Length of hospital stay?

Shine2015 · June 2015

Does anyone know if there is a federal law that states how long a woman is allowed to stay in the hospital after delivery and it be covered by insurance? With my first, 4 years ago, I was told 48 hours after a vaginal delivery unless there were complications. I just called my insurance (different from last time) and they said basically you are discharged asap, and unless your doctor thinks you need to stay longer they want you out in 24 hours. With my situation last time I was not ready by that point and knew I could stay an extra night but I want to make sure should the same issue arise I have something to back up my decision so I am not stuck with a bill I can't afford.

chavemann10 · June 2015

Hmmm...I am not sure on this. I know our insurance covers 48hrs for a vaginal without complications or 96 for cesarean without complications. I also know that if your doctor elects to keep you there, it will be coded as such and your insurance should have to pay it. It's been a while since I've done billing and coding, but I know the new laws regarding coding have very specific information so that it is harder for insurance companies to deny claims.

hclzmm14 · June 2015

I hope to leave ASAP so I'm curious about this as well. I don't even want to stay the night if I don't have to but we will see what happens. I am pretty sure there is no law that says you must stay for any length of time and if anything I would think it would be a state by state law.

CaliforniaDream87 · June 2015

Like PP stated, I also plan to leave ASAP. With DS, we had him at 5am and we were discharged (we wanted to leave badly) that night. Between the constant nurses checking in, unnecessary random hospital staff trying to sell stuff (photography, birth stones, ect) we just wanted to get home and in our own routine.

My insurance does cover 48 hours though.

jesselayne8 · June 2015

I left 30hrs after my 1st csection. I couldn't get
Out of there fast enough!!

Starynightsky24 · June 2015

I also left ASAP. I was there almost the whole 48hours. It felt like an eternity

littlemizstar · June 2015

I know from the last my pregnancy which was about a year and half ago it was 24 hours for vaginal and 72 hours for csection

atthemoment · June 2015

My hospital does 2 overnights for VB and 3 overnights for CS

amybabbay · June 2015

24hrs after I give birth I am allowed to leave if no complications and if my daughter and I are healthy I don't plan on staying any longer then 24hrs anywahs

bpwife&mama · June 2015

I begged my doctor to let me leave the next day. She refused so I stayed 2 days and hated it.

princesslockness · June 2015

My hospital will not let a 'routine vaginal birth' leave before 24 hrs, and will kick you out after 48. I have no idea for a c sec.

Boslove · June 2015

I guess im the only one who enjoyed staying in the hospital lol. I was there 3days due to the time I delivered they didnt count that as Day 1- a Normal stay was 48hrs. 3 days was overkill with the in and out of Dr's/residents, etc. but I am looking forward to my 2days.

LilLee11 · June 2015

Boslove said:
I guess im the only one who enjoyed staying in the hospital lol. I was there 3days due to the time I delivered they didnt count that as Day 1- a Normal stay was 48hrs. 3 days was overkill with the in and out of Dr's/residents, etc. but I am looking forward to my 2days.

Feeling is mutual. It was annoying to have someone constantly checking on me, but it was also reassurance to me that we had help if needed. And I was actually able to sleep a good amt bc of the nurses help!

kettlekitten · June 2015

I stayed a week (here they let you stay longer if you struggle to BF and insurance covers it). Actually I never wanted to go home!! All my and DH's meals were included and I had BFing help on hand, and someone to help with the baby at night. Didn't feel qualified to go home with a new baby!

JNOVA2015 · June 2015

There is no federal or state law on this. The only relevant factor is what your insurance covers. You're welcome to stay longer if the doctors agree to it, but you'll be paying out of pocket. That's the joy of our free market medical system in this country.

Perfect Sonnet · June 2015

cllgarrison said:

I hope to leave ASAP so I'm curious about this as well. I don't even want to stay the night if I don't have to but we will see what happens. I am pretty sure there is no law that says you must stay for any length of time and if anything I would think it would be a state by state law.

Me too! I had my first on a Sunday morning and left on Monday afternoon. That was too long. If I have this one in the morning, it would be great to leave the day of.

I agree. I don't think there is a law assoiated with this. It is all up to your insurance.

fionalouise007 · June 2015

CaliforniaDream87 said:
Like PP stated, I also plan to leave ASAP. With DS, we had him at 5am and we were discharged (we wanted to leave badly) that night. Between the constant nurses checking in, unnecessary random hospital staff trying to sell stuff (photography, birth stones, ect) we just wanted to get home and in our own routine.

My insurance does cover 48 hours though.

Someone selling birth stones!? I would tell them right where to go.. GTFO of my room. Oh my goodness. I hope our hospital doesn't have annoying people selling stuff!

CaliforniaDream87 · June 2015

fionalouise007 said:

CaliforniaDream87 said:
Like PP stated, I also plan to leave ASAP. With DS, we had him at 5am and we were discharged (we wanted to leave badly) that night. Between the constant nurses checking in, unnecessary random hospital staff trying to sell stuff (photography, birth stones, ect) we just wanted to get home and in our own routine.

My insurance does cover 48 hours though.
Someone selling birth stones!? I would tell them right where to go.. GTFO of my room. Oh my goodness. I hope our hospital doesn't have annoying people selling stuff!

Yep. We have the option to have the "do not disturb" sign now. I fully plan to use it

SashaDenn25 · June 2015

Ladies, I really didnt know if I had no complications I could be like hey me and LO are leaving!!! I would so rather go home as quickly as possible...did you all just voice this at the hospital or is this something I should speak with my doctor about in my upcoming appointments?

KMBC2552 · June 2015

48 hours, but I want to leave ASAP. I don't sleep well in the hospital and nurses are constantly coming in and out. I just want to be back in my own space.

fionalouise007 · June 2015

@California_Dreaming I might make my own in case our hospital hasn't thought of that!

cosplaymom · June 2015

I wanted to stay longer, my hospital was great and the food was yummy!

When I gave birth it was almost 7pm. I stayed that night and was supposed to go home the next day but since the latest they can discharge is like 5 or 6pm and that wasn't 24 hours yet, they were able to delay and keep me another night. I needed it! They said if I really wanted to go home that day I could ask my nurses to bundle the discharge routines and paperwork to get it done faster but I didn't really want to do that.

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