According to the MIA, insurers in Maryland reported 135,922 “adverse decisions” in OB/GYN claim denials for FY 2025. It comes from small, routine slips and tiny gaps that quietly turn clean work into denials, underpayments, and refund requests.

In the following blog, we have discussed common OB-GYN billing mistakes and how providers and their teams can prevent them. You will see a simple checklist that you can apply right away. Read the article to the end, and you will get a clear guide on the OB-GYN billing errors.

An Overview of OB/GYN Medical Billing

Medical billing in OB/GYN means getting paid for obstetrics and gynecology services. It takes these medical procedures

which includes:

  • Routine checkups
  • Prenatal visits
  • Ultrasound and deliveries
  • Gynecologic surgeries

All these procedures then translate into standardized codes for insurance claims. These codes consist of CPT for services, ICD-10 for diagnoses, and HCPCS for supplies and additional services. When the services are coded, a claim is generated and sent to the patient’s insurance company for reimbursement.

Top Mistakes in OB-GYN Billing

The billing system in OB-GYN is tricky. Even small mistakes can delay payments or trigger denials. Most errors are not obvious, but they can cost your practice time and money. The following are some common mistakes you can overcome for a smooth billing process.

Strict OB-GYN Coding Rules

OB-GYN coding is quite different from general medicine. Codes for prenatal care, labor, delivery, and postpartum care are often combined in a global package. Mistakes happen when:

  • The wrong trimester or visit code is used
  • Procedure codes are missing or misapplied
  • Modifiers are added incorrectly

Regular coding training and updates can prevent these costly errors.

Poor Documentation Habits

Billing relies on good clinical notes. Missing details can lead to wrong codes or denied claims. Common paperwork issues are:

  • Incomplete visit notes
  • Missing procedure details
  • Rushed or unclear entries

Motivate staff to take time to write clear, detailed notes. Also, make sure these notes match the services provided.

Inadequate Staff Training

OB-GYN billing is different. Staff need ongoing education to avoid errors. Relying on outdated rules may create technical issues. Common problems include:

  • High turnover caused inconsistent billing
  • Lack of professional OB-GYN training

Frequent workshops and new courses can minimize mistakes and improve revenue.

Misunderstanding the Global Maternity Package

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) report, up to 75% of professionals suffer from physical and emotional exhaustion. Managing a high patient volume is tough, especially with a complex billing process. Many OB-GYN practices use a global package for maternity care. Errors happen when staff:

  • Bill included services separately
  • Miss additional visits or complications
  • Misapply ultrasounds or lab tests

A clear understanding of what is included in the package is critical to avoid denials.

Inefficient Front-Office Processes

Front-desk mistakes often lead to billing errors. Check all patient information carefully at intake to prevent claim delays.

Issues include:

  • Incorrect insurance details
  • Missing pre-authorizations
  • Confusion about coverage for ultrasounds or fertility services

Weak Denial Management

Weak denial management can drain time and money. When staff miss denial notes or fail to track payer rules, claims sit unpaid for weeks. Small errors like wrong codes, late files, or missed docs are turned into lost income. Fixing these errors requires a mix of training, technology, and teamwork. Causes include:

  • Failure to track denial patterns
  • Slow or no appeals
  • Ignoring the root causes of repeated errors

Review denial trends regularly to fix problems quickly.

Communication Gaps Between Teams

Billing errors often come from miscommunication. When staff share notes late or send unclear data, mix-ups happen quickly. Front-desk teams may log patient info one way. Clinical teams might record it another. This causes code slips, missed forms, and slow claims. Examples:

  • Providers are unaware of coding rules
  • Billers are unclear on procedure details
  • No regular team meetings

How to Fix OB-GYN Billing Mistakes

Fixing these errors requires a mix of training, technology, and teamwork:

  • Conduct regular coding audits
  • Train staff on OB-GYN billing rules
  • Improve documentation and charting workflows
  • Use billing software with OB-GYN templates
  • Track and resolve denials quickly
  • Hold regular team huddles to align billing and clinical staff

Conclusion

OB-GYN billing mistakes are often hidden, but they are fixable. By understanding the aforementioned common causes, your practice can reduce denials and improve cash flow, and keep patients happy. Take action today, audit your billing, train your team, and update your systems to stop hidden mistakes with Maryland billing. 

We at Maryland Medical Billing provide Medical billing services of optimum quality, driven by experts, compliant, and assuredly high-performing, all for clean claims, fewer denials, and stronger cash flows. Make an appointment now.

FAQs

Why do OB-GYN claims get denied so often?
OB-GYN billing involves strict coding rules, bundled global maternity packages, and detailed documentation requirements. Ensuring accurate coding significantly reduces these errors.

What is included in the global maternity package, and why does it cause confusion?
The global maternity package typically includes routine prenatal visits, delivery services, and postpartum care.

How can OB-GYN practices prevent common billing mistakes?
 Practices can reduce errors by conducting regular coding audits, improving front-office data accuracy, enhancing provider documentation, and training staff specifically in OB-GYN billing rules.

An Easy Guide for Providers

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