Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) Code Updates

This month’s “Spotlight on CPT” highlights recently updated percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) procedural codes in the 2026 CPT code set.

PCI procedures are minimally invasive cardiovascular interventions used to restore blood flow in coronary arteries that have become narrowed or blocked due to coronary artery disease. These procedures may involve angioplasty, stent placement, atherectomy, or combinations of these techniques to reopen the affected vessel and improve myocardial perfusion.

For 2026, several codes in the coronary therapeutic services section were deleted and reorganized to better align with current clinical practice. Codes 92921, 92925, 92929, 92934, 92938, and 92944 were removed as part of this restructuring. 

 

Coronary Angioplasty and Atherectomy

 

Two foundational codes remain for reporting certain PCI procedures:

92920 – Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty involving a single major coronary artery or branch.

92924 – Percutaneous transluminal coronary atherectomy, with coronary angioplasty when performed, involving a single major coronary artery or branch.

These codes describe procedures in which plaque is either compressed with a balloon (angioplasty) or physically removed using specialized devices (atherectomy). 

 

Coronary Stent Placement

 

When intracoronary stents are deployed, different codes apply depending on the number and location of treated lesions.

92928 – Placement of intracoronary stent(s), including angioplasty when performed, for one lesion involving one or more coronary segments.

92930 – Placement of stents for two or more distinct coronary lesions, including situations involving bifurcation lesions where treatment is required in both the main artery and a side branch. 

 

Combination Procedures

 

Some procedures require a combination of techniques to achieve optimal revascularization.

92933 – Coronary atherectomy combined with intracoronary stent placement, including angioplasty when performed, for a single coronary artery or branch.

92937 – Percutaneous transluminal revascularization performed through a coronary artery bypass graft, which may involve any combination of stent placement, atherectomy, or angioplasty, including distal protection when used. 

 

Treatment of Acute and Chronic Occlusions

 

Certain PCI procedures specifically address complete coronary artery blockages.

92941 – Percutaneous transluminal revascularization of acute total or subtotal occlusion during acute myocardial infarction, including techniques such as stenting, angioplasty, atherectomy, or aspiration thrombectomy when performed.

92943 – Revascularization of a chronic total occlusion (CTO) using an antegrade approach.

92945 – Revascularization of a chronic total occlusion using combined antegrade and retrograde approaches.

These codes recognize the increased complexity and specialized techniques often required to treat total coronary occlusions. 

 

Additional Coronary Intervention Code

 

The 2026 CPT update also introduces an add-on code for mechanical clot removal:

+92973 – Percutaneous transluminal coronary mechanical aspiration thrombectomy.

This add-on code is used when mechanical thrombectomy is performed in conjunction with another PCI procedure. 

 

Final Thoughts

 

The updates to the PCI coding structure reflect the continued evolution of interventional cardiology techniques. By refining the code set and removing outdated codes, CPT 2026 provides clearer guidance for reporting modern coronary revascularization procedures.

Coding professionals should carefully review the notes preceding the coronary therapeutic services codes, as these notes clarify included services and help ensure accurate reporting.

Now, light has been shed on percutaneous coronary intervention procedures in CPT 2026.

About the Author

Dianna Foley, RHIA, CCS, CDIP, CHPS, has 25 years of HIM experience. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Cincinnati and holds RHIA, CHPS, CDIP, and CCS certifications from AHIMA. Dianna’s an AHIMA-approved ICD-10-CM/PCS trainer, an AHIMA-published author, a participant in AHIMA credential item writing and exam development, and served on the AHIMA Nominating Committee. Dianna has held various HIM positions and is now an independent coding consultant. She previously served as a program director for Medical Coding and HIT. She presents on coding topics at the national, state, and regional levels and serves as OHIMA’s Education Coordinator.

Parkinson’s Disease vs. Parkinsonism

In the kNOW is covering an ICD-10-CM Index update related to Parkinson’s disease and Parkinsonism highlighted in the April 2026 coding updates. While these terms are often used interchangeably in everyday conversation, they represent different clinical concepts that coding professionals must understand in order to assign the correct diagnosis code. 

Parkinsonism is an umbrella term used to describe a group of neurological conditions that produce symptoms affecting movement, such as tremors, rigidity, and slowed movement. Conditions that fall under Parkinsonism include drug-induced Parkinsonism, progressive supranuclear palsy, multiple system atrophy, dementia with Lewy bodies, vascular Parkinsonism, and corticobasal degeneration.

Parkinson’s disease, on the other hand, is a specific neurodegenerative disorder that progresses slowly over time. In addition to movement-related symptoms, individuals with Parkinson’s disease may also experience cognitive changes, depression, and other non-motor symptoms as the condition advances.

The April 2026 update revised the ICD-10-CM Index to help clarify this distinction. The index entry for Parkinson’s disease, syndrome, or tremor was deleted and replaced with guidance directing users to Parkinsonism or to Disease, Parkinson’s as appropriate.

Alphabetic Index Entry
Parkinsonism (idiopathic) (primary) G20.C
- due to
- - drugs NEC G21.19
- - - neuroleptic G21.11
- - Parkinson's disease -see Disease, Parkinson's
Parkinson's disease -see Disease, Parkinson's
Parkinson's syndrome or tremor -see Parkinsonism

This change reinforces the importance of carefully reviewing provider documentation to determine whether the diagnosis reflects Parkinson’s disease itself or another condition categorized under Parkinsonism.

Understanding these distinctions ensures accurate code assignment and supports more precise clinical data reporting.

Now you are In the kNOW!!

 

About the Author

Dianna Foley, RHIA, CCS, CDIP, CHPS, has 25 years of HIM experience. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Cincinnati and holds RHIA, CHPS, CDIP, and CCS certifications from AHIMA. Dianna’s an AHIMA-approved ICD-10-CM/PCS trainer, an AHIMA-published author, a participant in AHIMA credential item writing and exam development, and served on the AHIMA Nominating Committee. Dianna has held various HIM positions and is now an independent coding consultant. She previously served as a program director for Medical Coding and HIT. She presents on coding topics at the national, state, and regional levels and serves as OHIMA’s Education Coordinator.

OHIMA Board President Welcome FY2026-27

Dear OHIMA Members,
 

Welcome to the 2026–2027 OHIMA service year. It is truly an honor to begin this journey with you, our OHIMA members. Your dedication, energy, and commitment are the heart of this association, and I am grateful for the many ways you continue to strengthen our profession and support one another across Ohio.
 

OHIMA’s strength has always come from its people—members who believe deeply in the value of health information and in the difference our profession makes every day. As we look ahead, we have an exciting opportunity to build on that foundation with purpose, optimism, and a shared commitment to Educate, Advocate, and Engage. Some of the important initiatives and opportunities ahead include

• OHIMA 2027 Annual Meeting & Trade Show – HI Heroes Unite!
• OHIMA VIP Modules – Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters
• Virtual Summer Meeting & Coding Seminar
• Continued work in our Educate, Advocate, and Engage pillars

I hope each of you will feel encouraged to stay connected, share your ideas, ask questions, and take part in the programs and opportunities OHIMA offers throughout the year. Your voice matters. Your experience matters. And when we come together as a community, we create momentum that moves both our association and our profession forward. I am inspired by the talent, passion, and resilience represented across our membership, and I believe this year holds tremendous promise for all that we can accomplish together.
 

Thank you for being part of OHIMA and for bringing your knowledge, leadership, and commitment to this community. I look forward to a meaningful and inspiring 2026–2027 service year as we learn, grow, and lead together.
 

Warm regards,

Lisa Schofield, RHIA

OHIMA Board President, 2026–2027
President@ohima.org