Why the 2026 RPM Code Changes Matter for Providers and Patients
As Medical Director at Vivo Care and a practicing primary care physician, I’ve watched remote patient monitoring (RPM) grow from an interesting idea into a vital part of everyday care for patients with chronic conditions. The newly proposed 2026 CMS Physician Fee Schedule updates mark a breakthrough moment, aligning reimbursement with the way care is actually delivered.
These changes lower barriers for providers, help us act sooner, and give patients a more seamless, connected, and proactive care experience. This is the kind of progress that turns technology into real patient impact.
What’s Changing
CMS is proposing the introduction of two new CPT codes to replace the current requirements:
- Device supply code (99XX4) – Bills for 2–15 days of transmitted data.
- Management time code (99XX5) – Captures clinical monitoring time in shorter intervals instead of requiring a minimum of 20 minutes.
This shift reflects real-world workflows and allows RPM to be used for more patient scenarios, such as two-week medication adjustments, post-discharge monitoring, or patients who can’t take readings every day but still need close follow-up.
Sometimes a quick review of trends or a brief check-in can prevent complications and avoid an ER visit. CMS is finally matching reimbursement to the pace of care and the flexibility patients need.
Benefits for Providers
Greater billing flexibility
- Submit claims for shorter data intervals
- Avoid waiting for 16 full days before billing
Fewer administrative hurdles
- Simplified documentation for brief touches
- Reduced back-and-forth with payers over billing rules
Better revenue recognition
- Capture the value of early interventions
- Improve cash flow by billing more frequently
Enhanced care management
- Act on small red flags sooner
- Encourage proactive rather than reactive follow-up
Benefits for Patients
Faster clinical response
- Get medication adjustments or feedback sooner
- Reduce the risk of worsening symptoms between visits
More personalized care
- Tailor monitoring plans to each patient’s situation
- Avoid unnecessary device wear-time when not needed
Reduced cost burden
- Prevent costly hospital or ER visits
- Lower total expenses tied to chronic condition management
Higher engagement
- Patients feel heard when short-term trends prompt action
- Care feels more timely and relevant
Looking Ahead
These updates give providers the ability to deliver RPM as it was meant to be—flexible, timely, and patient-centered. No more forcing care into arbitrary 16-day blocks or waiting until month’s end to bill.
Your patients get faster, more responsive care. Your practice gains the agility to match.
At Vivo Care, we’ve already refined workflows and trained clinical teams to move quickly into this new model. If you’re ready to implement these updates, or want to see how our platform makes them work in the real world—let’s connect. Your patients deserve care that keeps pace with their needs, and now your reimbursement can finally keep up.
About Dr. Iqbal
Dr. Aamir Iqbal is an Internal Medicine physician specializing in chronic care management and preventative screenings. He integrates telemedicine and remote patient monitoring into daily practice to deliver timely, personalized care. A Ventura County native, Dr. Iqbal is committed to building long-term relationships with his patients and improving outcomes through technology-driven solutions.