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The short answer is: it depends. Some policies offer a bit of support, while others exclude pregnancy-related treatment altogether unless there’s a complication.
That’s why it’s so important to read the small print and get clear on what’s included before choosing a policy. That’s especially true if you’re already pregnant, as most insurers won’t cover an existing pregnancy.
Does health insurance cover pregnancy?
Pregnancy isn’t usually treated as a medical condition, so it’s often excluded from standard health insurance plans. But there are exceptions. Some providers offer optional maternity cover as an add-on or as part of their more comprehensive plans. Others might cover complications that come up during pregnancy, even if routine antenatal care and childbirth aren’t included.
Some policies also include a few pregnancy-related benefits, or cover complications if they affect your health as the mother. What’s included really does vary, so it’s important to check the details carefully before you buy.
Here’s a general idea of what might be covered:
Pregnancy complications
Some policies will pay for treatment if you develop a complication related to your pregnancy, which might include:
Miscarriage (loss of pregnancy before 20 weeks).
Stillbirth (loss of pregnancy after 20 weeks).
Ectopic pregnancy (when the embryo implants outside the womb).
Molar pregnancy (abnormal tissue growth in the womb).
Retained placenta (when placental tissue remains after birth).
Post-partum haemorrhage (heavy bleeding following childbirth).
Postnatal care
Routine check-ups after the birth aren’t usually covered, but if you need medical treatment because something’s gone wrong, that might be included.
If you’re planning to have a baby in the future and want private health cover, keep an eye out for policies that include specific maternity benefits. Also, make sure you understand any waiting periods that apply as the cover might not be there right away.
Does being pregnant affect my health insurance?
If you already have a health insurance policy and then become pregnant, your cover won’t change. You’ll still be entitled to the same treatment for unrelated illnesses or injuries as before.
That said, most policies won’t cover anything directly related to pregnancy, birth or postnatal care unless it’s classed as a complication. Even then, it depends on the insurer and the policy.
If you’re not sure what’s included in your plan, it’s always a good idea to speak to your insurer and check the details.
Will insurance cover a pregnancy that’s already started?
In most cases, no. If you take out a new policy after becoming pregnant, insurers will almost always class that pregnancy as a pre-existing condition, which means they won’t cover it.
If you choose full medical underwriting, you’ll be asked about your health before your cover starts – and pregnancy will most likely be flagged and excluded.
With moratorium underwriting, they won’t ask you any medical questions at the beginning. But if you make a claim, they’ll look back through your medical records. If you were already pregnant when the policy began, treatment related to that pregnancy probably won’t be covered.
Cover available for newborn babies
If you’re close to having your baby, or you have recently welcomed your newborn, then we have some good news. Some family health insurance policies let you add your baby to your (or your partner’s) health insurance policy to receive cover straight away.
In fact, some providers offer up to three months of free health cover from the baby’s date of birth. They’ll even disregard your baby’s medical history, so no personal exclusions apply. This could be invaluable if you find your new baby requires treatment or surgery.
Plus, if you already have another child on the policy, your newborn could stay covered for free after those first three months – right up until your eldest reaches the maximum age for a child’s policy. This is because some policies only require you to pay for the oldest child on the policy, even if you have several children on the policy.
You may get a maternity cash benefit
Some health insurance policies offer a one-off cash payout when you have a baby. For example, you could get £100 for each birth or adoption, as long as you've had your plan for a certain time, say 10 months.
To claim the benefit, you’ll usually just need to let your insurer know about the birth and meet the policy’s qualifying criteria.
One key thing to look out for is the qualifying period. This is how long you need to have held the policy before getting pregnant in order to receive the cash benefit.
What if I have a pre-existing pregnancy-related condition?
If you had a pregnancy-related complication before taking out your policy, your insurer might class it as a pre-existing condition. In that case, anything linked to it probably won’t be covered later on – even if it flares up in the future. But if a complication develops after you’ve taken out the policy, there’s a good chance your policy will cover it, depending on the terms.
A pre-existing condition could mean:
A temporary exclusion for related treatment, say a couple of years for example.
A permanent exclusion if the condition is ongoing or high-risk.
Standard cover if the condition hasn’t caused any issues for years and is considered resolved.
Some insurers are more flexible than others, so if you’ve got a particular condition, it really is worth comparing and shopping around.
Final tips
Pregnancy cover isn’t usually included as standard – so double check whether it’s part of the plan or something you can potentially add on.
If you’ve got a pregnancy-related condition, comparing insurers could make a big difference.
Keep an eye on qualifying periods and potential exclusions.
If starting a family is on your radar, try to get cover in place well ahead of time so you get all the cover you can from your policy.
Private health insurance can be a great way to get faster access to care, but when it comes to pregnancy, not all policies are created equal. If having maternity cover matters to you, take your time, do your research, and find a plan that supports you through this exciting chapter.