This means almost one in every two births in private hospitals is now through C-section.
“Our claims data shows a sharp rise in C-section deliveries. Today, around 6–7 out of every 10 maternity claims are for C-sections,” said Pankaj Shahane, Head of Health Claims at Digit Insurance.
(Source: Prudent Insurance Brokers)
Higher medical bills, bigger claims
This shift in birth practices is mirrored in health insurance claims. C-sections are costlier than natural deliveries, often by a factor of two.
“The financial implication is huge. For example, if normal delivery is covered up to ₹50,000 and C-section up to ₹1 lakh, the higher limit naturally invites more claims for C-sections,” noted Bhagat.
Insurers say the growing preference for elective surgeries, rising medical complications, and better access to private care are driving this trend.
“In tier-1 cities, over 50% of our maternity-related claims are linked to C-sections,” added Siddharth Singhal, Head of Health Insurance at Policybazaar. “The costs can range from ₹50,000 to as much as ₹3 lakh, depending on the city and hospital.”
Insurers rethink maternity coverage
With maternity claims now accounting for nearly 20% of overall health insurance claims, insurance companies are stepping up to update their coverage offerings.
“We’ve seen a shift towards policies offering maternity coverage up to ₹2 lakh, including comprehensive packages covering pre- and post-natal care, newborn benefits, and even assisted reproductive treatments,” Singhal said.
Some insurers are reducing waiting periods, which typically range from 2-4 years, to as little as three months on select plans.
Others are introducing maternity benefit wallets and early-access policies.
“At Digit, our ‘Early Start Plan’ allows policyholders to accumulate maternity benefit amounts gradually. It starts with ₹15,000 in the ninth month and adds ₹10,000 every year until the sum insured reaches ₹1 lakh,” Shahane shared.
What’s typically covered?
Most group and retail health insurance policies with maternity benefits now cover:
- Normal delivery, assisted delivery, and C-sections.
- Pregnancy complications pre- and post-delivery.
- Newborn care for up to 90 days.
- Medically necessary terminations.
- Some even cover infertility treatments.
However, exclusions remain.
These include expenses related to stem cell storage, routine OPD visits, and limits on coverage to the first two children.
“Ectopic pregnancies are usually covered under inpatient treatment, not as a maternity benefit,” Shahane clarified.
Corporates too are playing a role. Many are standardising coverage by offering equal limits for normal and C-section deliveries to discourage unnecessary surgical births.
“We’ve seen several large employers adopt this strategy to promote awareness around the medical risks of C-sections,” said Bhagat.
Financial planning for parents
Experts urge couples planning to start families to buy health insurance early, especially with maternity add-ons, given the long waiting periods and rising costs.
“It’s important to invest in a policy that not only covers childbirth but also anticipates medical complexities,” Singhal said.
