Understanding 2026 Code Updates for Remote Monitoring

As a direct reflection of a shift in how codes align with clinical practices, the 2026 CPT code update for remote monitoring addresses a structural limitation that existed for years.

Although technology for remote monitoring has evolved, the code structure failed to follow suit. For example, prior to new updates, the 16-day minimum threshold for device supply codes created issues, if a patient needed to be intensively monitored for 10 days after an acute illness. There was no exact code pathway to use, nor was there a code pathway for someone who needed to monitor their blood pressure while adjusting their medication for a short time. These types of scenarios occurred frequently enough that updates were warranted.

According to the American Medical Association’s CPT Changes 2026: An Insider’s View, numerous medical conditions treated across medical specialties would benefit from shorter durations of intensive monitoring, which could improve care, reduce hospitalizations, shorten lengths of hospital stays, and decrease readmission rates.

Clinicians previously had limited options. They could continue to monitor the patient for a longer duration than medically necessary to meet the 16-day threshold to report device supply codes, or they could choose not to provide remote monitoring at all. Both choices created documentation burdens for clinicians and did not serve the best interests of the patient. The 2026 updates address this.

What Has Changed

The 2026 updates include 2- to 15-day duration device codes, and 10- to 19-minute duration treatment management codes, in addition to existing longer-duration options.

With respect to remote physiologic monitoring, CPT 99445 has been added for 2-15 days of device supply, and CPT code 99454 continues to describe longer-duration services. Additionally, CPT 99470 has been added for 10- to 19-minute duration treatment management services, and CPT codes 99457 and 99458 continue to describe longer-duration services.

Remote therapeutic monitoring follows a similar pattern, which includes organizing the monitoring types (respiratory, musculoskeletal, and cognitive behavioral therapy) and creating each monitoring type with 2- to 15-day duration options, in addition to the existing 16- to 30-day duration options. Similarly, treatment management was expanded with CPT 98979 for 10- to 19-minute duration services.

The result is that clinicians can now report on clinical activity that previously presented either as a workaround or as unreported.

The Digital Taxonomy

Additionally, the 2026 updates fit into the broader organizational structure of CPT Appendix R, the Digital Medicine Services Taxonomy. Appendix R organizes digital medicine services into broad categories, which include remote physiologic monitoring and remote therapeutic monitoring. The 2026 code updates for remote monitoring continue to fit into this organized digital taxonomy.

To accurately select the correct codes, documentation continues to be essential. To select the proper device supply codes, it’s important to document the specific date(s) of data transmission and the total number of monitoring days within the relevant reporting period. To accurately select the treatment management codes, it is important to document the amount of time spent reviewing and making decisions about the patient’s care.

The increased number of code options creates greater emphasis on documenting clinical activities accurately. Since there are additional duration and time-based options for coding, the medical record should continue to support the assigned codes.

Why This Matters

The 2026 updates are an effort to align the code set with evolving clinical practice and technology. For your organization, this means coding represents the actual services provided to the patient. It also means patients will be able to obtain the level of monitoring most beneficial to them.

Are you ready to see how everything comes together? AHIMA is offering the webinar, Remote Patient Monitoring in Transition – 2025 vs 2026 RPM and RTM CPT Code Changes, which covers all 17 code updates, provides an overview of the framework from CPT Appendix R, and demonstrates the logic used for pairing the codes.

By understanding these changes, you will be positioned to accurately report and support documented clinical activities in an increasingly complex remote monitoring environment.

Robin Tripp, MAS, RHIA, CCS-P, CPC, CRC, is Director of Education for Coding and Revenue Cycle at AHIMA.