Sec. 2. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b), all individual and group accident and sickness insurance policies or contracts which provide coverage on an expense incurred basis or a provision of service basis for:

(1) an individual insured, certificate holder, or subscriber; or

(2) a family member or child of the insured, certificate holder, or subscriber;

shall, as to such individual or family members’ coverage, also provide that the insurance benefits applicable for the individual or family member shall be payable with respect to a newly born child of the insured, certificate holder, or subscriber from the moment of birth.

     (b) Subsection (a) does not require the coverage of a newly born child of an insured or a subscriber under an individual accident and sickness policy or contract if the pregnancy resulting in the birth of the newly born child was a condition that existed prior to the issuance of the policy or contract. If the pregnancy resulting in the birth of a newly born child was a condition that existed prior to the issuance of the policy or contract, coverage for the newly born child under the policy or contract is subject to the underwriting practices followed by the insurer at the time of the birth of the child.

     (c) The coverage for newly born children required by subsection (a) shall consist of coverage of injury or sickness, including the necessary care and treatment of medically diagnosed congenital defects and birth abnormalities. Coverage for newly born children required by subsection (a) shall include but not be limited to benefits for inpatient or outpatient expenses arising from medical and dental treatment (including orthodontic and oral surgery treatment) involved in the management of birth defects known as cleft lip and cleft palate.

Formerly: Acts 1975, P.L.282, SEC.1. As amended by P.L.259-1985, SEC.1; P.L.267-1987, SEC.6; P.L.257-1995, SEC.1; P.L.189-1997, SEC.1.