--- title: RPM Weekly Roundup, November 2, 2026 description: "RPM news for Oct. 26–Nov. 2, 2026: the debate over Medicare's RPM/RTM proposal, Rural Health Transformation awards, and RPM device connectivity." --- [![Logo - Dark](https://continuasystems.com/hubfs/Logo%20-%20Dark.png)](https://continuasystems.com) - [Devices](https://continuasystems.com/4g-cellular-health-devices-for-remote-patient-monitoring-rpm) - [Software](https://continuasystems.com/remote-patient-monitoring-operations-software-and-api) - [Operations](https://continuasystems.com/4g-health-device-logistics-and-operations) - [Articles](https://continuasystems.com/connected-device-strategies-for-rpm) - [Devices](https://continuasystems.com/4g-cellular-health-devices-for-remote-patient-monitoring-rpm) - [Software](https://continuasystems.com/remote-patient-monitoring-operations-software-and-api) - [Operations](https://continuasystems.com/4g-health-device-logistics-and-operations) - [Articles](https://continuasystems.com/connected-device-strategies-for-rpm) [Free Sample](https://continuasystems.com/create-account-0) [RPM Weekly Roundup](https://continuasystems.com/connected-device-strategies-for-rpm/tag/rpm-weekly-roundup) # RPM Weekly Roundup, November 2, 2026 [![](https://continuasystems.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Favicon-1.png?width=50&height=50&name=Favicon-1.png)](https://continuasystems.com/connected-device-strategies-for-rpm/author/continua-systems) [Continua Systems](https://continuasystems.com/connected-device-strategies-for-rpm/author/continua-systems) Nov 8, 2026, 11:13:33 PM A pending Medicare decision, rural dollars on the move, and a connectivity upgrade: three remote patient monitoring (RPM) developments from the week of Oct. 26–Nov. 2, 2026.   ###### **1. The debate over Medicare's RPM proposal** **Update, Nov. 4:** CMS has since released the [final rule](https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/calendar-year-cy-2027-medicare-physician-fee-schedule-final-rule), which delays the employed-staff requirement to 2029. This roundup reflects news through Nov. 2. The CY 2027 Physician Fee Schedule [proposed rule](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/07/16/2026-14327/medicare-and-medicaid-programs-cy-2027-payment-policies-under-the-physician-fee-schedule-and-other) would pay for remote physiologic monitoring (RPM) and remote therapeutic monitoring (RTM) only when the clinical staff furnishing them are direct employees of the billing practice. It would also require an initiating visit and extend the established-patient requirement to RTM, effective Jan. 1, 2027 if finalized. [KFF Health News reported Oct. 26](https://kffhealthnews.org/medicare/remote-patient-monitoring-cms-medicare-rule-reimbursements-access-rural-health/) that the change would apply to traditional Medicare, not Medicare Advantage. More than 230 organizations signed an opposition letter, while Humana, the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association and Sutter Health largely support it. As of Nov. 2, CMS had not released the final rule; last year's came out Oct. 31. **Why it matters:** Vendor-staffed programs, and the device and fulfillment arrangements built around them, could have little time to adjust.   ###### **2. Rural Health Transformation dollars are reaching providers** CMS announced [$87M for 129 rural providers in Texas](https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/trump-administration-announces-87-million-129-rural-healthcare-providers-across-texas), [$39.7M in Missouri](https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/trump-administration-announces-39-7-million-modernize-rural-healthcare-across-missouri) and [more than $19M in West Virginia](https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/trump-administration-announces-more-19-million-expand-telehealth-specialty-care-healthcare-workforce), where funded projects include patient monitoring technology and drone delivery of time-critical medical supplies. An [Alliance for Connected Care analysis](https://connectwithcare.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/REPORT-States-Are-Investing-Billions-in-Remote-Monitoring-Through-RHTP.pdf) found 22 states have announced or awarded about $240M in first-year funding specifically for remote monitoring. **Why it matters:** Rural programs are where device delivery, setup and returns are hardest to get right.   ###### **3. Keeping RPM devices connected in hard-to-reach areas** AT&T and RPM device maker Smart Meter [announced Oct. 27](https://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/t-smart-meter-expand-connected-130000891.html) that Smart Meter's cellular devices can now use a multi-profile eSIM that switches between approved networks when needed, with a focus on rural and hard-to-reach areas. **Why it matters:** A monitoring program depends on devices that transmit reliably from wherever patients live.   How is your organization preparing for the 2027 changes?   ###### **Sources** - ["Many Medicare Patients Could Lose Access to Remote Monitoring Devices"](https://kffhealthnews.org/medicare/remote-patient-monitoring-cms-medicare-rule-reimbursements-access-rural-health/), KFF Health News, Oct. 26, 2026 - [CY 2027 Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/07/16/2026-14327/medicare-and-medicaid-programs-cy-2027-payment-policies-under-the-physician-fee-schedule-and-other), Federal Register, July 16, 2026 - [CY 2027 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule final rule fact sheet](https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/calendar-year-cy-2027-medicare-physician-fee-schedule-final-rule), CMS - [Texas Rural Health Transformation awards](https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/trump-administration-announces-87-million-129-rural-healthcare-providers-across-texas), CMS, Oct. 29, 2026 - [Missouri Rural Health Transformation awards](https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/trump-administration-announces-39-7-million-modernize-rural-healthcare-across-missouri), CMS, Oct. 30, 2026 - [West Virginia Rural Health Transformation awards](https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/trump-administration-announces-more-19-million-expand-telehealth-specialty-care-healthcare-workforce), CMS, Oct. 30, 2026 - ["States Are Investing Billions in Remote Monitoring Through RHTP"](https://connectwithcare.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/REPORT-States-Are-Investing-Billions-in-Remote-Monitoring-Through-RHTP.pdf), Alliance for Connected Care, Aug. 17, 2026 - ["AT&T and Smart Meter Expand Connected Healthcare Reach with Global SIM Advanced"](https://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/t-smart-meter-expand-connected-130000891.html), Business Wire, Oct. 27, 2026   ###### **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. Proposed policies can change before they are finalized. Previous Post ###### [How the Rural Health Transformation Program Is Funding Remote Patient Monitoring](https://continuasystems.com/connected-device-strategies-for-rpm/how-the-rural-health-transformation-program-is-funding-remote-patient-monitoring) [![Logo - White](https://continuasystems.com/hubfs/Logo%20-%20White.png)](https://continuasystems.com) The connected health device partner that you've been looking for. 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