The American Medical Association initiated the important changes to the codes of podiatry CPT in 2025. Podiatrists should no longer bill in the old way, as this puts their claims at risk of denials, delays, and lost revenue.
New telemedicine codes, removal of obsolete telephone codes E/M and wound care, and remote monitoring are changing how podiatrists document patient care. The coding changes require podiatrists to understand the codes used on virtual visits, wound treatment, and remote monitoring of patients. To prevent prolonged delays in receiving payments due to incorrect claims, clinics must modernize billing regulations, educate personnel, and enhance documentation.
Whether you are filing a claim due to amputation of a toe (CPT code 28810, CPT 28820), an annual nail debridement (11721 CPT code description), or a virtual podiatric office visit, you cannot afford to be ignorant of these changes; ignorance is not an option.
This blog will outline the five significant changes impacting your common podiatry CPT codes list, explain their rationale, and provide guidance on implementing them effectively to safeguard reimbursements and ensure compliance in 2025.
New Telemedicine CPT Codes for Foot & Office Visits
Podiatrists often see patients by video or phone. In 2025, new telemedicine codes were added for these visits. The CPT code set introduced codes 98000–98015 for a real-time virtual patient. These new codes allow doctors to bill for video visits (for new patients: 98000–98003; for returning patients: 98004–98007) and audio-only phone visits (for new patients: 98008–98011; for returning patients: 98012–98015).
Podiatrists must use these new codes whenever a visit is done by live video or phone. This change replaces the old method of just adding a modifier to a CPT code for podiatry office visit; now, separate telemedicine codes are used.
Deletion of Old Telephone E/M Codes
With the new telemedicine codes, the older telephone-only evaluation and management codes were removed. Podiatry CPT codes 99441–99443 (used for doctor phone calls with patients) were deleted as of January 1, 2025. This means podiatrists should no longer submit 99441–99443 on claims.
Instead, if a phone call meets a patient visit, the doctor will use one of the new audio-only telemedicine codes (98008–98015) described above. This ensures doctors use the up-to-date CPT codes for virtual care.
New Virtual Check-In Code CPT 98016
Another change is a new code for short patient-initiated check-ins. In 2025, HCPCS G2012 (the old code for a brief patient phone check-in) was deleted. It was replaced by CPT code 98016. Code 98016 covers a “brief communication technology-based service” with an established patient.
This is a 5–10 minute telephone or video call initiated by the patient, where the doctor gives advice or triages the concern. No video is required for 98016, and it is used only if the patient calls after more than 7 days of an in-person visit, and it does not lead immediately to another. Podiatrists can now use 98016 instead of the old G2012 for short virtual check-ins.
New Skin Cell Suspension Autograft Codes (15011–15018)
Podiatrists treating serious foot wounds (like severe burns or diabetic ulcers) have new options in the CPT book. In 2025, a set of codes for “skin cell suspension autografting” was developed. These are podiatry CPT codes 15011–15018. They describe a cutting-edge procedure where a small skin sample is turned into a cell “spray” that covers a larger wound area.
For example, one tiny skin sample (1 cm²) can be expanded to treat an 80 cm² wound (like a large foot ulcer). Codes 15011–15014 cover harvesting and preparing the skin cells, and codes 15015–15018 cover spraying them onto the wound. Podiatrists dealing with complex foot wounds can now report these specific codes instead of more general graft codes.
Updated Digital Health Monitoring Codes (98975–98978)
The 2025 update also changed codes for remote patient monitoring and digital therapy, which can impact podiatry. The AMA’s CPT changes note that CPT 98975 was revised to include “digital therapeutic intervention,” and codes 98976–98978 were updated for supplying devices or apps used in patient monitoring.
In simple terms, this means there is now official CPT recognition for digital health tools (like home foot monitors or therapeutic apps) used in patient care. A podiatrist who monitors a patient’s foot health with a digital program or device might use these codes. These updates keep the CPT system current with new health technologies.
Podiatry CPT Codes: 2025 New & Removed Codes
| Code Range | Short Name | When to Use | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 99441–99443 | Deleted telephone E/M codes | Do not submit; phone codes removed. | Deleted Jan 1, 2025; use 98008–98015 for audio-only visits. |
| 98016 | Virtual check-in (brief) | Short 5–10 min patient-initiated phone/video check-ins. | Replaces HCPCS G2012; use only if not leading to an immediate visit. |
| 15011–15018 | Skin cell suspension autograft | For harvesting, preparing, and spraying skin-cell grafts on large wounds. | Use for complex foot wounds (e.g., diabetic ulcers) instead of generic graft codes. |
| 98975–98978 | Digital health / remote monitoring | For monitoring devices or digital therapeutic programs. | Use when a device or app is part of patient monitoring or therapy. |
| 11721 | Nail debridement (6+ nails) | When medically necessary, nail debridement of 6 or more nails is done. | Document the nail and medical reason (infection, pain, ADL impact). |
| 28810–28820 | Toe amputation CPT | For partial or complete toe amputations at specified levels. | Pick exact code by level; check bundling/NCCI edits and global period. |
Why the 2025 Podiatry CPT Code Changes Were Necessary
Each change made to the podiatry CPT codes list in 2025 was driven by specific gaps, technology advances, and shifting care patterns in the healthcare industry, especially within podiatry.
Keeping Up with Virtual Care
Podiatrists increasingly see patients through telehealth, but the old system used general office visit codes with a modifier to indicate it was virtual. This caused billing confusion and inconsistent reimbursement.
The new telemedicine podiatry CPT codes (98000–98015) clearly define visit type (audio vs. video, new vs. established patient). This ensures podiatrists get paid correctly and reduces claim denials due to unclear service descriptions.
Cleaner Claims, Fewer Rejections
Old codes like 99441–99443 and G2012 were being phased out because they no longer aligned with how virtual care is delivered or tracked. Payers often rejected claims using these outdated codes.
Replacing them with newer codes like 98016 improves billing clarity for brief patient check-ins. These codes reflect current practice, reduce denials, and are easier to audit.
Better Coding for Wound Treatments
Podiatrists regularly manage chronic wounds (example, diabetic foot ulcers). Skin cell suspension autografting is a relatively new procedure that lacked a special CPT code before 2025.
Codes 15011 through 15018 enable this to be accurately billed, as it is a cutting-edge grafting technique that enhances documentation, helps to fairly compensate, and demonstrates a reflection of the complexity of the care provided.
Support for New Health Tech
More podiatrists are using digital foot monitors, therapeutic apps, or wearable tools for patients with chronic foot conditions. But the older CPT descriptions didn’t fully account for these technologies.
Updates to podiatry CPT codes 98975–98978 now include digital therapeutic interventions, encouraging providers to adopt these tools with billing support. It brings CPT coding up to date with real-world clinical practice.
Clear Rules for Code Descriptions
Many billing errors stemmed from coders or providers omitting parenthetical text in code descriptions. This led to misinterpretation of codes like 11721 (nail care) or 28810/28820 (toe amputation CPT).
The AMA explained that all words in the code descriptor are considered, including those in parentheses. This eliminates coding errors and will allow podiatrists to look up the appropriate CPT code representing the service rendered.
Conclusion
Understanding these 2025 CPT changes, podiatrists are aware of the appropriate coding for all standard services (such as office visits or nail debridements) and new services (such as telemedicine office visits or advanced grafting). Staying updated can assist foot physicians in making sure that they apply the correct foot-related CPT in their care provision, be it a regular office visit or the latest in wound-healing technology.