In Canada we are fortunate to have Provincial Government Health Care which will take care of routine tests and monitoring the development of the baby and coverage for childbirth and hospitalization to recuperate from the birth. This coverage is for Canadian residents only and the insurance is not the same for Visitors to Canada looking to immigrate or visit our great country.
When we think of protecting our children, we usually think of home security, getting them safely to school, or keeping them away from violent video games and movies; but truthfully, one of the best ways you can protect your children is by having a family health insurance plan.
Insurance is a means of preparing for things you don’t plan for. You don’t plan to be sick, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be prepared in case you are. Think of it this way: when you’re riding your bike, you feel confident that you’re capable of getting to the nearby store without incident, but you wear a helmet just in case something happens.
When you bring a child into the equation, the need for protection is greater. A child can’t help being clumsy or inexperienced with a bike, so you pad them up with a helmet, knee pads, the works. Insurance is basically the same thing. You prepare as much as possible for something that you don’t want to happen, but it’s a necessary step to take.
Changing Your Existing Plan
If you already have a plan, you may already be set, but it depends on what kind of policy you have. You may already have single coverage for yourself, or couples coverage for you and your spouse. If this is your first baby, you will want to switch to a family plan so everyone is protected.
As soon as you are able, after the birth of your child, contact your insurance carrier and inform them that you have a new family member. Be sure to call within 30 days of the birth, though. They will be able to upgrade your plan and add your child’s name under eligible dependents.
If you already have children with another on the way, no problem! Just ask your insurance carrier to add him or her to your plan and they’re set.
The Right Time to Purchase a Plan
If you don’t have a plan at all, there’s no better time than the present to get one! If you are thinking of having a baby, you should purchase a plan before you become pregnant. Some plans will not cover some things related to pregnancy, so it’s recommended you research what’s covered.
If you are already pregnant, make sure that when you speak to an insurance representative, you mention this. They will want to help you find a plan that won’t limit your coverage due to your pregnancy. Some plans will cover a pre-existing condition, but the premiums can be higher.
You may think that a pregnancy won’t require very much health insurance, but every pregnancy is different. Again, this is a just in case measure that you should take.
What’s Covered for Pregnancy?
Every health insurance plan is different. Some will pay for things others will not. It’s important to know what your plan covers before you make any purchases or decisions, to ensure that you don’t get blindsided by a rejected claim. If you aren’t sure whether something is covered, you can refer to your policy manual or you can call your insurance provider for clarification.
Some things that are often needed during pregnancy (whether they’re covered or not) are
- Prescription drugs. There are some safe medications doctors believe can help alleviate nausea, which are not available over the counter.
- Pregnancy belts. Used to help alleviate the weight of a pregnant belly, these belts are typically not covered under any insurance plans.
- Massage therapy. Any expectant mother will tell you a massage is heavenly, taking pressure off the muscles and increasing blood flow. Some plans will cover this with a physician’s referral.
- Chiropractic care. Like massage, this therapy can greatly alleviate aches and pains related to pregnancy. Often, the baby in the womb is positioned on the tailbone, and this can be quite painful
- Breast pumps. This is another item that is never covered by insurance plans, but many women use them if they are unable to breastfeed due to a medical condition (i.e. the baby has a cleft palate). Be prepared to pay for this out of pocket as no insurance plans will cover it.
- Hospital stay. The home stretch! While many women choose to give birth at home, many still go to a hospital and stay one or more nights. Your coverage may include a private or semi-private room.
As stated above, always check with your insurance carrier if you’re not sure whether something will be covered. If you are on a tight budget, make sure you do this before making a purchase or booking an appointment.
Give Us a Call and We Can Help
We care about our clients and their families. If you are welcoming a little bundle of joy in the near future, we want to hear from you. If you don’t already have a plan, our knowledgeable staff will be happy to go over your options and help you prepare for this wonderful life change.
Call us today, and we can help you plan for tomorrow.
For a Canadian Citizen returning home, medical benefits don’t kick in until 3 months after returning. We are looking for coverage for a Canadian citizen who is currently pregnant due to deliver in May 2019. If she returns, can she have medical health insurance coverage that will cover her for delivery charges? What are the options? Monthly charges?
The plans we offer for those who are awaiting Provincial Health Coverage, exclude everything related to pregnancy and delivery. We are not aware of any plan that covers labour and delivery for a returning Canadian without Provincial Health Coverage.
I and my wife is about to move to Vancouver for student visa and my wife as a open work permit visa. She is now 7-week pregnancy. Can she still apply for an insurance that covers give birth cost. Please let me know. Thank you.
Thank you for your question. We do offer a Visitors to Canada plan, however it would not provide any coverage for pregnancy. I am sorry and good luck with your search.
I want to know all the details of international student pregnancy insurance
As an international student, we unfortunately do not have any plans that would cover pregnancies. You would require to have provincial healthcare in order to have any coverage for pregnancies Thank you
Hello, my wife is pregnant for 7 months, and we come to Canada just for a month, do you have insurance plan to cover the possible complication during delivery?
Thank you for your question. As your wife is already pregnant and planning on coming to Canada we do not have any insurance plans that would cover the pregnancy. We do have a Visitors to Canada plan that would cover unforeseen accidents and illnesses, however this coverage would not help wiht the pregnancy unfortunately. Thank you
Hello! My husband and I have received our PR visas and intend to immigrate in March 2024. We are already planning pregnancy and there is a probability that we might be expecting upon arrival. As newcoming residents need to wait for 3 months before free healthcare is available, we consider a private insurance. Would it be possible to apply for an insurance plan when I am already pregnant? Thank you
Thank you for your question. Unfortunately without your Provincial healthcare, there is nothing extra we can offer that would assist with your pregnancy. We do offer a Visitors to Canada Insurance that would cover you for emergency accidents and illnesses while you await your provincial healthcare to commence for those 3 months, however your pregnancy would not be a part of that coverage.
Is there insurance coverage available (purchased pre-pregnancy) that would assist financially in the event our child was born with a disability such as Down Syndrome?
Thank you for your question. The first question I have for you is do you currently have provincial healthcare? This would determine if a regular private/individual plan can be purchased pre-pregnancy to help with any issues the child may have after birth. IT may be easier to give us a call to discuss, 1-800-667-0429.
I am not currently pregnant but would like to explore insurance options as I visit Canada frequently and planning to get pregnant in the near future.
Thank you for the question, as a Visitor to Canada without your provincial healthcare in place, there isn’t any options to insure your pregnancy if you are in Canada at the time of giving birth unfortunately. What we offer a visitor to Canada is emergency unforeseen accidents and illness coverage. A pregnancy is not considered unforeseen.
I’m finding pregnancy insurance for my wife.
Thank you for your comment/question. IF you are a Visitor to Canada, meaning you do not have your provincial healthcare in place yet, there isn’t really any insurance that I am aware of that will cover your pregnancy. The visitors to Canada plans that we offer provide insurance coverage for unforeseen emergency accidents and illnesses only. IF this is something you would like to discuss further, please give us a call at 1-800-667-0429.
Hi! I am currently living in Toronto Canada with a work permit visa and unfortunately I am no elegible for OHIP coverage.
I have plans to get pregnant and I would like to have more information about this insurance. Thank you.
Thank you for your question/comment. We do not have any coverage for those who are pregnant or looking to get pregnant in Canada who does not have provincial healthcare. The Visitors to Canada plans we offer cover unforeseen accidents and illnesses only, pregnancies would not be included in that. If that is something you are interested in, please give us a call to discuss your situation at 1-800-667-0429.
Hi i am currently in Alberta, my work permit will expire soon same as my Alberta Health Card. i am 1 month pregnant and looking for insurance that cover my pregnancy til birth. Thank you
Thank you for your question. Unfortunately there isn’t a health plan that we offer that can help with your pregnancy if you do not have provincial healthcare.
Hi, I want to know the best insurance plan that covers maternity. thanks.
Thank you for your question. If you are a resident of Canada with provincial healthcare, then the government will pay for the birth of your child when it is conducted in a hospital. If you are a Visitor to Canada without any provincial healthcare then there is no insurance product that we can offer you to help pay for the maternity.
My contact no is 4379820170 please contact me
I will have one of our customer service specialists contact you today. Thank you
My wife and I are moving to Canada next week through express entry. I will work in a tech company. We will plan a child after 3/4 months. Should we get a family health insurance coverage or maternity will be covered in our employer’s health insurance?
You will have to first register and receive a provincial healthcare plan before the pregnancy is covered. The provincial government is responsible for paying for pregnancies in the hospital so you’ll have to be covered by them. An individual or group plan generally does not include coverage for pregnancies alone without provincial healthcare.
Pls let me know the coverage for pregnant woman as a tourist in Canada.
Thank you for your question, as you do not have a provincial healthcare plan, we are unable to offer you any sort of insurance for your pregnancy as a tourist.
I am a PR with provincial insurance (OHIP) but would like private insurance to be able to give birth outside my province (Quebec), in order to be with my family who lives there. Is there any insurance that could cover me?
Hi Tish, thank you for your question. As we are not licensed in QC we are unable to sell in that province. You would have to find a licensed agent/broker in that area to further assist you.