CMS released the CY 2026 Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule in November 2025. The Final Rule provisions clarify remote therapeutic monitoring services requirements. This article breaks down the final rule and provides key guidelines, descriptions and billing rates for the existing and new RTM CPT Codes for 2026.
New RTM CPT Codes 2026
In 2026, healthcare providers have more flexibility with 2026 RTM CPT codes for fewer data transmissions and shorter care management time. To accommodate this, there are three new RTM CPT codes for 2026: 98985, 98984, and 98979. However, these new codes cannot be bill both the applicable 2-15 day and 16-30 day device codes in the same calendar month. In addition, it is not allowable to 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 following sections provide an overview of the billing guidelines for all RTM CPT codes in 2026, including the average reimbursement rate and requirements for RPM programs.
New RTM CPT Codes 98985 and 98984
The first of the new RPM CPT Codes for 2026 is CPT Code 98985 and 98984. These new codes cover the supply of a connected device and data transmission for MSK and respiratory conditions over 2-15 days, within a 30-day period. It allows billing for patients with lower engagement levels than the previous CPT codes 98977 and 98976’s 16-day minimum requirement. It is designed to be used for ongoing monitoring of post-discharge for members or patients with short-term needs. It can be billed one time per 30-day period, but cannot be combined with the 16-day measurements codes.
The average national payment rate for 98985 is $40.00.*
The average national payment rate for 98984 is $47.00.
Rates are based on non-facility national averages and vary by region.
New RTM Code 98979
RTM CPT code 98979 is used for the first 10 minutes of RPM treatment management services, in a calendar month. To bill for this, one real-time interactive communication between a member or patient and a caregiver is required. It helps clinicians manage patient data from devices that are shorter impactful interactions from 10-19 minutes total. However, these new codes may not be combined with the 16-day measurements codes
The average national payment rate for 98979 is $26.00.
Rates are based on non-facility national averages and vary by region.
Existing RTM CPT Codes for 2026
Remote therapeutic monitoring tracks and reports on non-physiological patient data, including vital signs, medication and exercise adherence, functional status, response to therapy, and respiratory and musculoskeletal activity. Understanding the billing for RPM CPT Codes vs. RTM CPT Codes 2026 can be confusing.
Remote therapeutic services allow patients to receive treatment guidance, support, and interventions outside the traditional in-office setting. These services may include counseling via video chat, text messaging programs aimed at medication adherence, virtual physical therapy sessions, and more. The goals are to increase access to care and improve outcomes.
New revenue streams opened to healthcare providers in November 2022 when the American Medical Association (AMA) created 5 CPT codes for RTM services: 98975, 98976, 98977, 98980, and 98981. The codes comprise three practice expense-only codes: 98975, 98976, and 98977, and two codes for treatment management: 98980 and 98981.
Now that we’ve reviewed what remote therapeutic monitoring is, we will provide a quick overview of billing updates for 2026.
NEW RPM and RTM Billing Codes 2026
CPT codes 99453 and 99454 and RTM 2026 billing codes 98976, 98977, 98980, and 98981 may be billed by only one clinician over a 30-day period. This is per episode of care and not per calendar month. Therefore, if more than one provider bills for RPM or RTM services in the same month, the first provider to submit the claim will be reimbursed. The other claim (s) will be denied.
RPM and RTM Billing Codes and Other Services
RPM and RTM cannot be billed together during the same month. However, some services can be billed concurrently with either RPM or RTM. These are as follows:
- Chronic Care Management
- Transition Care Management
- Behavioral Health Integration
- Principal Care Management
- Chronic Pain Management
Existing RTM CPT Codes for 2026 and Reimbursement Rates
As of 2022, CMS adopted 5 RTM CPT codes to pay for device setup, collection, interpretation, and processing of remote non-physiological data. The following section explains exactly what the 5 RTM CPT codes cover in 2026, including average reimbursement rate and requirements. These rounded numbers are based on non-facility national averages and vary by region.
98975
This code covers initial setup and patient education on the use of equipment. It can be billed once in a 30-day period when at least 16 days of data is collected on at least one medical device. The average national payment rate for CPT 98975 is $21.00.
98976
Billing CPT code 98976 pays for respiratory devices supplied with daily scheduled recordings and programmed alerts and transmission for monitoring the respiratory system. The code can be used every 30 days when at least 16 days of data have been collected on at least one medical device. The average national payment rate for CPT code 98976 is $47.00.
98977
Code 98977 reimburses musculoskeletal devices supplied with daily scheduled recordings and programmed alerts and transmission for monitoring the musculoskeletal system. This can be billed once by one practitioner only when at least 16 days of data have been collected on at least one medical device. The average national payment rate for CPT code 98977 is $40.00.
98978
Code 98978 reimburses for devices supplied for cognitive behavioral therapy. The code can be used once every 30 days, but it is not to be counted for every calendar month. This code does not have a specific value. It is best to refer to the Physician Fee Schedule for pricing coverage.
98980
CPT 98980 bills for the initial 20 minutes of treatment time per calendar month. Time must include at least one interactive communication via phone or video with the patient during the month.
CPT 98980 can be billed “incident to” or under general supervision, which includes physicians, nurse practitioners (NPs), and physician assistants (PA). CPT 99457 is billed monthly. The average national payment rate for CPT 98980 is $54.00.
Notably, billing is not generally part of the Medicare benefit for qualified healthcare practitioners: physical therapists (PTs), occupational therapists (OTs), and speech-language pathologists (SLPs). Second, RTM services must be personally furnished by the billing qualified health care practitioner. When the practitioner is a PT or OT, a therapy assistant must be under the supervision of the OT or PT.
98981
In 2026, CPT 98981 covers each additional 20 minutes of treatment time per calendar month. This code has the exact requirements as CPT 98980. The average national payment rate for CPT 98981 is $41.00.
Rates are based on non-facility national averages and vary by region.
What are the Differences Between RTM and RPM?
Remote patient monitoring (RPM) is different from remote therapeutic monitoring. As previously mentioned, RPM and RTM differ because RTM focuses on non-physiological monitoring. On the other hand, RPM focuses on physiological data. Providers can choose from a growing list of FDA-cleared remote patient monitoring devices and software services.
Remote patient monitoring enables the monitoring of patient vital signs outside of conventional clinical settings, such as at home or in remote areas. This telehealth service allows patients to take measurements from their homes. Once the measurement is taken, the data is sent in real-time to providers to measure physiologic data such as heart rate, weight, oxygen saturation, pulse rate, glucose levels, and more.
Over recent years, CMS created RPM billing codes for reimbursement for digital health, which has expanded Medicare reimbursement for remote patient monitoring. This is a separate category from RTM billing codes and services. These 5 RPM CPT codes are 99453, 99454, 99457, 99458, and 99091.
Understanding RPM and RTM Codes for 2026
Remote therapeutic monitoring and remote patient monitoring are two distinct categories of remote monitoring services with specific CPT codes and billing requirements. A key difference between RTM and RPM is that RTM focuses on tracking non-physiological patient data like medication adherence, while RPM follows vital signs and physiological metrics. The 2026 Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule provides clarification and billing guidance for providers offering these services starting January 1, 2026.
Importantly, RPM and RTM billing codes cannot both be used to bill for the same patient in the same month – only one clinician can submit claims. Additionally, reimbursement rates differ across the codes. As remote monitoring continues growing in healthcare, having a firm grasp of the respective CPT codes, rules for utilization, and payment rates will ensure appropriate delivery and billing of RPM and RTM services.
Are you interested in learning more about how remote patient monitoring works at Tenovi? Join us for a free demo and consultation. Visit the Tenovi blog for more information about reimbursement, billing procedures, and how remote patient monitoring works.
