2026 CPT Code Changes for Urgent Care 

Effective 1/1/2026, the AMA has approved CPT code 87812 to recognize ‘direct optical observation’ results for lab tests testing COVID-19 and Influenza A/B together: 

The AMA also approved CPT code 87494 for multiplex amplified probe tests for chlamydia and gonorrhea when tested together: 

New COVID-19 vaccine administration code updates. 

• New code 90481, “Immunization administration by intramuscular injection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (coronavirus disease [COVID-19]) vaccine; each additional component administered.” 
  • This is an add-on code used with 90480, which is the administration for the first or only component of each [COVID-19] vaccine administered 
• New codes 90482, 90483, and 90484 are time-based codes for immunization counseling when the immunization(s) is NOT given on the same day