Can Expats Get Routine Maternity Insurance If I Am Already Pregnant in China?
No, Unfortunately. After you fall pregnant you CANNOT quickly buy routine maternity and delivery insurance, and have these costs covered by an insurer once pregnancy has begun. However there is some good news.
Prospective parents in this situation can however buy maternity complications insurance after falling pregnant, which covers the more serious (and potentially financially crippling) high cost treatments, such as complications of pregnancy / delivery, and new-born infant care.
Why can I not quickly buy routine maternity and delivery insurance? Health insurers (both in China and internationally) have a waiting period on maternity benefits (usually 6 to 12 months waiting period BEFORE falling pregnant), meaning that cover for routine maternity benefits (prenatal, check-ups, delivery, etc.) only becomes available in the second year of the policy.
Maternity Coverage Comparison
Here's a side-by-side comparison of the maternity cover available if buying before pregnancy versus after pregnancy:
| Coverage | Buying BEFORE Pregnancy | Buying AFTER Pregnancy |
|---|---|---|
| Prenatal & Postnatal | ✔ | ❌ |
| Routine Delivery | ✔ | ❌ |
| Elective C-section | ✔ | ❌ |
| Newborn Conditions | ✔ | ❌ |
| Medically Necessary C-section | ✔ | ✔ |
| Childbirth Complications | ✔ | ✔ |
| Infant Care (30 Days) | ✔ | ✔ |
Buying before pregnancy: routine maternity & complications module available. Buying after pregnancy: only the complications module may apply.
*Benefits will differ depending on the plan and insurer. This is a general comparison.
Should I buy Maternity Complications Insurance?
✅ If you’re already pregnant and uninsured: yes, this is the best protection available.
✅ It won’t cover your routine delivery costs, but it does protect you in case of serious complications and financial costs.
✅ You’ll also protect your new-born in those critical first few weeks of life.
Why This Matters: Hospital Bills in China Can Be Huge
This plan is designed to help new families avoid a financial crisis if the unexpected happens.
If something goes wrong—and you don’t have insurance—you could be paying hundreds of thousands, or millions of CNY out of pocket for care. And in China, even the public hospitals generally require full payment upfront.
How Much Does it cost to buy the Maternity Complications Module?
Below, you’ll find a comparison of two options available under the Maternity Care plan, from one of our insurance partners in China. We believe this plan is an excellent option for expats looking to avoid the largest financial risk around having children - maternity complications.
These cost estimates give you a clear idea of what to expect based on your age. For a more detailed breakdown of the coverage and benefits, please get in touch and we'll share with you the full table of benefits and terms and conditions for both plans. The summary below will help you better understand the coverage options and how they align with your needs.
| Age | Plan 1 Annual Premium | Plan 2 Annual Premium |
|---|---|---|
| 18–29 | ¥55,000 | ¥26,000 |
| 30–34 | ¥58,000 | ¥29,000 |
| 35–40 | ¥62,000 | ¥32,000 |
Note this cover is not available to members over the age of 40
Plan Comparison In Depth
| Benefit | Plan 1 | Plan 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Geographic Coverage | Worldwide | Worldwide |
| Annual Maximum | ¥3,000,000 | ¥2,000,000 |
| Maternity & Delivery Prenatal checkups (Including prenatal vitamins, prenatal checkups & ultrasounds) , Normal Delivery, Medically necessary abortion, postnatal checkups | ¥10,000 maximum per pregnancy | Not Covered |
| Medically Necessary Abortion (Non-Selective) | 100% Covered | Up to ¥80,000 |
| Medically Necessary C-Section (Only covers baby delivery in U.S. and Canada) e.g. abnormal fetal position, macrosomia, Placenta previa, pelvic abnormality, catastrophic infectious disease or complications etc. | 75% Covered, Up to ¥80,000 per pregnancy | Not Covered |
| Complications of Pregnancy Covering 42 conditions whose diagnoses are distinct from pregnancy but are adversely affected by or are caused by pregnancy as listed below. | 100% Covered, Up to ¥1,000,000 | 100% Covered, Up to ¥1,000,000 |
| Pregnancy Death Aid The pregnancy death insurance benefits payable by the Insurer for each Insured Person dying during pregnancy under this Policy is the sum assured of Pregnancy death insurance | ¥1,500,000 | ¥1,000,000 |
| Newborn Infant Care Services | First 45 days: 100% Covered, Up to ¥1,500,000 | First 30 days: 100% Covered Natural Pregnancy Up to ¥1,000,000 Artificial Insemination Pregnancy Up to ¥500,000 |
| Immunizations & Expenses (first 45 days) | 100% Covered | Not Covered |
| Routine Medical Exams (first 45 days) | 100% Covered | Not Covered |
| Ground Ambulance | 100% Covered | 100% Covered |
| Emergency Medical Evacuation Economy-class air tickets for an accompanying person, in the case of initial transportation to the location of the insured person Economy-class air tickets to return to the place of residence for the insured person and the accompanying person | 100% Covered (Pre-Authorization Required) | 100% Covered |
| Hotel Fees (Accompanying Person) | ¥2,000 per night, max 12 nights/year | ¥2,000 per night, max 12 nights/year |
| Repatriation of Mortal Remains / Local Burial | Up to ¥200,000 | Up to ¥200,000 |
Cover for babies with IVF
If the new-born is conceived through IVF, the cost for the plan will be approximately CNY 2,000 higher.
Get a Quote Today
If you're in China and already pregnant without maternity insurance, don't wait. These plans can be issued quickly, and we'll guide you every step of the way.
Fill out our quote form using the button below and be sure to tick the 'already pregnant' box. Our team will then reach out with a personalized quote and guide you through the next steps on this exciting journey!