PARRIS N. GLENDENING, Governor                             Ch. 396

477-I.

(A) Every insurer who issues or delivers a group or blanket health insurance policy
under which any hospitalization benefits are provided for normal pregnancy shall provide
those benefits for the cost of hospitalization for childbirth to the same extent as the
hospitalization benefit provided in the policy for any covered illness. [This provision may
not be construed, however, to require any insurer to provide benefits for pregnancy or
childbirth in any policy.]

(B) (1) IN ADDITION TO THE PROVISIONS OF § 490FF OF THIS ARTICLE AND
SUBSECTION f A) OF THIS SECTION, WHENEVER A MOTHER IS REQUIRED TO REMAIN
HOSPITALIZED AFTER CHILDBIRTH FOR MEDICAL REASONS AND THE MOTHER
REQUESTS THAT THE NEWBORN REMAIN IN THE HOSPITAL, AN INSURER SHALL PAY
THE COST, FOR UP TO 4 DAYS OF HOSPITALIZATION, FOR THE ADDITIONAL
HOSPITALIZATION OF THE NEWBORN UNTIL THE MOTHER IS RELEASED FROM THE
HOSPITAL OF ADDITIONAL HOSPITALIZATION FOR THE NEWBORN FOR UP TO 4 DAYS.

(2) THE ATTENDING PHYSICIAN OR CERTIFIED NURSE MIDWIFE OF THE
MOTHER, OR THE DESIGNEE OF THE ATTENDING PHYSICIAN OR CERTIFIED NURSE
MIDWIFE, SHALL PROVIDE NOTICE TO THE MOTHER OF THE PROVISIONS OF
PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION.

490FF.

(A)    IN THIS SECTION, "ATTENDING PROVIDER" MEANS AN OBSTETRICIAN,
PEDIATRICIAN, OTHER PHYSICIAN, OR CERTIFIED NURSE MIDWIFE OR PEDIATRIC
NURSE PRACTITIONER ATTENDING THE MOTHER OR NEWBORN CHILD.

(B)     AN INSURER OR NONPROFIT HEALTH SERVICE PLAN THAT PROVIDES
HOSPITAL, MEDICAL, OR SURGICAL BENEFITS FOR ISSUANCE OR DELIVERY IN THE
STATE TO ANY GROUP OR INDIVIDUAL ON AN EXPENSE-INCURRED BASIS INPATIENT
HOSPITALIZATION COVERAGE TO ANY GROUP OR INDIVIDUAL ON AN
EXPENSE-INCURRED BASIS UNDER A HEALTH INSURANCE CONTRACT OR POLICY ISSUED
OR DELIVERED IN THE STATE, INCLUDING A HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATION,
SHALL PROVIDE COVERAGE FOR THE COST OF INPATIENT HOSPITALIZATION SERVICES
FOR A MOTHER AND NEWBORN CHILD FOR A MINIMUM OF:

(1)     48 HOURS OF INPATIENT HOSPITALIZATION CARE FOLLOWING AN
UNCOMPLICATED VAGINAL DELIVERY; AND

(2)     96 HOURS OF INPATIENT HOSPITALIZATION CARE FOLLOWING AN
UNCOMPLICATED CESAREAN SECTION.

(C) (1) A MOTHER MAY AGREE TO REQUESTS SHORTER LENGTH OF STAY
THAN THAT PROVIDED IN SUBSECTION (B) OF THIS SECTION IF SHE DECIDES, IN
CONSULTATION WITH HER ATTENDING PROVIDER, THAT LESS TIME IS NEEDED FOR
RECOVERY.

(2) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH (3) OF THIS SUBSECTION, AN
INSURER, NONPROFIT HEALTH SERVICE PLAN, OR HEALTH MAINTENANCE
ORGANIZATION SHALL PROVIDE COVERAGE FOR A MOTHER AND NEWBORN CHILD
FOR A MINIMUM OF ONE HOME VISIT:

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