2027 CPT Maternity Care Coding Changes: What Medical Coders Need to Know
The American Medical Association (AMA) has announced major updates to maternity care CPT codes for the 2027 CPT code set. These changes are designed to improve coding accuracy and allow maternity services to be reported more specifically across every stage of pregnancy.
The updates include:
- 17 deleted CPT codes
- 12 new CPT codes
- 6 revised CPT codes
- New coding guidelines and subsections
Although these changes become effective on January 1, 2027, the AMA released them early so providers, coders, and healthcare organizations can prepare in advance.
2027 CPT Maternity Care Changes Overview
Under the new guidelines, maternity care will now be divided into four distinct phases:
- Antepartum Care
- Labor Management
- Delivery Care
- Postpartum Care
This new structure aims to improve reporting specificity and simplify maternity coding workflows.
Antepartum Care CPT Coding Changes 2027
What is Antepartum Care?
Antepartum care includes all medical management and evaluation services provided during pregnancy before labor begins.
Major Coding Change
Current global antepartum care CPT codes will be deleted.
Instead:
👉 Antepartum visits will now be reported using Evaluation and Management (E/M) codes per encounter.
Deleted Antepartum CPT Codes
The following codes will be removed in 2027:
- 59400 – Routine obstetric care with vaginal delivery and postpartum care
- 59425 – Antepartum care only (4–6 visits)
- 59426 – Antepartum care only (7 or more visits)
- 59510 – Routine obstetric care with cesarean delivery
- 59610 – Vaginal delivery after previous cesarean
- 59618 – Cesarean delivery after attempted VBAC
Additional Revision
CPT 59412
The description for external cephalic version will be revised to remove references to tocolysis.
Labor Management CPT Codes 2027
New Labor Management Codes
For the first time, CPT will include dedicated labor management codes based on:
- Complexity level
- Initial vs subsequent day services
