Radiology societies propose new imaging CPT billing codes for 2027
Radiology societies are proposing several new imaging CPT (Current Procedural Terminology) billing codes for 2027.
The American College of Radiology on Wednesday touted the proposals, which were suggested at the September American Medical Association CPT Editorial Panel meeting.
ACR said the group submitted proposals for two Category 1 CPT codes, which signify established medical procedures and services with strong clinical support. These included a code for Prostate Biopsy Services, along with Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA) of the head and neck, with both carrying a proposed effective date of Jan. 1, 2027.
The radiology societies also submitted a proposal for a Category 3 temporary code, used for new emerging technologies and services. This proposal would pertain to Surface Mesh Volume, which would take effect on July 1, 2026, if approved.
“ACR encourages its members to review these proposed changes and assess their potential impact on clinical practice and billing workflows,” the college said in a Sept. 24 news update.
The American Medical Association is expected to announce the panel’s decisions by Oct. 3. Meanwhile, the AMA released the 2026 CPT set on Sept. 11, adding 288 new codes for the latest advances in diagnostic and other medical services. Following a rigorous review process by the CPT Editorial Panel, there were 418 total changes in the code set including 84 deletions and 46 revisions.
The update details several new codes related to augmentative and assistive artificial intelligence services. These include Coronary Atherosclerotic Plaque Assessment, used to evaluate the severity of heart disease, derived from software analysis of coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA). Another update, covering Perivascular Fat Analysis for Cardiac Risk, includes two codes for noninvasive assessment of heart concerns. This is derived from software analysis of perivascular fat with or without a concurrent CT scan of the heart.
ACR previously put out a news item in May, detailing anticipated code changes relevant to radiology for 2026. In its Monday news update, the college said a finalized list of next year’s codes will be published in the upcoming September/October issue of the ACR Radiology Coding Source.
Other imaging groups contributing to the submission of new 2027 radiology codes included the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA), American Roentgen Ray Society (ARRS), American Association of Academic Radiologists (AAR), Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR), and the American Society of Neuroradiology (ASNR).
Marty Stempniak has covered healthcare since 2012, with his byline appearing in the American Hospital Association's member magazine, Modern Healthcare and McKnight's. Prior to that, he wrote about village government and local business for his hometown newspaper in Oak Park, Illinois. He won a Peter Lisagor and Gold EXCEL awards in 2017 for his coverage of the opioid epidemic.