HEALTH COVER- Don’t get caught unawares
Babies tend to get sick during odd times when you have as little as a hundred shillings in your pocket or when you have absolutely nothing. It can be an uphill task for a parent whose baby has fallen sick, at a time when there are no finances, to meet the medication costs or even take the baby to the hospital in case of an emergency.
If you are already pregnant, it is important for you to get a health cover for your baby, that will ensure that medical costs are offset with ease. A newborn baby requires frequent medical check-ups, clinical visits and immunizations in order to remain healthy. In case a parent is inadequately prepared to meet all these inevitable costs, it will be a struggle especially if they have to survive on limited finances.
It is, however, usually a relief for parents when they seek medical cover for the babies, knowing that this will comprehensively absorb all costs associated with the babies’ health.
How can I get medical cover for my baby?
Some parents have health insurance plans offered by their employers. Such cover is commonly referred to as a corporate health or medical plan. Corporate health plans are the best because they offer comprehensive coverage at a lower cost. It is important for you to inquire, from your prospective or existing employer, what you can do to ensure that your newborn baby is covered right from birth. The plans differ from one organization to another. In some cases, maternity costs may be covered as well.
If your employer does not provide this kind of health cover, you should make a point of checking with various insurance companies, the kind of covers they avail to individuals. You can purchase a personal cover, commonly referred to as individual health or medical plans.
In addition, familiarise yourself with the operation of the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) cover. This is a statutory scheme, which pays for a percentage of daily hospitalisation costs of the insured person and his or her children.
You can also check with your spouse whether you and your baby can be covered by your spouse’s employer.
Health plans are available in varying cost levels depending on the value of the cover, the type of health facilities, which the insured person prefers, and the number of dependants on cover. Cover can be flexibly adjusted to include your baby. You should, however, expect additional costs as a result of adding your baby to either your individual or any other health plan.
When can one get a baby’s health cover?
Some health plans start providing health cover for the baby when the infant is at least six months old while others begin during the baby’s first month of life. If you already have a health plan in place, ensure that you include the baby in the health cover within the first 30 days of its birth.
Note that insurance companies require to be notified in advance about changes you want on your cover. Most have a standard number of days, from the notification or application date, after which, the cover will become effective. It will not be possible to have your baby covered for an illness that has already occured.
What is covered in the health plan?
Some health plans are more inclusive than others. Consider your baby’s health needs carefully before deciding on a particular one. Find out if the plan covers in-patient or out-patient services, therapies and other essential health services or prescriptions. This is because, in some cases, some plans omit certain services. For instance, there are some plans that do not cover preexisting conditions such as congenital defects. Therefore, you should read the exclusion list carefully.
What is the length of the coverage?
One of the most important factors is the span of time the plan covers. Check whether the plan is affordable and addresses your needs. Bear in mind the span of time you would like the plan to cover your baby. More often than not. plans usually indicate the time frame during which, a member can renew his/her cover to ensure continuity.
Factors to consider before taking cover
According to Eunice Khimulu of Resolution Health, the following factors should be put into consideration when taking out a health cover for your baby:
o At what age can a parent include the child into the plan?
o Accessibility—A plan should be readily accessible whenever there is an emergency
o Flexibility—A cover that allows you to choose what you want for your baby, for example, your preferred hospitals and doctors among others.
Can one take cover for the baby only?
Insurance companies offer health plans for babies as part of the cover for their parents or guardians.
Which insurance companies offer baby medical cover locally?
Insurance companies offering medical cover for babies can be retrieved easily from the local directory’s Yellow Pages under the section baby/medical cover/health insurance.
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