Description
The STS 2026 Coding Workshop: Best Practices for Cardiothoracic Surgery is a 2-day virtual event that provides coders, surgeons, and billing professionals with the latest updates to CPT and physician coding and reimbursement. Sessions include live panel discussions, Q&A responding to scenario-based questions submitted by attendees before and during the meeting, and challenging coding examples.
Additionally, participants will have access to supplemental online content to enhance their coding knowledge. This educational event covers coding specific to cardiothoracic surgery, with concentrations in Evaluation and Management (E/M) visits, Adult cardiac surgery, congenital heart surgery, general thoracic surgery (esophagus, mediastinum, pulmonary), and vascular surgery. The program also focuses on physician reimbursement issues affecting the entire specialty.
Target Audience
Cardiothoracic surgeons, residents, and fellows, cardiothoracic surgery coders, office managers, medical billing specialists, physician assistants, nurses, and anyone else involved in the coding, reimbursement, and compliance efforts for the CT surgery office.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:
- Identify new CPT codes, updates, and payment policies affecting cardiothoracic surgery coding for 2026.
- Relate the importance of specificity and identification of services provided in a patient encounter.
- Recognize coding and reimbursement criteria in order to identify and capture relevant documentation elements efficiently.
- Explain common coding issues for each cardiothoracic subspecialty and how they should be reported and resolved.
- Summarize the necessary documentation and regulations relevant to critical care and cardiothoracic surgery E/M services, modifiers, and guidelines.
Live Q&A Discussion
Agenda subject to change.
Friday, February 27
4 – 4:15 p.m. EST – Welcome/Introductions
4:15 – 5:30 p.m. EST – General Thoracic Q&A
5:30 – 6:15 p.m. EST – Esophageal Q&A
6:15 – 7 p.m. EST – Congenital Cardiac Q&A
Saturday, February 28
10 – 11:30 a.m. EST – Adult Cardiac Q&A
11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. EST – Vascular Q&A
12:15 – 12:45 p.m. EST – Break
12:45 – 1:30 p.m. EST – E/M, Critical Care, Telehealth Q&A
1:30 – 2 p.m. EST – Physician Documentation Q&A
If you have questions about the program, contact education@sts.org.
Pricing
Early bird rates are available until Jan. 20, 2026.
| Early Bird | Standard | |
|---|---|---|
| Member | $275 | $325 |
| Non-member | $325 | $375 |
*An STS Member ID (6 digits) is required to receive the discounted member rate. For help retrieving your STS Member ID, contact Member Services.
Coders who work for an STS Member Surgeon receive the member discount when registering. Coders must register in their own name and provide the name of the Surgeon Member to qualify for the discount.
Accreditation
The Society of Thoracic Surgeons is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians. The total number of available credits will be provided closer to the meeting dates.
Continuing Education for Coders
STS is currently seeking approval from AAPC to offer Medical Coding Continuing Education Units (CEUs). Additional information will be provided upon approval from the accrediting body.