The preliminary version of the 2026 OPS procedure coding classification released in Germany

On August 13, 2025, the BfArM (Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices) published the preliminary version of the 2026 OPS procedure coding classification. The OPS, together with the ICD-10-GM (International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th revision, German Modification), forms the basis for the reimbursement systems in outpatient and inpatient care in Germany.

Numerous content updates and new procedure codes were included, mainly in chapters 5 “Operations” and 8 “Non-operative therapeutic measures”. Also, changes were made in chapter 1 “Diagnostic measures”. The examples of newly introduced codes per technology group are provided below:

Cardiovascular

• 5-377.j0 Implantation of a pacemaker, defibrillator, and event recorder: Defibrillator with extravascular electrode: With subcutaneous electrode;
• 5-377.j1 Implantation of a pacemaker, defibrillator, and event recorder: Defibrillator with extravascular electrode: With substernal electrode;
• 5-377.k0 Implantation of a pacemaker, defibrillator, and event recorder: Intracardiac pulse generator: Right ventricular;
• 5-377.k1 Implantation of a pacemaker, defibrillator, and event recorder: Intracardiac pulse generator: Right atrial;

Diagnostic imaging

• 3-311 Other optical methods: Visualization of the parathyroid glands using autofluorescence;

Gastrointestinal

• 5-502.a Anatomical (typical) liver resection: Left hemihepatectomy [resection of segments 2, 3, 4a, and 4b] with resection of segment 1;

Peripheral vascular

• 5-399.k Other operations on blood vessels: Covering the aortic root and ascending aorta with a patient-specific prosthesis. The code includes personalized external aortic root support [PEARS];
• 5-39a.5 Additional information on the operations on the blood vessels: Use of a guidewire with a fiber optic sensor for real-time 3D visualization.

The final version of the 2026 OPS procedure coding classification is expected to be published at the end of October 2025.

The full details in German can be found here.

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