American College of Radiology (ACR) policy watchers have developed a detailed summary of imaging-specific changes included in the 2026 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (HOPPS) final rule.
In the final rule released November 25, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) estimated that HOPPS expenditures will be approximately $101 billion in 2026, about $8 billion higher than estimated 2025 calendar year HOPPS expenditures, the ACR noted. Its 19-page document also highlighted the following changes, among others:
- CPT code 71271 for low-dose CT (LDCT) lung cancer screening has been placed in ambulatory payment classification (APC) 5522 at a payment rate of $106.81. The finalized placement for code G0296 for the visit to determine lung LDCT eligibility is APC 5822, with a payment rate of $103.79.
- For 3D printing services, CMS finalized a higher than proposed APC and payment of $381.24.
- Noncardiac contrast-enhanced ultrasounds (CEUS) also received a higher than proposed APC. CMS increased reimbursement to $243.77 for CPT codes 76978 and 76979, according to the ACR.
Final changes take effect January 1, 2026.
Find the complete breakdown here.
