MedCentralCPT 2025 to Add Vaccine Codes, Overhaul Telemedicine Section

The American Medical Association’s 2025 Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code set introduces 270 new codes, 38 revisions, and 112 deletions, effective January 1, 2025. The updates feature significant changes to telemedicine coding, including 17 new dedicated telemedicine codes, new vaccine codes, and modifications to remote therapeutic monitoring services. These changes reflect the evolution of healthcare delivery and aim to improve coding accuracy and reimbursement processes.

Key Points:

• The new telemedicine section establishes distinct codes for audio-video visits (98000-98007), separating new and established patients, with time thresholds ranging from 10 to 60 minutes based on medical decision-making complexity and patient status
• Medicare’s stance on the new telemedicine codes remains uncertain – CMS stated in the Proposed 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule that they don’t see a “programmatic need” for these codes, though this position may change in the Final Rule
• Two new vaccine codes will be implemented: 90684 for the 21-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV21) and 90695 for the H5N8 strain influenza vaccine, requiring appropriate administration codes such as 90460 or 90471
• Remote therapeutic monitoring codes (98975-98978) will include updated descriptors specifying digital therapeutic interventions and device supply for data access
• Seven new Category III codes will address artificial intelligence applications in medical chest imaging (0877T-0880T), electrocardiogram measurements (0902T-0932T), and image-guided prostate biopsies (0898T)

HCN Medical Memo
The 2025 CPT updates reflect the growing complexity of medical practice documentation, particularly in telemedicine and AI-assisted care. Early familiarization with these changes will be crucial for maintaining efficient practice operations and ensuring proper reimbursement.

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