Maternity benefit – Insurance claim medical expenses towards pregnancy

Dear All,

Friend of mine, she has worked more than 80 days in her current employment. (3+ years’ experience in the same company -Private firm) she’s is pregnant and expecting delivery by Nov or Dec. She has intimated her Boss and HR that she will going on maternity leave and requested them for hand over procedure, as she is handling multiple projects, she wants to do it in a proper way, but management still continue saying that the revised act has not been implemented.

I have send her amended notification and asked her to send it to the HR along with doctor reports. – Suggestion on the same pls, whether it is fine or anything else to be done

Also she said that she is covered under “Max- Bupa” insurance. Instead of group medi-claim they have given it for individual (for cost saving) in which maternity benefit is eligible only after two years, were as the management tied up with the vendor just a year back.

Kindly let me know, in this case her medical expenses towards pregnancy will be taken care by the company or it is not liable on their part. (She is not covered under ESI)

Regards

Calyan

Dear Caly,
As you have provided notification of amendment of maternity act to the organisation then that is inuff. Also, if the clause of 2 years membership is there in the policy from MaxBupa then she won't be able to claim from it. But, she can claim for maternity bonus from the employer.

Under the Maternity Benefit Act the employer is under an obligation to give 26 weeks leave with salary and Rs 3500 towards medical bonus if no prenatal or post natal care is given by the employer. At the same time, the employer has no obligation to bear the medical expenses of the employee in connection with pregnancy or child birth.
Madhu.T.K

Thanks Madhu & Manoj for your inputs