A new federal lawsuit is challenging the American Medical Association’s (AMA) copyright over the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®) code set, raising questions about public access to the coding system used throughout the U.S. health care system.
On August 13, 2026, PatientRightsAdvocate.org (PRA), a nonprofit focused on health care price transparency,
sued the AMA seeking to make CPT codes and descriptors freely available online. PRA argues that because CPT is deeply integrated into federal and state health care payment requirements, the public should be able to access the code set without licensing restrictions.
CPT is maintained by the AMA and serves as Level I of the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS).
CMS, other public and private payers, health systems, and numerous health care stakeholders rely on CPT to identify, report, and process physician and other professional services, making the code set foundational to claims processing and reimbursement.
The AMA holds the copyright to CPT and licenses its use and distribution. PRA’s lawsuit challenges that framework, including through arguments related to incorporation of CPT into government requirements, fair use, and copyright misuse. These remain allegations that have not yet been resolved by the court.
Why It Matters for Gastroenterology
CPT is central to gastroenterology practice, including reporting evaluation and management services, endoscopy, advanced procedures, and emerging technologies. New and revised codes are considered through the AMA CPT Editorial Panel process and ultimately interact with Medicare valuation, coverage, claims processing, and commercial payer policies.
For ASGE members, however, nothing changes immediately. The lawsuit does not alter current CPT coding requirements, Medicare billing rules, payer policies, or the CPT Editorial Panel process. Physicians and practices should continue to use CPT and follow existing coding and billing guidance.
The litigation is still in its early stages. If PRA ultimately prevails, the most immediate impact could be broader public access to CPT codes and descriptors. That would not, by itself, change how CPT codes are developed, valued, or reimbursed. ASGE will continue to monitor the case and related federal policy discussions for potential implications for gastroenterologists, coding and reimbursement, and the CPT process.