Does HMO Cover Pregnancy? Maternity Cover in Nigeria Explained

Antenatal visits, scans, tests, delivery and newborn care add up quickly, and a caesarean section or a baby who needs special care can cost far more than expected. Many families hope their HMO will cover it all. Some plans do, but many do not, and the rules on waiting periods catch a lot of people out.

This guide explains what maternity cover usually includes, which types of plan include it, the waiting periods to know about and how to make sure you are covered before you get pregnant.

Does HMO cover pregnancy in Nigeria?

It depends on your plan. In Nigeria:

• Company (group) plans are the most likely to include maternity care, because the cost is shared across many employees.
• Individual and family plans often exclude maternity care, or only cover it after a long waiting period.
• State health insurance schemes, such as Ilera Eko in Lagos, may cover antenatal care and delivery, with waiting periods.

Always check your plan’s benefits and exclusions list. Do not assume “full cover” includes pregnancy.

What maternity cover usually includes

A good maternity benefit covers:

• Antenatal care: clinic visits, specialist (obstetrician) consultations, routine tests and ultrasound scans
• Antenatal drugs: routine supplements such as folic acid, iron and malaria prevention. See routine drugs for pregnancy
• Delivery: normal (vaginal) delivery and complicated or assisted delivery
• Caesarean section, planned or emergency
• Newborn care: checks, immunisations and, on better plans, special care baby unit (SCBU) or neonatal intensive care (NICU)
• Postnatal care: check-ups for mother and baby after birth

Check whether each item is covered and whether there are separate limits, especially for caesarean sections and NICU care.

Waiting periods: the most common surprise

A waiting period is the time between joining a plan and being able to use a benefit. Maternity benefits often have long waiting periods so people do not join only once they are already pregnant.

For example, Lagos State’s Ilera Eko scheme requires at least five months of enrolment, plus antenatal attendance, before delivery is covered, according to a 2025 LASHMA statement. Antenatal care itself has no waiting period on that scheme.

The lesson: if you are planning a pregnancy, get the right cover in place well before you conceive.

Maternity cover with Reliance HMO

Company plans: Reliance HMO’s company health plans include maternity care for women and babies during pregnancy, birth and beyond, including immunisation, plus neonatal support including intensive and special care (NICU/SCBU). If you work for a company with a Reliance HMO plan, ask your HR team about your maternity benefits.

Personal plans: Reliance HMO’s personal plans (Red Beryl, Alexandrite and Diamond) do not currently cover obstetric care such as antenatal care, delivery and caesarean section. See the personal plan exclusions for details.

Business owners: If you run a small business, a small business plan can give you and your staff group benefits. Speak to our team about what is included.

How to make sure you’re covered

1. Check your current plan. Look for antenatal care, delivery, caesarean section and newborn care in your benefits list, and check the exclusions.
2. Ask about waiting periods and limits. Find out how long you must be on the plan before delivery is covered, and the limits for a caesarean and NICU care.
3. Plan ahead. If your plan does not cover maternity, arrange cover before you get pregnant.
4. Register your baby quickly. Many plans only cover a newborn once the baby has been added to the plan. Ask your HMO or HR team how soon you need to do this.
5. Keep going to antenatal care. Regular check-ups protect you and your baby, and some schemes require them before covering delivery. Read why antenatal care matters.

Frequently asked questions

Can I join an HMO when I’m already pregnant?
You can join, but many plans will not cover the current pregnancy because of waiting periods or exclusions. Check carefully before you pay.

Does HMO cover caesarean section?
Plans that include maternity usually cover caesarean sections, often with a set limit. Check the limit on your plan.

Does HMO cover the baby after birth?
Many plans cover newborn care, but often only once the baby is added to the plan. Register your baby as soon as possible.

Which HMO plans cover pregnancy?
Company group plans are the most likely to include maternity care. With Reliance HMO, maternity and newborn care is included in company plans.

More on pregnancy: the do’s and don’ts in pregnancy, drugs to avoid during pregnancy and fruits and vegetables to eat during pregnancy.

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