CMS Moves to Quarterly HCPCS Drug Code Cycles, Semi-Annual for Devices
United States – October 24, 2026 -- The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will replace its single annual window for HCPCS Level II code applications with quarterly cycles for drugs and semi-annual cycles for devices, Administrator Seema Verma said at the Medical Device Manufacturers Association (MDMA) Annual Meeting.
CMS expects faster adoption for new technologies under the revised coding calendar
Until now, applicants for new HCPCS Level II codes had one opportunity per year. CMS anticipates the more frequent windows will greatly improve how technologies move through the adoption curve. The agency said additional details on the updated process will follow.