ACS highlights three aspects of CMS’ 2026 coding and reimbursement changes

In its January Bulletin, the American College of Surgeons (ACS) has published a review of what it calls “significant” updates to CPT coding, payment models, and physician reimbursement that have taken effect in 2026.

American College of Surgeons

Here’s what’s particularly on surgeons’ minds:

• “Coding changes for general surgery and related specialties.” ACS specifically flagged updates to endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty.
• The new CMS Ambulatory Specialty Model that is scheduled to be implemented in 2027. ACS says it “signals likely expansion of outpatient payment models for additional specialties.”
• The impacts of the payment policy, coding, and reimbursement changes of the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule on surgeons’ practices.

Simply click the links in each bullet point to access ACS’ deeper dive on that topic.