What are the new CPT codes for 2026?

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The AMA CPT 2026 Code Set features 418 total editorial changes, including 288 new codes, 84 deletions, and 46 revisions effective January 1, 2026.

Key Specialty Updates

  • Evaluation & Management (E&M): Added short-duration remote patient monitoring (RPM) codes for 2–15 days and 16–30 days, along with a new 10-minute monthly treatment management code (99470).
  • Cardiovascular & Surgery: Replaced legacy lower extremity revascularization codes with 46 new territory-based codes, updated TEVAR thoracic branch endoprosthesis guidelines, and added new prostate biopsy and laser/waterjet benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) treatment codes.
  • Digital Health & AI: Introduced AI-assisted analysis codes for coronary plaque assessment, multispectral burn imaging, and cardiac dysfunction detection.
  • Medicine & Audiology: Added a 12-code comprehensive hearing device pathway and new immunization counseling codes (90482–90484).
  • Pathology, Laboratory & Category III: Expanded proprietary laboratory analyses (PLA) alongside temporary Category III tracking codes for emerging technologies.

What are the new CPT code changes in 2026?

The AMA CPT 2026 code set introduces 418 total editorial changes, which include 288 new codes, 84 deletions, and 46 revisions effective January 1, 2026. CPT (Current Procedural Terminology) codes are standard numbers doctors use to report medical procedures and services.

Major 2026 CPT Code Updates

Digital Health and Artificial Intelligence (AI)

  • Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM): Added five new short-duration codes for monitoring patients over 2 to 15 days in a 30-day period.
  • Management Time: Added two new codes to report management services lasting only 10 minutes in a calendar month.
  • AI Services: Introduced new codes for AI tools that help evaluate coronary plaque, perivascular fat, burn imaging, and cardiac dysfunction.

Surgery and Procedures

  • Leg Revascularization: Deleted old lower-extremity revascularization codes and replaced them with 46 new territory-specific codes (37254–37299).
  • Hearing Devices: Replaced older methods with 12 new codes for hearing device services.

Laboratory and Emerging Tech

  • Proprietary Laboratory Analyses (PLA): Advanced genomics and specialized lab tests make up 27% of all new codes.
  • Category III Codes: Temporary codes for emerging technology also make up 27% of the new additions. You can review professional training options through AAPC Workshops to learn more about application details.

Which CPT codes will be deleted in 2026?

The American Medical Association deleted 84 codes in the 2026 CPT code set update effective January 1, 2026.

Key Deleted Code Families

  • Lower Extremity Revascularization (LER): Long-standing codes 37220 through 37235 were deleted and replaced by new territory-based codes (37254–37299).
  • Hearing Device Services: Legacy codes 92590 through 92595 were deleted and replaced by a new 12-code pathway (92628–92642).
  • Urology / Prostate Procedures: Select older codes such as laser coagulation code 52647 and previous prostate biopsy codes were removed or restructured in favor of more specific guidance and approach methods.

What are the new CPT codes?

The American Medical Association (AMA) released the CPT 2027 code set with 299 new codes, taking effect on January 1, 2027.

The previous CPT 2026 code set introduced 288 new codes effective January 1, 2026.

Key Updates in CPT 2027

  • Maternity Care: Replaces the old global maternity care bundle with a new team-based, granular framework for antepartum, labor management, delivery, and postpartum services.
  • Surgical & Device Additions: Adds new left ventricular assist device (LVAD) codes and expands options for hernia repairs (9 new codes).
  • Technology & AI: Adds 10 new artificial intelligence-related codes (bringing the total to 43) alongside updates to the AI taxonomy, plus 6 new unattended sleep study codes.

Key Updates in CPT 2026

  • Digital Health: Includes short-duration remote physiologic monitoring codes (covering 2–15 days or 30 days) and shorter management thresholds (10 minutes per month).
  • Artificial Intelligence: Features new AI service codes for coronary plaque, perivascular fat, multispectral burn imaging, and cardiac dysfunction detection.
  • Audiology: Introduces 12 new professional service codes for hearing devices that replace legacy hearing aid codes.
  • Vascular Surgery: Overhauls lower extremity revascularization with 46 updated codes.

How many total CPT codes are there in 2026?

The American Medical Association (AMA) CPT code set contains over 11,000 total codes, featuring 418 specific editorial changes for 2026.

2026 CPT Code Updates

  • Total changes: 418 modifications
  • New codes: 288 additions
  • Deletions: 84 removed codes
  • Revisions: 46 updated guidelines or descriptors

The new codes focus heavily on digital health, artificial intelligence (AI) diagnostic services, and proprietary laboratory analyses.

2026 Behavioral Health Integration CPT Codes! Everything You Need To Know!

9 related questions found

What are the 6 types of CPT codes?

The Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code set is divided into six main sections under Category I, which cover standard medical procedures and services.

The 6 Sections of CPT Codes

  • Evaluation and Management (E/M): Covers doctor visits, consultations, and routine checkups (such as office visits).
  • Anesthesia: Covers pain management and administration of local or general anesthesia during procedures.
  • Surgery: The largest section, covering operations and invasive procedures performed by surgeons or medical staff.
  • Radiology: Covers imaging tests like X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, and ultrasounds.
  • Pathology and Laboratory: Covers blood tests, biopsies, and tissue analysis processed in a lab.
  • Medicine: Covers non-surgical treatments and services, such as physical therapy, vaccinations, and injections.

(Note: While Category I contains these six major sections, the broader CPT system also includes Category II codes for performance tracking and Category III codes for emerging technology).

Is 99214 a CPT or HCPCS code?

Code 99214 is a CPT code.

Overview

  • Type: Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) Evaluation and Management (E/M) code.
  • Description: Represents a Level 4 office or outpatient visit for an established patient.
  • Requirements: Requires a moderate level of medical decision-making (MDM) or a total time of 30 to 39 minutes on the date of the encounter.

What are 5 common CPT codes?

Five common Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes used in routine medical practice include office visits, lab tests, and basic evaluations.

Common CPT Codes

  • 99213: Office or other outpatient visit for the evaluation and management of an established patient, typically lasting 20 to 29 minutes.
  • 99214: Office or other outpatient visit for an established patient, typically lasting 30 to 39 minutes with a moderate level of medical decision-making.
  • 36415: Routine venipuncture, meaning drawing blood from a vein using a needle.
  • 93000: Routine electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG) tracing with at least 12 leads, including the interpretation and report.
  • 71045: Chest X-ray, single view.

What are the 7 series CPT codes?

The 7 series CPT codes (range 70010–79999) cover Radiology Procedures including diagnostic imaging, radiation oncology, and nuclear medicine.

Main Categories in the 7 Series

The radiology section divides into distinct diagnostic and therapeutic modalities:

  • Diagnostic Radiology (X-rays): Imaging of the head, neck, chest, spine, and extremities (e.g., chest X-rays 71045–71048).
  • Diagnostic Ultrasound: Scans of the pelvis, abdomen, or blood vessels.
  • Radiologic Guidance: Fluoroscopic, CT, or MRI guidance for needle placement or procedures.
  • Mammography: Screening and diagnostic breast imaging.
  • Bone/Joint Studies: Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and bone density scans.
  • Radiation Oncology: Treatment planning, physics, dosimetry, and treatment management (e.g., code 77427).
  • Nuclear Medicine: Diagnostic and therapeutic radioactive isotope scans.

Billing Components

Radiology codes often split into two parts for billing:

  • Professional Component (Modifier 26): Covers the physician's or radiologist's interpretation and written report.
  • Technical Component (Modifier TC): Covers the equipment, facility, supplies, and technician services.

Who deleted CPT codes?

The American Medical Association (AMA) deletes and updates Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes.

Who and How CPT Codes Are Deleted

  • The Authority: The American Medical Association (AMA) manages, updates, and deletes CPT codes through its independent CPT Editorial Panel.
  • The Process: The AMA releases annual updates each fall that take effect on January 1st of the following year. These updates routinely add new codes, revise existing descriptors, and delete outdated codes to reflect modern medical practices and technology.
  • In Software/Claims: If you are looking at who deleted a specific code on an individual patient's claim inside a medical billing or electronic health record (EHR) system, the last modified user in your organization's system log is the person who removed the code from that specific record.