When you decide to live abroad, it’s essential to take out international health insurance. This will enable you to protect yourself against the significant medical and financial risks that care abroad can entail. Maternity is an important factor to consider when choosing an insurance policy. The costs of childbirth and post-partum care can be very high. This is particularly the case in countries such as the USA and Dubai.
In addition, insurance companies often apply waiting periods for maternity cover. This means that there may be a delay between the time the policy is taken out and the time maternity cover becomes effective.
Give birth in your country of residence or in France?
Choosing where to give birth is an important decision for expatriate women. There are many factors to consider, such as the quality of medical care, the cost of delivery, proximity to family and friends, and the language spoken.
The advantages of giving birth in France
Giving birth in France offers advantages such as a high-quality healthcare system and relatively low delivery costs, especially with affiliation to the French Social Security system. You’ll also be able to communicate with doctors and medical staff in your mother tongue. This may mean being away from family and friends.
Please note: If you are pregnant before leaving for a foreign country, it is unlikely that any insurer will cover your maternity and childbirth costs. In this case, it may be preferable to give birth in France, in order to benefit from your social security rights, and then go abroad for your expatriation project.
The advantages of giving birth abroad
Giving birth in your country of residence has its advantages. If you’ve been an expatriate for several years, you’ll be in familiar surroundings, surrounded by loved ones. Depending on the country and your health coverage, you can choose between several maternity hospitals and practitioners. However, we recommend that you evaluate the quality of medical care in your country and the cost of childbirth. You should also take into account the language spoken in the country when communicating with medical staff.
Questions to ask yourself when giving birth as an expatriate
The decision to give birth in your country of residence or in France is a personal one. It’s important to weigh up the advantages and disadvantages of each option. To guide you in your choice, ask yourself important questions about the quality of medical care, the cost of childbirth, your health cover, your comfort with a foreign language, your willingness to be away from your family, and your ability to adapt to a new healthcare system. Discussing this decision with your doctor or midwife is also essential. They can provide personalized advice for you and your baby. Last but not least, you may want to consider giving your child dual nationality. In this case, find out about the conditions to be met in order to benefit from dual nationality, depending on your country of residence.
Maternity and waiting periods for your international health insurance policy
In practical terms, what is a waiting period?
The waiting period is the period immediately following the signing of a contract, during which certain healthcare costs are not reimbursed. This measure is designed to ensure that the choice of contract is not motivated by a desire to benefit quickly from substantial reimbursements. Its duration, which varies from contract to contract, begins when the contract takes effect and extends over several months. During this period, although the policyholder is considered a member of his or her mutual insurer, he or she cannot benefit from certain reimbursements.
What is the waiting period for pregnancy abroad?
The waiting periods applied by international insurance companies for maternity cover generally vary between 10 and 12 months. This means that you have to wait this long before your maternity cover becomes effective.
There are a few exceptions to the waiting period:
1. If you are already pregnant when you take out the policy, some insurance companies may accept to cover you, subject to an additional premium.
2. If you are coordinated with your local social security scheme, the waiting period may be reduced or waived.
To avoid waiting periods, it’s important to take out international health insurance as soon as possible, ideally before you become pregnant. By planning ahead, you can guarantee uninterrupted coverage and minimize the financial strain of maternity.
Please note: It is inadvisable to try to conceal your pregnancy when taking out international health cover. If in doubt about the waiting period, the insurer may request a blood test. This will establish the date on which your pregnancy begins.
Understanding the benefits and expenses that will be covered during your pregnancy
Insurers offer maternity cover in the form of a fixed package, and these vary from insurer to insurer. Some only include delivery and newborn care, while others cover the entire pregnancy follow-up. It’s essential to understand exactly what the package covers. You should also check the conditions for hospitalization during pregnancy. A smaller package may be advantageous, depending on the specific coverage. It is important to note that the package is generally designed for natural childbirth, with adjustments for complications such as caesarean section. For further clarification, Santexpat.fr advisors are available.
In countries where healthcare is expensive, such as the United States, Canada, Japan or Switzerland, it is essential to know the costs associated with pregnancy monitoring, delivery, Caesarean section, complications, post-partum monitoring and infant care, particularly in the case of premature birth.
The different types of international health insurance for your childbirth abroad
There are two main categories of international health insurance, each offering specific benefits:
- 1st euro insurance: This comprehensive option covers all your medical expenses from the first euro spent (no co-payment, no deductible…). It gives you peace of mind by guaranteeing optimal coverage. Certain benefits can be included as options, such as repatriation, optical and dental care, and maternity.
- Complementary insurance: Designed to complement your local social security system, this insurance covers medical expenses not reimbursed by the local system. This option is also of interest to French nationals wishing to complement their CFE (Caisse des Français de l’Etranger).
When it comes to coverage, you have three options:
- Individual coverage: This insurance focuses exclusively on you, providing you with personalized protection based on your medical needs.
- Family coverage: Extending coverage to include not only you, but also your family, including your spouse and children. It guarantees extensive coverage to meet the needs of your entire household.
- Company coverage: You may be affiliated to the health insurance plan offered by your company. In this case, there is no waiting period and no medical questionnaire. Find out about the coverage offered. In some cases, you may need to take out supplementary insurance to ensure optimum coverage, or to cover family members.
It is essential to note that the levels of cover and options available may vary from one insurance company to another. To make an informed decision, we recommend that you carefully compare the different offers available on the market. Santexpat.fr is here to help you compare the offers available on the international health insurance market. This will enable you to select the health cover best suited to your specific needs and budget.
