FAQs about Maternity Insurance for Expats in Singapore
Expats often wonder about what coverage they would get from maternity insurance in Singapore, how much it would cost, which plans are the best, and whether the protection would be worth the money. In this Pacific Prime article, we answer all of these burning questions.
For expats looking to start a family in Singapore, maternity insurance can give you the peace of mind you need, with coverage from your prenatal checkup all the way to the care for your newborn. Familiarize yourself with some common FAQs about maternity insurance here.
What Does Maternity Insurance Cover in Singapore?
Maternity insurance can cover you and your baby from prenatal checkups all the way to childbirth and postnatal checkups. However, do note that, in Singapore, some local maternity plans may cover you and your baby for pregnancy complications and congenital diseases only.
Maternity insurance in Singapore primarily provides extra protection in case of pregnancy complications and congenital diseases for the newborns. This means they usually do not cover prenatal checkups, delivery, and other expenses related to normal childbirth, including hospitalization.
However, for maternity coverage under international health insurance plans, you can expect coverage such as:
- Doctor consultations
- Pre- and post-natal treatments and examinations
- Medically prescribed cesarean section
- Normal delivery
- Complications from pregnancy and childbirth
- Hospitalization
- Care of your newborn child
- Congenital birth defects
Therefore, it is crucial for expats to review their plans carefully before commencing the purchase.
Is Maternity Insurance in Singapore Worth It?
Considering a delivery and a stay in a maternity ward, excluding other costs related to prenatal checkups, can cost up to SGD $12,547 in a private hospital and up to SGD$1,757 in a public hospital, a good maternity insurance plan can be very much worth it.
Singaporeans and permanent residents of Singapore can utilize MediSave to cover prenatal checkups and child delivery under the MediSave Maternity Package. For expats, however, you may need maternity insurance to cover the cost for you.
Can Foreigners Buy Maternity Insurance in Singapore?
Foreign expats can purchase maternity insurance in Singapore. However, you should note down the waiting period of your plan. Most maternity insurance plans have an extensive waiting period. If you are already pregnant, you may not be able to purchase a maternity plan for your current pregnancy.
What Is the Waiting Period for Maternity Insurance in Singapore?
Most maternity insurance plans in Singapore come with a 10- to 24-month waiting period. Therefore, it is strongly advised to purchase your maternity insurance (or maternity rider) well beforehand if you are planning to start a family in Singapore.
For local maternity insurance that offers protection against complications only, the expecting mother can purchase a plan from week 13 of pregnancy onwards.
Which Is the Best Maternity Insurance for Foreigners in Singapore?
Cigna, Allianz, AXA, and VUMI are well-known top insurers that provide leading health insurance plans with maternity coverage in Singapore. Which plan works best will vary depending on your needs and budget, but here are some examples from our top insurers:
Allianz Bloom and Bloom Plus Plans
Allianz’s Bloom and Bloom Plus plans offer comprehensive global maternity coverage for clients who have purchased their main policy under the Care Pro or Care Plus plans. Bloom and Bloom Plus Plans are optional riders and can’t be purchased separately.
Bloom and Bloom Plus plans have a waiting period of 16 months.
| Bloom and Bloom Plus Plans at a Glance | ||
| Benefits | Bloom | Bloom Plus |
| Routine maternity (inpatient and outpatient) | US$6,750/pregnancy | US$ 13,500/pregnancy |
| Complications of childbirth | US$13,500 | US$20,250 |
*This table provides a quick comparison only. For more detailed benefits and terms and conditions, please refer to the official website or contact our insurance advisor.
Cigna Global Health Maternity Benefits
Cigna Global Health Options provides maternity coverage for policyholders under their Gold and Platinum plans. Coverage includes both routine maternity and complications from pregnancy, as well as the homebirth option.
Cigna Global has a waiting period of 12 months for maternity coverage. For treatment in Hong Kong or Singapore, the mother has to be a beneficiary under the policy for a continuous period of at least 24 months or more for the benefits to be available.
| Cigna Global Health Options at a Glance | |||
| Benefits | Silver Plan | Gold Plan | Platinum Plan |
| Routine maternity care | ⤬ | US$ 7,000 | US$14,000 |
| Complications from maternity | ⤬ | US$14,000 | US$28,000 |
| Homebirths | ⤬ | US$500 | US$1,100 |
| Newborn Care*
*Medical underwriting might be required |
$25,000 up to 90 days | US$75,000 up to 90 days | US$156,000 up to 90 days |
| Pre-natal and post-natal care*
*Available under the International Outpatient add-on |
⤬ | US$3,500 | US$7,000 |
*This table provides a quick comparison only. For more detailed benefits and terms and conditions, please refer to the official website or contact our insurance advisor.
AXA International Prestige and Prestige Plus Maternity Benefits
AXA offers international maternity coverage under their international Prestige and Prestige Plus plans. Expectant mothers can avail themselves of specific maternity support, such as prenatal and postnatal support, newborn checkups, and baby-inclusive policies on top of their routine coverage.
A waiting period applies for AXA Prestige and Prestige Plus plans’ maternity benefits.
| AXA Prestige and Prestige Plus Plans at a Glance | ||
| Benefits | Prestige | Prestige Plus |
| Routine pregnancy and childbirth | US$ 16,000 | US$19,200 |
*This table provides a quick comparison only. For more detailed benefits and terms and conditions, please refer to the official website or contact our insurance advisor.
VUMI Global Flex VIP Maternity Benefits
Policyholders of VUMI Global Flex VIP Superior, Ultra, and Total can avail themselves of maternity coverage, including maternity care, newborn cover, and maternity and birth complications.
Maternity care coverage and maternity and birth complications coverage are subject to a 12-month waiting period.
| VUMI Global Flex VIP at a Glance | |||
| Benefits | VIP Superior | VIP Ultra | VIP Total |
| Maternity and birth complications | Up to the maximum benefit | Up to the maximum benefit | Up to the maximum benefit |
| Maternity care | US$12,500 | US$15,000 | US$20,000 |
| Newborn cover | US$ 100,000 | US$125,000 | US$150,000 |
*This table provides a quick comparison only. For more detailed benefits and terms and conditions, please refer to the official website or contact our insurance advisor.
How Much Is Maternity Insurance for Expats in Singapore?
Maternity insurance for a 25-year-old mother can cost anywhere from US$307 to US$2,347 monthly, depending on several factors. Usually, the cost of your maternity insurance will be determined by factors such as age, insurer, coverage selection, health conditions, and more.
Here are some examples of factors that can affect your premiums:
- Annual Benefit Limit—Policies with higher annual benefit limits are often more expensive
- Deductibles and Copays—Policies with deductibles and copays are often more affordable due to cost-sharing
- Mother’s age—A higher age usually results in higher premiums due to increased health risks
- Prenatal and postnatal care coverage—Plans with long prenatal and postnatal coverage can come at a higher cost. A common window of coverage for postnatal care is 45 days after delivery.
I’m Pregnant but Don’t Have Maternity Insurance. What Do I Do?
If you are already pregnant and have yet to purchase your maternity insurance, you can opt for a local plan that will give you extra protection in case of complications or explore cost-saving measures such as:
- Opt for Public Hospitals—Public hospitals can be far more affordable compared to their private counterparts in Singapore.
- Reach Out to Your Provider—You can discuss costs and care options with your providers early on to find the option that is the most optimal for your budget, or get a discount for paying your medical bill in full upfront.
- Review Your Hospital Payment Plan—Your hospital may have the option for you to pay off your maternity fees in small increments over time. Check with your hospital what their payment options are.
- Check Hospital Charges for Epidurals in Advance— Getting an epidural without insurance might incur an extra charge. It is best to research beforehand how your hospital offers epidurals.
For more detailed reading, visit Can Expats Get Maternity Insurance in Singapore While Pregnant?
Find the Best Maternity Insurance For Your New Chapter of Life in Singapore
Maternity coverage can be a tricky thing to secure for many expats, with waiting periods, complications coverage, routine coverage, and newborn care.
However, Pacific Prime’s insurance advisors are here to simplify complex insurance jargon and secure the best maternity insurance in Singapore for you.
With 25 years of experience in the insurance industry, we leverage our deep ties with top insurers and market knowledge to provide personalized insurance advice and product comparisons to our clients.
Whether you’re looking for an insurance plan for yourself, your family, or your family’s new member, Pacific Prime is here to help.
Reach out to our advisor and let us know about your needs and budget. Our tailored plan comparisons are offered free of charge.
Conclusion
Expats in Singapore have a wealth of maternity insurance options to choose from. Many top insurers operate in Singapore, and with thorough comparison, you can find the best maternity insurance plans that work best for you and your budget.
What expats should keep in mind when purchasing maternity insurance includes:
- Maternity insurance coverage— Local and international maternity plans have different coverage levels. Local plans primarily target complications, while international plans can include routine care from prenatal to postnatal and delivery.
- Waiting period—Maternity insurance usually has a 10-24-month waiting period. Consider securing your insurance early when starting your family in Singapore.
- What can impact your costs— Benefits limits, deductibles, copays, mother’s age, mother’s health conditions, and coverage period are some factors that can determine your insurance premiums.
By working with an experienced insurance broker like Pacific Prime, you can easily navigate this complexity and secure the best insurance plans for your budget and your loved ones with ease.
Contact us now for a personalized and simplified insurance experience.
Coming to Pacific Prime, she is ready to utilize her experience for the new pursuit. With a strong passion for storytelling and writing, she hopes her words could help bring people closer to the best international health insurance plan that works for them. After all, as a writer, there is no greater honor than when one’s words can add clarity to the world of the readers.
Apart from writing, she is an avid planespotter. On the weekends, you can expect to find her loitering around the airport, gawking at all the aircrafts taking off and landing. When the weather does not permit planespotting, you can find her huddling on her cozy couch, watching ballet and figure skating as well.
