Health Tech Nerds Radio Maternity care unbundling: why the global payment bundle is ending and what it means for innovation, costs, and access | Neel Shah (Maven Clinic)
Apr 21, 2026
Neel Shah, Chief Medical Officer at Maven Clinic and maternity care policy expert, explains why the 40-year global maternity payment is ending. He breaks down payment unbundling, who may gain or lose under budget neutrality, implications for rural and high-risk populations, and how unbundling could unlock technologies and new care models.
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Prepare Systems Now For January 2027 Cutover
- Expect system changes by January 1, 2027 and prepare for implementation uncertainty like billing modifiers.
- Employers, plans, and practices should update systems and model revenue impacts now to avoid surprises at rollout.
Claimable Founder Called Unbundling The Original Sin
- Boris Bakari called unbundling the 'original sin' and compared it to cable and airfare unbundling.
- The example highlighted how consumers often end up paying more when services are broken into pieces.
Unbundling May Raise Purchaser Costs Not Lower Them
- Unbundling can increase visible charges and overall costs for purchasers rather than reducing them, similar to how cable unbundling increased streaming costs.
- Neel warns many purchasers may see higher bills even if low-risk episodes cost less.