ATA ACTION SOUNDS ALARM AS CMS’ PFS PROPOSED RULE THREATENS TO REVERSE BIPARTISAN CONGRESSIONAL GAINS ON REMOTE PATIENT MONITORING
WASHINGTON, DC, JULY 21, 2026 – ATA Action, the American Telemedicine Association’s (ATA) affiliated advocacy organization focused on shaping virtual care policy, is raising concerns about a stark contradiction between the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) recently released 2027 Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) proposed rule and bipartisan support in Congress for expanding remote patient monitoring services.
“On July 14, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued the 2027 Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule, which includes troublesome provisions scaling back third-party remote physiologic monitoring (RPM) and remote therapeutic monitoring (RTM) services and cuts to their reimbursement,” said Kyle Zebley, CEO of the ATA and executive director, ATA Action. “Two days later, the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Ways and Means approved legislation to expand and protect access to care in rural and underserved communities, including remote monitoring services, creating a sharp dichotomy.”
“We are grateful for Congress’ bipartisan backing and excited to get the legislation passed and onto President Trump for signature, who has been a steadfast supporter for telehealth. At the same time, we are eager to work with CMS within the PFS process to address concerning patient access and operational consequences of several proposed rules,” Zebley added.
CMS proposes tightening guardrails and recalculating payment for remote physiologic monitoring (RPM) and remote therapeutic monitoring (RTM) services. Key changes include restricting RTM billing to patients with an established relationship with the billing practitioner, requiring a separately reportable initiating visit tied to the start of monitoring services, prohibiting use of third-party remote monitoring companies, lowering monitoring valuations, and potentially consolidating current CPT codes into four new G-codes (two RPM, two RTM) covering initial setup and monthly monitoring/management.
“Understandably, CMS is looking to reduce fraud, waste, and abuse in healthcare, a goal we share. However, it should not be at the expense of providing remote monitoring for patients and healthcare providers,” noted Zebley. “ATA Action will continue to advocate for necessary changes to these remote monitoring provisions, and push for fair and appropriate reimbursement of these critical services. We look forward to working with Congress and CMS to preserve and promote access to virtual care and modernize healthcare for Medicare beneficiaries.”
ATA Action also continues to emphasize the urgency for Congress to act as soon as possible on extending or making permanent the pandemic-era telehealth flexibilities in the Medicare program to prevent any disruption in access to clinically appropriate virtual care for Americans after the December 31, 2027, deadline.
About the ATA
The American Telemedicine Association (ATA), the definitive voice for virtual care, is the industry’s trusted community focused on expanding access to healthcare through innovation by advancing education, resources, and policy. Founded in 1993, the ATA represents the most diverse ecosystem in healthcare – including leading health systems, academic medical centers, payers, technology innovators, life sciences companies, and clinician leaders – the ATA delivers clinical standards, policy leadership, education, and evidence frameworks that accelerate high-quality, technology-enabled care.
About ATA Action
ATA Action expands and protects how virtual care is legislated and regulated at all levels of government. Founded in 2022, ATA Action works collaboratively with federal and state legislators and policymakers to influence legislative and regulatory developments in virtual care, digital health, remote patient monitoring, AI in healthcare, health data privacy, private sector healthcare investment, and more. ATA Action represents hospital systems, technology companies, professional associations, direct-to-consumer digital health providers, payers, pharmaceutical manufacturers, digital therapeutics developers, and remote monitoring organizations, and facilitates member-led coalitions focused on initiatives to advance AI in Virtual Care Policy and Cross State Care. ATA Action is a registered 501(c)(6) nonprofit trade organization engaged in lobbying efforts to shape industry-related legislation and serves as an affiliated trade association of the ATA, a 501(c)(3) entity recognized for its leadership in advancing innovation and leading transformation in virtual care.
