Does health insurance cover pregnancy?

Key takeaways

• Standard health insurance typically excludes routine pregnancy, childbirth, and postnatal care, as these are considered ‘natural’ events

• But existing health insurance may cover complications arising during pregnancy

• Being pregnant generally doesn’t affect your existing policy, and insurers can’t deny cover or increase premiums based on pregnancy

Does my private health insurance cover pregnancy?

No, private health insurance policies exclude pregnancy, childbirth, and postnatal care. This is because:

• They are often considered ‘natural’ events rather than medical conditions

• You will be able to get maternity and postnatal care on the NHS

However, your existing health insurance might cover certain complications arising during pregnancy that impact your health beyond the normal course of pregnancy.

What pregnancy complications might be covered by my private health insurance?

It’s best to check your policy documents or speak to your private medical insurance provider to find out exactly what is covered if you’re pregnant but potential pregnancy-related complications they may cover include:

• Miscarriage

• Stillbirth

• Ectopic pregnancy

• Abnormal cell growth in the womb

• Treatment for complications after childbirth, such as a retained placenta or postpartum haemorrhage

• Flare-ups of pre-existing conditions related to pregnancy, provided the treatment aims to return you to your previous state of health

However, pregnancy-related complications might not be covered if it’s a new policy.

How does being pregnant affect my private medical insurance policy?

Being pregnant doesn’t affect you making a claim for medical treatment not related to your pregnancy.

Do I need to tell my insurer I’m pregnant?

Yes, you should inform your insurance company about your pregnancy as some forms of treatment or diagnosis might not be suitable while you’re pregnant. For example, the NHS says that x-rays are not usually recommended during pregnancy, unless it's an emergency.

Will my insurer increase my premium?

No, your insurance company cannot increase your premium solely based on your pregnancy or deny you cover.

Are scans, blood tests, and check-ups covered by my private health insurance?

No. In the UK, standard health insurance generally does not cover scans, blood tests, and additional health checks related to a routine pregnancy. However, you should be offered these by the NHS as part of its maternity care.

Is fertility treatment covered by my private medical insurance?

No, fertility treatments like IVF aren’t generally covered as standard. That’s because your insurer may consider it a ‘lifestyle choice’. But it’s worth checking your health insurance policy, particularly if you have comprehensive cover, or speaking to your insurer.

Can I pay for private maternity care?

Yes, even if your private medical insurance doesn’t cover your pregnancy you could pay a private hospital or private maternity unit for antenatal care or certain private treatments yourself (known as self-pay healthcare).

This could mean you pay for:

• Obstetrician fees

• Consultant fees

• Scans

• Blood tests

• A private room

• A caesarean section

• An epidural

• Physiotherapy

Can my newborn baby be added to my existing health insurance policy?

Yes, newborn babies can usually be added to existing health insurance policies in the UK, but there are some things to keep in mind:

Timing:

• It's highly recommended to add your baby to the policy as soon as possible after birth

• Many insurers offer "Medical History Disregarded" (MHD) underwriting for newborns added within a specific timeframe (often within 90 days of birth). This means any pre-existing health conditions the baby might have are not excluded from cover

• If you wait too long to add your newborn then your insurer might apply standard underwriting. This which means your baby's health will be assessed, and any pre-existing conditions could be excluded from cover and could lead to limitations in their health insurance benefits

Cost:

• Your insurer might offer free cover for a set period of time

• If you already have another child on your family health insurance policy you might only need to pay for them and not your newborn baby

• Your insurer might pay you a cash ‘baby bonus’ when you have a baby or adopt a child under one. You usually need to have had your policy for a certain period of time first (known as the waiting period)

Contact your insurer:

• It's best to contact your health insurance provider directly for their specific process and timelines for adding a newborn to your policy, and to complete any paperwork