thecentennial

Hi,

If my family and I move to Riyadh, have medical cover provided as part of package, and my wife is 2 months pregnant - will she be covered?

Understand the answer is specific to the policy, but generally, are there waiting periods for e.g. obstetrics like we have "back home" (normally a 12 month waiting period before you can utilise this benefit).

Otherwise it's coming out of pocket...

busybee2

it would be individual policy; but would say that perhaps there would be a six month waiting list if there is one, some policies allow pre-existing conditions which this would be, but some policies dont cover maternity anyhow, you would need to ask the firm.

Meow

MOST medical policies will not cover an existing pregnancy, but it will depend on the terms that your employer set up. It is possible to have a company sponsored scheme that includes all existing conditions, but at an extra cost to the employer, so this is rarely the case.

With individually purchased policies, this pregnancy would not be covered, as you would need to have the plan for a period of at least six months (plans vary) before any pregnancy related claims can be made.

Note that not all medical plans automatically include maternity cover, so you must check the relevant policy documents.

Of course, you could simply ask the company what the plan provides....

-

lionheart

FYI it will probably cost you around SR5-7,500 to have a baby in KSA...

commander

ok, personal experience here:

goodhealth policy required us to have the policy for 10 months (funny old thing) before maternity cover was paid.

GMC, our current medical provider have no restrictions whatsoever, they pay for everything..but that is of course because my company have chose a certain level of cover for expatriate employees

thecentennial

Thanks for the replies, I'll definately get hold of the policy to get an answer, though it appears there could be a chance it would be covered, though dependent on employer/policy chosen etc. I'll see if they can send me some details - maybe I should request this is covered? They can only say no (or yes...)?

Hello.Kitty

ok, my experience (albeit in Dubai): I got pg about a week after arriving (lol) and Mr Kitty's insurance covers it. He had to do some prodding in the HR direction, but it's fine. There is, however a limit of 15k AED on it for natural births, going up to 25k for c-sections, which just about covers it.

A friend of mine was already pg when she arrived, and her hubby's insurance won't cover it, as it is an "existing condition".

thecentennial

Thanks lionheart - is that without medical insurance? Standard delivery? There's an increased likelihood a c'section may be needed...any thoughts on the additional costs? (roughly)

Nic1

Do try and get the company to cover it in case there are complications as good health care here can be expensive or if, God forbid, you need to travel overseas for treatment. However, to balance me having been a bit of a scaremonger 99% of pregnancies are hassle free and as having babies is a national passtime (sp?) here they are really clued up and practiced at it all. The hospital I had my first at in ME could pop out 30-35 babies a day . . . .

N