The Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code set is the standard language medical practices use to bill for services. The American Medical Association (AMA) updates it every year to keep pace with new procedures, technology, and clinical practice.
The CPT 2027 code set brings 453 total editorial changes. These include 299 new codes, 74 revisions, and 80 deletions across specialties such as obstetrics, cardiology, surgery, radiology, and sleep medicine.
This guide covers what changed in CPT 2027, which specialties see the biggest updates, and how practices can prepare their medical coding workflows before the January 1, 2027 effective date.
What Is the CPT 2027 Code Set?
CPT is a standardized set of five-digit codes that describe medical, surgical, and diagnostic services. Physicians, hospitals, and payers use these codes to bill claims and track healthcare data nationwide.
The code set updates annually to reflect new technology and evolving clinical practice. CPT 2027 is the version that takes effect for services performed on or after January 1, 2027. For a full breakdown of code types, categories, and selection rules, see our guide to how CPT codes work.
Who Maintains the CPT Code Set?
The AMA maintains CPT through the CPT Editorial Panel, a group of physicians and healthcare experts who review proposed changes. The panel works through an open, evidence-based process with input from specialty societies, government agencies, and health plans.
The CPT Editorial Panel approves changes only after a rigorous, multi-stakeholder review. This keeps the code set clinically grounded rather than driven by a single interest group.
When Do the CPT 2027 Codes Take Effect?
CPT 2027 codes go into effect on January 1, 2027, for dates of service on or after that date. Claims for services performed in 2026 still use CPT 2026 codes, even if submitted after the new year.
The AMA released the maternity care code changes early to give practices extra preparation time. From November 18 through 20, 2026, coding experts will present detailed guidance at the CPT & RBRVS 2027 Annual Symposium.
How Many Total Editorial Changes Are in CPT 2027?
The CPT 2027 code set includes 453 total editorial changes. The table below breaks down the changes by type.
| Change Type | Count | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| New codes | 299 | New services now have a billable code |
| Revised codes | 74 | Existing code descriptions or guidelines changed |
| Deleted codes | 80 | Codes retired and replaced or folded into other codes |
Coders should treat every deleted code as a hard stop. A deleted code submitted after January 1, 2027 triggers an automatic denial, regardless of how minor the service seems.
What Are the Key Specialty Changes in CPT 2027?
Seven clinical areas see the most significant updates in CPT 2027. The table below summarizes each change before the detailed breakdown.
| Specialty Area | Change Summary |
|---|---|
| Maternity care | Global obstetric package retired; four phase-specific code groups added |
| Ventricular assist devices (VAD) | Three new codes for VAD-related procedures |
| Hernia repair | Nine new codes for traumatic and non-traumatic diaphragmatic hernia repair |
| Prostate biopsy | Updated codes and guidelines for current biopsy techniques |
| Biofeedback | New time-based code structure |
| Radiology | New and revised codes, plus a new head and neck MRA table |
| Sleep medicine | Six new codes for unattended sleep studies |
Maternity Care Coding Overhaul
The biggest change in CPT 2027 retires the decades-old global obstetric package. Practices billed maternity care as one bundled code for over 30 years. That model no longer matches how obstetric care works today.
Care now often involves multiple unaffiliated providers across a pregnancy. A single bundled code cannot fairly split payment between them.
CPT 2027 deletes 17 maternity codes and replaces them with 12 new codes plus six revisions. The new structure reports four separate phases:
- Antepartum care, billed through standard evaluation and management (E/M) codes
- Labor management, using new codes split by initial or subsequent and by complexity
- Delivery care, with separate codes for vaginal and cesarean delivery
- Postpartum care, billed through E/M codes rather than folded into the global package
This restructuring was developed with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and other specialty societies. CPT 59510 and the other legacy global maternity codes remain valid only through December 31, 2026. Practices should update superbills, EHR templates, and provider contracts before the switch. For the full phase-by-phase code list, including labor management and delivery codes, see our complete maternity care coding guide.
Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) Procedure Codes
CPT 2027 adds three new codes for procedures involving left ventricular assist devices. New and revised guidelines accompany the codes to improve reporting accuracy for these complex cardiac procedures. VAD implantation and management require precise coding because payers scrutinize high-cost cardiac device claims closely.
Hernia Repair Codes
Nine new codes expand reporting options for diaphragmatic hernia repair in CPT 2027. The codes cover both traumatic and non-traumatic repairs performed through open, laparoscopic, or thoracoscopic approaches.
This expansion lets surgeons document the exact surgical approach instead of using a generic hernia repair code. More specific codes reduce the risk of underpayment for complex thoracoscopic or laparoscopic techniques.
Prostate Biopsy, Biofeedback, Radiology, and Sleep Medicine Codes
Four additional specialty areas receive updates in CPT 2027, each addressing a gap between current technology and existing codes.
- Prostate biopsy: Updated codes and guidelines reflect current biopsy techniques and improve data specificity for urology practices.
- Biofeedback: A new time-based code structure aligns billing with how biofeedback training sessions are actually delivered.
- Radiology: New and revised codes, along with a new table for head and neck magnetic resonance angiography, reflect current imaging technology.
- Sleep medicine: Six new codes cover unattended sleep studies, including studies delivered outside traditional sleep centers.
Ambulatory surgical centers performing hernia repairs, prostate biopsies, and other outpatient procedures should confirm their charge masters reflect these new codes.
How Do CPT 2027 Changes Affect AI-Related Medical Services?
CPT 2027 adds 10 new codes for AI-related medical services. This brings the total number of AI-specific CPT codes to 43, continuing a rapid expansion started in prior CPT cycles.
The CPT Editorial Panel also updated the Taxonomy for Artificial Intelligence in Medical Services and Procedures. This taxonomy, known as Appendix S, helps physicians and vendors choose the correct terminology when applying for new AI-related codes.
Growth in AI-related CPT codes signals that AI-assisted diagnosis and monitoring tools are moving from pilot programs into routine billable care. Practices using AI-powered coding tools, such as Transcure’s CODIN coding agent, benefit from software that gets updated with new code sets automatically. This removes the manual lookup burden from in-house coding staff.
How Can Medical Practices Prepare for the CPT 2027 Code Set?
Practices that wait until January to review CPT 2027 risk denied claims and delayed payments. Follow these steps before the effective date.
- Update your EHR and billing software. Confirm your vendor has loaded the CPT 2027 code set, including all 80 deletions, before the first claim of 2027.
- Retrain coders on high-impact specialties. Maternity care, cardiology, and outpatient surgery coders need focused training on the new code structures.
- Audit your top billed codes. Compare your practice’s most frequently used CPT codes against the CPT 2027 deletion and revision lists.
- Review payer coverage policies. Some payers publish updated coverage and reimbursement rules ahead of the CPT effective date.
- Update patient-facing documents. Superbills, encounter forms, and patient estimates should reflect the new code descriptions.
A medical billing audit run in Q4 2026 catches outdated codes still embedded in templates and fee schedules. Practices that combine this audit with an updated revenue cycle management workflow enter 2027 with fewer first-quarter denials. Practices without in-house coding depth can compare vetted outsourcing partners in our roundup of top medical coding companies.
Which Specialties Are Most Affected by CPT 2027?
Some specialties face heavier documentation and workflow changes than others under CPT 2027. The table below ranks the specialties by the scale of change.
| Specialty | Type of Change | Billing Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Obstetrics/OB-GYN | Structural overhaul | High: entire billing model changes |
| Cardiology/cardiac surgery | New codes | Moderate: three new VAD codes to learn |
| General/thoracic surgery | New codes | Moderate: nine new hernia repair codes |
| Urology | Revised codes | Low to moderate: updated prostate biopsy guidelines |
| Radiology | New and revised codes | Moderate: new head and neck MRA table |
| Sleep medicine | New codes | Moderate: six new unattended study codes |
Practices in obstetrics face the steepest learning curve this cycle. Coders in other affected specialties still need targeted training, even where the code count is smaller.
Need Help Implementing CPT 2027 Changes?
CPT 2027 touches nearly every part of the billing cycle, from code selection to claim submission. Practices do not have to manage this transition alone. Transcure supports the full implementation process across six critical areas.
- CPT code updates: Our coders apply the complete CPT 2027 code set, including all 299 new codes and 80 deletions, before your first 2027 claim goes out.
- EHR/charge master review: We review your charge master and EHR templates line by line to remove deleted codes and add the new maternity, VAD, and hernia repair codes.
- Coding audits: Our audit team compares your top billed codes against the CPT 2027 revision list to catch outdated codes before they trigger denials.
- Claim scrubbing: Every claim is scrubbed against CPT 2027 rules and payer edits before submission, catching mismatched codes and modifiers early.
- Denial prevention: We track denial patterns tied to the new code structures and adjust workflows before small errors become recurring revenue loss.
- Coder training: Our team trains your coders on the CPT 2027 changes that affect your specialty, from labor management coding to AI-related service codes.
Practices that combine these six steps enter 2027 with clean claims and fewer first-quarter denials.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do CPT 2027 Codes Go Into Effect?
CPT 2027 codes take effect January 1, 2027, for services performed on or after that date. Claims for 2026 dates of service still use CPT 2026 codes.
How Many New Codes Are Included In CPT 2027?
CPT 2027 adds 299 new codes. Combined with 74 revisions and 80 deletions, the code set includes 453 total editorial changes.
What is the Biggest Change In CPT 2027 for Maternity Care?
The biggest change retires the global obstetric package after more than 30 years. Maternity care now uses four separate code groups for antepartum, labor, delivery, and postpartum care.
Do CPT 2027 Changes Affect Medicare Reimbursement?
CPT changes affect how services are described and billed, but Medicare payment rates are set separately through the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. Practices should still review CMS guidance alongside the CPT 2027 code descriptions, since new and revised codes can carry different relative value units.
How many AI-related CPT codes Exist After The 2027 Update?
CPT 2027 adds 10 new AI-related codes, bringing the total number of AI-related CPT codes to 43. This reflects the growing role of AI-assisted tools in diagnosis and monitoring.
Where can Practices Get Official CPT 2027 Coding Resources?
The AMA publishes the official CPT codebook, data file products, and CPT Assistant educational content through the AMA Store. Practices can also attend the CPT & RBRVS 2027 Annual Symposium for direct guidance from CPT experts.
