AMA releases CPT 2026 code set

The American Medical Association (AMA) announced the release of the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT^®) 2026 code set adding 288 new codes designating the latest advances in medical, surgical, and diagnostic services available to patients. The CPT code set is trusted as the backbone of health data interoperability in the U.S. (PDF) and provides the means for the nation’s data-driven health care system to easily exchange medical service information.

As the uniform language of medicine, the CPT code set is essential to keep care accessible, accountable, and fairly supported across the nation’s health system. Without this common language, patients’ access to care would be undermined, and the smooth flow of vital health information would be disrupted.

As the largest association of physicians and medical students in the United States, the AMA is uniquely positioned to convene the editorial process to change and develop CPT codes, bringing unmatched scale, expertise, and legitimacy to the task of standardizing medical service definitions. The open and rigorous process maintained by the independent CPT Editorial Panel with broad input from the health care community, government, and industry produced 418 total changes reflected in CPT 2026 code set, including 84 deletions and 46 revisions in addition to the 288 new codes. The CPT code set continues to expand in new areas of medicine with proprietary laboratory analyses accounting for the largest proportion of new codes (27%). Category III CPT codes for emerging medical services accounted for more than a quarter of new codes (27%), supporting further innovation in health care.

New Category I CPT codes are effective for use as of Jan. 1, 2026.

Key updates included in the CPT 2026 code set are new codes for digital health services like remote patient monitoring, medical services involving hearing devices and augmented intelligence (AI), and a comprehensive update of codes for leg revascularization.

Newly added codes respond to the continued emergence of technology allowing health care providers to collect and analyze patients’ health care data and use that data to monitor and manage their patients’ acute and chronic conditions outside of a traditional clinical setting. Importantly, a growing body of clinical research has demonstrated patient benefits from remote monitoring over shorter durations than were previously captured in the CPT code set. To reflect these findings and ensure coding keeps pace with modern medicine, five new codes were created to report remote monitoring services over short periods, 2–15 days within a 30-day period. Additionally, two new codes report remote monitoring treatment management after 10 minutes of service per calendar month, down from the previous 20-minute threshold.

Several new codes for AI services have been added that augment physician capabilities and improve patient care. These codes support patient access to innovative technologies that assist physicians by detecting clinically relevant data that might otherwise go unnoticed, or augment physician work by analyzing and quantifying data to produce clinically meaningful insights. Some examples include:

• 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.
• Multi-Spectral 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 (e.g., reduced ejection fraction, cardiac murmurs, atrial fibrillation).

Twelve codes have been introduced that reflect innovative approaches to providing hearing device services. These patient-centered approaches include assessing visual, dexterity, and psychosocial factors; validating device performance and sound quality; and providing training and support for patients using personal devices, such as smartphones, connected to their hearing devices.

The Lower Extremity Revascularization section has been comprehensively updated and modernized. Previous codes have been deleted and there will be 46 new codes. The update reflects technological advancements and evolving care delivery models, particularly the shift toward outpatient settings. The revised codes aim to improve access to advanced therapies that enhance mobility and functional status, especially for patients with persistent symptoms, such as pain, cramping, and fatigue, who have not responded to other medical treatments like medication or structured exercise.

Several existing codes, mainly for behavioral health services, have been added to CPT appendices P and T that list services rendered via audio-video or audio-only technologies that are recognized by the CPT Editorial Panel as correlating to in-person services. These additions increase flexibility in how behavioral health services are delivered, helping to overcome access barriers, especially in rural, underserved, and vulnerable communities.

The AMA invites the health care community to the world’s only medical coding event with expert direction from authorities on the CPT code set. Get guidance on the updates in the CPT 2026 code set by virtually attending the CPT & RBRVS 2026 Annual Symposium and learn more about the growing role that the CPT code set has in supporting value-based care and the adoption of innovative alternatives to the RBRVS payment model.

Coding books are available from the AMA storefront, including the CPT 2026 Professional Edition codebook. CPT data products, including the CPT 2026 Standard Data File and CPT educational content, are available via the AMA Intelligent Platform.

The American Medical Association is the physicians’ powerful ally in patient care. As the only medical association that convenes 190+ state and specialty medical societies and other critical stakeholders, the AMA represents physicians with a unified voice to all key players in health care.  The AMA leverages its strength by removing the obstacles that interfere with patient care, leading the charge to prevent chronic disease and confront public health crises and, driving the future of medicine to tackle the biggest challenges in health care.