The 2026 ICD-10-CM update (effective October 1, 2025) introduces 434 new codes, 186 revisions, and 82 deletions, with major changes in neurology, behavioral health, injury classifications, and social determinants of health. The 2026 CPT update (effective January 1, 2026) includes 153 new codes, 93 revisions, and 27 deletions spanning E/M services, digital health, surgical procedures, and pathology. Providers who prepare early reduce denials, speed reimbursement, and maintain coding accuracy.
Understanding the 2026 ICD-10 Update
If ICD-10 season had a motto, it would be: “Change is the only constant.”
The 2026 update reinforces that reality with expanded specificity and clearer distinctions across high-volume clinical areas.
CMS released the following for ICD-10-CM 2026 (effective Oct 1, 2025):
- New codes: 434
- Revised codes: 186
- Deleted codes: 82
Key Areas of Change
Neurology
More granular distinctions for seizure types, migraine profiles, and neurological episodes help capture clinical complexity—and reduce payer ambiguity.
Behavioral Health
New descriptors for anxiety-related disorders and expanded mental health classifications reflect rising demand for accurate reporting in behavioral care.
Injuries & Environmental Events
Codes now better capture mechanisms of injury, external causes, and environmental circumstances—an effort aimed at improved public health data.
Social Determinants of Health
Z-codes continue to grow, offering richer insights into patient barriers and resources.
All told, the update is substantial. But substantial changes don’t have to mean operational chaos.
As Franco Rizzolo puts it:
“The codes may change every year, but your revenue shouldn’t. Our team takes on the updates so you don’t have to.”
Breaking Down the 2026 CPT Code Changes
Once the ICD dust settles, CPT takes the stage.
The 2026 CPT code set (effective Jan 1, 2026) ushers in updates across clinical services, digital health, surgical categories, and pathology.
AMA reports the following totals:
- New codes: 153
- Revised codes: 93
- Deleted codes: 27
Where Providers Will Feel the Biggest Impact
- Evaluation & Management (E/M): Clarifications and refinements to streamline documentation.
- Digital Health: Expanded recognition of remote, asynchronous, and virtual follow-up care.
- Minimally Invasive Procedures: Added specificity for ortho, GI, and laparoscopic surgeries.
- Pathology: Updates to testing methodologies and emerging diagnostic categories.
These adjustments aim to modernize care reporting and reduce ambiguity—but only if practices prepare proactively.
2026 Updates at a Glance: Visual Comparison
A quick way to see the shift between 2025 and 2026 coding structures:
| Code Set (2026) | New Codes | Revisions | Deletions | Major Impact Areas |
| ICD-10-CM | 434 | 186 | 82 | Neurology, behavioral health, injuries, SDOH |
| CPT | 153 | 93 | 27 | Digital health, E/M, surgery, pathology |
This table is ideal for team training, annual compliance updates, and internal coding refreshers.
How to Prepare Your Practice Now (5 Key Steps)
- Update Documentation Templates Early
Capture the new specificity requirements—especially for neurology, injuries, and digital health. - Train Billing & Coding Staff Before Go-Live
Summer for ICD, fall for CPT. Early education = fewer first-quarter denials. - Audit High-Volume Codes
Look for code deletions or replaced descriptions that may affect your most-used encounters. - Coordinate With Your EHR/PM Vendor
Don’t assume auto-updates. Confirm release dates and ensure mapping is correct. - Leverage a Billing Partner Who Monitors Changes Daily
Staying ahead of CMS, AMA, and payer bulletins requires continuous oversight.
How These Code Changes Affect Your Practice
Even minor code shifts can spark chain reactions across a healthcare organization:
- Documentation structures change
- Authorization requirements update
- Coders must relearn trends and classifications
- Billers see an influx of payer edits and clarifications
Without preparation?
Expect bottlenecks, denials, and rising A/R days.
With proactive planning and the right support?
Expect smoother transitions, stable revenue cycles, and faster reimbursements.
This is where RevPro shines.
RevPro’s highly professional team monitors code updates year-round, ensuring clients always stay ahead of the regulatory curve. Fixed-rate pricing for life means your costs stay predictable, even as the billing landscape becomes more complex. And with Donato stepping into next-generation leadership, practices benefit from a modernized, forward-thinking infrastructure supported by Franco’s longstanding expertise.
FAQ: 2026 ICD and CPT Changes
When should practices start preparing?
Begin ICD-10 updates in midsummer and CPT updates in early fall to ensure training and system updates are ready before release dates.
Will payers adopt the codes immediately?
Most do on day one, but not all. Monitor top-volume payers during the first few weeks.
Do EHR and PM systems update automatically?
Usually, but timelines vary. Always confirm your vendor’s update schedule.
Will prior authorizations change?
Yes. Updated procedure codes typically trigger new payer rules for imaging, surgical, and digital health services.
Can RevPro help train our internal teams?
Absolutely. Coding guidance, implementation support, and update training are included for every RevPro client.
Final Thoughts
The 2026 ICD-10 and CPT updates bring meaningful changes across nearly every specialty. The practices that prepare now, rather than react later, will experience fewer denials, cleaner claims, and more predictable reimbursement.
RevPro Healthcare Solutions ensures your practice stays ahead of every coding change, every payer adjustment, and every new documentation rule.
Contact RevPro Healthcare Solutions today and stay fully prepared for the 2026 coding updates.