The AMA releases CPT code updates annually, effective January 1. For 2026, there are 270 code changes including 230 new codes, 49 revised codes, and 65 deleted codes. Understanding which changes affect your specialty is critical — using a deleted code or missing a new code can result in denials or significant underpayments.
The 2026 CPT update includes revised E&M guidelines for split/shared visits, telehealth services, and prolonged services. The new guidelines allow more flexibility in how time is counted for E&M code selection, potentially increasing code levels for many visits. However, documentation must explicitly support the new criteria — check your templates.
In response to the continued growth of digital health, 2026 introduces 18 new CPT codes for remote patient monitoring, virtual care management, and asynchronous telehealth services. Practices offering RPM programs should ensure they are capturing all newly payable services — many practices leave $50,000+ annually on the table by not billing RPM codes properly.
Orthopedic, spine, and cardiovascular surgery codes see significant changes in 2026. Several bundled procedures have been unbundled into separately reportable codes, while some previously separate codes have been combined. Your coding team should audit claims for these specialties in the first quarter to identify any pattern changes needed.
To prepare for 2026 CPT changes: update your EMR charge capture templates; train all providers and coding staff on relevant changes; audit your top 20 procedure codes for any that were deleted or revised; and review your payer fee schedules to ensure new codes have been priced. ZettaRCM handles all CPT update implementation for our billing clients automatically.
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