The U.S. has the highest rate of maternal deaths among high-income countries
I am following up on my reporting last week regarding the fiscal year 2023 Inpatient Prospective Payment System Proposed Rule (IPPS).
A large focus on the ruling includes maternal health. This is timely not only because of the concerning data that has been released but also because Sunday is Mother’s Day.
In the IPPS proposed rule, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is requesting the establishment of a maternity care quality hospital designation to be publicly reported on a CMS website. The website has not been specified yet by CMS.
Under the proposal, CMS would initially give this designation to hospitals that participated in the Maternal Morbidity Structural Measure finalized in the FY 2022 IPPS ruling for the reporting under the Hospital Inpatient Quality Reporting (IQR) Program.
CMS is proposing to add a scoring methodology related to measures around cesarean births and severe obstetric complications. CMS is additionally looking for public comment on ways to improve health equity and reduce existing disparities around maternal care and subsequent health outcomes. So, why is this so important, last month I reported on the growing disparities in maternal care. In 2020 the U.S. saw a rise in maternal deaths to a case rate of 23.5 per 100,000 births. This was not a new increase, but a continued growth in maternal deaths in our country since 2018.
The U.S. has the highest rate of maternal deaths among high-income countries, and black women are nearly three times more likely to die from pregnancy related complications than white women. To give perspective, the second worst country is France at 8.7 per 100,000 deaths, that is a delta of 14.8 deaths per 100,000 births.
The proposal by CMS is really a very limited easy first step, however it appears the causes of maternal mortality are not yet known. The White House is continuing to focus public attention and additional funding for research and services to improve maternal health outcomes.
Commonwealth recently highlighted a lack of health coverage and lack of access to maternal care as a possible causational factor. CMS is also investigating and putting emphasis on improving standards of care around hypertension and complications such as hemorrhaging, preeclampsia and sepsis to impact these concerning statistics.
Considering our approaching Mother’s Day, I would hope that we continue momentum to value the care delivery process needed for our expectant mothers.
Clinical documentation integrity (CDI) professionals and inpatient coders understand the relationship between the Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) and hospital reimbursement. However, they may be
When we think of November we think of fall and, most likely, Thanksgiving, but did you know that November 2025 is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Please log in to your account to comment on this article.
Uncover essential coding insights with nationally recognized coding authority Kay Piper, RHIA, CDIP, CCS. Through ICD10monitor’s interactive, on‑demand webcast series, Kay walks you through the AHA’s 2026 ICD‑10‑CM/PCS Quarterly Coding Clinics, translating each update into practical, easy‑to‑apply guidance designed to sharpen precision, ensure compliance, and strengthen day‑to‑day decision‑making. Available shortly after each official release.
Uncover critical guidance on the ICD-10-CM/PCS code updates. Kay Piper reviews and explains ICD-10-CM/PCS coding guidelines in the AHA’s fourth quarter 2026 ICD-10-CM/PCS Coding Clinic in an easy to access on-demand webcast.
Uncover critical guidance on the ICD-10-CM/PCS code updates. Kay Piper reviews and explains ICD-10-CM/PCS coding guidelines in the AHA’s third quarter 2026 ICD-10-CM/PCS Coding Clinic in an easy to access on-demand webcast.
Uncover critical guidance on the ICD-10-CM/PCS code updates. Kay Piper reviews and explains ICD-10-CM/PCS coding guidelines in the AHA’s second quarter 2026 ICD-10-CM/PCS Coding Clinic in an easy to access on-demand webcast.
Federal auditors are intensifying their focus on inpatient psychiatric facilities, using advanced data analytics to spotlight outliers and pursue high‑dollar repayments. In this high‑impact webcast, Michael Calahan, PA, MBA, Compliance Officer and V.P., Hospital & Physician Compliance, breaks down what regulators are really targeting in IPF-PPS admissions, documentation, treatment and discharge planning. Attendees will learn practical steps to tighten processes, avoid common audit triggers and protect reimbursement and reduce the risk of multimillion-dollar repayment demands.
In this timely session, Stacey Shillito, CDIP, CPMA, CCS, CCS-P, CPEDC, COPC, breaks down the complexities of Medical Decision Making (MDM) documentation so providers can confidently capture the true complexity of their care. Attendees will learn practical, efficient strategies to ensure documentation aligns with current E/M guidelines, supports accurate coding, and reduces audit risk, all without adding to charting time.
Join Ronald Hirsch, MD, FACP, CHCQM for The PEPPER Returns – Risk and Opportunity at Your Fingertips, a practical webcast that demystifies the PEPPER and shows you how to turn complex claims data into actionable insights. Dr. Hirsch will explain how to interpret key measures, identify compliance risks, uncover missed revenue opportunities, and understand new updates in the PEPPER, all to help your organization stay ahead of audits and use this powerful data proactively.
Stay ahead of the 2026-2027 audit surge with “Top 10 Audit Targets for 2026-2027 for Hospitals & Physicians: Protect Your Revenue,” a high-impact webcast led by Michael Calahan, PA, MBA. This concise session gives hospitals and physicians clear insight into the most likely federal audit targets, such as E/M services, split/shared and critical care, observation and admissions, device credits, and Two-Midnight Rule changes, and shows how to tighten documentation, coding, and internal processes to reduce denials, recoupments, and penalties. Attendees walk away with practical best practices to protect revenue, strengthen compliance, and better prepare their teams for inevitable audits.
Happy National Doctor’s Day! Learn how to get a complimentary webcast on ‘Decoding Social Admissions’ as a token of our heartfelt appreciation! Click here to learn more →
CYBER WEEK IS HERE! Don’t miss your chance to get 20% off now until Dec. 1 with code CYBER25
CYBER WEEK IS HERE! Don’t miss your chance to get 20% off now until Dec. 2 with code CYBER24
