Prepare for RTM/RPM Changes in the 2026 CPT® Code Set
Make sure treatment management services are performed in real time. The 2026 AMA CPT® code set is here, and it’s brought hundreds of new codes, revisions, and deletions that you need to familiarize yourself with before the calendar flips to the new year. In this code set, you’ll find several changes to remote therapeutic and remote physiologic monitoring codes in regard to monitoring times and the types of communication with patients. Read on to learn about the various remote monitoring code changes in the 2026 CPT® code book, so you’re ready when the codes take effect on January 1. Learn About RTM Code Timeframes The 2026 CPT® code book includes several new remote monitoring codes as well as revisions to existing codes. Let’s start by examining three new remote therapeutic monitoring (RTM) codes that take effect on January 1: Each of these codes reflect RTM of different services that cover two to 15 days of monitoring over 30 days. You’ll use 98984 for monitoring of the patient’s respiratory system, assign 98985 for monitoring of the musculoskeletal system, and 98986 is designated for cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) monitoring. Existing RTM codes are also being revised in 2026 to specify the number of monitoring days over a 30-day period. Below are the 2025 and 2026 descriptors of the codes (underlined text indicates material CPT® added; strikethrough text indicates material CPT® deleted): Remember: Some CPT® code revisions are seemingly miniscule, and some are extensive. You need to make sure you pay attention to all the revisions, great and small, because even one word or punctuation mark can make a difference in the meaning of a code. Prepare for Remote Monitoring of Physiologic Parameter Coding Changes Under the evaluation and management (E/M) code section, you’ll find changes to the remote monitoring of physiologic parameters E/M codes. Let’s examine the codes as they will appear in order in the 2026 CPT® code book. Starting with 99453 (Remote monitoring of physiologic parameter(s) (eg, weight, blood pressure, pulse oximetry, respiratory flow rate); initial set-up and patient education on use of equipment), the AMA adds “initial” to the descriptor to establish that this code will be used when the healthcare professional first sets up the equipment and shows the patient how to use it. Next, you’ll find the new code 99445 (… device(s) supply with daily recording(s) or programmed alert(s) transmission, 2-15 days in a 30-day period), which is used to report the monitoring for two to 15 days in a 30-day period. Finally, 99454 (… device(s) supply with daily recording(s) or programmed alert(s) transmission, 16-30 days in a 30-day period) will be revised on January 1 to reflect a change in the time period reporting. In 2025, the code was used to cover 30 days, whereas in 2026, you’ll assign the code when 16 to 30 days of monitoring is recorded. Establish Real-Time Communication for Treatment Management Services The CPT® code book will add one remote physiologic monitoring (RPM) code and one RTM code for the monitoring of treatment management services: At the same time, the following existing RPM treatment management services codes will have their descriptors revised to specify that the provider must have at least one “real-time interactive communication with the patient [or] caregiver during the calendar month”: The same requirements apply to the RTM treatment management services codes listed below: This wording changes from 2025 in that the AMA is specifying that the healthcare professional must establish a connection in real time, there can be more than one interaction between the provider and patient, and you can only report the code once in the calendar month. Mike Shaughnessy, BA, CPC, Production Editor, AAPC
each 30 days 16-30 days in a 30-day period)
each 30 days 16-30 days in a 30-day period)
each 30 days 16-30 days in a 30-day period)
