Best Expat Health Insurance for Pregnancy in Singapore

 Allianz Care is one of the international health insurance options worth considering for expats planning a pregnancy in Singapore, particularly because its maternity plans have a 10-month waiting period and dedicated maternity benefits.

Other options include FWD International Health, Cigna Global, AXA Global Healthcare, Bupa Global and Liberty MyHEALTH, although maternity limits, waiting periods and policy structures differ.

These providers are examples for comparison rather than a definitive ranking or endorsement.

Expats can contact us for help comparing international health insurance options based on their planned pregnancy timeline, maternity coverage needs and budget.

Key Takeaways

• Maternity benefits can have separate limits for routine care, delivery and pregnancy complications.
• Eligible Singapore Citizen or PR spouses can use MediSave for a foreign spouse's maternity expenses, subject to applicable limits.
•  Allianz Care has a 10-month maternity waiting period, while waiting periods for other plans compared can be longer.
• Expats should arrange maternity coverage before pregnancy because waiting periods can prevent coverage for an existing pregnancy.

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The information in this article is for general guidance only. It does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice, and is not a recommendation or solicitation to invest. Some facts may have changed since the time of writing.

What is covered under international health insurance for pregnancy?

International health insurance with maternity benefits can cover routine maternity care, childbirth, pregnancy complications and complications of delivery, with some plans also covering prenatal, postnatal and newborn care.

Coverage varies by insurer and plan, but commonly includes:

• Prenatal consultations and diagnostic tests
• Ultrasound scans
• Routine maternity care
• Vaginal delivery
• Caesarean delivery
• Medically necessary pregnancy complications
• Complications during childbirth
• Postnatal care
• Newborn care
• Congenital conditions in some plans

For example, Allianz's Singapore maternity plans cover routine maternity and complications of childbirth, with separate limits applying per pregnancy.

The most important distinction is between routine maternity coverage and medical complications.

A policy may pay for a normal delivery up to a maternity limit while providing a different, higher limit for complications.

Which international health insurance plan is best for pregnancy in Singapore?

Allianz Singapore stands out for its shorter maternity waiting period and separate benefits for routine maternity and childbirth complications, while FWD combines a relatively short waiting period with a higher potential routine maternity benefit.

Cigna Platinum offers a higher stated maternity limit but has a considerably longer waiting period for treatment in Singapore, while AXA Prestige and Prestige Plus and Bupa Global Elite may suit expats with longer planning horizons.

Liberty MyHEALTH provides additional higher-limit options, although applicants should confirm the applicable waiting period and policy terms.

The comparison below is not a definitive ranking. It shows how the plans differ on three of the main factors to compare: routine maternity benefits, coverage for pregnancy or childbirth complications, and waiting periods.

Cigna Platinum provides higher maternity benefits than Gold, but both have a 24-month waiting period for treatment in Singapore. This makes the timing of planned maternity care particularly important when comparing Cigna with plans that have shorter waiting periods.

AXA Prestige and Prestige Plus are worth considering for expats who prioritize higher maternity limits and broader international healthcare coverage and have a longer pregnancy-planning horizon.

Its 18-month waiting period is an important consideration for expats planning to use maternity benefits relatively soon after taking out coverage.

FWD International Health's exact maternity benefit depends on the level of maternity coverage selected, so applicants should check the applicable benefit schedule rather than relying only on the maximum shown above.

The exact benefit depends on the level of maternity coverage selected.

Bupa Global Elite may appeal to expats who want maternity coverage alongside broader premium international medical insurance.

Its maternity benefits distinguish between routine delivery and medically necessary Caesarean delivery, so applicants should assess the specific benefits rather than treating the maternity allowance as one overall limit.

Liberty MyHEALTH is another option for expats seeking higher maternity benefits, particularly at the Extensive and Elite levels.

Can MediSave be used for pregnancy by expats?

MediSave can be used for a foreign spouse's eligible maternity expenses when the spouse of the foreign mother is a Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident, subject to the applicable withdrawal limits.

MediSave itself is a healthcare savings scheme for Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents, so an expat who is not a Singapore Citizen or PR generally does not have their own MediSave account.

For a foreign spouse of a Singapore Citizen, the Ministry of Health specifically confirms that the Singapore Citizen or PR spouse can use MediSave to pay for the foreign spouse's pre-delivery and delivery expenses, subject to the prevailing limits.

Under the MediSave Maternity Package, the current limits include up to S$900 for pre-delivery expenses and applicable limits for hospitalization and the delivery procedure.

MediSave can be used at both public and private hospitals, but it does not mean that the entire maternity bill will be covered.

Any amount above the applicable withdrawal limits remains payable through insurance, cash or other available financing.

Public vs private maternity care in Singapore for expats

Public maternity care generally costs less than private care, but expats should check their insurance coverage and subsidy eligibility before choosing a hospital.

Public hospitals offer different ward classes, but foreign patients may not qualify for the same government subsidies available to eligible Singapore residents.

This can make the difference between subsidized and unsubsidized care significant.

For example, MOH data shows a median bill of S$2,733 for an uncomplicated Caesarean delivery in a subsidized B2 ward at KK Women's and Children's Hospital, compared with S$9,814 for an unsubsidized A ward.

These figures are based on Singapore Citizen transactions and are not guaranteed prices for foreign patients.

Private maternity care generally costs more but gives patients greater choice of obstetricians, room types and hospital services.

For expats with international health insurance, the key consideration is whether the policy's maternity benefit limit is sufficient for the hospital they plan to use.

They should also check whether the policy covers the obstetrician's fees, room charges, Caesarean delivery, pregnancy complications and newborn care.

Conclusion

Choosing pregnancy insurance in Singapore is ultimately a matter of timing, coverage limits and intended level of care.

A policy with a lower premium can offer poor value if its maternity waiting period extends beyond the planned pregnancy or its benefit limit falls short of the hospital and specialist fees.

For expats, the strongest policy is therefore not necessarily the one with the highest maternity benefit.

It is the one whose waiting period, maternity limits, complication coverage and hospital access align with when and where you plan to give birth.

Arranging coverage before pregnancy also gives you more options and avoids exclusions that can apply once pregnancy has already begun.

FAQs

Which hospital is best for pregnancy in Singapore?

KK Women's and Children's Hospital is a leading choice for pregnancy and high-risk maternity care, while Mount Alvernia, Thomson Medical Centre and Mount Elizabeth are established private options for expats seeking private maternity services.

What happens if a foreigner gives birth in Singapore?

A foreigner who gives birth in Singapore must register the birth within 42 days and arrange the newborn's passport, nationality and immigration status if the child is not a Singapore Citizen.

How much does it cost to give birth in Singapore for foreigners?

Foreigners can expect to pay roughly S$2,500 to S$16,000 or more for a routine hospital delivery in Singapore, with private care and Caesarean deliveries generally costing more and subsidies potentially unavailable to foreign patients.

Will insurance cover pregnancy if you are already pregnant?

Most international health insurance plans will not cover a pregnancy that began before the policy's maternity waiting period was satisfied, so coverage should generally be arranged before conception.

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