Maternity care and health insurance
Is pregnancy covered by health insurance?
No. Pregnancy, birth and post-natal care are not usually covered by health insurance.
Some policies do offer some benefits for pregnancy. And some policies cover complications of pregnancy if these affect the mother. It’s important to check the details of any policy you’re thinking about buying.
If you have a policy and you’re not sure if a health concern is covered, you should speak to your insurer.
Does being pregnant affect my health insurance?
No. If you have health insurance and become pregnant, your cover won’t change. You'll still have cover for everything that was covered before your pregnancy.
You will not be covered for anything relating to the pregnancy, birth or to post-natal care. There may be some exceptions to this depending on your insurer and your policy.
Being pregnant shouldn’t affect anything else on your policy. If you’re unsure if you’ll be covered for a health concern, you should speak to your insurer.
Can I claim for any treatments relating to my pregnancy?
Most health insurance policies do not cover treatments related to pregnancy, birth or post-natal care.
However, some policies do include some benefits for pregnancy. And some cover some complications of pregnancy if these affect the mother. You should check the details of any policy you’re thinking about buying.
If you have a policy and you’re not sure if a health issue is covered, you should speak to your insurer.
What if I take out a new health insurance policy while pregnant? How will this work?
Being pregnant when you take out a health insurance policy should not affect your cover.
However, if you have a complication during your pregnancy before joining, this could be considered a pre-existing condition. After this, you wouldn’t be covered for any future health issues that related to this condition.
Any complications relating to your pregnancy that develop after joining, may be covered.
What is covered by Bupa health insurance?
What is covered by Bupa health insurance?
Covered by most Bupa policies
- Miscarriage – This is the spontaneous loss of a foetus before the 20th week of pregnancy.
- Stillbirth – This is when the baby dies after the 20th week of pregnancy.
- Hydatidiform mole – This is an abnormal cell growth in the womb.
- Ectopic pregnancy – This is when the foetus grows outside the womb.
- Post-partum haemorrhage – This is heavy bleeding immediately after childbirth.
- Retained placental membrane – This is when afterbirth is left in the womb after the birth.
- Most of our policies also cover complications related to any of the above conditions.
- Most of our policies also cover flare-ups of a medical condition. This is even if the flare-up relates to pregnancy or to childbirth. These treatments may be covered if the flare-up can be treated quickly and if it won’t need prolonged treatment.
Not covered by Bupa policies
- Pregnancy – This includes the treatment of an embryo or foetus.
- Childbirth – This includes the delivery of a baby by caesarean section.
- Termination of a pregnancy – This includes any condition relating to the termination of a pregnancy.
Need help?
If you have Bupa cover, and you’re unsure if your policy will cover a health concern, call our team.
Call 0345 609 0111
Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm,
Saturday 8am to 4pm.
We may record or monitor our calls.
Information you may find helpful
Stages of pregnancy
Learn what happens during the three trimesters of pregnancy.
Antenatal care
Find out what antenatal care you could be offered during your pregnancy.
Ectopic pregnancy
We explain what an ectopic pregnancy is and how it is diagnosed.
Miscarriage
Understand the symptoms and causes of miscarriage.

Speak to our team
New customers
Call 03456 090 111^
Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm.
Existing customers
Call 0345 609 0111^
Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm.
Saturday 8am to 4pm

Sign in to your account
Find your documents and other information about your cover in the app.
Or you can sign in to your account online.
Bupa health insurance is provided by Bupa Insurance Limited. Registered in England and Wales with registration number 3956433. Bupa Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.
Arranged and administered by Bupa Insurance Services Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered in England and Wales with registration number 3829851. Registered office: 1 Angel Court, London, EC2R 7HJ.
Last reviewed: 12/12/2024