Written by
John Spencer
John Spencer is the founder of Compare Expat Plans, where he focuses on helping people compare health plans for life abroad. He emphasizes clear information, neutral analysis, and practical decision support.
Our Top Picks
Having a baby abroad requires planning—especially for insurance. Maternity coverage has waiting periods, so you need to enroll months before conception. Understanding what's covered, where, and how much makes the difference between a well-supported pregnancy and unexpected $20,000+ bills.
After analyzing maternity coverage across international insurers, here are our recommendations:
Best Overall: Cigna Global
The good: Comprehensive maternity coverage with clear terms. Prenatal, delivery (normal and cesarean), postnatal care all covered. Strong networks in major expat destinations. Newborn automatically covered for 30 days.
The limits: 10-12 month waiting period applies. Maternity limits exist ($15,000-75,000 depending on plan). Premium pricing.
Best for: Expats planning pregnancy who want comprehensive, reliable maternity coverage.
Best Premium Coverage: BUPA Global
The good: Maternity coverage up to plan limits (often unlimited). Excellent network for delivery in quality hospitals worldwide. Complications fully covered. Strongest overall maternity package.
The limits: 12-month waiting period. Highest premiums. But coverage is comprehensive.
Best for: Those wanting the best maternity coverage regardless of cost.
Best Value: Now Health
The good: Competitive maternity coverage at lower prices. 10-month waiting period (shortest). Strong Asia network where many expats deliver. Good prenatal coverage.
The limits: Lower maternity limits than premium providers. Smaller global network.
Best for: Value-conscious expats in Asia planning pregnancy.
Get Maternity Coverage Quotes
Plan ahead—waiting periods require early enrollment.
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Understanding Maternity Coverage
Maternity insurance abroad has specific elements you need to understand:
Waiting Periods
All international maternity coverage has waiting periods—typically 10-12 months. This means:
- Enroll before conception: Coverage must be in place 10-12 months before delivery.
- Already pregnant? It's too late for maternity coverage on new policies. Pregnancy is a pre-existing condition.
- Planning ahead: Enroll when you're thinking about having a baby, not when you're trying.
What's Typically Covered
- Prenatal care: Doctor visits, ultrasounds, lab tests, vitamins.
- Delivery: Hospital stay, normal delivery, cesarean section.
- Complications: Emergency cesarean, premature birth, NICU.
- Postnatal care: Follow-up visits, recovery care.
- Newborn: Automatic coverage for 14-30 days post-birth.
What May Not Be Covered
- Fertility treatments: Usually separate coverage or excluded.
- Elective cesarean: Some plans only cover medically necessary.
- Home births: Check specific policy terms.
- Midwife-only delivery: May have restrictions.
Maternity Limits
Unlike other coverage that might be unlimited, maternity often has specific limits:
- Basic plans: $10,000-20,000 total maternity benefit
- Mid-tier: $25,000-50,000
- Comprehensive: $50,000-100,000+
- Premium (BUPA): Up to plan limits (effectively unlimited)
How We Evaluated
We assessed maternity coverage on these criteria:
- Coverage comprehensiveness: Prenatal through postnatal, normal and complicated delivery.
- Waiting period: Shorter is better, but 10-12 months is standard.
- Maternity limits: Higher limits provide more security for complications.
- Newborn coverage: Automatic coverage period, enrollment process for ongoing.
- Network in delivery destinations: Quality hospitals where you want to deliver.
- Complication handling: NICU, premature birth, emergency cesarean coverage.
Quick Comparison
| Provider | Waiting Period | Maternity Limit | Newborn Coverage | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cigna Global | 10-12 months | $15,000-75,000 | Automatic 30 days | Comprehensive maternity |
| BUPA Global | 12 months | Full/plan limits | Automatic | Premium coverage |
| Allianz Care | 10-12 months | $20,000-50,000 | Automatic 14 days | Europe-based families |
| Now Health | 10 months | $15,000-50,000 | Automatic 30 days | Asia-based, value |
| Aetna International | 12 months | Varies by plan | Automatic | US-connected families |
Detailed Reviews
Cigna Global
Cigna's maternity coverage is available as a module on their comprehensive plans. Add it when you're planning pregnancy (before, not during), serve the waiting period, and you're covered.
Coverage includes full prenatal care—doctor visits, ultrasounds, lab work, prenatal vitamins. Delivery coverage handles normal vaginal delivery, cesarean section (medically necessary and sometimes elective), and hospital stay.
Complications are covered within plan limits. NICU stays, premature birth treatment, emergency interventions—all covered. This is where maternity limits matter; complications can exceed $50,000+.
Newborn is automatically covered for 30 days post-birth. After that, add the baby to your policy. The application process is straightforward; healthy newborns are automatically accepted.
Network is strong for delivery—Bangkok, Singapore, London, Dubai, major US cities all have quality hospitals with direct billing.
Waiting Period: 10-12 months depending on plan level.
Limits: $15,000-75,000 depending on plan level.
Pricing: Maternity module adds $50-150/month to base plan.
Verdict: Best all-around maternity coverage for planning expat families.
BUPA Global
BUPA provides the most comprehensive maternity coverage in the market. On their top plans, maternity is covered up to overall plan limits—effectively unlimited for most realistic scenarios.
The 12-month waiting period is standard. Once served, coverage is exceptional: full prenatal, any delivery method, unlimited complication coverage, NICU, premature birth—all covered.
Network for delivery is global. Want to deliver at a top hospital in Singapore, London, or Dubai? BUPA has you covered with direct billing.
Newborn coverage is automatic, with straightforward addition to the family plan thereafter.
Waiting Period: 12 months.
Limits: Up to plan limits (often unlimited).
Pricing: Premium—expect $400-700/month for comprehensive family coverage with maternity.
Verdict: Best for those wanting premium maternity coverage without limits.
Allianz Care
Allianz offers solid maternity coverage with European network strength. For expats planning delivery in Germany, France, UK, or other European locations, Allianz's regional expertise is valuable.
Coverage includes standard maternity elements: prenatal, delivery, postnatal, complications. Limits run $20,000-50,000 depending on plan—adequate for most deliveries, though major complications could exceed.
Newborn coverage for 14 days automatic, then add to policy.
Waiting Period: 10-12 months.
Limits: $20,000-50,000.
Pricing: $300-500/month for family coverage with maternity.
Verdict: Good for Europe-based families planning pregnancy.
Now Health
Now Health offers competitive maternity coverage at value pricing, with the shortest waiting period in the market (10 months).
Strong in Asia—if you're planning delivery in Bangkok, Singapore, Hong Kong, or Kuala Lumpur, Now Health has quality network options. These destinations also offer excellent care at lower costs than US/Europe.
Limits are modest ($15,000-50,000) but often sufficient for straightforward deliveries in Asia where costs are lower.
Waiting Period: 10 months (shortest available).
Limits: $15,000-50,000.
Pricing: $250-400/month for family coverage with maternity.
Verdict: Best value for Asia-based families with 10-month waiting period.
Aetna International
Aetna provides maternity coverage with US-familiar processes. For American expats or those who might deliver stateside, Aetna's US integration helps.
Coverage is comprehensive: prenatal, delivery, complications. Network is strong in US and major international cities.
Waiting Period: 12 months.
Limits: Varies by plan.
Pricing: $300-500/month for family coverage with maternity.
Verdict: Good for US-connected families who might deliver stateside.
Plan Your Maternity Coverage
Remember: enroll before conception. Waiting periods require planning ahead.
Get Your Quote →We may earn a commission when you apply through our links. This does not affect our recommendations.
Choosing the Right Plan
By Timeline
- 12+ months before trying: Any option—full flexibility
- 10-12 months before trying: Now Health (10-month wait) or start any other plan
- Currently trying: Enroll immediately—you may meet waiting period if conception takes time
- Already pregnant: Too late for maternity coverage; focus on emergency/complication coverage
By Delivery Location
- Asia (Bangkok, Singapore): Now Health or Cigna—strong regional networks, lower costs
- Europe: Allianz Care or Cigna—European hospital access
- US: Aetna or Cigna with US coverage—expensive but comprehensive
- Anywhere premium: BUPA Global—best hospitals worldwide
By Budget
- Value-focused: Now Health—good coverage, lower premiums
- Mid-range: Cigna or Allianz—comprehensive coverage, reasonable cost
- Premium: BUPA—unlimited limits, highest coverage
High-Risk Considerations
- Previous complications: Higher limits are wise—BUPA or high-tier Cigna
- Multiple pregnancy: NICU likely—ensure unlimited or high limits
- Maternal age 35+: Higher complication risk—budget for comprehensive coverage
- Pre-existing conditions: May affect pregnancy coverage—discuss with insurers
Common Questions
What if I'm already pregnant?
Pregnancy is a pre-existing condition for insurance purposes. You cannot get maternity coverage for an existing pregnancy on a new policy. Focus on emergency/complication coverage and plan to pay out-of-pocket for routine prenatal and delivery. Consider locations with lower maternity costs.
How do I add my newborn to my policy?
Newborns are automatically covered for 14-30 days post-birth (varies by insurer). Notify your insurer of the birth within this window and request addition to your policy. Healthy newborns are typically accepted without underwriting. Premature or NICU babies may require more documentation but are usually accepted.
Does coverage include cesarean section?
Yes, cesarean sections are covered—medically necessary cesareans always, elective cesareans usually (check your specific policy). Emergency cesarean is definitely covered. Cesarean delivery costs more than vaginal delivery, so it affects how quickly you hit maternity limits.
What happens if I have complications?
Complications are covered under your maternity benefit until the limit is reached, then under your main policy. NICU stays, emergency interventions, extended hospital stays—all covered. This is why higher maternity limits matter; a NICU stay can cost $1,000+/day for weeks.
Can I choose where to deliver?
Yes, within your network. Direct billing is available at network hospitals—no out-of-pocket except copays. Non-network hospitals require you to pay and claim reimbursement. Check network coverage in your planned delivery location before committing.
Is fertility treatment covered?
Usually not under standard maternity coverage. Some plans offer fertility riders as separate add-ons, typically with additional waiting periods and limits. IVF and fertility treatments are expensive ($10,000-30,000+ per cycle) and rarely covered comprehensively.
Ready to Plan Your Family Abroad?
Enroll now—maternity coverage requires 10-12 months before delivery.
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Disclaimer: Maternity coverage has waiting periods that must be served before benefits are available. Already-pregnant applicants cannot obtain maternity coverage for their current pregnancy. Coverage limits, waiting periods, and terms vary by insurer and plan. Verify specific coverage details before enrolling.
