What Is in AHA’s Coding Clinic for HCPCS Fourth Quarter 2025 Release?

The Fourth Quarter 2025 issue of the AHA Coding Clinic for HCPCS newsletter was released March 25, 2026. Let us explore some of the highlights!

Leg Revascularization CPT Codes

The fourth quarter newsletter is 15 pages long and begins with an outline of the major overhaul of the leg revascularization CPT codes for 2026. The restructuring of this section marks a departure from the previous code series, which was seen as no longer sufficient to capture the complexities and advanced technologies involved in modern peripheral vascular interventions. The update deletes 16 existing codes and replaces them with 46 new codes, which provide more granular and anatomically precise reporting. 

CPT Surgery Section Update 2025: Male Genital, Endocrine, and Nervous Systems

Male Genital System

In the Male Genital System section, two new CPT codes were added to describe transurethral ablation of prostate tissue.  

Endocrine System

In the Endocrine System section, two new codes and a related Category III code were added to describe the percutaneous radiofrequency ablation of one or more thyroid nodules with a lobe, the isthmus or an additional lobe.

Nervous System

In the Nervous System section, one CPT code was created to describe intracranial stereotactic target ablation using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).  

Extracranial Nerves, Peripheral Nerves, and Autonomic Nervous System

Six new codes were created to describe fascial plane blocks performed in the somatic nervous system. These codes differentiate between unilateral and bilateral thoracic blocks and unilateral lower extremity blocks, and whether the administration is by injection or continuous infusion. Fascial plane blocks involve injecting local anesthetics into the space between fascial layers to achieve postoperative pain control or analgesia. The anesthetic spreads along the plane to the nerves, providing effective regional anesthesia.

For Your Information

HCPCS Level II Codes

The newsletter addresses a subset of the new, deleted, and revised HCPCS Level II codes effective October 1, 2025, including:

• 67 new HCPCS Level II codes,
• 9 deleted HCPCS Level II codes, and  
• 10 revised HCPCS Level II codes.  

New CPT PLA Codes

Finally, the newsletter provides an overview of the recent changes to the CPT Proprietary Laboratory Analyses (PLA) codes that went into effect January 1, 2026, including:

• 14 new codes,  
• 10 deleted codes, and  
• 5 revised codes.  

These changes have an effective date of January 1, 2026.  

For a full listing of the code changes, see the HCPCS Quarterly Update file.

Ask the Editor

The newsletter includes coding advice for 7 questions on the following topics:

• Colpocleisis with Colporrhaphy and Perineorrhaphy
• Implantation of Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulator System
• DermaClip®, Non-Invasive Skin Closure Device
• Cricopharyngeal Muscle Botox Injection
• Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Gallbladder Remnant with Cholangiogram
• Diagnostic Laparoscopy with Peritoneal Dialysis Catheter Irrigation
• Ganglionectomy: Primary versus Recurrent

Please refer to the CPT codebook for additional and comprehensive reporting guidelines and the full list of the code changes on CMS’s website.  

As always, please read the Fourth Quarter 2025 volume of AHA Coding Clinic for HCPCS entirely for the best source of medical coding information.