2026 Remote Patient Monitoring CPT Codes: What’s New and Why It Matters
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has officially released the 2026 Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) final rule, bringing positive news for clinicians and technology-driven care programs alike. CMS continues to expand its support for remote patient monitoring (RPM) and virtual care, with two new CPT codes that improve flexibility and expand access for both providers and patients.
These updates reinforce CMS’s long-term commitment to integrating connected care into the standard clinical workflow—a move that aligns perfectly with the digital health transformation many practices are already pursuing.
New for 2026: Two Additional RPM CPT Codes
After review by the AMA CPT Editorial Panel, CMS has approved two new remote patient monitoring codes that give practices more nuanced billing options for shorter monitoring durations and reduced management time.
|
Code |
Description |
2026 Reimbursement (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|
|
CPT 99445 |
Remote monitoring of physiologic parameter(s) (e.g., weight, blood pressure, pulse oximetry, respiratory flow rate); initial device supply with daily recordings or programmed alert transmissions, 2–15 days in a 30-day period. |
~$47 |
|
CPT 99470 |
Remote physiologic monitoring treatment services; clinical staff/physician/qualified professional time in a calendar month requiring at least one real-time interactive communication with the patient/caregiver; first 10 minutes. |
~$26 |
What this means:
Providers can now bill for shorter monitoring intervals—ideal for short-term medication titration, recovery monitoring, or transitional care—without falling out of compliance. Patients benefit from RPM plans that more precisely match their clinical needs.
The Core RPM Codes Remain the Foundation
The new codes build on, rather than replace, the existing four foundational CPT codes that define today’s RPM programs:
|
Code |
Description |
2026 Reimbursement (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|
|
CPT 99453 |
Initial device setup and patient education for monitoring of physiologic parameters. |
~$22 |
|
CPT 99454 |
Device supply with daily recordings or alerts for 16–30 days in a 30-day period. |
~$47 |
|
CPT 99457 |
RPM treatment management services; first 20 minutes of clinical staff/physician/qualified professional time per calendar month with required patient interaction. |
~$52 |
|
CPT 99458 |
Each additional 20 minutes of RPM treatment management services within a calendar month. |
~$41 |
Together, these codes create a comprehensive framework for billing ongoing monitoring, device setup, and clinical engagement.
Why These Updates Are a Big Deal
The 2026 CPT updates signal a deeper policy commitment from CMS to make remote care more adaptable, scalable, and accessible. For practices already leveraging connected devices or considering RPM adoption, these changes create new opportunities to align clinical workflows with reimbursement structures.
Key takeaways:
-
Greater flexibility: Billing can now match clinical reality—whether you’re tracking vitals for two weeks or an entire month.
-
Improved patient access: Shorter monitoring durations make RPM programs easier to start and sustain. It may even open up new applications for RPM.
-
Support for value-based models: These updates strengthen the role of remote monitoring in care coordination, chronic disease management, and population health initiatives
- Tailwind (finally): This provides more of a tailwind for RPM than has been seen for years in an environment with increasing tariffs and declining reimbursement rates.
Preparing for Implementation
As these codes go into effect, practices should review their current RPM workflows, device supply chains, and data integration processes. Flexible platforms—like those offered by Continua Systems—can help RPM companies control their device costs and optimize their patient activation and retention rates as the 2026 rules take hold.
By modernizing remote care frameworks, CMS is paving the way for more seamless integration of connected medical devices and AI-supported data analytics—core to how Continua Systems enables proactive patient management at scale.
Disclaimer
This content is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as reimbursement or legal advice. Healthcare providers are responsible for determining medical necessity, correct coding, and compliance with payer requirements and Medicare coverage determinations. Reimbursement rates and policies vary geographically and are subject to change.
