Medicare Program; Public Meeting for New Revisions to the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) Level II Coding

Issuing agencies

Abstract

This notice announces the second biannual Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) Level II public meeting of 2026 to discuss the CMS preliminary coding, Medicare benefit category, and Medicare payment determinations, if applicable, for new revisions to the HCPCS Level II code set for non-drug and non-biological items and services, as well as how to register for the meeting.

Full Text

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 178 (Wednesday, September 16, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 178 (Wednesday, September 16, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58679-58681]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-19015]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

[CMS-1864-N]


Medicare Program; Public Meeting for New Revisions to the 
Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) Level II Coding

AGENCY: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Department of 
Health and Human Services (HHS).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the second biannual Healthcare Common 
Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) Level II public meeting of 2026 to 
discuss the CMS preliminary coding, Medicare benefit category, and 
Medicare payment determinations, if applicable, for new revisions to 
the HCPCS Level II code set for non-drug and non-biological items and 
services, as well as how to register for the meeting.

DATES: 
    Primary meeting date: Monday, November 2, 2026, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
Eastern Standard Time (EST).
    Overflow meeting date: Tuesday, November 3, 2026, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
EST (virtual only).
    Deadline for Registration of Speakers, In-person Attendees, and 
Requests for Special Accommodations: The deadline to register as a 
speaker, register for in-person attendee, or request special 
accommodations is 5 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on Monday, October 
19, 2026.
    Deadline for Submission of Written Comments: 5:00 p.m. EST on 
Wednesday, November 4, 2026.

ADDRESSES: 
    Meeting Location: The HCPCS Level II public meeting will be a 
hybrid event held as follows:
    <bullet> In-person: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services 
(CMS), 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244.
    <bullet> Virtual: Live stream via Teams (link will be posted on the 
HCPCS Level II website).
    Registration of Speakers, In-person Attendees, and Requests for 
Special Accommodations: Individuals wishing to speak at the meeting 
must follow the instructions in sections IV. and V. of this notice by 
the deadline specified in the DATES section of this notice via email to 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d39b9083908093b0bea0fdbbbba0fdb4bca5"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="18505b485b4b587b756b3670706b367f776e">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>. Individuals who need special accommodations should 
follow the instructions specified in section III.C. of this notice or 
send an email by the deadline specified in the DATES section of this 
notice to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#246c67746777644749570a4c4c570a434b52"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="eba3a8bba8b8ab888698c5838398c58c849d">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>.
    Submission of Written Comments: Written comments must be submitted 
via email by the deadline specified in the DATES section of this notice 
to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#7b33382b38283b18160855131308551c140d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e3aba0b3a0b0a3808e90cd8b8b90cd848c95">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sundus Ashar, (410) 786-0750, 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#affcdac1cbdadc81cedcc7cedd9eefccc2dc81c7c7dc81c8c0d9"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d083a5beb4a5a3feb1a3b8b1a2e190b3bda3feb8b8a3feb7bfa6">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>, or <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#70383320332330131d035e1818035e171f06"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="28606b786b7b684b455b0640405b064f475e">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    On December 21, 2000, Congress enacted the Medicare, Medicaid, and 
State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) Benefits Improvement 
and Protection Act of 2000 (BIPA) (Pub. L. 106-554). Section 531(b) of 
BIPA mandated that the Secretary establish procedures that permit 
public consultation for coding and payment determinations for new 
durable medical equipment (DME) under Medicare Part B of title XVIII of 
the Social Security Act. In the November 23, 2001 Federal Register (66 
FR 58743), we published a notice providing information regarding the 
establishment of the annual public meeting process for DME.
    In 2020, we implemented changes to our Healthcare Common Procedure 
Coding System (HCPCS) Level II coding procedures, including the 
establishment of quarterly coding cycles for drugs and biological 
products and biannual coding

[[Page 58680]]

cycles for non-drug and non-biological items and services.
    In the December 28, 2021 Federal Register (86 FR 73860), we 
published a final rule that established procedures for making Medicare 
benefit category and payment determinations for new items and services 
that are DME, prosthetic devices, orthotics and prosthetics, 
therapeutic shoes and inserts, surgical dressings or splints, casts, 
and other devices used for reductions of fractures and dislocations 
under Medicare Part B.

II. Public Meeting Agendas

    The list of topics for discussion, which will become available in 
the upcoming days on the CMS website at <a href="https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Coding/MedHCPCSGenInfo/HCPCSPublicMeetings">https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Coding/MedHCPCSGenInfo/HCPCSPublicMeetings</a>, will identify the Centers 
for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) preliminary coding, Medicare 
benefit category, and Medicare payment determinations, if applicable. 
In establishing the public meeting agendas, CMS may group multiple 
related code applications under the same agenda item. While both days 
will have virtual access via Teams, the public meeting agenda order 
will be based on prioritizing speakers who attend in person first, 
followed by agenda items whose speakers are all attending virtually. 
While the list of topics will already be made available, the public 
meeting agenda order will become available on the CMS website sometime 
shortly after the speaker registration deadline. We will only be 
discussing those topics listed on the CMS website.

A. Overflow Procedures

    If all agenda items are not addressed during the primary meeting 
date specified in the DATES section of this notice, CMS will hold a 
subsequent virtual-only session on the overflow meeting date specified 
in the DATES section of this notice. We will proceed in the order of 
the HCPCS Level II public meeting agenda, only discussing those that 
were not addressed, until complete. We will not go back and discuss any 
prior agenda items. Original registration will apply to the overflow 
date. The link to the live stream of the public meeting will be posted 
in the ``Guidelines for Participation in 2026 Second Biannual 
Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) Level II Public 
Meeting'' document on the CMS website.

III. Participation Categories

    Every speaker must declare at the beginning of their presentation 
during the meeting, as well as in their written summary, whether they 
have any financial involvement with the applicant and manufacturer, if 
different, of the item that is the subject of the HCPCS Level II 
application, or with any competitors of that manufacturer with respect 
to the item. This includes any payment, salary, remuneration, or 
benefit provided to the speaker by the applicant, manufacturer, or any 
such competitors.

A. Primary Speakers

    Each applicant that submitted a HCPCS Level II code application 
that will be discussed at the public meeting is permitted to designate 
a primary speaker. Fifteen minutes is the total time interval for a 
primary speaker per agenda item. Any unused time from the primary 
speaker will be forfeited and cannot be delegated to another speaker. 
Primary speakers must register as a speaker and submit any supporting 
PowerPoint presentation by the deadline specified in the DATES section 
of this notice. CMS will accept PowerPoint presentations (maximum of 10 
slides in PowerPoint presentation format, not PDF) that are emailed to 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#82cac1d2c1d1c2e1eff1aceaeaf1ace5edf4"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f0b8b3a0b3a3b0939d83de989883de979f86">[email&#160;protected]</span></a> by the stated deadline. We will not play videos, 
transitions, or animations during the public meeting and request the 
speakers exclude these materials from their PowerPoint presentation and 
instead submit any relevant video or animation materials along with the 
written comments. We request that speakers ensure the presentation does 
not include any inappropriate or confidential content before 
submission. Due to the timeframe needed for the planning and 
coordination of the HCPCS Level II public meeting, materials that are 
not submitted appropriately and in accordance with the stated deadline 
cannot be accommodated.

B. 5-Minute Speakers

    Any individual related to the public meeting agenda item, including 
but not limited to an employee, competitor, insurer, public consumer, 
or other interested party, may register as a 5-minute speaker by the 
deadline specified in the DATES section of this notice. Depending on 
the availability of time, CMS may limit the number of 5-minute 
speakers. However, we will ensure an array of interested parties are 
represented if registered by the stated deadline. We will not accept 
any other written materials, outside of the written comments, from a 5-
minute speaker (that is, 5-minutes speakers are not allowed to present 
a PowerPoint presentation).

C. All Other Attendees

    All individuals who plan to attend the public meeting to listen and 
do not plan to speak may access the public meeting using the live 
stream link posted on the HCPCS Level II website. Alternatively, 
attendees can register online by the deadline specified in the DATES 
section of this notice and attend the public meeting in person at CMS.
    Individuals who require special assistance must register and 
request special assistance services by the deadline specified in the 
DATES section of this notice and contact the person specified in the 
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this notice.

IV. Registration Requirements

    The registration instructions for the HCPCS Level II public meeting 
will be posted in the ``Guidelines for Participation in 2026 Second 
Biannual Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) Level II 
Public Meeting'' document on the CMS website. All individuals who plan 
to speak (15 or 5 minutes) at the public meeting or attend the meeting 
in person must register by the deadline specified in the DATES section 
of this notice. The following information must be provided when 
registering:

<bullet> Name.
<bullet> Company name (if applicable).
<bullet> Email address.
<bullet> Topic item and application number (for speakers only).
<bullet> Whether the registrant will be attending in person or 
virtually.
<bullet> Whether the registrant is a foreign national (for in-person 
attendees only).
<bullet> Any special assistance requests.
<bullet> Whether the registrant is a primary speaker or a 5-minute 
speaker for an agenda item.
<bullet> Whether the primary speaker will use a PowerPoint 
presentation.

V. In-Person Information

    All in-person attendees should monitor the website at <a href="https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Coding/MedHCPCSGenInfo/HCPCSPublicMeetings">https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Coding/MedHCPCSGenInfo/HCPCSPublicMeetings</a> for 
additional information about accessing the building, as information is 
subject to change. Only registered attendees with a valid government-
issued photo ID that meets the Real ID standards may enter the 
building. For reference, visit <a href="https://www.dhs.gov/real-id">https://www.dhs.gov/real-id</a>. All foreign 
national attendees must identify themselves at the time of 
registration, as additional documentation may be required.

[[Page 58681]]

    Vehicle screening is conducted and all persons in the vehicle must 
present a valid ID. Visitors may only enter from Security Boulevard, 
using the far-right entrance lane to the campus. Parking on campus is 
increasingly limited, and visitors are not guaranteed a parking space 
with registration. Visitors are encouraged to consider alternate means 
of arrival, such as public transportation, taxi, or other ride-share 
arrangements. Visitors will be required to go through x-ray screening 
similar to screening at a United States airport, or alternate 
arrangements as instructed and permitted by security.

VI. Written Comments

    The primary and 5-minute speaker(s) must email a brief, written 
summary (one paragraph) of their comments and conclusions. Written 
comments from anyone, including the primary and 5-minute speaker(s), 
will only be accepted when emailed to the address specified in the 
ADDRESSES section of this notice by the deadline specified in the DATES 
section of this notice.

VII. Additional Information

    All participants should regularly check the CMS website for updates 
and final agenda information at <a href="https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Coding/MedHCPCSGenInfo/HCPCSPublicMeetings">https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Coding/MedHCPCSGenInfo/HCPCSPublicMeetings</a>.
    The HCPCS section of the CMS website also includes details 
regarding the public meeting process for new revisions to the HCPCS 
Level II code set, including guidelines for an effective presentation. 
The HCPCS section of the CMS website also contains a document titled 
``HCPCS Level II Coding Procedures (PDF),'' which is a description of 
the HCPCS Level II coding process, including a detailed explanation of 
the procedures CMS uses to make HCPCS Level II coding determinations.
    When CMS refers to a HCPCS Level II code or HCPCS Level II coding 
application above, CMS may also be referring to circumstances when a 
HCPCS Level II code has already been issued, but a Medicare benefit 
category and/or payment has not been determined.

VIII. Collection of Information Requirements

    This document does not impose information collection requirements, 
that is, reporting, recordkeeping, or third-party disclosure 
requirements. Consequently, there is no need for review by the Office 
of Management and Budget under the authority of the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).
    The Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services 
(CMS), Mehmet Oz, having reviewed and approved this document, 
authorizes Trenesha Fultz-Mimms, who is the Federal Register Liaison, 
to electronically sign this document for purposes of publication in the 
Federal Register.

Trenesha Fultz-Mimms,
Federal Register Liaison, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
[FR Doc. 2026-19015 Filed 9-15-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4169-69-P


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