N.M. Stat. § 59A-22-39.1
Mastectomies and lymph node dissection; minimum
hospital stay coverage required.
A. Each individual and group health insurance policy, health care plan and
certificate of health insurance delivered or issued for delivery in this state shall provide
coverage for not less than forty-eight hours of inpatient care following a mastectomy
and not less than twenty-four hours of inpatient care following a lymph node dissection
for the treatment of breast cancer.
B. Nothing in this section shall be construed as requiring the provision of inpatient
coverage where the attending physician and patient determine that a shorter period of
hospital stay is appropriate.
C. The provisions of this section shall not apply to short-term travel, accident-only or
limited or specified disease policies.
D. Coverage for minimum inpatient hospital stays for mastectomies and lymph node
dissections for the treatment of breast cancer may be subject to deductibles and co-
insurance consistent with those imposed on other benefits under the same policy, plan
or certificate.