Wealth&Joy
New Member
If you're thinking about having a baby, you're probably thinking of the joy of holding your newborn in your arms -- not the financial costs.
But sooner or later, you run into the expenses involved with a pregnancy. And although the experience of becoming a parent is priceless, you'll also want to make sure your money is well spent.
From the price of diapers to the going rate for a cesarean section, here's the bottom line on what it costs to have a baby, as well as how to save wisely on those costs.
Before planning to conceive it is equally as important to start planning on how to minimize your family's financial risk in the event of a non-standard birth.
Below is a idiot-proof guide on "How to?"
First and foremost, we have to understand the difference between covering for pregnancy expenses and covering for pregnancy complications.
Pregnancy Complications
Non-standard health complications that occur during delivery. They can involve the mother's health, the baby's health, or both. A standard and healthy delivery is not a pregnancy complication.
Pregnancy Expenses
The costs involved in a standard and healthy delivery.
Covering for potential Pregnancy Complications
A common but not exhaustive list of pregnancy complications that is usually covered.
1. Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation
2. Ectopic Pregnancy
3. Death of the foetus of the life assured after 195 days of pregnancy
4. Death of the child of the life assured within 28 days after birth
5. Death of the life assured during delivery
6. Hydatidiform Mole
7. Pre-Eclampsia or Eclampsia
8. Fatty Liver of Pregnancy
9. Amniotic Fluid Embolism
10. Abruptio Placentae
Congenital Illnesses/Defects
Illnesses or defects that are present from birth or that develops during the first few months of delivery.
A common but not exhaustive list of congenital illnesses/defects that is usually covered.
Cleft Palate / Cleft Lip
- Cerebral Palsy
- Ventricular Septal Defect
- Club Foot
- Congenital Dislocation of Hip
- Congenital Blindness
- Congenital Deafness
-Down's Syndrome
- Spina Bifida
- Tetralogy of Fallot
- Transposition of the Great Vessels.
- Atrial Septal Defect
- Absence of two limbs
- Anal Atresia
- Infantile Hydrocephalus
What else is good to know?
Again, I would like to emphasize that it’s important to plan in advance, as most pregnancy insurance imposes waiting periods that can range from 10 months to 24 months. Again, policies differ so you need to know whether your wait period is prior to conception or prior to claim. Ultimately, you want to know that you’re getting the best care possible for you and your little one.
Waiting Period
It means the time period from the start of your cover to the time when a claim is made.
Neonatal Care
The provision of healthcare to newborns who are born underweight, ill or prematurely.
Reimbursement
The bill is $X, you pay first and the insurance company reimburse you $X later. Not a dollar more or less.
Lump Sum Payout
You receive a one time lump sum payout regardless of bill size. This money can be used to pay for your future medical expenses, your non medical expenses(loans, PUB food& transport etc) or your new Ferrari. Basically, there is no restriction as to what you spend on.
Be a Smart Mother
Shop around.“Unlike in an emergency medical situation, you have lead time when it comes to pregnancy and it does not hurt to shop,” says Chariot. Look for a hospital package that offers good rates for delivery and postnatal care. For more information of packages, you can go to the link provided below:
http://singaporemotherhood.com/articles/2011/05/maternity-with-privileges/
If your doctor suggested that there might be a possibility of a complicated birth, consider checking into a B2 and below ward in a government hospital. A prenatal ICU costs about $1000/day in a private hospital, a 2 weeks stay can wipe a big chunk out of your savings.
Ultimately
Maternity insurance can help relieve many of the stresses associated with prenatal and postnatal care. At the end of the day, you want to be able to focus on your baby instead of on your bills!
But sooner or later, you run into the expenses involved with a pregnancy. And although the experience of becoming a parent is priceless, you'll also want to make sure your money is well spent.
From the price of diapers to the going rate for a cesarean section, here's the bottom line on what it costs to have a baby, as well as how to save wisely on those costs.
Before planning to conceive it is equally as important to start planning on how to minimize your family's financial risk in the event of a non-standard birth.
Below is a idiot-proof guide on "How to?"
First and foremost, we have to understand the difference between covering for pregnancy expenses and covering for pregnancy complications.
Pregnancy Complications
Non-standard health complications that occur during delivery. They can involve the mother's health, the baby's health, or both. A standard and healthy delivery is not a pregnancy complication.
Pregnancy Expenses
The costs involved in a standard and healthy delivery.
Covering for potential Pregnancy Complications
A common but not exhaustive list of pregnancy complications that is usually covered.
1. Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation
2. Ectopic Pregnancy
3. Death of the foetus of the life assured after 195 days of pregnancy
4. Death of the child of the life assured within 28 days after birth
5. Death of the life assured during delivery
6. Hydatidiform Mole
7. Pre-Eclampsia or Eclampsia
8. Fatty Liver of Pregnancy
9. Amniotic Fluid Embolism
10. Abruptio Placentae
Congenital Illnesses/Defects
Illnesses or defects that are present from birth or that develops during the first few months of delivery.
A common but not exhaustive list of congenital illnesses/defects that is usually covered.
Cleft Palate / Cleft Lip
- Cerebral Palsy
- Ventricular Septal Defect
- Club Foot
- Congenital Dislocation of Hip
- Congenital Blindness
- Congenital Deafness
-Down's Syndrome
- Spina Bifida
- Tetralogy of Fallot
- Transposition of the Great Vessels.
- Atrial Septal Defect
- Absence of two limbs
- Anal Atresia
- Infantile Hydrocephalus
What else is good to know?
Again, I would like to emphasize that it’s important to plan in advance, as most pregnancy insurance imposes waiting periods that can range from 10 months to 24 months. Again, policies differ so you need to know whether your wait period is prior to conception or prior to claim. Ultimately, you want to know that you’re getting the best care possible for you and your little one.
Waiting Period
It means the time period from the start of your cover to the time when a claim is made.
Neonatal Care
The provision of healthcare to newborns who are born underweight, ill or prematurely.
Reimbursement
The bill is $X, you pay first and the insurance company reimburse you $X later. Not a dollar more or less.
Lump Sum Payout
You receive a one time lump sum payout regardless of bill size. This money can be used to pay for your future medical expenses, your non medical expenses(loans, PUB food& transport etc) or your new Ferrari. Basically, there is no restriction as to what you spend on.
Be a Smart Mother
Shop around.“Unlike in an emergency medical situation, you have lead time when it comes to pregnancy and it does not hurt to shop,” says Chariot. Look for a hospital package that offers good rates for delivery and postnatal care. For more information of packages, you can go to the link provided below:
http://singaporemotherhood.com/articles/2011/05/maternity-with-privileges/
If your doctor suggested that there might be a possibility of a complicated birth, consider checking into a B2 and below ward in a government hospital. A prenatal ICU costs about $1000/day in a private hospital, a 2 weeks stay can wipe a big chunk out of your savings.
Ultimately
Maternity insurance can help relieve many of the stresses associated with prenatal and postnatal care. At the end of the day, you want to be able to focus on your baby instead of on your bills!