Does private healthcare cover pregnancy?
By Alan Boswell Group
Private medical insurance (PMI) is designed to get you back on your feet if you suddenly become ill, but how does it work when you become pregnant?
Whether you have your own PMI policy or have cover as an employee benefit, we look at what you can expect when it comes to PMI and pregnancy.
Can you get private health insurance for pregnancy?
As a general rule, private health insurance does not cover pregnancy. Policies generally don’t cover birth or post-natal care either, so it’s something to bear in mind when you’re weighing up the cost of private medical insurance.
However, you may be covered if certain complications crop up and affect your (the mother’s) health. For example, if you need an emergency caesarean.
In the UK, most babies are born in NHS-run hospitals, midwife-led birthing units, or at home. There are some private birthing facilities, but you’ll usually need to pay for these services separately as PMI doesn’t normally cover them.
What childbirth complications does PMI cover?
Private medical insurance varies by provider, but you can expect to be covered for complications, including:
Pre-eclampsia
Eclampsia
Ectopic pregnancy
Emergency caesarean section
Gestational diabetes
Miscarriage
Retained placenta
Stillbirth
Policies will typically cover both in-patient and day-patient treatment, but details, including any limitations, will be written in your contract.
Does PMI still provide cover after pregnancy?
Pregnancy won’t affect your policy if you already have PMI, and you’ll still be covered for any acute conditions. For example, if you broke a bone and needed treatment and physiotherapy, PMI should cover this (subject to your policy).
Don’t forget that most PMI policies will also cover pregnancy complications such as gestational diabetes and pre-eclampsia. But you won’t be covered for an illness or condition that develops because of an otherwise ‘normal’ pregnancy. For instance, if you develop haemorrhoids or varicose veins, routinely experienced in pregnancy, these may not be treated under PMI.
Does PMI offer a cash payout after the birth of a child?
Some PMI policies will pay out a one-off cash benefit when you have a baby. The amount will depend on your policy, but it could be up to £100 per child.
Can I add a newborn to an existing PMI policy?
This will depend on your provider, but some will let you add a newborn for no extra cost (either for a limited number of days or until your policy is renewed).
FAQs
Does any private health insurance cover pregnancy?
Private medical insurance doesn’t normally cover pregnancy, birth, or post-natal care. But you should be covered if any complications affect your health – for example, miscarriage or pre-eclampsia. Policies typically cover emergency c-sections, too.
Is pregnancy a medical condition for insurance?
Pregnancy isn’t classed as a medical condition from an insurance perspective, and you typically won’t be covered unless there are complications.
Does PMI cover termination?
Broadly, PMI doesn’t cover termination, but it’s worth double-checking your policy to find out if there are any exceptions – for example, it may be covered if continuing with a pregnancy would have a devastating impact on your health.
Does PMI cover fertility treatment?
PMI policies generally won’t cover fertility treatment, although some may offer limited options. For instance, you may be entitled to consultations to find out the reasons for infertility but not be covered for any treatment (such as IVF).
Help choosing your PMI options
While PMI doesn’t cover routine pregnancies, it can help you quickly access treatment and care should the unexpected happen (whether you’re pregnant or not).
You can also expect a choice of hospitals, enabling you to arrange care close to home. Facilities in a private hospital may also be more comfortable compared to those in a general ward. Nevertheless, with the number of options and providers available, choosing a policy can take time and effort.
Looking for private medical insurance?
Speak to a member of our medical insurance team for tailored advice.