New CPT Codes 2026 Explained: Complete Update Guide for Medical Coders
Introduction: Understanding the Importance of New CPT Codes in 2026
Welcome To Medico Pediaa : The American Medical Association (AMA) has officially released the CPT 2026 code set, bringing one of the most significant updates for medical coders, billers, healthcare providers, and revenue cycle professionals in the United States. The CPT coding system is the backbone of medical billing and reimbursement, and even small changes can have a major financial and compliance impact.
In CPT 2026, the AMA introduced 288 new CPT codes, along with 46 revised codes and 84 deleted codes, resulting in 418 total editorial changes. These updates reflect rapid advancements in digital health, remote patient monitoring, minimally invasive surgery, artificial intelligence, radiology imaging, laboratory diagnostics, and value-based care models.
This article provides a complete, section-wise explanation of all new CPT codes for 2026, written in clear, human-friendly English, especially for US medical coders preparing for real-world coding, audits, reimbursement, and CPC/CPB/CRC exams.
CPT 2026 at a Glance: Key Numbers Medical Coders Must Know
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Total CPT Codes in 2026: 11,525
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New CPT Codes Added: 288
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Revised CPT Codes: 46
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Deleted CPT Codes: 84
CPT Code Growth Trend:
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2024: 11,163 codes
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2025: 11,321 codes
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2026: 11,525 codes
This steady growth confirms that medical coding is evolving rapidly, and coders must stay updated to avoid claim denials, undercoding, and compliance risks.
Why New CPT Codes 2026 Are Critical for US Medical Coders
The new CPT codes for 2026 are not just administrative updates. They directly impact:
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Accurate medical billing
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CMS and payer reimbursement
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Audit and compliance readiness
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Revenue cycle management
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Documentation accuracy
Failure to use the correct CPT 2026 codes may result in:
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Claim rejections
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Payment delays
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Payer audits
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Revenue loss
That’s why understanding what’s new, revised, and deleted is essential.
Evaluation and Management (E/M): New CPT Codes 2026
Overview:
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New Codes: 2
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Revised Codes: 4
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Deleted Codes: 0
Remote Physiologic Monitoring (RPM): Major Expansion
Remote patient care continues to grow in the US, and CPT 2026 strengthens reporting for Remote Physiologic Monitoring (RPM).
New CPT Code:
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99445 – RPM device supply for 2–15 days in a 30-day period
Revised CPT Codes:
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99453 – Setup and patient education
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New rule: Do not report if monitoring is less than 2 days in a 30-day period
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99454 – Device supply now clearly defined for 16–30 days
New RPM Treatment Management Code:
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99470 – First 10 minutes of RPM treatment management per calendar month (requires real-time interaction)
These changes emphasize time accuracy and interactive communication, a critical compliance point for coders.
Surgery Section: New CPT Codes 2026 Overview
Total Surgery Updates:
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New Codes: 77
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Revised Codes: 12
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Deleted Codes: 24
Integumentary System
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Revised Code: 10040
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Removed the term “acne surgery” to broaden use for various skin lesion extractions
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This change improves coding accuracy and reduces claim disputes.
Musculoskeletal System: New CPT Codes 2026
New CPT Codes:
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27458 – Femur osteotomy with externally controlled intramedullary lengthening device
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27713 – Tibia (including fibula) osteotomy with externally controlled lengthening device
Revised CPT Codes:
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27278 & 27279 – Sacroiliac joint arthrodesis
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New guidance on intra-articular vs transarticular devices
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Modifier 50 for bilateral procedures
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Deleted CPT Codes:
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27445 – Knee hinge prosthesis
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27468 – Femoral osteoplasty with segment transfer
Cardiovascular System: One of the Biggest CPT 2026 Changes
Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair (TEVAR)
CPT 2026 modernizes TEVAR coding by shifting to anatomy-based reporting.
New CPT Codes:
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33882 – Thoracic branched endograft (TBE)
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35602 – Carotid-carotid bypass
Revised CPT Codes:
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33880, 33881, 33883, 33886
Deleted CPT Codes:
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33884, 33889, 33891
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75956–75959 (Radiology S&I bundled)
Lower Extremity Arterial Revascularization: 46 New CPT Codes
Old code range 37220–37235 is replaced with 37254–37299.
Four Vascular Territories:
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Iliac
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Femoral & Popliteal
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Tibial & Peroneal
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Inframalleolar
Key Improvements:
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Vessel-specific coding
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Stenosis vs occlusion distinction
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Add-on codes for additional vessels
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Inclusion of intravascular lithotripsy (IVL)
These changes greatly improve coding clarity and reimbursement accuracy.
Gastrointestinal Surgery: New CPT Codes 2026
New Codes:
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43889 – Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG)
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47384 – Percutaneous liver tumor ablation using irreversible electroporation (IRE)
These codes reflect the growing demand for minimally invasive GI procedures.
Genitourinary and Prostate Procedures
Major Prostate Coding Updates:
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55700 deleted
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9 new image-guided biopsy codes (55707–55715) added
New CPT Codes:
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52443 – Drug-coated balloon prostate commissurotomy
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52597 – Robotic-assisted waterjet prostate resection
Revised Code:
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55705 – Non-image-guided prostate biopsy
Nervous System: New CPT Codes 2026
New Category I Codes:
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62330 & +62331 – Percutaneous lumbar decompression
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+63032 – Annular defect repair
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64728 – Percutaneous carpal tunnel decompression
New Section:
Autonomic Nervous System Modulation (64654–64659)
Used for baroreflex activation therapy (BAT).
Radiology: New CPT Codes 2026
New CT and CTA Codes:
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70471–70473 – Cerebral perfusion analysis
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75577 – Coronary plaque analysis
Surface Radiation Therapy (SRT):
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77436–77439 – New comprehensive radiation therapy structure
Revised Radiation Delivery Codes:
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77402, 77407, 77412
Pathology and Laboratory: New CPT Codes 2026
New CPT Codes Include:
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81354 – Optical genome mapping
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87182, 87183 – Carbapenem resistance testing
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87812 – COVID-19 and Influenza combined testing
Revised Codes:
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83015, 83018 – Heavy metal analysis clarification
Proprietary Laboratory Analyses (PLA)
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79 new PLA codes
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13 deleted
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3 revised
PLA codes support advanced diagnostics, genetic testing, and AI-driven lab analysis.
Medicine Section Highlights
Vaccines and Immunization Counseling:
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COVID-19, RSV, Influenza, Chikungunya vaccines
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New time-based counseling codes
Hearing Device Services:
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6 old codes deleted
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12 new time-based codes introduced
Mechanical Scalp Cooling:
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97007–97009 – Oncology supportive care services
Remote Therapeutic Monitoring (RTM): New CPT Codes 2026
New Device Supply Codes:
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98984–98986 – 2–15 days
Revised Codes:
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98976–98978 – Now 16–30 days
New Treatment Management Codes:
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98979, 98980, +98981
These updates align RTM with modern telehealth and digital care models.
Category III Codes: CPT 2026 Updates
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78 new Category III codes
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21 deleted
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4 revised
Many Category III codes transitioned to Category I, showing widespread adoption.
FAQs: New CPT Codes 2026
Q1. How many new CPT codes were added in 2026?
A total of 288 new CPT codes were introduced by the AMA in 2026.
Q2. Are CPT 2026 changes applicable to US medical coders only?
CPT codes are primarily used in the United States, but many international coders working with US healthcare must also follow them.
Q3. Which section has the most CPT 2026 changes?
The Cardiovascular and Surgery sections contain the highest number of new and revised codes.
Q4. Are RPM and RTM codes new in CPT 2026?
Yes, CPT 2026 expands and restructures Remote Physiologic Monitoring (RPM) and Remote Therapeutic Monitoring (RTM) codes.
Q5. When should medical coders start using CPT 2026 codes?
CPT 2026 codes are effective January 1, 2026, unless otherwise specified.
Final Thoughts
The New CPT Codes 2026 represent a major shift toward technology-driven, patient-centered healthcare. For medical coders, understanding these updates is essential for accurate billing, compliance, and career growth.
Staying updated with CPT 2026 is not optional—it is a professional necessity.
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CPT 2026 New Codes & Guidelines: Full Breakdown for US Medical Coders
CPT New updates 2026
CPT Updated Code, Deleted Code 2026
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