Childbirth & Hospital Delivery: What Should It Cost?
Hospital bills for childbirth are notoriously complex, with separate bills from the OB, anesthesiologist, hospital, and pediatrician. Errors and overcharges are extremely common.
Medicare Rates for Common Childbirth & Hospital Delivery Codes
These are the 2025 national Medicare reimbursement rates. Hospital charges for uninsured patients are typically 3–10x higher.
| CPT Code | Description | Medicare (Non-Facility) | Medicare (Facility) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 59400 | Vaginal Delivery (global) | $2,407.41 | $2,407.41 |
| 59510 | Cesarean Delivery (global) | $2,668.79 | $2,668.79 |
| 59430 | Postpartum Care | $264.32 | $176.30 |
| 99460 | Newborn Initial Care | $91.73 | $91.73 |
| 99462 | Subsequent Newborn Care | $40.12 | $40.12 |
| 01960 | Epidural Anesthesia for Labor | — | — |
Common Billing Errors for Childbirth & Hospital Delivery
- !Newborn billed separately even when covered under mother's plan during birth admission
- !Nursery charges for a healthy newborn rooming with mother
- !Duplicate charges for medications administered during labor
- !Global OB fee (which covers all prenatal + delivery) billed alongside individual visit charges
How to Negotiate Your Childbirth & Hospital Delivery Bill
- 1Verify whether your OB billed a global fee or itemized every visit — it should be one or the other
- 2Confirm whether your newborn was on your insurance from birth — charges within 30 days often apply
- 3Request an itemized bill for both the mother and baby separately
- 4Ask about financial assistance programs — many hospitals have specific maternity assistance funds
Related Guides
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Analyze My BillMedicare rates shown are 2025 national averages from the CMS Physician Fee Schedule. Rates vary by geographic locality. This page is for informational purposes only.