Payment in Practice: Conversations for OB/GYNs

Navigating the Transition of Obstetric Codes for Antepartum Care

In this episode of Payment in Practice, ACOG's Health and Payment Policy team members  break down the upcoming transition from global obstetric codes to Evaluation and Management (E&M) codes for antepartum care. They explain why the change is necessary, walk through the critical transition timeline, clarify which E&M codes apply to different care settings, and outline what OB/GYNs need to know about the TH modifier, prior authorization risks, and down coding concerns — with resources to help practices prepare ahead of the January 1, 2027 launch.  To learn more about payment parity and OB code changes visit the ACOG Payment Advocacy for Obstetric Services [https://www.acog.org/advocacy/policy-priorities/payment-parity-for-obstetric-services] and Payment for Obstetric Services [https://www.acog.org/practice-management/coding/coding-library/payment-for-obstetric-services] pages. Have any coding questions? Visit the ACOG Payment Advocacy and Policy Portal [https://acogcoding.freshdesk.com/support/login] and submit your question today! To learn more about our coding resources in general, visit our website [https://www.acog.org/practice-management/coding].

How CPT Codes Are Made

In this episode of Payment in Practice, host Lisa Satterfield sits down with Dr. Judy Volker — ACOG's CPT Advisor and longtime member of the Committee on Health Economics and Coding (CHEC) — to pull back the curtain on how CPT codes are actually created. From understanding Category 1 vs. Category 3 codes, to navigating the AMA's rigorous literature requirements, to submitting a new code with ACOG's support, this episode is an essential primer for any OB-GYN who wants to understand the process behind the procedure codes they bill every day. Have any coding questions? Visit the ACOG Payment Advocacy and Policy Portal [https://acogcoding.freshdesk.com/support/login] and submit your question today! To learn more about our coding resources in general, visit our website [https://www.acog.org/practice-management/coding].

Conversations with Coders: IUD Removal with Hysteroscopy

In this Payment in Practice podcast, tuned in for a discussion with expert coders as they discuss how to code IUD removal when a hysteroscope is used but the device is not embedded. In their conversation they reference the uses for different CPT and diagnostic codes for as related to simple and more complex IUD removal so that services can be adequately billed for service.  Have any coding questions? Visit the ACOG Payment Advocacy and Policy Portal [https://acogcoding.freshdesk.com/support/login] and submit your question today! To learn more about our coding resources in general, visit our website [https://www.acog.org/practice-management/coding].

Conversation with Coders: Use of the 22 Modifier

In this episode of Payment in Practice, listen in to ACOG Senior Manager of Clinical Coding and expert coding consultant Brad Hart discuss how to code and seek appropriate reimbursement for unusually complex surgical cases, using the 22 modifier. Have any coding questions? Visit the ACOG Payment Advocacy and Policy Portal [https://acogcoding.freshdesk.com/support/login] and submit your question today! To learn more about our coding resources in general, visit our website [https://www.acog.org/practice-management/coding].

Bonus Episode! What's Going on with the New OB Codes?

In September 2025 the AMA CPT Editorial Panel voted to delete [https://www.ama-assn.org/system/files/sept-2025-summary-of-panel-actions.pdf] the OB global codes effective January 1, 2027 and in January 2026 the AMA RUC discussed the codes at length to assign values (see page 2022 [https://www.ama-assn.org/system/files/feb-2026-ruc-recommendations.pdf]). This is all due to advocacy by ob-gyns engaging through surveys and ACOG's Payment Advocacy and Policy Portal [https://acogcoding.freshdesk.com], and work performed by the members of the Committee on Health Economics and Coding, to make sure ob-gyns get paid for the work they perform. So what is happening now? Get the latest update and find out how to find out more information as it becomes available!