Code List for Certain Designated Health Services (DHS)

We maintain and annually update a List of Current Procedural Terminology (CPT)/Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) Codes (the Code List), which identifies all the items and services included within certain designated health services (DHS) categories or that may qualify for certain exceptions. We update the Code List to conform to the most recent publications of CPT and HCPCS codes and to account for changes in Medicare coverage and payment policies. Code List updates for years 2022 and earlier were published in the Federal Register as an addendum to the annual Physician Fee Schedule final rule. 

Beginning with the Code List effective January 1, 2023, updates are published solely on this webpage. On or before December 2^nd of each year, we will publish the annual update to the Code List and provide a 30-day public comment period using www.regulations.gov. To be considered, comments must be received within the stated 30-day timeframe. We anticipate that most comments will be addressed by April 1^st; however, a longer timeframe may be necessary to address complex comments or those that require coordination with external parties. If no comments are received, in lieu of a comment response, we will publish a note below the applicable Code List year stating so. 

2025 Annual Update to the Code List

Below you will find the Code List that is effective January 1, 2025 and a description of the revisions effective for Calendar Year 2025. To submit a comment, go to www.regulations.gov and enter the docket number “CMS-2024-0301” in the search field. Select the “Comment” button and follow the instructions. To be considered, comments must be received on or before December 26, 2024. 

• List of codes effective January 1, 2025, published November 26, 2024
• Annual Update to the List of CPT/HCPCS Codes Effective January 1, 2025 (PDF)

2024 Annual Update to the Code List

Below you will find the Calendar Year (CY) 2024 Code List published November 29, 2023 and a description of the revisions for CY 2024, our response to comments on that Code List, and the updated CY 2024 Code List, which is effective January 1, 2024 unless otherwise indicated on the Code List.

• UPDATED list of codes effective January 1, 2024, published March 1, 2024 (all codes effective January 1, 2024 unless otherwise indicated on the Code List) (ZIP)
• List of codes effective January 1, 2024, published November 29, 2023 (ZIP)
• Annual Update to the List of CPT/HCPCS Codes Effective January 1, 2024 (PDF)

We received one comment related to the additions, deletions, and corrections to the codes on the Code List effective January 1, 2024. Our response to this comment is below. We also received one comment related to Medicare coverage for platelet-rich plasma treatments. We consider this comment to be outside the scope of the annual update. CMS does not respond to out of scope comments on the annual updates to the Code List. 

Comment: One commenter noted that, although most Hepatitis B vaccine codes are identified on the Code List as CPT/HCPCS codes to which the exception for preventive screening tests and vaccines at § 411.355(h) applies, the Hepatitis B vaccine associated with CPT code 90739 was not listed. The commenter requested that CPT code 90739 be added to the list of vaccine codes to which the exception for preventive screening tests and vaccines at §411.355(h) applies, effective retroactively to January 1, 2024.

Response: We agree with the commenter that the exception for preventive screening tests and vaccines at § 411.355(h) should apply to CPT code 90739 and are revising the Code List accordingly. The applicability of the exception for preventive screening tests and vaccines to CPT code 90739 is prospective only and effective on the date indicated on the UPDATED list of codes. 

In considering this comment, we also identified two CPT codes (90653 and 90658, both flu vaccines) that were inadvertently left off of the list of codes to which the exception for preventive screening tests and vaccines at § 411.355(h) should apply. Accordingly, we are adding these CPT codes to the list of codes to which the exception at § 411.355(h) applies, effective on the date indicated on the UPDATED list of codes.

2023 Annual Update to the Code List

Below you will find the Code List that is effective January 1, 2023 and a description of the revisions effective for Calendar Year 2023. 

• List of codes effective January 1, 2023, published December 1, 2022
• Annual Update to the List of CPT/HCPCS Codes Effective January 1, 2023, published December 1, 2022 (PDF)

The comment period ended December 30, 2022. We did not receive any comments related to the additions, deletions, and corrections to the codes on the Code List effective January 1, 2023. We received one (1) comment related to the supervision level required for specific services. We consider this comment to be outside the scope of the annual update. CMS does not respond to out of scope comments on the annual updates to the Code List. 

DHS Categories

The DHS categories defined by the Code List are:

• clinical laboratory services;
• physical therapy services, occupational therapy services, outpatient speech-language pathology services;
• radiology and certain other imaging services; and
• radiation therapy services and supplies.

The Code List also identifies those items and services that may qualify for either of the following two exceptions to the physician self-referral prohibitions: 

• EPO and other dialysis-related drugs (42 CFR § 411.355(g)).
• Preventive screening tests and vaccines (42 CFR § 411.355(h)).

NOTE: The following DHS categories are defined at 42 CFR §411.351 without reference to the Code List:

• durable medical equipment and supplies;
• parenteral and enteral nutrients, equipment and supplies;
• prosthetics, orthotics, and prosthetic devices and supplies;
• home health services;
• outpatient prescription drugs; and
• inpatient and outpatient hospital services.