If a health benefit plan of a small employer carrier that is issued or renewed on or after July 1, 1996, provides maternity coverage, the plan shall provide coverage for a minimum of forty–eight hours of inpatient care following a vaginal delivery and a minimum of ninety–six hours of inpatient care following delivery by cesarean section for a mother and her newborn child in a health care facility licensed pursuant to chapter 34-12, except as otherwise provided in § 58-18B-51. Any policy issued to employers with less than fifteen employees that provides coverage for complications of pregnancy, and does not provide other maternity benefits, is not required to comply with this section.

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Source: SL 1996, ch 292, § 7; SL 1998, ch 290, § 3.