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§ 15-812. Inpatient hospitalization for mothers and newborn children

West's Annotated Code of MarylandInsurance

West's Annotated Code of Maryland
Insurance (Refs & Annos)
Title 15. Health Insurance
Subtitle 8. Required Health Insurance Benefits (Refs & Annos)
MD Code, Insurance, § 15-812
§ 15-812. Inpatient hospitalization for mothers and newborn children
Currentness
Definitions
(a)(1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.
(2) “Attending provider” means an obstetrician, pediatrician, other physician, certified nurse midwife, or pediatric nurse practitioner attending a mother or newborn child.
(3) “High-deductible health plan” means a health benefit plan that meets the federal requirements established by § 1201 of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003.1
Application of section
(b) This section applies to:
(1) insurers and nonprofit health service plans that provide inpatient hospitalization coverage to individuals or groups on an expense-incurred basis under health insurance policies or contracts that are issued or delivered in the State; and
(2) health maintenance organizations that provide inpatient hospitalization coverage to individuals or groups under contracts that are issued or delivered in the State.
Coverage for inpatient hospitalization for mothers and newborn children
(c) An entity subject to this section 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 after an uncomplicated vaginal delivery; and
(2) 96 hours of inpatient hospitalization care after an uncomplicated cesarean section.
Request for shorter length of stay by mother
(d) A mother may request a shorter length of stay than that provided in subsection (c) of this section if the mother decides, in consultation with the mother's attending provider, that less time is needed for recovery.
Coverage for home visits
(e)(1) For a mother and newborn child who have a shorter hospital stay than that provided under subsection (c) of this section, an entity subject to this section shall provide coverage for:
(i) one home visit scheduled to occur within 24 hours after hospital discharge; and
(ii) an additional home visit if prescribed by the attending provider.
(2) For a mother and newborn child who remain in the hospital for at least the length of time provided under subsection (c) of this section, an entity subject to this section shall provide coverage for a home visit if prescribed by the attending provider.
(3) A home visit under paragraph (1) or (2) of this subsection shall:
(i) be provided in accordance with generally accepted standards of nursing practice for home care of a mother and newborn child;
(ii) be provided by a registered nurse with at least 1 year of experience in maternal and child health nursing or community health nursing with an emphasis on maternal and child health; and
(iii) include any services required by the attending provider.
Participation of attending provider in advocating interest of mother and newborn child
(f) An entity subject to this section may not deny, limit, or otherwise impair the participation of an attending provider under contract with the entity in providing health care services to enrollees or insureds for:
(1) advocating the interest of a mother and newborn child through the entity's utilization review or appeals system;
(2) advocating more than 48 hours of inpatient hospital care after a complicated vaginal delivery or more than 96 hours of inpatient hospital care after a complicated cesarean section; or
(3) prescribing a home visit under subsection (e)(1)(ii) or (2) of this section.
Copayments or coinsurance requirements or deductibles
(g)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, an entity subject to this section may not impose a copayment or coinsurance requirement or deductible for coverage required under subsection (e)(1) or (2) of this section or refuse reimbursement under subsection (e)(1) of this section if the services do not occur within the time specified.
(2) If an insured or enrollee is covered under a high-deductible health plan, an entity subject to this section may require that the coverage required under subsection (e)(1) and (2) of this section be subject to the deductible of the high-deductible health plan.
Notice to insureds and enrollees about coverage
(h) An entity subject to this section shall provide notice annually to insureds and enrollees about the coverage provided by this section.

Credits

Added by Acts 1997, c. 35, § 2, eff. Oct. 1, 1997. Amended by Acts 2005, c. 316, § 1, eff. May 10, 2005.
Formerly Art. 48A, § 490HH.

Footnotes

1
Pub.L. 108-173; 117 Stat. 2066.
MD Code, Insurance, § 15-812, MD INSURANCE § 15-812
Current with legislation effective through October 1, 2024, from the 2024 Regular Session of the General Assembly. Some statute sections may be more current, see credits for details.
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