Newborns’ and Mothers’ Health Protection Act

Annual Notification

Under the provisions of the Newborns’ and Mothers’ Health Protection Act, group health plans and health insurance issuers generally may not, under federal law, restrict benefits for any hospital length of stay in connection with childbirth for the mother or newborn child to less than 48 hours following a vaginal delivery, or less than 96 hours following a Caesarean section. However, federal law does not prohibit the mother’s or newborn’s attending provider, after consulting with the mother, from discharging the mother and her newborn earlier than 48 hours or 96 hours if applicable.

In any case, plans and issuers may not, under federal law, require that a provider obtain authorization from the plan or the issuer for prescribing a length of stay not in excess of 48 hours or 96 hours.