In contrast to United Healthcare’s 2026 RPM Coverage Policy, Medicare is taking big steps toward expanding RPM and RTM reimbursement for 2026.
For the most part, new device and time-based RPM and RTM codes in the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule better reflect how remote care is actually delivered. Added reimbursement for fewer days of data will improve access for patients who don’t require 16 or more days of readings in a month. New codes for lower-touch treatment management should allow care teams to spend more time interacting with and managing patients with more complex needs.
But one glaring gap remains: significant reduction in reimbursement for RTM musculoskeletal device supply may not accurately reflect the actual cost of provisioning those devices.
It’s not perfect, but it’s progress. Here’s what you need to know.
Interested in how the 2026 Final Rule differs from the Proposed Rule? Check out our summary of the Proposed Rule from earlier this year.
Fast Facts
Keep scrolling for a full list of RPM and RTM codes for 2026 and final reimbursement rates. Here’s the bottom line up front.
1. New code options come with limitations.
Providers now have more flexibility with codes for fewer data transmissions and low-touch care management, but the updated codes can't be combined with their longer-duration counterparts in the same month.
2. CMS boosted reimbursement for RTM respiratory devices through crosswalking—but left musculoskeletal device supply likely undervalued.
CMS aligned RTM respiratory device codes with RPM rates by crosswalking to 99454 but declined to do the same for RTM MSK device codes, resulting in a nearly 7% reduction compared to the 2025 rate.
3. Geographic payment variations persist.
CMS acknowledged that remote monitoring equipment and supply costs are relatively consistent nationwide and applied a Geographic Practice Cost Index (GPCI) of 1.0 for those items. However, CMS did not apply the same national standard for employee wages, purchased services, or office rent, meaning total reimbursement for RPM/RTM services may still vary slightly by geography.
This decision stands in contrast to recent federal legislative efforts to standardize Medicare payments across locations (see S.1535 - The Medicare Payment Rate Equity Act of 2023) which proposes to establish a minimum GPCI of 1.0 for all practice expense inputs for RPM.
New vs. Existing Codes: One or the other, not both
Beginning January 1, 2026, four new codes for 2-15 days of data transmissions and 2 new codes for the first 10-minutes of monitoring and management activities will expand reimbursement opportunities across RPM and RTM.
The most common question asked is, “Can we stack them?”
Unfortunately, you cannot.
In 2026 and beyond, providers cannot:
- bill both the applicable 2-15 day and 16-30 day device codes in the same calendar month;
- bill both the first 10-minute and first 20-minute treatment management codes in the same month; or
- add an additional 20-minute code (98981 or 99458) to a 10-minute base code.
The new codes no doubt looking at providers like:
Here are a few examples of how this plays out in practice:
RPM & RTM Reimbursement Rates for 2026
The amounts below reflect approximate non-facility reimbursement rates as of 11/18/2025. Actual rates may vary.
A few giant leaps forward, one small step back
Overall, the 2026 updates to RPM and RTM reimbursement reflect meaningful progress. CMS has introduced clearer rules, greater billing flexibility, and a code structure that better aligns with how remote care is delivered today.
But one outlier stands out: the reduction in reimbursement for RTM musculoskeletal (MSK) device supply. It’s the only year-over-year decrease across the entire code set and it disproportionately affects physical therapy and occupational therapy providers and their patients who rely on RTM to support long-term functional outcomes. For vendors and providers alike, that reduction isn’t just a financial concern—it’s a signal to double down on clinical data and advocacy in preparation for future rulemaking.
We monitor reimbursement policy closely and share updates via our newsletter and social media.
Read our past articles on care management reimbursement: