Ch. 397

1996 LAWS OF MARYLAND

(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.

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 (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 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 PHYSICIAN PROVIDER" MEANS AN
OBSTETRICIAN, PEDIATRICIAN, OR 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
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 A
AN UNCOMPLICATED VAGINAL DELIVERY; AND

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

(C) AN INSURER, NONPROFIT HEALTH SERVICE PLAN, OR HEALTH
MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATION THAT PROVIDES COVERAGE FOR POST DELIVERY
CARE FOR A MOTHER AND NEWBORN CHILD IS NOT REQUIRED TO PROVIDE THE
MINIMUM COVERAGE REQUIRED UNDER SUBSECTION (B) OF THIS SECTION UNLESS
THE ATTENDING PHYSICIAN, CONSISTENT WITH THE CRITERIA OUTLINED IN THE

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