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
New Labor Management CPT Codes
Initial Day Services
- 59080 – Straightforward initial day labor management
- 59081 – Complex initial day labor management
Subsequent Day Services
- 59082 – Straightforward subsequent day labor management
- 59083 – Complex subsequent day labor management
Important Coding Guidelines
Labor management services:
- Must involve a face-to-face encounter
- Are reported once per calendar day
- Multiple visits on the same date are combined into one service
Fetal Monitoring Code Changes
Deleted Code
- 59050 will be deleted
Revised Code
- 59051 will now include services provided by other qualified healthcare professionals (QHPs), not just physicians
Delivery Care CPT Code Changes 2027
New Vaginal Delivery Codes
New codes will replace older vaginal delivery CPT codes.
New CPT Codes
- 59431 – Vaginal delivery with or without episiotomy
- 59432 – Vaginal delivery after previous cesarean
New Laceration Repair Codes
- 59433 – Repair of third-degree laceration
- 59434 – Repair of fourth-degree laceration
New Cesarean Delivery Codes
- 59502 – Primary cesarean delivery
- 59503 – Repeat cesarean delivery
- 59504 – Cesarean delivery with hysterectomy
Deleted Delivery CPT Codes
Vaginal Delivery Codes
- 59409
- 59410
- 59612
- 59614
Cesarean Delivery Codes
- 59514
- 59515
- 59620
- 59622
Other Deleted Code
- 59525 – Hysterectomy after cesarean delivery
Revised Delivery Repair Codes
CPT 59300
This code will now specifically describe:
- Repair of first- or second-degree laceration or episiotomy
- Performed by someone other than the delivery provider
CPT 59414
Will now specifically describe:
- Delivery of placenta performed by a provider other than the physician performing delivery
Postpartum Care CPT Changes 2027
Major Change
All routine postpartum care CPT codes will be deleted.
This includes:
- 59430 – Routine postpartum care only
How Postpartum Care Will Be Reported
Beginning in 2027:
👉 Postpartum services will be billed using E/M codes per encounter
All standard E/M documentation rules will apply.
New Postpartum CPT Code
- 59623 – Uterine tamponade
Why These CPT Changes Matter for Medical Coders
The 2027 maternity coding updates are intended to:
- Improve documentation accuracy
- Better reflect physician work
- Separate care phases more clearly
- Reduce confusion with global maternity coding
Coders will need to adjust workflows and become more familiar with:
- E/M coding rules
- Daily labor management reporting
- New delivery-specific CPT codes
Key Coding Tips for 2027 Maternity CPT Changes
✔ Learn updated E/M coding guidelines
✔ Review deleted maternity package codes carefully
✔ Watch for new labor management rules
✔ Verify delivery documentation specificity
✔ Train providers early on documentation changes
Conclusion
The 2027 CPT maternity care updates represent one of the biggest obstetric coding changes in recent years. By separating maternity care into:
- Antepartum
- Labor management
- Delivery
- Postpartum
the AMA aims to create more accurate and flexible reporting.
Medical coders should begin preparing now to ensure a smooth transition before the January 1, 2027 implementation date.
