Women’s Health Provisions
No matter which medical plan option you choose, your hospital coverage for childbirth will be for the same minimum number of days, as required by federal law.
- If your baby is delivered vaginally, you may stay in the hospital at least 48 hours (two days) after the birth.
- If you have a cesarean section, you may stay in the hospital at least 96 hours (four days) after the birth.
- If the attending physician believes you need a longer stay, you may receive benefits for additional days if your doctor obtains pre-authorization from the insurance company. On the other hand, if you and your doctor agree that, in your case, the minimum number of days is not necessary, you may be released from the hospital earlier.
Under the Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998, all health plans that provide mastectomy coverage are also required to provide coverage for:
- reconstruction of the breast on which the mastectomy has been performed
- surgery and reconstruction of the other breast to produce symmetrical (balanced) appearance
- prostheses (artificial replacements) and physical complications at all stages of the mastectomy, including lymphodemas