Approved 2026 RTM Codes
With the 2026 CMS Final Rule, RTM reimbursement is expanding — bringing shorter monitoring periods, lower time thresholds, and new revenue growth opportunities for clinics.
Here's a overview of the new Approved codes: (Effective January 1, 2026)
Contents:
New Remote Therapeutic Monitoring CPT Codes for 2026
CMS is introducing two new CPT codes:
- CPT Code 98985 provides reimbursement for patients with 2 to 15 days of data transmission through RTM MSK devices.
- CPT Code 98979 provides reimbursement for patients with 10 to 19 minutes of monthly treatment management services.
For the patient usage-based codes: (98985 & 98977)
Key point: each 30-day period, for a given device type, you bill either the 2–15 day code or the 16–30 day code – not both.
For the provider usage-based codes: (98980, 98981 & 98979)
Key point: 98979 (10 min) and 98980 (20–39 min) are not additive base codes.
CMS have clarified that you would need to choose the one that best matches total time that month:
- If the total RTM time is ~10–19 minutes → then bill 98979
If the total RTM Tile is 20–39 minutes → then bill 98980, plus 98981 if you go 40+ minutes
New RTM CPT Codes Reimbursements Amounts
Remote Therapeutic Monitoring (RTM) CPT Codes — 2025 vs. 2026 Payments
CPT Code |
Description |
2025 Avg Payment | 2026 Avg Payment (Non-APM) | 2026 Avg Payment (APM) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 98975 | Initial set-up & patient education on use of equipment; one time at initial enrollment (2+ days of monitoring in a 30-day period per CPT codebook) | $19.73 | $21.71 | $21.82 |
| 98985 | RTM device to monitor MSK system status, 2–15 days of data in a 30-day period | NEW | $40.08 | $40.28 |
| 98977 | RTM device to monitor MSK system status, 16–30 days of data in a 30-day period | $43.02 | $40.08 | $40.28 |
| 98979 | 10–19 minutes of RTM treatment management services in a month | NEW | $26.39 | $26.52 |
| 98980 | 20–39 minutes of RTM treatment management services in a month | $50.14 | $54.11 | $54.38 |
| 98981 | Each additional 20 minutes of RTM treatment management services in a month over 98980 | $39.14 | $41.42 | $41.63 |
💡 Why The 2026 RTM Code Changes Matter
- 💡 More flexibility – New codes allow billing for shorter monitoring periods and time blocks.
- 💰 Higher revenue potential – Increased payment rates and more billable activities.
- 🧍 Better patient engagement – Easier to include patients who can’t complete a full 30-day cycle.
- ⚙️ Encourages adoption – CMS signals long-term support for RTM in therapy workflows.
- ❤️ Supports value-based care – Promotes better continuity, outcomes, and patient follow-up.