AMA releases 2026 CPT code set

The American Medical Association recently issued its 2026 Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®) code set, which reflects the latest advances in medical, surgical, and diagnostic services available to patients, according to the press release. The update includes new codes for remote patient monitoring (RPM), services involving augmented intelligence, and more.

The 2026 code set includes 84 deletions, 46 revisions, and 288 additions, marking 418 code changes in total. Proprietary laboratory analysis and Category III CPT codes for emerging medical services each account for 27% of the new codes. New Category I CPT codes are effective for use on January 1, 2026.

Based on clinical research and the increased use of RPM services, the AMA added five codes to report shorter duration RPM (2-15 days within a 30-day period), as well as two codes to report RPM treatment management after 10 minutes of service per calendar month.

The AMA also added several new codes for augmented intelligence services, such as the following:

• Coronary atherosclerotic plaque assessment: Used to assess the severity of coronary disease, derived from augmentative software analysis of the data set from a coronary computed tomographic angiography
• Multi-spectral imaging for burn wounds: Assistive algorithmic classification of burn healing by non-invasive multi-spectral imaging

One of biggest changes in the 2026 update is a complete overhaul of leg revascularization codes. In response to technological advancements and evolving care delivery models (i.e., the shift toward outpatient settings), the AMA deleted the previous leg revascularization code set and added 46 new codes in its place.

The AMA added several existing behavioral health codes to appendices P and T, which list services rendered via audio-video or audio-only technologies that are recognized by the CPT Editorial Panel as correlating to in-person services. This update will give organizations more flexibility in how they deliver behavioral health services, according to the association.

Revenue integrity professionals should review the 2026 CPT code set and work with other departments to ensure their organization is prepared to implement the changes.