The House Appropriations Committee released a bipartisan FY26 funding package that includes several key telehealth provisions, signaling continued federal support for virtual care. Major highlights include extended Medicare telehealth flexibilities through 2027, a five-year extension of the Acute Hospital Care at Home Program through 2030, and continued allowances for in-home cardiopulmonary rehabilitation through January 1, 2028. The package also requires HHS to issue guidance on telehealth access for individuals with limited English proficiency and expands virtual diabetes suppliers under Medicare through 2029. Additional measures strengthened Medicare program integrity for certain durable medical equipment (DME).
For 2026 telehealth operations and billing, telehealth service codes are now considered permanent unless removed. New shorter-duration RPM/RTM treatment codes have been introduced, and behavioral health telehealth continues to see expanded recognition and accommodation. Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) may continue billing via G2025 through December 31, 2026. Place of Service (POS) codes 10 and 02 remain central, with modifiers 95 and 93 still used depending on payer rules. New CPT telephone E/M codes may also be billed when proper documentation is in place.
Effective in 2026, Remote Therapeutic Monitoring (RTM) coding has been updated. New device supply codes now allow billing for shorter data collection periods (2–15 days) across respiratory, musculoskeletal, and cognitive/behavioral monitoring. A new RTM treatment management code supports shorter time intervals (10–19 minutes). Existing RTM codes were revised to clearly define longer data collection periods (16–30 days) and extended treatment management time (20+ minutes), while the RTM setup and patient education code remains unchanged.
Overall, these updates reflect a shift toward making telehealth and RTM more permanent, flexible, and accessible, while refining billing structures to better match real-world care delivery.
2026 Telehealth & RTM Updates — At a Glance
- Federal policy: Bipartisan FY26 package extends key telehealth flexibilities, including Medicare telehealth through 2027, Hospital-at-Home through 2030, in-home cardiopulmonary rehab, virtual diabetes prevention through 2028, and new HHS guidance for patients with limited English proficiency.
- Telehealth billing: Telehealth codes are now considered permanent unless removed. New shorter-duration RPM/RTM codes added; behavioral health telehealth expanded. FQHC/RHC billing via G2025 continues through Dec 31, 2026. POS 10 & 02 remain standard, with payer-specific use of modifiers 95/93. Telephone E/M codes allowed with documentation
- RTM (effective 2026): New RTM device supply codes for 2–15 days (respiratory, MSK, cognitive/behavioral) and a new 10–19 minute treatment management code. Existing codes clarified for 16–30 days of data and 20+ minutes of management; setup/education unchanged.
The 2026 landscape for telerehab and RTM isn’t just about "keeping up" anymore—it’s about leveling up. With shorter data thresholds and permanent code statuses, the message from CMS is clear: virtual care is no longer a temporary workaround, but a cornerstone of high-quality rehab. By leaning into these updates now, you aren't just checking a compliance box; you’re building a more flexible, responsive, and profitable practice that meets patients where they are. The era of "wait and see" is over—the era of tele-permanence is here.
