MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1997 Regular Session

To: Insurance

By: Representative Moak

AN ACT TO REQUIRE THAT CERTAIN INSURANCE POLICIES OR HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATIONS PROVIDE COVERAGE FOR A MINIMUM OF FORTY-EIGHT HOURS OF INPATIENT CARE FOR A MOTHER FOLLOWING THE DELIVERY OF HER INFANT IF THE ATTENDING PHYSICIAN DETERMINES THAT SUCH CARE IS MEDICALLY NECESSARY AND IS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE DELIVERY OF THE INFANT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. (1) Any health insurance policy or any health maintenance organization plan utilized in the State of Mississippi that includes prenatal care, delivery of infants or postpartum care shall provide coverage of a minimum of forty-eight (48) hours of inpatient care for a mother following the delivery of her infant if such inpatient care is determined to be medically necessary by the attending physician and such inpatient care is directly related to the delivery of the infant.

(2) Nothing in this act shall permit such policy or plan to deselect, to require additional documentation or submission to additional utilization review, to reduce capitation payment or otherwise penalize an attending physician who orders care consistent with the provisions of this act.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1997.