The Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®) codes provide physicians and health care professionals with a standardized language for encoding medical services and procedures to help ensure, reporting becomes easier, more accurate, and more efficient.
CPT codes are also intended to be used for administrative management purposes which influences the processing of claims, and the development of medical care guidelines for review.
The CPT terminology is the most widely leveraged medical nomenclature to report medical, surgical, radiology, laboratory, anaesthesiology, genomic sequencing, evaluation and management (E/M) services in the nation under public and private health insurance programs.
The development and maintenance of the CPT code set by the CPT® Editorial Panel is a disciplined, open, transparent process adhering continually issues, revises, and maintains clinically valid codes to properly capture current clinical practice and advances in medicine.
What Healthcare Providers Need to Know and Why should Providers Care About CPT® 2025 Updates?
Every year, the American Medical Association (AMA) updates the CPT® code set to reflect medical innovation and clinical practice evolution. These annual updates how providers document, code, and bill for services.
These changes were compiled and analysed in detail by CompliancEducator, a trusted resource for healthcare compliance and training. Their expert commentary provides a thorough understanding of what these changes mean for your clinical and administrative workflows.
Evaluation and Management (E/M) Coding
The most significant shifts is the elimination of telephone E/M codes (99441-99443), replaced by a more detailed set of a telehealth-specific codes.
According to CompliancEducators’ comprehensive breakdown, these include:
- 98000-98003:- Audio-Video E/M for new patients
- 98004-98007:- Audio-Video E/M for established patients
- 98008-98011:- Audio-only E/M for new patients
- 98012-98015:- Audio-only E/M for established patients
- 98016:- Virtual check-in visits
Additionally, the evaluation of telehealth services breaks down the appropriate application of these CPT codes concerning either medical decision making or total time. A new table added to the subsection also resolves coding for telemedicine and other non-contact digital services.
Let us explore more and try to understand ‘how are Surgical Procedures Changing in CPT 2025, under different categories?’
Skin Cell Suspension Autograft (SCSA)
CPT® 2025 introduces eight new codes (15011-15018) for Skin Cell Suspension Autograft Procedures- a treatment where dermal cells are harvested, processed, and applied to wounds to stimulate healing.
These codes now differentiate between:
- Harvesting technique and lesion size
- Preparation of cell suspension
- Application site and size
As per CompliancEducator, this update improves coding precision in wound care and reconstructive surgery.
Musculoskeletal System
- 21632 (mediastinal lymphadenectomy) is deleted.
- 21630 becomes a stand-alone excision code.
- 25448 is added for intercarpal/carpometacarpal arthroplasty with suspension.
- 25447 is revised and now serves as the parent code.
These changes reflect evolving orthopaedic procedures and surgical preferences, as highlighted in CompliancEducators’ CPT® insights.
Cardiovuscular Surgery
Three deletions target procedures with reduced clinical use:
- 33471:- Pulmonary Valve Valvotomy
- 33737:- Atrial Septostomy
- 33813:- Aortopulmonary Septal Defect Closure
- 33814:- Revised accordingly. No longer a sub-code.
Updates in Immunotherapy and Haematology
For this subsection, four additional codes were added for chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy. CAR-T is an advanced form of immunotherapy whereby a patient’s T cells area used to treat blood cancer. CompliancEducator lists the following new codes:
- 38225:- Pertains to the daily harvesting of T-Lymphocytes from blood for the purposes of creating autologous CAR-T cells.
- 38226:- Denotes the preparation of T-Lymphocytes from blood for shipment.
- 38227:- Pertains to the receipt and preparation of CAR-T cells prior to administration.
- 38228:- Pertains to the administration of CAR-T cells.
This new code set provides comprehensive coverage for all stages of CAR-T treatment, from collection to administration, offering oncologists clearer documentation options.
Let’s dive more into codes and look for Thyroid and Endocrine Procedures for updates, if any.
So, the experts with CompliancEducator have delved into codes for more updates and they found that CPT® 2025 introduces two new codes for Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) of thyroid nodules:
- 60660:- Ablation of a single nodule or all nodules in one lobe.
- +60661:- Add-on for treating an additional thyroid lobe.
As CompliancEducator notes, these codes support a growing trend toward minimally invasive alternated to thyroidectomy, especially in patients with benign nodules.
Changes that Affect Vaccination and Preventive Services
Several new vaccine-related codes are included in the 2025 updates:
- 90637:- Flu (quadrivalent, mRNA, 30mcg)
- 90638:- Flu (quadrivalent, mRNA, 60mcg)
- 90695:- Flu(H5N8, cell-culture derived)
New RSV monoclonal antibody codes:
- 96380:- With Counselling
- 96381:- Without Counselling
These additions reflect updated preventive measures for influenza and RSV, especially in paediatric and elderly populations. CompliancEducator highlights the relevance for primary care and public health clinics.
What do Neurologists and Genetic Counsellors need to know?
Transcranial Doppler imaging sees new add-on codes for advanced diagnostics:
- +93896:- Vasoreactivity Study
- +93897:- Emboli Detection (no IV Microbubbles)
- +93898:- Shunt Detection (with IV Microbubbles)
Also, in Genetics:-
- 96040:- Genetic Counselling is deleted
- 96041:- Introduced as the updated replacement, aligning with current genetic service models.
These revisions better reflect how neurology and genetics are practiced in modern medicine, as discussed in Compliancducators’ detailed CPT® commentary.
The Emerging Technologies Covered by New Category III Codes?
Category III codes, used for experimental or emerging technologies, continue to expand. Highlights from CompliancEducator include:
- 0870T-0875T:- subcutaneous Ascites Pump Procedures
- 0877T-0881T:- AI-Assisted Chest CT Interpretation
- 0913T-0914T:- Intracoronary Drug Delivery via Balloon Catheter
These codes allow providers to bill for cutting-edge procedures while data is gathered for potential mainstream adoption.
Specialities that are least Affected
Specialities that are least affected- what does that mean? It means that there are no CPT® changes in 2025 for below categories:
- Anaesthesia
- Respiratory Services
- Audiology
And at this point CompliancEducator advises, providers in these areas should check for indirect coding impacts, such as bundling or E/M Integration.
Conclusion:
Prepare yourself well with CompliancEducators’ full guide on CPT® Code Updates. The CPT® 2025 changes reflect ongoing innovation in medicine- from telehealth and AI imaging to precision therapies like CAR-T and genetic counselling.
- Review all relevant codes in your speciality
- Update EMRs and billing templates
- Provide training to the staff
- Consult the guide from CompliancEducator for expert guidance
By preparing now, you ensure compliance, accurate billing, and efficient patient care in 2025.
As a trusted partner, CompliancEducator is uniquely positioned to assist in this process. Their full version guides, plain language breakdowns, and expert commentaries give healthcare workers the clarity and confidence to navigate these updates. Whether it be changing billing processes or training staff, their resources provide the expert angles.
Explore the full CPT® 2025 guide and register for professional training at CompliancEducator.com.
