The American Medical Association has released new obstetric billing codes to replace the longstanding bundled global obstetric payment. Effective Jan. 1, 2027, the new codes unbundle maternity care, allowing separate billing for professional prenatal, labor and delivery, and postpartum services.
Global codes that combine antepartum and/or postpartum care with the delivery will be discontinued. The Current Procedural Terminology codes for the deliveries themselves will remain, with each prenatal and postpartum visit billed separately with the appropriate evaluation and management code and modifier. Commercial and Medicaid payers are expected to adopt the new codes Jan. 1 and may issue new payment policies to reflect the changes.
ACOG argues these coding changes better reflect modern obstetric practice, including increased use of telehealth, home monitoring, and individualized care plans based on medical and social needs. They will also ensure payment better aligns with the services provided.
Because reimbursement will be more closely tied to individual services, providers should evaluate the potential impact on professional payment. We do not anticipate the changes will have significant impact on hospital reimbursement
See resources here: AMA CPT® 2027 Maternity Care Services code changes (Trish Anderson)