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Childbirth is one of life’s most celebrated milestones, marking new beginnings. While the joy of this chapter is unparalleled, responsibilities behind the scenes, when managed effectively, can truly enhance the experience. We are talking about maternity health coverage, a type of insurance coverage that has become a necessity for expectant parents.
This financial tool can ease physical, mental, and financial burden off the shoulders of parents-to-be and their families. However, finding the right plan has not always been easy.Fortunately, the intersection of digitisation and healthcare has ensured access to right maternity insurance and has made care seamless.
Challenges with traditional maternity health insurance
Before digital healthcare became prominent, maternity insurance was either invisible to the majority of the population or was seen as inadequate. Another group found this coverage inaccessible.
Was it a lack of need? No. Instead, it was rather the result of several underlying gaps that made this product appear impractical. Here’s how:
Long waiting periods
One of the common challenges with the adoption of maternity health insurance was excessively long waiting periods. Most insurance providers imposed a waiting period of more than two years before parents could benefit from the plan. Most found this policy useless unless purchased well in advance.
Low coverage
Another unavoidable challenge was the amount of coverage. While the maximum coverage for maternity-related expenses fell between the range of ₹25,000 and ₹60,000, actual delivery costs in urban hospitals would easily exceed ₹1 lakh. This discrepancy made maternity insurance seem impractical to spend money on.
Paper-heavy claim process
Long and manual paperwork would often discourage potential insurance buyers. Reimbursements typically involved collecting and submitting a stack of documents, filling out forms for hours, and waiting for approval.
Exclusions
Many buyers didn’t realise that maternity insurance was a separate rider altogether and not part of the standard health plan.
Lack of awareness
C-sections, newborn complications, IVF treatments, and vaccinations were sometimes partially excluded or capped, making the maternity policy feel deceptive.
The role of digitisation in maternity insurance: Key highlights
Over the past few years, the insurance landscape has undergone a significant shift, driven largely by technology. Maternity insurance has not kept pace up with digitisation as much as other common types of insurance plans. However, it is slowly but steadily catching up.
Before we discuss how digitisation is changing expectant parents’ approach to maternity coverage, here’s what you need to know: This change is more than just about bringing insurance products to online platforms.
Increased awareness and visibility
Traditionally, health insurance was an agent-driven market. Information was either sales-driven or lacked clarity. Fast forward to today, digital platforms allow families to make informed, smart decisions on their own terms. Customers can:
- Compare policies across multiple providers.
- Interact with live support and chatbots for instant query response.
- Explore educational videos and blogs to understand the products thoroughly.
Instant purchases
Paperless onboarding allows anyone with a smartphone to buy maternity insurance in under a few minutes. This is a significant leap from the old days of forms, signatures, and visits. Customers now can:
- Calculate premiums quickly.
- Access and add riders like IVF coverage, newborn care, room rent upgrades, and vaccination benefits.
- Save policy documents in email or mobile app, accessing them anytime they want.
The convenience factor has opened up the insurance market to a much wider audience.
Seamless claims
One of the most stressful parts of the entire insurance journey is the claim process. During pregnancy, families need ease, not more paperwork. Digitisation in health insurance segment has cut the hassle by ensuring:
- Seamless documentation on apps or websites.
- Digital pre-authorisation at hospitals.
- Online tracking of claim status, payment timelines, and reimbursement.
- Dedicated assistance on chat, email, phone, etc.
Rise of inclusivity and inclusion
What was once perceived as “not worth discussing” has now become a part of health insurance coverage. Digitisation has opened the door for knowledge about insurance and health to reach more people. Today, many insurance providers offer:
- Early support for high-risk pregnancies and multiple births.
- Enhanced coverage for IVF
- Assisted conception
- Telehealth support, postpartum care, and diet counseling.
Redefining maternity insurance with digital tools
The blend of healthcare and technology has always been promising. In health insurance, especially for often underrated plans like maternity coverage, this blend becomes even more meaningful. During the vulnerable time when a new life is about to enter the world and parents must prepare for both anticipated joys and the ‘uncertain,’ maternity insurance serves as a cushion by handling the financial front.
While top health insurance providers now offer all the services and guides through websites and mobile apps, maternity insurance still has miles to cover before it becomes prevalent across Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. There are still gaps, especially in terms of affordability and rural awareness. The real change will begin when buying maternity insurance will no longer feel like an irrelevant task.