Factors to Consider Before Going on a Maternity Leave
Maternity is a delightful phase of life for every woman. It changes women's life completely. Every lady who is expecting a baby needs special care and attention during such period. What an expecting woman should consider during pregnancy is to have health insurance with maternity coverage benefits and an infallible financial plan. Health insurance with maternity coverage bears all the expenses incurred at the time of delivery, be it normal or cesarean.
If you are expecting a baby and want to go on maternity leave, here are a few factors you should consider before applying for maternity leave in your organisation. This helps you avert any monetary related contingencies during the delivery period.
Below are important points you shouldn't overlook.
Duration of the maternity leave
In India, the maternity leave duration is regulated as per the Government of India’s policies. As per the Maternity Benefit Act 1961, every working woman is entitled to receive full salary during an office break of 26 weeks. This stretch is offered to deliver the baby, recover from a medical condition and nurture the newborn.
Female employees of both public and private sectors are entitled to acquire a maternity leave. Women taking a break for adopting a baby up to the 3 months old or surrogacy method are liable to get maternity leave of 12 weeks. Apart from this, females having two or more kids are also worthy to receive 12 weeks of maternity leave.
When can maternity leave be availed?
Women are eligible to avail the maternity leave eight weeks before the due date of their delivery. The leave structure may differ from organization to organization. Some firms offer ‘work from home’ facility to women employees to support them.
The significance of maternity insurance
A maternity insurance plan is indispensable to cope up with the pregnancy period. If your company has provided you with the group health insurance policy, then it’s great or you should buy a maternity insurance plan. Generally, maternity is covered after a waiting period of 2 years (depending on the policy) from the date the policy is purchased. So, sooner is better.
Unlike an employer policy, personal health insurance provides lifetime benefits. So, it's always good to choose a personal health policy even if you are covered under a group policy. Without a health scheme, it may be difficult to get treated under the Cesarean section, complicated pregnancy and other similar conditions.
Purchasing a health insurance policy
To ensure smooth delivery without any financial crunch, buy a health insurance plan with maternity coverage today. Such insurance product provides a financial cushion for the mother as well as a newborn baby.
You can opt for a new individual Health Insurance plan or can incorporate your baby into your existing family floater policy. Besides, you can include your child in your group health insurance as well. This is an imperative step to safeguard his or her health. After adding your baby, you can enhance the coverage limit of your plan, if find insufficient.
Also read: Top 4 Maternity Insurance Plans and Their Benefit
Review the savings in the bank account
No doubt, a regular salary during the maternity leave ensures the absence of any financial crunch. Still, having a monetary backup is always a good step to counter any unforeseen medical contingency that may go beyond your control.
This requires proper research and review to find the needed amount. This way, you can arrange financial backup and combat even a critical situation.
Also Read
Health Insurance for Parents - Factors to Consider & Plans Available
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Takeaway
Being an expecting parent, you should plan your maternity leave in advance. It’s important to own a maternity insurance policy and plan for your spouse and little one’s health.
To be the most suitable health insurance policy, get in touch with InsuranceDekho @ 1800-1205-698.
