CPT® 2016 Radiology Code Changes

Why This Topic Matters

Annual CPT updates can affect documentation review, code maintenance, and charge capture workflows across multiple radiology and radiation oncology services. A clear summary helps readers determine whether the article is relevant to their specialty and whether they need the full premium content for detailed code-level review.

Article Sections

1. Overview of 2016 radiology code changes

   Introduces the scope of the selected CPT 2016 radiology updates and explains that the article covers only part of the full codebook changes. It also notes the general types of services affected.

2. New codes for soft tissue localization device placement

   Covers a new set of radiology-related procedure codes introduced for soft tissue localization device placement. The section includes the associated coding guidance and cross-references.

3. Intravascular ultrasound updates

   Describes new intravascular ultrasound-related codes and related deletions. It also addresses the restructuring of supervision and interpretation components.

4. Percutaneous biliary catheter procedures

   Reviews new biliary tract procedure codes and the broader family of percutaneous biliary interventions. The section also includes introductory guidance and cross-references for related services.

5. Sclerotherapy of fluid collections

   Summarizes a new percutaneous sclerotherapy code for fluid collections and related cross-references to other access and drainage services.

6. Genitourinary procedure updates

   Covers new and revised percutaneous genitourinary procedure codes, including diagnostic, catheter placement, exchange, biopsy, embolization, and dilation topics. Related introductory guidance and cross-references are included.

7. Intracranial endovascular therapy updates

   Describes new and revised codes for intracranial endovascular interventions and prolonged intra-arterial pharmacologic administration. The section also notes related descriptor changes and cross-references.

8. Spine and radiography code revisions

   Summarizes new thoracolumbar spine imaging codes and updated hip, pelvis, and femur radiography codes. It also identifies certain deleted radiography codes.

9. Fetal MRI updates

   Explains the introduction of fetal MRI codes and related limitations involving pelvic MRI codes. The section focuses on how fetal imaging is grouped within the updated code set.

10. Brachytherapy and radiation treatment updates

    Covers new and revised brachytherapy and electronic brachytherapy codes, along with related Category III updates. The section also includes broader radiation treatment guidance and deletions.

11. Gastric emptying study updates

    Summarizes changes to gastric emptying imaging studies and the addition of related transit-study codes. It also notes reporting guidance tied to the imaging study family.

12. Deleted codes as of January 1, 2016

    Lists radiology-related codes identified for deletion and points to replacement or related code families. The section serves as a reference for code maintenance and migration.

13. Revised descriptors as of January 1, 2016

    Reviews radiology-related codes whose descriptors were revised for 2016. This section includes a mix of interventional, diagnostic, and imaging code updates.

14. Updated cross-references

    Provides cross-reference updates connecting older code references to the revised 2016 code structure. The section helps align legacy references with the updated code families.

15. Updated introductory guidelines

    Summarizes revised introductory guidance for selected radiology, digestive, urinary, repair, and endovascular sections. It presents high-level context for the updated code families without replacing the full guideline text.

16. Category III codes revisions

    Covers updates to Category III codes relevant to radiology and radiation therapy, including deletions, renumbering, and new emerging-technology entries. The section also notes the general framework for Category III reporting.