301: Maternity care moves back to fee-for-service

About this episode

This episode discusses the shift in maternity care billing from bundled to unbundled codes and its implications for healthcare providers, plans, and patients.

Maternity care touches nearly every corner of the U.S. health system. About 25% of all hospitalizations involve a mother or newborn, and maternity spending accounts for roughly 0.8% of U.S. GDP — making it one of the most economically significant service lines in health care. Against that backdrop, a little noticed decision to unbundle maternity billing codes represents a generational shift in how pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum care are paid for. In this episode of Radio Advisory, host Rae Woods sits down with Neel Shah, MD, Chief Medical Officer at Maven Clinic, to break down what the new maternity billing codes mean for providers, health plans, and patients. Together, they explore why the old bundle broke down, how unbundling could reshape care delivery, and what health leaders should be doing now as 2027 approaches. We’re here to help: Read Neel’s article | The great unbundling - by Neel Shah, MD - The Preprint Episode | Ep. 261: Maven Clinic on how holistic women's health is the key to reducing cost and engaging employees Quick guide | Guide to today's top women's healthcare trends Learn more about Advisory Board’s 2026 summit series. A transcript of this episode as well…

People in this episode

Host: Rae Woods

Guest: Neel Shah, MD

Topics covered

• maternity care
• healthcare billing
• fee-for-service
• care delivery
• health system
• economic impact

Keywords

• maternity care
• billing codes
• healthcare
• fee-for-service
• Neel Shah
• care delivery
• health plans

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Maven Clinic, Advisory Board

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