Bill > SB47

This bill amends existing health insurance law to clarify and strengthen coverage requirements for newborn children by mandating that a birth mother's health insurance policy serve as the primary coverage for her newborn from the moment of birth, with no additional cost-sharing. Specifically, the bill requires that all individual and group health insurance policies provide comprehensive health insurance benefits for newborns, including coverage for medical care, treatment of congenital defects, and birth abnormalities. The policy ensures that the newborn is covered under the birth mother's insurance automatically, and if the mother does not have health insurance or an employer-sponsored health plan, then the other parent's policy can provide coverage. The bill also specifies that insurers cannot charge an additional premium for the newborn's coverage during the first 31 days after birth, and parents must notify the insurance company of the birth within 31 days to continue coverage beyond that initial period. The legislation will take effect on January 1, 2026, and applies to all insurance policies delivered or issued in the state.

Business and Industry, Health and Social Services

https://gc.nh.gov/bill_status/legacy/bs2016/bill_docket.aspx?lsr=935&sy=2025&sortoption=&txtsessionyear=2025&txtbillnumber=SB47