MedicaidBilling CodesHigh impact
AMA to Update Global Obstetric CPT Code Structure
Medi-Cal·CA · OB-GYN·Coding
Effective date
Jan 1, 2027
We identified it
Jul 29, 2026
Summary
Effective January 1, 2027, the AMA is replacing the current global obstetric CPT code structure with a disaggregated framework that separately bills antepartum care, labor management, delivery care, and postpartum services. Medi-Cal will align with these changes subject to CMS approval, requiring billing teams to transition from bundled maternity codes to individual service-specific codes.
Action Required
By December 31, 2026: Billing team must obtain the specific new CPT codes from the AMA's CPT 2027 Maternity Care Services code changes webpage and update billing software to reflect the disaggregated code structure. Providers must be trained on the new code categories (antepartum, labor management, delivery, postpartum) and encounter forms must be revised to capture these distinct service components separately. Contact Medi-Cal and CMS for final guidance on California-specific implementation and reimbursement rates before January 1, 2027. Failure to transition to the new code structure will result in claim denials for maternity services.