Now that we are halfway through 2026, it is a good time to confirm that billing workflows, systems, and templates reflect the CPT changes that took effect January 1. Several high-volume radiology and interventional radiology (IR) services shifted to new reporting structures this year. Some prior codes were deleted, others transitioned to Category I, and many imaging or procedural components previously reported separately — such as imaging guidance, radiological supervision and interpretation (RS&I), catheterization, lesion crossing, biopsy approach, or technique — are now included in more comprehensive codes.
Why these changes matter:
- System edits and denials: Charge capture should align with the current code structure. Deleted or replaced codes can trigger front-end edits, rejections, or denials if they remain active in a chargemaster, order set, or billing workflow.
- Code maintenance: Retired codes should be reviewed and either deactivated or mapped to the appropriate 2026 code or code family.
- Documentation requirements: When previously separate components are bundled into a comprehensive code, the report must support the full service represented by that code. Templates should be reviewed to ensure they prompt for the clinical details that now drive code selection, such as vascular territory, lesion complexity, biopsy approach, imaging guidance method, and technique.
The quick reference below summarizes key radiology and IR procedures and how their CPT reporting changed from 2025 to 2026.
2025–2026 Radiology & IR CPT Code Comparison
Effective January 1, 2026, several high-volume radiology and interventional radiology (IR) procedures shifted to new reporting structures. This crosswalk summarizes the specific 2025 codes and reporting patterns that are now combined, bundled, or replaced under the 2026 CPT code set.
| Area | 2025 Reporting | 2026 Reporting | Key Changes |
|---|---|---|---|
| CTA head and CTA neck | CTA head 70496 & CTA neck 70498 when both were performed/reported separately | 70471 for CTA head and neck when performed together | New combined CTA head/neck code. 70496 and 70498 remain available when only one region is performed |
| CT cerebral perfusion | Category III 0042T | +70472 with concurrent CT/CTA of same anatomy; 70473 without concurrent CT/CTA | Category III code 0042T replaced by Category I codes |
| Coronary plaque assessment from coronary CTA (AI-enabled) | Category III codes 0623T–0626T | 75577 for coronary plaque quantification/ characterization derived from augmentative software analysis of a coronary CTA dataset, with interpretation and report | Category III code family 0623T–0626T replaced by Category I 75577 |
| Head/neck embolization RS&I | Embolization codes 61624/61626 with separate RS&I/imaging component codes, e.g., 75894/75898, when supported | Revised codes 61624 & 61626 now include RS&I, roadmapping, and imaging guidance necessary for the intervention | RS&I codes for intraprocedural roadmapping/imaging guidance are no longer reported separately with 61624/61626 |
| Lower extremity revascularization | Deleted family 37220–37235 | New family 37254– _ 37299, organized by territory, vessel, treatment, and straightforward vs complex lesion | New 2026 codes include same-artery catheterization/crossing and imaging guidance/RS&I |
| Lower extremity IVL | No territory-specific IVL add-on codes | New territory-specific add-on codes: +37262 for iliac IVL & +37279 for femoral/popliteal IVL | Imaging guidance/RS&I needed to perform IVL is included in the new add-on codes |
| TEVAR/thoracic endograft services | Separate codes for access, sizing, RS&I, and guidance | New code: 33882; Revised codes: 33880, 33881, 33883, 33886; Deleted codes: 33884, 33889, 33891 | New/revised codes bundle pre-procedure sizing/device selection, nonselective catheterization, and associated RS&I. Legacy RS&I codes 75956–75959 deleted |
| Prostate biopsy | 55700 plus separately reportable imaging guidance when supported, depending on method | 55700 deleted; new 55707–55715 describe approach/ guidance and include imaging guidance | New codes are selected based on the biopsy approach, imaging guidance method, and whether targeted lesion sampling was performed |
| IRE ablation liver/prostate | Category III 0600T | New Category I 47384 for liver IRE and 55877 for prostate IRE; both include imaging guidance | Category III 0600T replaced by Category I codes for liver/prostate; imaging guidance is included. 0600T continues for IRE of other organs |
