You surely know that you’re required to have health insurance in the Czech Republic. If you apply for a long-term residence permit, you need private health insurance. And it may happen unexpectedly – or you can plan it yourself – that you start a family in the Czech Republic. Naturally, this raises several important questions. Does your insurance cover all aspects of pregnancy and childbirth? We provide the answers in this article.
What this article covers:
Which type of health insurance is suitable for pregnancy and childbirth
What about newborn care insurance
The main insurance exclusions related to pregnancy, childbirth and newborn care
Prenatal Care and Childbirth? Check the Comprehensive Health Insurance
First, we would like to remind you that there are two main types of health insurance for foreigners. Acute and emergency health insurance (basic medical insurance) and comprehensive insurance. Let’s set aside the first one for now. Acute and emergency health insurance – as its name suggests – doesn’t cover medical examination to confirm pregnancy or medical treatment in case of complications during pregnancy. Similarly, it doesn’t cover costs of childbirth and postpartum care. Acute and emergency health insurance provides only elementary insurance cover and is usually arranged for short-term residence in the Czech Republic (short-term visa).
By contrast, comprehensive insurance includes pregnancy as well as childbirth. However, there are a few conditions to consider. Therefore, you need get familiar with insurance terms and conditions in advance. Especially with waiting periods, coverage limits or insurance exclusions.
Wait. Or Get Supplemental Insurance for Pregnant Women
Speaking of pregnancy and childbirth, insurance companies typically set time frames of several months. The beginning of these frames corresponds with the beginning of the insurance. If a woman becomes pregnant within the first three months of taking out the insurance, the insurance company doesn’t have to reimburse medical expenses. The same applies if she gives birth within eight months of taking out the insurance. Consequently, if a woman is already pregnant before taking out the insurance, the insurance company won’t cover medical examinations or procedures related to pregnancy and childbirth.
Nevertheless, it is possible to avoid waiting times. You can take out the optional supplementary insurance for pregnant women. “AXA ASSISTANCE CZ even offers a special insurance plan designed for expectant mothers. Among other things, this plan eliminates waiting periods, and the coverage includes postnatal care for newborn. This is not common in standard plans,” says Ladislav Griga, Head of Telesales at FaBrika ads, the company behind the InfoCizinci.cz website. The coverage limit for this postnatal care is 300,000 Czech crowns (more than 12,000 euros). The diagnosis and treatment of congenital developmental defects is included.
Comprehensive Insurance in the Czech Republic. In the Schengen Area Only Acute and Emergency Health Insurance
Keep in mind that all insurance companies set their own exclusions. That means that they specify situations or procedures that are not covered. For example:
- fertility testing and infertility treatment
- intrauterine insemination
- abortion (unless medically necessary)
- costs of contraception
- hormone therapy
It’s also important not to overlook the geographical scope of the insurance. If you travel from the Czech Republic to any country in the Schengen Area, your health insurance remains valid. But only as an acute and emergency health insurance (basic medical insurance). “So, those who have taken out comprehensive health insurance for their stay in the Czech Republic – whether a premium plan or one tailored for pregnancy – should be aware of the insurance terms and conditions when traveling outside the Czech Republic. These terms exclude ultrasound examinations or costs associated with complications in high-risk pregnancies, complications after the 18th week of pregnancy, and the costs of childbirth, including premature birth,” concludes Ladislav Griga.
