00HOUSE CS FOR CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 193(HES)                                                                            
01 "An Act relating to insurance coverage for certain costs of birth; and providing                                        
02 for an effective date."                                                                                                 
03 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:                                                                
04    * Section 1.  AS 21.42 is amended by adding a new section to read:                                                   
05  Sec. 21.42.347.  COVERAGE FOR COSTS OF BIRTH.  (a)  An insurer who                                                    
06 provides coverage for the costs of childbirth shall also offer coverage for the costs of                                
07 hospitalization or medical care following childbirth for a period of not less than                                      
08   (1)  48 hours after a vaginal birth; and                                                                             
09   (2)  96 hours after a caesarean birth.                                                                               
10  (b) Except as otherwise required to offer coverage specified under (a) of this                                        
11 section, this section does not affect a payment arrangement entered into between a                                      
12 hospital or physician and an insurer.                                                                                   
13  (c)  This section may not be construed to require hospitalization or medical care                                     
14 as described under (a)(1) or (2) of this section if the mother giving birth and the                                     

01 mother's health care provider agree that the mother and any newborn child of the                                        
02 mother should be discharged earlier than required under (a)(1) or (2) of this section.                                  
03  (d)  In this section,                                                                                                 
04   (1)  "health care provider" means a person licensed in this state to                                                 
05 provide health care services;                                                                                           
06   (2) "insurer" includes                                                                                               
07   (A)  an insurer, as defined in AS 21.90.900;                                                                        
08   (B)  a group health plan, as defined in 29 U.S.C. 1167(l)                                                           
09 (Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974);                                                                      
10   (C)  a health maintenance organization, as defined in                                                               
11 AS 21.86.900;                                                                                                           
12   (D)  a hospital service corporation or medical service                                                              
13 corporation, as defined in AS 21.87.330;                                                                                
14   (E)  a writing carrier, as defined in AS 21.55.500; and                                                             
15   (F)  an entity offering a service benefit plan, as referred to in 42                                                
16 U.S.C. 1396g-1.                                                                                                         
17    * Sec. 2.  APPLICABILITY.  This Act applies to a policy of insurance issued or renewed                               
18 on or after the effective date of this Act.                                                                             
19    * Sec. 3.  This Act takes effect immediately under AS 01.10.070(c).