The American Medical Association (AMA)’s CPT code set for 2026 includes 418 changes comprising 288 new codes, 84 deletions, and 46 revisions. The 288 new CPT codes incorporate the latest advances in medical, surgical, and diagnostic services. New Category I CPT codes are effective for use as of Jan. 1, 2026.
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Highlights of the 2026 CPT Code Updates
Among the key changes in the CPT 2026 code set are new codes for remote patient monitoring, expanded coding for services involving hearing devices and augmented intelligence (AI), and a significant, comprehensive revision of the leg revascularization code family.
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Expansion of CPT Codes for Remote Monitoring Services
Five new Category I CPT codes for remote monitoring services over shorter timeframes are effective starting January 1, 2026.
While the existing codes (e.g., 99454, 98976-98978) require data transmission on at least 16 out of 30 days, the five newly introduced codes allow billing for monitoring periods of 2 to 15 days.
- 99XX4 – Remote physiologic monitoring, device supply
- 99XX5 – Remote physiologic monitoring, treatment management services (first 10-19 minutes)
- 98XX4 – Remote therapeutic monitoring, respiratory system, device supply
- 98XX5 – Remote therapeutic monitoring, musculoskeletal system, device supply
- 98XX6 – Remote therapeutic monitoring, cognitive behavioral therapy, device supply
There are additional codes that allow billing for remote monitoring treatment management after just 10 minutes of service per calendar month, lowering the previous billing threshold of 20 minutes. These new codes give practices more flexibility by allowing them to bill for shorter but still clinically meaningful remote monitoring interactions.
The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) described these telehealth coding updates as “especially important for primary care,” emphasizing that they align with evidence supporting shorter-term monitoring (MedScape).
New Category III Codes for AI Health Services
Several new AI-related codes have been introduced to enhance physician diagnostic capabilities and improve patient care. These codes expand access to innovative tools that help detect clinically relevant information that might otherwise be missed, and support physicians by analyzing and quantifying data to generate meaningful clinical insights. The AMA highlights the following examples of new CPT codes developed for health AI services:
- Coronary atherosclerotic plaque assessment is used to assess the severity of coronary disease, derived from augmentative software analysis of the data set from a coronary computed tomographic angiography.
- Perivascular fat analysis for cardiac risk includes two codes for noninvasive assessment of cardiac risk derived from augmentative software analysis of perivascular fat with or without concurrent computed tomography (CT) scan of the heart.
- Multispectral imaging for burn wounds is assistive algorithmic classification of burn healing (i.e., healing or nonhealing) by noninvasive multispectral imaging.
- Detection of cardiac dysfunction is assistive algorithmic analysis of acoustic and electrocardiogram recording for detection of cardiac dysfunction (for e.g.: reduced ejection fraction, cardiac murmurs or atrial fibrillation).
New Hearing Device Services Codes
Twelve codes have been introduced that more accurately reflect the comprehensive work involved in providing modern hearing aid services. They include specific codes for fitting, post-fitting follow-up, behavioral verification, and probe-microphone verification.
These patient-centered approaches include:
- Assessing visual, dexterity and psychosocial factors.
- Validating device performance and sound quality.
- Providing training and support for patients using personal devices, such as smartphones, connected to their hearing devices.
- 92628 – Hearing aid post-fitting follow-up services (first 30 minutes).
- +92629 – each additional 15 minutes (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) – report 92629 in conjunction with 92628.
- 92631 – Hearing aid selection services, unilateral or bilateral (first 30 minutes).
- +92632 – Each additional 15 minutes (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure. Use 92632 in conjunction with 92631.
- 92634–92637 – Fitting and Follow-Up Services: These codes include the work of fitting hearing devices and follow-up services provided after the fitting.
- 92638–92642 – Verification Services: The verification codes are designed to capture the specific types of verification that may be completed as part of the fitting and follow-up process (92634-92637). CPT codes 92638 and 92639 are untimed add-on codes to be reported in conjunction with fitting or follow-up codes.
- Time-Based Codes: This new set of codes includes timed services to account for evaluation, assessment, management, and treatment relating primarily to air conduction hearing devices. These codes allow audiologists to bill for these activities based on the total time spent on the patient on the date of encounter.
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) states that these new codes focus on capturing professional audiology services for hearing aids and other hearing devices today and into the future—including evolving technologies and patient care models.
Leg Revascularization Code Update
The CPT codes for lower extremity revascularization procedures have been fully updated and modernized. The previous codes have been deleted and replaced with 46 new codes. The CPT updates for lower extremity revascularization procedures designed to better capture current technologies, procedural approaches, and the growing shift toward outpatient care.
According to the AMA, these CPT code revisions make it easier to accurately report advanced revascularization therapies. The changes particularly support patients with persistent symptoms (such as pain, cramping, or fatigue) who have not improved with medical therapy or structured exercise, as well as the providers delivering these mobility- and function-enhancing treatments.
Additional Updates
Several existing codes, primarily those for behavioral health services, have been added to CPT Appendices P and T, which identify services that may be furnished via audio-video or audio-only technologies and are considered equivalent to in-person care by the CPT Editorial Panel. These additions expand flexibility in delivering behavioral health services and help address access challenges, particularly in rural, underserved, and vulnerable communities.
Stay Compliant and Confident With Professional Coding Support
The AMA’s 2026 CPT code updates reflect the ongoing evolution of healthcare – expanding recognition of AI-driven services, modernizing procedural codes to match current clinical practice, and increasing flexibility in how care is delivered. These changes support more accurate reporting, improved patient access, and better alignment between emerging technologies and clinical workflows.
As organizations prepare for the 2026 transition, staying informed and updating internal processes, documentation, and billing practices is essential. Leveraging AI-powered medical coding services can help practices implement best practices for adapting to CPT code changes, ensuring compliance, supporting high-quality care, streamlining clinical workflow, and optimizing revenue cycle performance.
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