RPM Access Act

This bill aims to make remote patient monitoring (RPM) easier to use and pay for under Medicare, especially in rural areas where people often travel farther for care. It sets a nationwide minimum for certain Medicare payment factors tied to RPM, so places with lower rates get bumped up to at least a standard level, rather than staying below average. Lawmakers note that many shortage areas are rural and that RPM can improve care and lower costs for Medicare.

Starting January 1, 2026, Medicare will only pay for RPM if: a qualified clinician can respond in real time to unusual readings; the system can send health data in a format that works with electronic health records; and providers report certain data to help measure cost savings, with a hardship waiver possible. The government must also report on savings and costs from these services over a four-year period starting in 2026.

Key points

• Who is affected: Medicare patients and the providers who offer RPM, with special benefits for rural communities.
• What changes: Minimum payment levels for RPM are set nationwide; strict quality rules for real-time response, EHR-ready data, and reporting to track savings.
• When: Rules and payment changes start January 1, 2026; a federal report is due within five years, covering the first four years of the program.