New Medical Code Validates AI-Powered Brain Mapping Technology

CHICAGO, IL – January 14, 2026 – The American Medical Association (AMA) has issued a new medical billing code for connectomic analysis, a sophisticated method of mapping the brain’s intricate neural wiring. The decision marks a pivotal moment for the field of neuroscience and a significant commercial milestone for Omniscient, a pioneer in using artificial intelligence to decode the human brain. The new code, 1039T, is set to become effective on July 1, 2026, and provides a formal mechanism for healthcare providers to report the use of advanced brain network analysis, including the workflows supported by Omniscient's flagship Quicktome® software.

This development is more than a procedural update; it represents a crucial validation of connectomics as a distinct and valuable medical service. For years, the technology has demonstrated its potential in academic settings, but its path to routine clinical use has been hampered by the lack of a standardized reporting and reimbursement framework. By assigning a specific Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®) code, the AMA acknowledges that this AI-enabled analysis provides insights that go far beyond what is visible in standard anatomical scans, signaling a major shift in how the medical establishment views and values advanced neuroimaging.

Decoding the Brain's 'Invisible' Networks

Connectomics is the science of mapping the complex web of connections that form the brain's functional networks. While a traditional MRI or CT scan can show the physical structure of the brain—locating a tumor, for instance—it cannot reveal the critical pathways responsible for a person's language, movement, memory, and personality. These 'invisible' networks are what make an individual who they are, and damage to them during surgery can have devastating consequences.

Omniscient’s Quicktome® platform, which is FDA-cleared and already in use at over 100 U.S. hospitals, addresses this challenge directly. The software uses AI algorithms to analyze multimodal MRI data—specifically diffusion-weighted and resting-state functional MRI scans—to generate detailed, patient-specific maps of these crucial brain networks. This allows neurosurgeons and neurologists to visualize the complex interplay between a pathological lesion and the patient's unique neural wiring before an intervention ever takes place.

The clinical utility is profound. Surgeons can devise more precise strategies to treat pathologies like brain tumors or vascular malformations while actively planning to preserve the neural pathways essential for a full recovery. This enhances surgical confidence and, most importantly, protects patient outcomes.

"Connectomics was a fascinating, yet impractical, concept to apply in a busy clinical setting before Quicktome. Now, it has become an integral part of my daily workflow, significantly benefiting my patients," stated Dr. Randy D'Amico, Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery at Northwell Lenox Hill Hospital in New York. "The introduction of this new CPT code further validates the critical importance of understanding a patient’s specific brain wiring; it's no longer a choice but a necessity for delivering the highest quality of patient care."

The Pathway from Tracking Code to Widespread Reimbursement

The new code, 1039T, is a Category III CPT code. In the AMA's system, Category III codes are temporary designations for emerging technologies and services. They are not a guarantee of payment from insurers but serve as a critical 'tracking code' that enables providers to document and report the use of a new service. This is the first and most crucial step on the path toward securing broad insurance coverage.

For a technology to graduate to a Category I code—the standard for established, widely reimbursed procedures—it must demonstrate widespread clinical adoption and proven efficacy, supported by robust data. The five-year lifespan of a Category III code is designed to facilitate this data collection process. Every time a hospital or clinic uses code 1039T to report a connectomic analysis, it contributes to a growing body of evidence demonstrating the technology's real-world utilization and value.

This process creates a standardized, formalized way for physicians to report the work involved in interpreting the software-generated maps and integrating them into a patient's treatment plan. While reimbursement under a Category III code is often determined on a case-by-case basis by payers like Medicare and private insurers, the existence of the code itself simplifies billing and begins the conversation about establishing permanent payment rates.

For advanced medical technologies, this journey is a common but challenging one. The transition from Category III to Category I is not guaranteed, but securing the initial tracking code is a clear signal that the technology has met a significant threshold of clinical promise and is on a clear regulatory and economic roadmap.

Solidifying a Lead in the Neurotech Frontier

For Omniscient, the new CPT code is a strategic victory that solidifies its position in the competitive neurotechnology landscape. The company has methodically built its regulatory foundation, first securing FDA 510(k) clearance for its structural brain mapping platform in 2021, followed by a major clearance in 2023 for Quicktome Functional Connectome (FC), which added the ability to map networks based on resting-state fMRI data.

The CPT code represents the third pillar of market access, following regulatory approval and clinical adoption. It provides a powerful incentive for more hospitals to integrate Quicktome® into their workflows for conditions ranging from neuro-oncology to stroke, as it establishes a clear path toward financial sustainability for the service. This move not only strengthens Omniscient's market leadership claims but also sets a precedent for other AI-driven diagnostic platforms seeking to bridge the gap between innovation and standard of care.

The field of connectomics has long been challenged by its 'big data' problem, requiring immense computational power to process and analyze the vast quantities of information generated by MRI scans. Cloud-based, AI-powered solutions like Quicktome® are breaking down these barriers, making sophisticated brain mapping accessible and practical for clinical use.

With this milestone, the promise of truly personalized brain medicine moves one step closer to reality. By enabling physicians to see and protect the very networks that define a patient's life and identity, connectomic analysis is poised to become an indispensable tool in modern neurology and neurosurgery. This new code is the key that may finally unlock its full potential across the healthcare system.