LEGISLATIVE FISCAL ESTIMATE TO

[First Reprint]

SENATE, No. 1361

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: DECEMBER 17, 1996

      Senate Bill No. 1361 (1R) of 1996 requires the State Health Benefits Commission to provide the same maternity benefits to persons covered under the State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) as is required for other insurers and health maintenance organizations under P.L.1995, c.138. Specifically, the bill requires that coverage be provided for a minimum of 48 hours of inpatient care following a vaginal delivery and a minimum of 96 hours of inpatient care following a cesarean section for a mother and her newly born child. The bill also provides that upon receipt of notification that the woman will be or has been admitted to an inpatient facility, the carrier shall preauthorize inpatient care for the woman and her newly born child for the 48-hour or 96-hour period, as applicable.

      The bill further provides that a contract that provides coverage for post-delivery care to a mother and her newly born child in the home shall not be required to provide for a minimum 48 hours and 96 hours, respectively, of inpatient care unless such inpatient care is determined to be medically necessary by the attending physician or is requested by the mother.

      The Division of Pensions and Benefits testified at a Senate Health Committee meeting that there would be no fiscal impact on participating employers because the bill codifies benefits already provided by the SHBP.

      The Office of Legislative Services concurs.

      This legislative fiscal estimate has been produced by the Office of Legislative Services due to the failure of the Executive Branch to respond to our request for a fiscal note.

This fiscal estimate has been prepared pursuant to P.L.1980, c.67.