Maternity services.

Existing law provides for the regulation of health insurers by the Department of Insurance. Under existing law, a health insurer that provides maternity coverage may not restrict inpatient hospital benefits, as specified, and is required to provide notice of the maternity services coverage. This bill would require new forms for health insurance policies submitted to the department after January 1, 2012, to provide coverage for maternity services, as defined, except as specified. With respect to policy forms on file with the department as of January 1, 2012, the bill would require health insurers to submit to the department, on or before March 1, 2012, revised policy forms that provide coverage for maternity services and would require insurers to include that coverage in the corresponding policies that are issued, amended, or renewed following the department's approval of the revised forms, as specified. The bill would also specify findings and declarations of the Legislature regarding health care coverage for maternity services.