It is important to apply for pregnancy health cover once a couple discovers that they are expecting a baby. This will take care of the woman's pregnancy related expenses.

Essential Medical Facilities During Pregnancy

Generally the employer provides medical facilities to the employees which also include expenses during pregnancy. However, in case a person is in the process of changing his current job, he may face certain problems as the new company may not offer medical facilities till he spends some months in the new work place.

For such situations there is a federal law called COBRA which allows employees to continue receiving medical insurance facilities from the previous employer if he has at least 20 employees working under him. Such facilities can be availed of 3 years after the person quits his job.

There are several low cost pregnancy health cover policies that people with low incomes can purchase. Such policies provide for expenses like visits with the gynecologist, buying medicines as per the doctor's prescription, and hospital stay during the time of delivery. Some policies may require the person to only consult the gynecologists who are registered with the particular insurance company. Most of these doctors will be qualified and experienced obstetricians or midwives.

People who have already purchased some other general health insurance should check with the company if their policy can cover pregnancy related expenses too. Some companies allow this facility by requiring the policy holder to pay a slightly higher premium. First the couple should confirm which expenses will be provided for in their pregnancy health cover. Ideally all policies should also provide finances for routine ultrasounds as advised by the gynecologist. If the expecting mother requires a caesarian section during the delivery, the policy should bear the costs which will include additional staying at the hospital than a normal delivery.

Some policies also cover costs of IVF procedures for couples who require this treatment to have a baby. Such policies cost more due to the high cost of IVF treatment and related expenses.

Medical Facilities Required For The Newborn

Once the baby has been delivered the parents have to bear the extra medical expenses required. These include immunization costs and also routine visits with the pediatrician as and when required. It is a good idea to purchase a pregnancy health cover which will also take care of the newborn's medical expenses. Sometimes the baby may require neonatal intensive care due to some birth problem like neonatal jaundice. Such a problem will require the newborn and the mother to stay in hospital till the jaundice subsides. The hospital should have all essential facilities such as a well-equipped neonatal intensive care unit so that these problems can be handled.

Most medical policies enlist certain hospitals where one can avail of necessary treatment during pregnancy and for the newborn.

It is important to verify if the hospitals enlisted in the pregnancy health cover have the necessary facilities for ensuring a safe delivery and good health of the newborn.