Changes to Maternity Billing

Beginning January 1, 2027, new national maternity billing guidelines will change how pregnancy-related services are billed.

While the way your care is billed is changing, the care you receive from Southern New Hampshire Health is not. You will continue to receive the same high-quality prenatal, delivery, and postpartum care from the providers you know and trust.

FAQs

For many years, maternity care has typically been billed as one "global" package that combines:

  • Prenatal care

  • Labor and delivery

  • Postpartum care

Beginning January 1, 2027, national billing guidelines will replace this bundled approach with separate billing for maternity services provided throughout your pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum care.

As a result, you may notice:

  • Separate claims for prenatal visits

  • A separate claim for labor and delivery services

  • A separate claim for postpartum care

  • More frequent Explanation of Benefits (EOB) statements from your insurance company

Your medical care is not changing.

You will continue to receive compassionate, personalized care from your Southern New Hampshire Health obstetrics team. These updates only affect how services are submitted for payment.

There are no changes to maternity billing for services provided through December 31, 2026.

Routine obstetrical care provided during 2026 will continue to follow the current global maternity billing process. Depending on your due date and insurance processing timelines, some claims may be submitted after January 1, 2027.

If your pregnancy continues into 2027, your billing may include services under both the previous and new billing guidelines. Our billing team will work to ensure claims are submitted according to national requirements.

Not necessarily.

Although you may receive more individual bills or insurance claims, this does not automatically mean your overall out-of-pocket costs will increase.

Your financial responsibility will continue to depend on your individual insurance plan, including your:

  • Deductible
  • Copayments
  • Coinsurance
  • Out-of-pocket maximum

If you have questions about your coverage, we recommend contacting your insurance company directly.

Hospital services related to your labor and delivery are billed separately from your provider's professional services. Depending on the care you receive, you may receive separate bills for hospital services, anesthesia, laboratory testing, imaging, or other services.

Questions?

We understand that billing can be confusing, especially during pregnancy.

If you have questions about your maternity billing, please contact your Southern New Hampshire Health provider's office or our Patient Financial Services team. We're here to help you understand your billing and insurance coverage every step of the way.