment process: deadline, documents, when cover starts, and whether underwriting applies?”[4][7]
If you’re told “it depends”, ask: “Depends on what exactly — policy wording, issuing entity, provider billing, or medical documentation?” That usually reveals where you need written confirmation.
Broker’s role
A broker can’t change an insurer’s underwriting decision or rewrite policy terms. What we can do is help you avoid buying the wrong structure for your timeline — and help you verify the points that most often cause claim friction.
Where broker support typically changes outcomes
- Plan structure clarity: whether maternity is included, optional, or only at higher tiers — and how the waiting period clock works for your plan.
- Entity/country-of-residence checks: some insurers explicitly warn that waiting periods can vary by insurance entity. We can help you identify what you need to verify before you rely on benefits.[4]
- Definition checks: what your policy treats as routine maternity vs complications (and what documentation is typically required).[8]
- Process planning: pre-authorisation workflow, likely network/billing realities in your target city, and a practical newborn enrolment plan.[5]
- Comparing like-for-like: limits, sub-limits and exclusions across options — without relying on brochure language.
If you already have IPMI, we can also help you review your existing policy and assemble a “maternity verification sheet”: the key answers you want from the insurer in writing (waiting periods, definitions, pre-authorisation triggers, and newborn process).
Even when a policy includes maternity, claims outcomes depend on the policy wording, benefit limits, definitions, insurer procedures, provider billing practices, and your individual circumstances. The goal of planning is not to guarantee outcomes — it’s to reduce avoidable surprises.
Get Started
If you’re weighing local vs international options, or trying to align cover with a pregnancy timeline, start with a structured comparison — not a rushed purchase. BIG supports internationally mobile Individuals & Families with practical plan comparisons and admin planning.
When you’re ready, you can request a quote and a like-for-like comparison here: https://big-brokers-health.com/quote/. If you want quick answers on common IPMI questions first, you can also check BIG’s FAQ.
Points to verify
- Whether maternity is included by default or only as an add-on
- Waiting period length and when it starts (policy start vs benefit add-on date)
- Whether waiting periods vary by insurer, policy issuing entity, and country of residence (some insurers explicitly say they can)[4]
- Definitions: routine maternity vs complications; what counts as a covered complication[8]
- Pre-authorisation requirements and thresholds for delivery/hospitalisation; consequences of not obtaining required pre-authorisation[5]
- Benefit limits (annual caps, per-pregnancy caps, and sub-limits for scans/tests)
- Provider network access and whether direct billing applies for maternity (and which fees may still be billed separately)
- Fertility/assisted reproduction coverage, if any, and related exclusions
- Newborn cover: automatic days of cover (if any), enrolment windows, underwriting, and congenital condition handling (policy-specific)[4][7]
- Documentation requirements and claim timelines (including what the insurer expects from providers)
- Policy version / effective date: confirm you’re relying on current terms, especially if you reside in a market where policy rules are updated periodically[4][6]
If a point materially affects your decision, ask for the answer in writing (email or portal message) and keep it with your policy documents.
