Question about California and early checkout

[2sweetboysmom]

I have seen it mentioned in other threads that it is LAW in Calif. to stay in the hospital 24+ hours after a birth to do the PKU stick. That checking out early would always be considered AMA (Therefore risking insurance not paying) :
Is this true? In California could I not get my OB and Ped to sign off on early check out to make it ok? Can I not just make arangenents for a blood test when bean is 1 week old? :

[spsmom]

that is just simple bullying on their part. (unless the law has changed in the last 3 years)

ds1 was born in a hospital in San Diego. We were ready to go home basically a few hours after birth. after we got a few hours of rest, we made it very clear that we were ready to go home. They tried to tell me the same story but when i ever so nicely demanded to see a ped, the ped told me my baby was perfect and we could go! they did take their time getting someone in to do the pku and they told us it only had to be 12 hours. and it ended up, we had to go back a week later since it was like 4 minutes less than 12 hours (seriously close anyway) you can definitely schedule to go back if you want to the test.
we were home in our own bed 13 hours after birth. so yes, it can be done!

[St. Margaret]

Isn't the PKU not a valid test until a few days later, anyway? I mean, doesn't the baby have to be digesting actual BM to make it valid? That's what my CB educator/doula told me. I'm planning on waiting to do it until at least three days later. I'm trying to avoid breaking of the skin in the hospital. Anyway, good to know your experience in SD, where I am! Thanks

[spsmom]

Originally Posted by St. Margaret

Isn't the PKU not a valid test until a few days later, anyway? I mean, doesn't the baby have to be digesting actual BM to make it valid? That's what my CB educator/doula told me. I'm planning on waiting to do it until at least three days later. I'm trying to avoid breaking of the skin in the hospital. Anyway, good to know your experience in SD, where I am! Thanks

yes, hence why we had to go back the next week. if they would have us told that we wouldn't have bothered to get it on his brithday. it was the one thing we didn't look into (regarding our rights) before giving birth.! we had misunderstood that was why we were suppose to wait 24+ hours. anyway, water under the bridge, with that beign the worst thing to ahppen to us i think we mad eit out pretty lucky!

[St. Margaret]

Indeed! If they make a stink I have no problem giving in on that one, to gain goodwill and get out, But I have a pretty crunchy hospital. This is a good reminder for me to get more into their standard policies and CA's!

[applejuice]

Isn't the PKU not a valid test until a few days later, anyway?

Yes. So silly.

[Truvie]

I haven't heard of this law, and I had two babies in hospitals in Northern California. My midwife routinely checked out clients six hours after birth, and none of the hospital staff seemed to think it odd when I checked out. Maybe it's a policy in certain hospital chains (like Kaiser)?