In the 2015–2016 season, Hochstein was invited to two Grand Prix events, the 2015 Cup of China and 2015 NHK Trophy, and finished fourth at both. At the 2016 U.S. Championships, he was awarded the pewter medal after placing 6th in the short program, 4th in the free skate, and 4th overall. After the event, he was named in the U.S. team to the 2016 Four Continents, and a week later, he was added to the World Championships, replacing the injured Nathan Chen. Ranked 6th in the short and 10th in the free, Hochstein finished 8th overall at Four Continents in Taipei. At Worlds in Boston, he placed 16th in the short, 9th in the free, and 10th overall.