CMS released the January 2026 HCPCS Level II code files on November 24, 2025. These alphanumeric codes are used to bill for supplies, drugs, biologicals, DME, and certain services not captured by CPT® codes.

The Q1 2026 update includes important changes that all coders and billing teams need to load into their systems before January 1, 2026.

Summary of Key Changes

• 160 new HCPCS Level II codes

• 101 deleted codes

• 294 long descriptor revisions

• 1 short descriptor revision (J0759)

• 65 codes with payment changes

Make sure your EHR and billing software are updated so claims for DOS on or after 1/1/2026 are processed correctly.

New Codes by HCPCS Section

A Codes

A4295–A4297
Three new codes describing intermittent urinary catheters with hydrophilic coating.

C Codes

19 new C codes were added for outpatient hospital billing (OPPS), including DME and procedure-related items.

Notable addition:

• C1607 – Implantable integrated neurostimulator

G Codes

14 new G codes with changes affecting care coordination and remote services:

Psychiatric Collaborative Care

• G0568–G0570

TEAM Remote E/M Codes (Telehealth Evaluation and Management)

• G0660–G0668
  These codes align with existing CPT® E/M ranges:

  • 99201–99205

  • 99212–99215

Online Diabetes Prevention Counseling

• G9871

J Codes (Drugs & Biologicals)

Significant expansion here. CMS added multiple new J codes to:

1. Individually identify FDA-approved drugs that are NOT therapeutically equivalent to drugs already represented under an existing HCPCS code, or

2. More clearly describe multisource drug products.

Newly Added J Codes (12 highlighted codes)

Administration Modifiers Reminder

If the code descriptor does not specify route, use:

MUST BUY ICD-10 CM  CODING EBOOKS 

• JA – Intravenous infusion

• JB – Subcutaneous injection

CMS also urges providers to use the ASP HCPCS–NDC crosswalk to ensure correct billing and payment alignment.

M Codes

78 new M codes (M1426–M1503)

Examples:

• M1426 – Telehealth encounters

• M1427 – Documentation of medical necessity for bone scans (e.g., prostate cancer–related pain, salvage therapy, etc.)

Q Codes

25 new Q codes, including new biosimilar and tissue-based product codes:

• Q5160 – Bevacizumab-nwgd (brand-name biosimilar)

• Q4411 – AmnioMatrixF4X (human cell/tissue product for wound coverage)

Deleted Codes (Q1 2026)

Most deleted codes fall under J codes for drugs that are no longer active or have been discontinued.

Key deletions and replacements:

Coders should update charge masters and drug files accordingly.

Code Descriptor Revisions

Many descriptor changes involve adding the phrase:
“add-on, list separately in addition to primary procedure”
This impacts how the codes may be billed, especially for OPPS and physician services.

Examples of Notable Descriptor Changes

CMS is also phasing out “Social Determinants of Health (SDOH)” terminology and replacing it with “Upstream Drivers” in 2026. Codes such as G2076 and G2077 have updated language reflecting this shift.