What is the Newborns and Mothers Health Protection Act?
The Newborns’ and Mothers’ Health Protection Act (NMHPA) provides that coverage for a hospital stay following a normal delivery may generally not be limited to less than 48 hours for both mother and newborn child. The hospital stay following a caesarian section may generally not be limited to less than 96 hours for both mother and newborn child.
The Newborns’ and Mothers’ Health Protection Act (NMHPA) guarantees that a woman and her newborn baby will be allowed to stay in the hospital for at least 48 hours after a vaginal delivery or 96 hours after a C-section delivery. The Act prohibits group health plans from providing any incentives or disincentives to the mother or the hospital that might encourage a shorter stay. When Does the 48-hour or 96-hour Period Start? The 48-hour or 96-hour period starts at the time of delivery. If you deliver outside the hospital and are admitted to the hospital for treatment related to the childbirth, the period starts the time you are admitted to the hospital. Am I Protected under the Newborns’ and Mothers’ Health Protection Act? Whether or not you are protected under the Newborns’ and Mothers’ Health Protection depends on two key factors. First, does your group health plan cover hospital stays in connection with childbirth. The NMHPA does not require health plans to cover your hospital stay, a
