2025 CPT Codes – The Update You Have Been Waiting For

At the start of a new year, one of the first things your medical billing office staff must do is update the 2025 CPT codes. Here are the top additions, revisions, and deletions to the 2025 CPT® medical billing codes, effective from Jan 1st, 2025, across various specialties.

First, a quick summary

  • CPT codes 2025 includes 270 new codes, 112 revised codes, and 49 deleted codes.
  • There are no code changes for anesthesia, respiratory, or auditory services.
  • The most significant changes are to telemedicine evaluation and management (E/M) services, skin substitutes, laboratory and pathology services, and Category III codes or technology codes.

And now, let’s dive into the 2025 CPT codes.

E/M 2025 CPT codes

Beginning Jan. 1, CPT codes 99441–99443 are no longer available. Modifiers 93 and 95, indicating the service was provided via audio-only or audio-visual technologies, are no longer required (except for Medicare claims). The new code descriptors identify how the service was performed to streamline the coding process, eliminating the need for modifiers.

Breakdown of New CPT Codes 2025 for Audio-Visual and Audio-Only Visits

New Patient Visits Code Established Patient Visits Code
Straightforward MDM (15 minutes) 98000 Straightforward MDM (15 minutes) 98004
Low MDM (30 minutes) 98001 Low MDM (30 minutes) 98005
Moderate MDM (45 minutes) 98002 Moderate MDM (45 minutes) 98006
High MDM (60 minutes) 98003 High MDM (60 minutes) 98007
Prolonged Services (75+ minutes) +99417 Prolonged Services (75+ minutes) +99417

 

  • Audio-video codes: Eight new synchronous audio-video visit codes have been introduced. These include codes like 98000, which cover an audio-video visit for evaluating and managing a new patient. This code requires a medically appropriate history and/or examination with straightforward medical decision-making and a minimum of 15 minutes when using total time for code selection. At the higher end, code 98003 applies to visits involving high medical decision-making, requiring a minimum of 60 minutes for selection based on total encounter time.
  • Audio-only codes: Eight new synchronous audio-only visit codes have been introduced. For example, 98008 – this code applies to audio-only visits for the evaluation and management of an established patient, requiring a medically appropriate history and/or examination, straightforward medical decision-making, and over 10 minutes of medical discussion. Code selection is based on total time; a minimum of 15 minutes must be met or exceeded. Similarly, code 98015 covers visits with high medical decision-making, over 10 minutes of medical discussion, and at least 40 minutes when using total time for code selection. Audio-only for new patients – use codes 98008-98011. Audio-only for follow-up visits use codes 98012-98015.
  • Codes 99441-99443 are deleted; these are replaced by new codes set 98000-98003 for synchronous real time consults ( via audio video) for new patients.
  • Follow-up visits for established patients – Use codes 98004 to 98007.
  • The virtual check-in CPT code is 98016. It is used for a brief virtual check-in with an established patient. It’s used when a patient or caregiver requests a 5–10-minute medical discussion to determine if a more intensive E/M service is required.

A word of caution – many insurance payers are NOT covering audio-only. Please check state guidelines before booking a patient consult for audio-only.

Other crucial E/M guidelines for 2025  – when selecting a code based on total time on the date of the encounter, each of the new codes has a specific minimum time requirement. For instance, 98012 is straightforward medical decision-making (MDM) requiring 10-19 minutes; 98013 requires low medical decision-making or 20-29 minutes; 98014 requires moderate medical decision-making or 30-39 minutes; 98015 requires high medical decision-making or 40-54 minutes.

Note – On Dec. 21, 2024, President Biden signed into law H.R. 10545, the American Relief Act, 2025. The following telehealth flexibilities have been extended until March 31, 2025:

  • Eliminating geographic restrictions and broadening the range of originating sites for telehealth services.
  • Expanding the types of practitioners authorized to provide telehealth services.
  • Continuing telehealth services for Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and Rural Health Clinics (RHCs).
  • Postponing the in-person visit requirements for Medicare mental health services delivered via telehealth and telecommunications technology.
  • Permitting the provision of audio-only telehealth services.
  • Allowing telehealth to fulfill face-to-face encounter requirements before recertification.

Integumentary System 2025 CPT codes

  • There are eight new skin cell suspension autograft (SCSA) codes.
  • Skin suspension autograph codes and skin harvesting codes by size – 15011,15012
  • Skin suspension autograph codes and skin harvesting preparation codes -15013, 15014
  • Skin suspension autograph codes and skin harvesting application codes based on anatomical sites & size – 15015 through 15018.
  • New code 15778 is used for implanting absorbable mesh or other prostheses to treat delayed closure defects.
  • New add-on codes 15853 and 15854 for removing sutures or staples without anesthesia.
  • CPT code 15850 is deleted.

Musculoskeletal System 2025 CPT codes

  • 21632: has been deleted
  • 21630 some revision in the description and 2-3 more code changes
  • Introducing the new 2025 CPT code 25448: Arthroplasty of intercarpal or carpometacarpal joints, including suspension, tendon transfer or transplant, and interposition (when applicable).

Cardiovascular System 2025 CPT codes

  • No significant changes, but there are some changes in cardiovascular surgery.
  • 33814 – new code for advanced techniques in septal defect obliteration.
  • 93656 – new code for advanced techniques in arrhythmia treatment.
  • New codes 38224 – 38228 for chemic antigen receptor T cell.
  • 33471- code for pulmonary valvotomy has been deleted, and CPT 33737 for atrial open atrial septectomy or septostomy has been deleted.

Digestive System 2025 CPT codes

  • There are no significant changes in gastro but changes in surgery codes.
  • New descriptors 49186-49190 for inter abdominal tumor and cyst using open surgical approaches based on the length of tumor or cyst removed or destroyed.
      • 49186: For tumors or cysts with a sum of the maximum length of 5 cm or less.
      • 49187: For tumors or cysts with a sum of the maximum length of 5.1 to 10 cm.
      • 49188: For tumors or cysts with a sum of the maximum length of 10.1 to 20 cm.
      • 49190: For tumors or cysts with a sum of the maximum length of greater than 30 cm.

Urinary System 2025 CPT codes

  • Bladder incision codes have been deleted, and some codes have been revised.
  • New codes for Trans Ureteral ablations for males are – 51721 for insertion of a transurethral ablation transducer to deliver thermal ultrasound for prostate tissue ablation; 55881 for transurethral ablation of prostate tissue using thermal ultrasound, including MRI guidance and monitoring; 55882 for transurethral ablation of prostate tissue using thermal ultrasound, including MRI guidance and monitoring, plus insertion of a transurethral ultrasound transducer
  • 52317 and 52318: Used to describe litholapaxy, which is the crushing and removal of calculus in the urinary bladder.
  • 53865: Used for cystourethroscopy with the insertion of a temporary device for ischemic remodeling of the bladder, neck, and prostate.
  • 53866: Used for catheterization with the removal of a temporary device for ischemic remodeling. of the bladder, neck, and prostate.
  • 52214: Used for cystourethroscopy with fulguration (but does not include a biopsy).
  • 52224: Used for cystourethroscopy with fulguration or treatment of minor lesions.
  • 58597 – Female Urethral system, excision of the ovary has been deleted, and in the parenthetical section, you are advised to use general surgery codes.

Endocrine System 2025 CPT codes

Two new codes for percutaneous ablation of thyroid nodules with radio-frequency ablation techniques:

  • 60660 – Used to report the ablation of one or more thyroid nodules in a single lobe or the isthmus, including imaging guidance.
  • 60661 – Used as an add-on code to report the ablation of additional nodules in an additional lobe.

Nervous System 2025 CPT codes

  • 64466 – 64474 – New Pain block codes.
  • 64486: Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block, unilateral, by injection
  • 64487: Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block, unilateral, by continuous infusion
  • 64488: Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block, bilateral, by injection
  • 64489: Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block, bilateral, by continuous infusion
  • 64901: Neurorrhaphy with nerve graft
  • 64835: Neurorrhaphy procedures

Surgery – Eye & Ocular 2025 CPT codes

  • 66683 – Implantation of an iris prosthesis, including suture fixation and repair or removal of the iris. This code replaces Category III codes 0616T, 0617T, and 0618T.
  • 92137 – OCT angiography (OCTA). This code cannot be billed at the same patient encounter as codes 92133 or 92134.
  • 0936T – Photo biomodulation therapy. This is a Category III code, which helps the CPT Editorial Panel collect data on emerging technologies.

Radiology 2025 CPT codes

  • 76014 – 76019 – MRI safety assessments by trained clinical staff are time-based codes, and they are modifier 51 exempt.
  • 76014-76016 These codes are performed days or weeks before MRI unless performed under emergency
  • 76014-76015 These are time-based codes that may be performed before the MRI DOS.
  • 76016 This is a risk-benefit analysis performance.

Path and Laboratory 2025 CPT codes

  • Pathology consultation – CPT codes 88329–88334 are for specimen examination during surgery.
  • Surgical pathology – CPT codes 88302–88309 are for surgical pathology gross and microscopic examination.

Medicine Section 2025 CPT codes

New codes for vaccines that prevent life-threatening diseases, including 90593 for the chikungunya virus vaccine, 90684 for pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, 90624 for meningococcal pentavalent vaccine, 90695 for the influenza virus vaccine (H5N8)

96380 is used to report the administration of a seasonal dose of a monoclonal antibody for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) by intramuscular injection.

Category III codes

0870T-0875T – new emerging technology

Numerous new Category III codes have been introduced to address emerging technologies. For instance, codes 0870T–0875T pertain to subcutaneous peritoneal ascites pump procedures, 0877T–0881T apply to augmentative analysis of chest CT imaging data, and 0913T–0914T cover percutaneous transcatheter therapeutic drug delivery using an intracoronary drug-delivery balloon.

The list of 2025 CPT code changes provided above is not exhaustive. So, if you require additional details or have any questions, please get in touch with our office.

 

Parul Garg, CEO and co-founder of PracticeForces, has significantly contributed to the growth of over 1,000 U.S. medical practices through her expertise in medical billing and coding since the company’s inception in 2003. With a background in Computer Science and an MBA in Human Resources, her leadership and AAPC-certified coding skills have been pivotal in managing the company’s operations effectively.

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