A. Each individual and group health maintenance contract 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. 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 contract.