Newborns' and Mothers' Protections

The Newborns' and Mothers' Health Protection Act (Newborns' Act) includes important protections for mothers and their newborn children with regard to the length of the hospital stay following childbirth. The Newborns' Act requires that group health plans that offer maternity coverage pay for at least a 48-hour hospital stay following childbirth (96-hour stay in the case of Cesarean section).

Webpages on this Topic

Consumer Information on Health Plans
Provides fact sheets, booklets, and other health plan information from the Department's Employee Benefits Security Administration.

Compliance Assistance
Provides publications and other materials to assist employers and employee benefit plan practitioners in understanding and complying with the requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act for the administration of retirement and health plans.

Questions and Answers: Newborns' & Mothers' Health Protection Act
Provides answers to commonly asked questions about the Newborns' Act.

Fact Sheet: Newborns' & Mothers' Health Protection Act
Provides a brief overview of the major provisions of this law.

Compliance Assistance Guide: Health Benefits Coverage Under Federal Law
Provides questions and answers and self-compliance tool.

Protections for Newborns, Adopted Children, and New Parents – the Newborns' and Mothers' Health Protection Act of 1996
Provides information for new or soon-to-be new parents for you and your new child.