Each year, the healthcare industry embraces new and exciting medical innovations, technologies, and cutting-edge procedures. And each year, the American Medical Association (AMA) updates the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®) code set to reflect these important changes that impact patient care and reimbursement. These CPT code changes allow medical practices to capture and receive payment for the critical work they do. 

Medical coders, physicians, clinical documentation improvement specialists, and anyone else who uses medical codes on a regular basis can access key updates of the CPT code set and implementation tips through this guide.

Effective January 1, 2026, the CPT code set will undergo its annual transformation. Precisely how many CPT changes are there for 2026? This time around, the annual update includes 288 new codes, 84 deletions, and 46 revisions.

Specialties that will see the largest impact include interventional radiology, radiology/imaging, and pathology/lab. However, the update also includes many changes to CPT codes for audiology, urology, cardiology, and more.

Below is a brief summary of what to expect (Note: This is only a highlight of notable changes — not an all-inclusive list).

The 2026 CPT update includes the addition of codes 9X01X–9X04X and 9X07X–9X14X for hearing device services among other changes.

The 2026 CPT update includes many changes. Some examples are the addition of codes:

The 2026 CPT update includes the addition of codes 91XX1 to report rectal sensation and 91XX2 to report anorectal manometry along with the addition of code 4XX04 to report gastric restrictive procedures through an endosurgical approach among other changes.

The 2026 CPT code update includes a complete overhaul of Lower Extremity Revascularization, including 46 new vascular territory-based codes (i.e., 37XX1–37X46) that denote iliac, femoral and popliteal, tibial and peroneal, and inframalleolar. 

In addition, codes 61624 and 61626 include all radiological supervision and imaging guidance necessary to complete the intervention. There are many other changes as well.

The 2026 CPT update includes the addition of 6 Category III codes (i.e., X461T, X462T, X463T, X464T, X465T, and X466T) for reporting continuous EEG monitoring services, the addition of code X504T for reporting augmentative algorithmic analysis of encephalographic waveforms, and the addition of code X529T to report connectomic analysis of the brain among other changes. 

The 2026 CPT update includes the addition of codes 9XX01, 9XX02, and add-on 9XX03 to report mechanical scalp cooling services. There are other changes that may affect this specialty as well.

The 2026 CPT update includes the addition of code 922X1 to report screening using dark adaptation as well as the addition of code X433T for reporting implantation of capsular bag prosthesis, among other changes.

The 2026 CPT update includes many new codes. Some examples are code 27XX0 for osteotomy(ies), femur, with insertion of an externally controlled intramedullary lengthening device and code 6XX13 for repair of an annular defect of the vertebral body via implantation of a bone anchored annular closure device.

The 2026 CPT update includes many changes in this section. Some examples are the addition of code 8XXXX to report testing for SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A-B, the addition of code 8XXX2 to report amplified probe laboratory panel testing for sexually transmitted pathogens, and the addition of code 8XXX4 to report cytogenomic (genome-wide) analysis for optical genome mapping.

There are many changes in this section. Some examples include the addition of codes 70XX1, 70XX2, and 70XX3 to CTA of the head and neck and CT cerebral perfusion analysis. In addition, codes for fluorescence wound imaging (i.e., 0598T and 0599T) include additional services provided as part of the procedure. 

The 2026 CPT update includes the addition of codes 5XX00–5XX04, 5XX07–5XX10 for prostate biopsy services among other changes.

The 2026 CPT update includes several other important changes that may affect multiple specialties. Here’s what you need to know:

It’s impossible to cover every CPT update in this article, which is why it’s important to review relevant sections in the 2026 CPT Coding Manual to ensure compliance in your medical practice. 

Reporting accurate CPT codes ensures revenue integrity for medical practices. It also reduces payer and provider rework.

When providers report the right medical codes, payers process those codes and pay medical claims as quickly as possible. This saves time and reduces administrative costs for everyone. However, clinical documentation must also justify and support any CPT codes that providers assign. 

Here are 3 tips providers can use to promote compliance:

It’s always a good idea to dive into the CPT code changes as soon as possible. This gives ample time for medical coders, physicians, clinical documentation improvement specialists, and anyone else who uses medical codes on a regular basis to know what’s new, revised, and deleted. 

Here are 5 steps you can take now to ensure medical coding compliance.

Coding books and products are available from the AMA storefront on Amazon, including the CPT 2025 Professional Edition codebook. 

CPT data products, including the CPT 2025 Standard Data File, are available via the AMA Intelligent Platform. Scan sections of the manual that pertain to your specialty so you can see what codes are new, revised, and deleted.

Communicate with your EHR vendor to ensure it automatically updates CPT changes for 2026, including adding new codes and deleting others. 

Some payers may cover new CPT codes, while others may not. Know which payers cover which CPT codes for 2026 before you start submitting medical claims. Also, plan to monitor denials closely starting January 1.

Participate in webinars to learn more about the 2026 CPT code updates and how they might affect medical practices. Education is the best way to avoid coding errors that may lead to claim rejections. 

Providers don’t need to know all of the details pertaining to the 2026 CPT code update, but it’s a good idea to know which codes are no longer valid and which ones are new — especially for procedures reported most frequently.  

The AMA provides many resources and training opportunities for in-depth education about the 2026 CPT updates. Visit this site for more information. Also, plan to attend the upcoming CPT & RBRVS 2026 Annual Symposium which will be held virtually November 19–21, 2025. 

If you’re looking for additional resources, check out the most recent meeting minutes and recommendations from the RVS update committee as well as the most recent CPT editorial panel summary of panel actions. 

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