Take Note of These 2026 Rad Onc Code Additions and Revisions
Plenty of G code deletions will help make your life easier! This year, the Radiation Oncology section of CPT® provided numerous updates that will change how we code. In this article, we will delve into the changes and discuss how this will affect coding procedures for 2026. The changes took effect January 1, and will strategically align with current practices, aiming for ease of implementation and payment stability. Get to Know the Revised IMRT Code The first major change for 2026 is the consolidation of the intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) codes, which is a therapy utilizing radiotherapy to shape radiation beams to a 3D outline of the patient’s tumor. This enables delivery of high-dose radiation directly to cancer cells while sparing the surrounding healthy tissues and cells. CPT® has now revised IMRT from simple, intermediate, and complex into three delivery level codes (1, 2, and 3) to reflect modern techniques and has revised guideline to clarify the definition of each level. This change also deletes codes such as 77385 and 77386, and bundles image guidance technology components into the new delivery codes. The revision to 77402, 77407, and 77412 will more clearly specify the services provided for radiation treatment delivery as follows: Additionally, CPT® has deleted 77014, the code for CT guidance. However, you will still be able to use the professional component code 77387 (Guidance for localization of target volume for delivery of radiation treatment, includes intrafraction tracking, when performed). The code will remain billable as a separately identifiable service for image guidance when appropriate. This will now be a consolidated code for all image-guidance radiation therapy services (IGRT), and you will use modifier 26 (Professional component) for physician services whenever you use the code. Remove These PA G Codes From Your Coding Choices The move from HCPCS Level II code reporting to CPT® code reporting alleviates many of the challenges that come with the prior authorization (PA) process, and all HCPCS Level II G codes requiring PA have been deleted and replaced by the newly established and defined CPT® codes. Among the deleted codes are: Begin Implementing These SRT Codes Keeping up with technology, CPT® has also introduced codes for superficial radiation therapy (SRT) into the family of radiation therapy codes. SRT is a noninvasive treatment, which utilizes low-energy X-ray and/or electrons to target skin cancers (for example, basal cell or squamous cell carcinomas) and even keloid scars. The treatment delivers radiation only to the skin’s surface layers, destroying abnormal cells while preserving the deeper and healthier tissues. This procedure is painless and often performed in-office by a dermatologist as an alternative treatment to outpatient surgery. Temporary HCPCS Level II code 0394T along with G6001 have both been deleted and replaced with new codes that bundle dosimetry work. They will change how clinicians report superficial and orthovoltage radiation. Here’s a look at the new codes and what they cover: As always, remember to educate yourself regarding all radiation oncology procedures and new interventions for the upcoming year. Jennifer Methax, CPC, Senior Coding Specialist,
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