FAQs: Preparing for the CPT® 2027 Maternity Care Services code changes

What is changing in the CPT® code set for maternity care starting Jan. 1, 2027?

The CPT Editorial Panel approved the restructuring of CPT codes for maternity care services to reflect modern, team-based obstetric care, improve transparency, data quality and measurement, and support evidence-based labor and postpartum care. These updates will be effective Jan. 1, 2027. The traditional global maternity codes will be deleted and replaced with phase-specific reporting: antepartum care via evaluation and management (E/M) services, new labor management codes (initial/subsequent; straightforward/complex), new delivery care codes (vaginal and cesarean), and postpartum care via E/M services. This enables more accurate, transparent data across pregnancy.

Why were the global maternity codes deleted?

Global codes no longer reflect contemporary team-based obstetric care, growing complexity and varied care patterns (e.g., telehealth, consultations). Restructuring these codes improves transparency, data quality measurement, and alignment with evidence-based labor and postpartum care. 

How many codes were changed? 

35 total codes were changed, including 17 deleted codes, 12 new codes and 6 revised codes. 

Where can I view the CPT 2027 codes and guidelines for maternity care services?

Download the list of new, revised and deleted CPT 2027 codes and guidelines for maternity care services (PDF). The AMA has published the codes and guidelines early to assist CPT users in preparing for the significant revisions to this section of the CPT code set. Since minor refinements may occur during copyediting, users should consult the AMA’s CPT® 2027 Professional Edition codebook, when available, for final language. 

When will payment values be finalized and implemented?

The AMA/Specialty Society RVS Update Committee (RUC) recommendations were submitted to the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in February 2026 and are available for download (PDF). CMS released the Medicare Physician Payment Schedule (MFS) Proposed Rule on July 14, 2026, followed by a 60-day comment period. CMS has proposed relative values for these services. CMS will release the Final Rule in early November with implementation starting Jan. 1, 2027. 

Note: The RUC recommended relative value units (RVUs) and anticipated utilization assumptions submitted to CMS in February 2026 were anticipated to be budget neutral.

What should health plans do to prepare for 2027?

Begin now. Review contracts and fee schedules that reference deleted global codes; update claims systems and edits; coordinate with vendors; plan for transition scenarios; and align with state-specific requirements (e.g., Medicaid tracking rules). Expect more granular, real-time claims data across prenatal, labor, delivery and postpartum.

How will claims editing handle common and uncommon code combinations?

As with any other CPT code guidelines and instructions, it is expected that a claims editing process will review the revised guidelines to determine if there are pairs of codes that are appropriate to be reported together (e.g., a labor management code and a vaginal delivery on the same date of service); as well as those that should not be reported together and would likely be denied (e.g., reporting both a straightforward and complex labor management code by the same physician for the same date of service); as well as combinations that may be more unusual, but could be valid in specific circumstances (e.g., a labor management code present on the claim for patient who is attempting a vaginal birth after a previous cesarean, and labors to this goal, but ultimately has a repeat cesarean delivery).

How does the change support care management and public health?

Phase-specific reporting provides earlier visibility into specific care provided, facilitates early detection of pregnancy risks via frequent E/M claims and ICD-10 diagnoses (e.g., medical complexity, social determinants), and highlights key information to identify beneficial interventions, including timely outreach and care management, as well as improved tracking of maternal and infant outcomes.

Will deleted global codes be accepted in 2027 claims?

No. Deleted CPT codes are invalid for dates of service on or after Jan. 1, 2027. Claims systems and clearing houses should reject them. Services must be reported using the new phase-specific codes and E/M services.

What can organizations do to help support appropriate use of the new codes going forward?

There will be an ongoing need to monitor utilization patterns across phases, diagnosis-driven risk indicators and claims edits aligned to coding rules. As a new normal emerges, analytics can identify outliers and irregularities more effectively than under the old global structure. Many of these activities can be achieved and enhanced through education and training on the new code guidelines, as well as proactive auditing activities and compliance programs.

Additional resources

• Overview: CPT® 2027 Maternity Care Services code changes
• FAQs: CPT® 2027 coding for maternity care spanning transition date 
• FAQs: CPT® 2027 coding for antepartum care (prenatal)
• FAQs: CPT® 2027 coding for labor management
• FAQs: CPT® 2027 coding for delivery care
• FAQs: CPT® 2027 coding for postpartum care