Newborn's And Mother's Health Protection Act

Under federal law, group health plans and health insurance issuers generally may not restrict benefits to participants for any hospital length of stay in connection with childbirth for the mother or newborn child to:

• Less than 48 hours following a normal vaginal delivery; or
• Less than 96 hours following a Caesarean section.

However, the law doesn't generally prohibit the mother's or newborn's attending physician, after consulting with the mother, from discharging the mother or her newborn less than 48 hours after delivery (or 96 hours, as applicable) after the birth.

In any case, the Fund may not require a provider to obtain authorization from the Fund for prescribing a hospital stay of not more than 48 hours (or 96 hours).