Blue Cross Aligning with CMS to Simplify Maternity Care Billing
Blue Daily
| 2 min read
Key Takeaways
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan will continue bundled maternity care payments beginning Jan. 1, 2027, aligning with a proposed Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services approach that keeps prenatal, delivery and postpartum care connected under one payment model.
- The change is intended to provide continuity of care, reduce billing complexity and minimize payment errors, helping expectant parents focus on their health and their baby's well-being rather than navigating healthcare bills.
- Members across commercial, Medicare Plus Blue and BCN Advantage plans are not expected to see increased costs or changes to their maternity care experience as a result of the billing update.
Expectant parents should be able to focus on what matters most: their health, their baby and the care they need — not worrying about understanding healthcare bills. That’s why Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan will align with a new approach proposed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to continue bundled payments for maternity care in 2027. The approach allows prenatal, delivery and postpartum services to remain connected under a packaged payment model, helping preserve a more seamless experience for families. The new codes, once CMS finalizes them this year, will take effect Jan. 1, 2027. Members will not see an increase in cost.
“Pregnancy is one of the most important times in a person's life, and our priority is making sure expectant parents can focus on their health and their baby's well-being,” said Dr. Amy Milewski, vice president of clinical partnerships and interim chief medical officer at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. “We want families to feel confident that their care remains connected, affordable and focused on what matters most: a healthy pregnancy, a healthy baby and the best possible start for their growing family.”
Why is Blue Cross making this adjustment?
There have been recent changes in billing policies for maternity care in the healthcare system. The American Medical Association is retiring its bundled billing codes for prenatal, delivery and postpartum care as of Jan. 1, 2027. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has advocated to move with the same approach that bills services separately.
However, CMS is proposing 15 new billing codes to continue bundled payments for maternity services, as they are billed and paid today. Blue Cross will align with that approach for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network commercial, Medicare Plus BlueSM and BCN AdvantageSM members.
Our members will receive continuity of care and should not see a change in their care because of this billing change.
Bundled billing means less administrative complexity and fewer potential errors in payments. This minimizes confusion and helps families get the care they need during pregnancy and through postpartum care. This also allows healthcare teams to spend more time providing high-quality care for patients and babies than on administrative work.
We want families to focus on what matters – their health and well-being and the health and well-being of their new baby.
Photo credit: Getty Images
