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Maternity Care Billing FAQs

Starting Jan. 1, 2027, maternity care across the United States will be billed differently due to industry-wide changes. Instead of receiving one bill for all care at the conclusion of your pregnancy, you may receive separate bills for prenatal, labor and delivery, and postpartum care, similar to how you are billed for other healthcare visits and services.

What exactly is changing?

The change can be summarized as follows:

  • Old system: For decades, doctors billed one single lump sum ("global bill") for your entire pregnancy, including prenatal visits, labor and delivery, and one postpartum visit.
  • New system: Doctors will bill separately for each distinct phase of maternity care: prenatal (antepartum) visits, labor and delivery, and postpartum care.

This change is not unique to UVA Health. It's happening across the entire healthcare industry and being implemented nationally by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

Why is this change being made?

This change will modernize a decades-old system and replace it with an approach designed to provide greater flexibility and more personalized maternity care. It's supported by leading physician groups including the American Medical Association and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

Will this change impact how much I pay for maternity care?

Your out-of-pocket costs for care will depend on your insurance coverage and your unique care plan. While some patients will see no cost increase, others might, especially if they require additional visits, tests, or other services beyond the standard pregnancy care plan.

Will I receive more bills or insurance statements?

You will see prenatal, labor and delivery, and postpartum services listed separately rather than under one bundled maternity charge. This may result in more frequent bills and Explanation of Benefits (EOB) statements throughout your care.

Will my insurance cover all the bills I receive under this new billing model?

Coverage and out-of-pocket responsibility will vary based on your insurance plan. UVA Health billing and financial counseling teams can help answer insurance-specific questions as more information becomes available closer to the Jan. 1, 2027, changeover.

You may also call your insurance provider to learn more about their coverage for maternity care.

How will I be billed if I began my maternity care in 2026 but will not complete it until 2027?

  • If you're currently pregnant and your due date is on or after Jan. 1, 2027, some of your maternity care may be billed under the new model, and bills or insurance statements may show prenatal, labor and delivery, and postpartum care separately.
  • If you begin maternity care on or after Jan. 1, 2027, your care will be billed under the new model from the start of your pregnancy.

How can I get an estimate for the cost of my care?

  • UVA Health is awaiting final details from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and insurance companies and expects to be able to start providing patient estimates in December 2026.
  • Estimates are prepared only for scheduled visits and procedures and are based on anticipated services, expected insurance payment, and aspects of your insurance plan benefits.
  • Because this is a new billing process, early estimates may be a general cost range instead of an exact amount.

What financial counseling and support services are available at UVA Health?

UVA Health's financial counselors and billing specialists are available to help you understand your coverage, review estimated costs, explore payment options, and connect you with financial assistance resources if needed.

Can I opt out of appointments, tests, or other services if I cannot afford them?

While patients always have the right to discuss their care options with their clinician, patients are strongly encouraged to attend all scheduled appointments, tests, or services and not to skip anything based on cost concerns alone. Your care plan is designed specifically for you and is based on your clinician's recommendations to support your health and the health of your baby. Every prenatal visit, screening, and test plays an important role in monitoring your pregnancy and identifying potential concerns as early as possible.

If you're worried about the cost of your care, we encourage you to contact UVA Health's financial counselors before making changes to your care plan. They can help you understand your expected costs, review available financial assistance programs, and discuss payment options that may be available to you.

Billing & Insurance