Preparing for Medicare 2026: Physical Therapy Payment Cuts and Policy Shifts

TL;DR: Key Medicare 2026 Changes for Physical Therapy

The bottom line: Despite a 3.26% conversion factor increase, most PT practices will see a net 1% revenue decline in 2026 due to offsetting RVU reductions. Here’s what you need to know:

Conversion Factor Split: For the first time, Medicare is using two conversion factors. Most PT practices fall under the non-QP rate of $33.40 (up from $32.35). Only practices in Advanced APMs get the higher $33.57 rate.

Efficiency Adjustment: A permanent 2.5% work RVU reduction applies to non-time-based services. While treatment codes (97110, 97140, etc.) are exempt, evaluation codes (97161-97164) are affected, reducing reimbursement on these high-volume procedures.

KX Modifier Threshold: The 2026 threshold rises to $2,480 (up from $2,410). Once patients exceed this amount, you must apply the KX modifier certifying medical necessity—or risk claim denials and audit exposure.

Telehealth Cliff: PT/OT/SLP Medicare telehealth coverage expires January 31, 2026 unless Congress acts. Budget conservatively and prepare hybrid workflows.

PTA Supervision Win: General supervision continues for PTAs in private practice (PT available by phone, not on-site). The 85% payment differential and CQ modifier requirements remain.

Action Items: Update fee schedules January 1, implement KX threshold tracking, review telehealth policies, and consider cash-pay service expansion to offset Medicare revenue pressure. EMR systems with automatic threshold alerts and fee schedule updates are essential for compliance.

The Medicare Physician Fee Schedule for 2026 presents physical therapy practices with a paradox: the conversion factor is rising, yet most practices will experience a net revenue decline of approximately 1%. This seemingly contradictory reality stems from the complexity of Medicare’s payment formula—where conversion factor increases are offset by work Relative Value Unit (RVU) reductions through new “efficiency adjustments.”

For practice owners and billing managers preparing 2026 budgets, understanding these changes isn’t optional. The combination of split conversion factors for different provider types, permanent RVU adjustments targeting therapy services, rising KX modifier thresholds, and impending telehealth policy cliffs creates a compliance and revenue risk profile that demands proactive preparation.

This comprehensive guide breaks down the CMS 2026 Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule (CMS-1832-F), analyzes the financial impact on physical therapy practices, and provides actionable strategies to mitigate revenue losses while maintaining compliance.

The 2026 Conversion Factor: A Double-Edged Sword

Understanding the Split Conversion Factor

For the first time in Medicare Physician Fee Schedule history, CMS is implementing two separate conversion factors beginning January 1, 2026:

1. Qualifying Alternative Payment Model (APM) Participants (QPs):

• Conversion Factor: $33.57
• Increase from 2025: +3.77% (from $32.35)

2. Non-Qualifying APM Participants (Non-QPs):

• Conversion Factor: $33.40
• Increase from 2025: +3.26% (from $32.35)

Which category applies to most physical therapy practices?

The vast majority of PT practices fall into the Non-QP category, meaning they’ll operate under the $33.40 conversion factor. Qualifying for QP status requires participation in specific Advanced Alternative Payment Models (such as Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement programs or Bundled Payments for Care Improvement initiatives)—programs with enrollment complexity and risk-sharing arrangements that most small to mid-sized PT practices haven’t adopted.

The Catch: Why a 3.26% Increase Doesn’t Mean More Revenue

While the conversion factor increases by 3.26% for most practices, this nominal gain is more than offset by simultaneous reductions in work RVUs for physical medicine and rehabilitation services. According to CMS estimates, physical therapists face a net impact of -1% to Medicare reimbursement in 2026.

Why the disconnect?

The conversion factor is only one component of the Medicare payment formula:

Payment = [(Work RVU × Work GPCI) + (PE RVU × PE GPCI) + (MP RVU × MP GPCI)] × Conversion Factor

Where:

• Work RVU = Relative value assigned to physician/therapist work
• PE RVU = Practice expense relative value
• MP RVU = Malpractice relative value
• GPCI = Geographic Practice Cost Index

Even with a higher conversion factor, if your Work RVUs decline due to the new “efficiency adjustment,” the net result can be lower payment per procedure.

The Efficiency Adjustment: Permanent RVU Cuts for Therapy Services

What Is the Efficiency Adjustment?

The 2026 final rule introduces a permanent “efficiency adjustment” that reduces work RVUs by 2.5% for certain non-time-based services. This adjustment reflects CMS’s belief that technological advances, improved clinical workflows, and practice efficiencies have reduced the relative work required for certain procedures over time.

Critical detail for physical therapy:

Initially, CMS proposed applying this adjustment broadly across non-time-based codes, which would have impacted physical therapy evaluations and re-evaluations (97161-97164). However, following industry feedback, CMS finalized an exemption for time-based therapy services including:

• Physical medicine and rehabilitation codes (97110, 97112, 97140, etc.)
• Time-based drug administration
• Remote therapeutic monitoring services

What this means:

While most time-based therapy treatment codes (97110-97799) are exempt from the efficiency adjustment, physical therapy evaluation codes (97161-97163) and re-evaluation codes (97164) are not time-based and therefore subject to the adjustment.

Financial Impact of the Efficiency Adjustment

Because evaluations represent a significant portion of practice revenue (typically accounting for 15-20% of total Medicare billing), the RVU reduction on these codes materially impacts overall reimbursement.

Example: 97163 (High Complexity PT Evaluation)

*Simplified calculation using work RVU only; actual payment includes PE and MP components

The nominal increase barely covers inflation, and when combined with RVU adjustments across the full code set, the net effect is slightly negative for most practices.

Codes Most Affected by RVU Changes

According to APTA’s analysis of the proposed rule, the most commonly reported PT CPT codes show varied impacts:

Modest increases (1-3%):

• 97110 (Therapeutic exercise)
• 97112 (Neuromuscular reeducation)
• 97140 (Manual therapy)

Stagnant or declining:

• 97161-97163 (PT evaluations)
• 97164 (PT re-evaluation)
• Various modality codes

For practices heavily weighted toward evaluation-intensive models (such as those treating high volumes of new patients or short-term acute cases), the revenue impact will be more pronounced than practices with longer episode lengths and higher treatment-to-evaluation ratios.

KX Modifier Threshold Increases to $2,480

2026 Therapy Threshold Update

The KX modifier threshold for 2026 rises to $2,480:

• Physical Therapy + Speech-Language Pathology (combined): $2,480
• Occupational Therapy (separate): $2,480

This represents an increase from the 2025 threshold of $2,410—a $70 increase (+2.9%).

What the KX Modifier Threshold Means

The therapy threshold is not a hard cap on Medicare payment. It’s a documentation checkpoint: once a beneficiary’s cumulative therapy charges reach $2,480 within a calendar year, you must:

1. Append the KX modifier to all subsequent therapy claims
2. Ensure medical record documentation supports continued medical necessity for skilled therapy services

Key point: Medicare will continue paying for medically necessary services beyond $2,480, but you’re attesting through the KX modifier that your documentation justifies continued treatment. For detailed guidance on using the KX modifier correctly and documenting medical necessity, see our comprehensive KX Modifier Guide.

Medical Review Threshold Remains at $3,000

While the KX modifier threshold increases annually with the Medicare Economic Index (MEI), the Medical Review Threshold remains frozen at $3,000 through 2027. This is the dollar amount above which claims become subject to potential Targeted Medical Review (TMR) audits.

What this means in 2026:

The gap between the KX modifier threshold ($2,480) and medical review threshold ($3,000) narrows to just $520. For patients requiring extended treatment courses:

• You must use the KX modifier starting at $2,481
• Once the patient reaches $3,001, claims may be selected for manual chart review by Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs)

Best practice: For patients approaching $2,800-$3,000 in cumulative charges, conduct an interim progress review to strengthen documentation of medical necessity, objective progress, and discharge planning.

Supervision Rule Changes: PTA General Supervision Continues

2025 Rule Carries Forward

In 2025, CMS finalized a significant policy change allowing physical therapist assistants (PTAs) to work under general supervision rather than direct supervision in all Medicare settings, including outpatient private practices. This rule continues unchanged in 2026.

What this means:

General supervision = The supervising PT must be available by telecommunication (phone, video) but does not need to be physically present in the office while the PTA treats Medicare patients.

Direct supervision (pre-2025 requirement) = The supervising PT must be physically present and immediately available to intervene while the PTA treats Medicare patients.

Financial and Operational Implications

This policy change offers significant operational flexibility:

Staffing model opportunities:

• PTs can supervise PTAs remotely, allowing expanded clinic hours or satellite locations
• Higher PTA-to-PT ratios may be cost-effective (PTAs generally have lower salary costs)
• PTs can focus on evaluations, re-evaluations, and complex cases while PTAs handle ongoing treatment

Compliance considerations:

Critical caveat: If your state practice act requires direct supervision of PTAs, you must follow the more restrictive requirement (your state law supersedes Medicare policy). Verify your state’s supervision requirements before implementing staffing changes based on Medicare’s general supervision allowance.

Documentation requirements:

Even under general supervision, the supervising PT remains responsible for:

• Initial evaluation
• Treatment plan establishment
• Regular re-assessment (at least every 30 days or 10 visits)
• Oversight of PTA-delivered services
• Documentation review and co-signature (per state requirements)

For a detailed understanding of billing for PTA services, including the 15% payment reduction for PTA-delivered services, refer to WebPT’s comprehensive guide to billing for PT assistants.

Telehealth Policy Cliff: January 31, 2026 Deadline

Temporary Flexibilities Expire January 30, 2026

During the COVID-19 public health emergency, CMS expanded telehealth access, allowing physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists to provide and bill for telehealth services. These flexibilities were recently extended through January 30, 2026.

What changes on January 31, 2026:

Beginning January 31, 2026, CMS clarifies that physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists will no longer be eligible providers for Medicare telehealth services—unless Congress passes new legislation extending or permanently authorizing therapy telehealth.

Specific restrictions after January 30, 2026:

1. Provider eligibility: Only physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and certain other clinicians can bill for Medicare telehealth services (PTs, OTs, SLPs excluded)

2. Geographic restrictions: Except for behavioral health services, Medicare telehealth will be limited to patients located in rural areas and receiving services in a qualified medical facility (telehealth originating sites like clinics, hospitals, or FQHCs)

3. Home-based telehealth: Medicare will no longer reimburse for telehealth services delivered to beneficiaries’ homes (except behavioral health)

Legislative Outlook

Four bills are currently pending in Congress to extend or make permanent various telehealth flexibilities, including proposals to maintain PT/OT/SLP eligibility. However, passage is uncertain as of December 2025.

Recommendations for practices:

1. Review your 2025 telehealth utilization: What percentage of revenue comes from Medicare telehealth services?
2. Plan for alternative service delivery: If a significant portion of patients rely on telehealth access, develop transition plans for in-person care or alternative payer models
3. Monitor legislative developments: Join APTA advocacy efforts and stay informed on congressional action before January 31, 2026
4. Consider private-pay telehealth: Telehealth services not reimbursed by Medicare may still be offered as cash-pay services to patients who benefit from remote care

For more context on telehealth documentation and billing, see our comprehensive guide to efficient PT documentation.

MIPS and Quality Reporting: 2026 Performance Requirements

MIPS Performance Threshold Remains at 75 Points

For physical therapists participating in the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS), the 2026 performance threshold remains at 75 points—the same as 2025 and 2024.

What this means:

• Score 75 points or higher: Avoid MIPS payment penalty (up to -9% in 2028 payment year)
• Score below 75 points: Face payment adjustment penalty (scaled based on score)
• Score significantly above 75 points: Eligible for positive payment adjustment (though limited by budget neutrality)

Who Must Participate in MIPS?

MIPS applies to individual PTs and group practices that exceed all three low-volume threshold criteria:

Exempt from MIPS:

• Clinicians below low-volume thresholds
• Qualifying APM participants (QPs)
• New Medicare-enrolled clinicians (first year of participation)

2026 MIPS Changes Affecting Physical Therapy

1. New Quality Measures

CMS finalized 5 new quality measures for 2026, along with substantive changes to 30 existing measures. While none are specific to rehabilitation, PTs may report on measures related to:

• Falls screening and prevention
• Functional outcome assessments
• Pain management

2. MIPS Value Pathways (MVPs)

CMS added 6 new MVPs for 2026 (diagnostic radiology, interventional radiology, neuropsychology, pathology, podiatry, and vascular surgery)—none specific to physical therapy. However, PTs and OTs can continue reporting through the existing “Rehabilitative Support for Musculoskeletal Care” MVP.

3. Subgroup Reporting Requirements

Starting in 2026, multi-specialty group practices must report via subgroups—subsets of clinicians tied to specific specialties. This affects PT practices operating under multi-disciplinary group structures.

4. Functional Outcome Integration Becomes Mandatory

For therapy episodes exceeding 10 visits, Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) become required. Validated assessment tools include:

• PROMIS (Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System)
• FOTO (Focus on Therapeutic Outcomes)
• Condition-specific instruments (Lower Extremity Functional Scale, Oswestry Disability Index, etc.)

Best practice: Integrate PROM collection at initial evaluation and discharge into your EMR workflow. Proactive Chart includes built-in PROM tracking with automated score calculation and progress visualization.

For a deeper dive into MIPS participation strategies, see our MIPS for Physical Therapy 2025 guide.

Net Financial Impact: What to Expect in 2026

Estimated Revenue Changes by Practice Type

The financial impact of 2026 Medicare changes varies based on your practice’s payer mix, service distribution, and patient population:

Small outpatient PT practice (1-3 PTs, 60% Medicare payer mix):

• Conversion factor effect: +3.26% on treatment codes
• RVU adjustment effect: -2.5% on evaluation codes
• Patient volume effect: Neutral (assuming stable volume)
• Net estimated impact: -0.5% to -1.5% on Medicare revenue

Larger group practice (10+ PTs, 40% Medicare payer mix):

• Conversion factor effect: +3.26% on treatment codes
• RVU adjustment effect: -2.5% on evaluation codes
• Efficiency gains: Potential PTA general supervision savings offset some losses
• Net estimated impact: -0.3% to -1.0% on Medicare revenue

High-evaluation-volume practice (orthopedic, sports medicine focus):

• Conversion factor effect: +3.26% on treatment codes
• RVU adjustment effect: More significant impact due to higher evaluation volume
• Net estimated impact: -1.5% to -2.0% on Medicare revenue

Practice with strong private insurance mix (Medicare <30%):

• Medicare-specific changes: Limited overall impact
• Net estimated impact: -0.2% to -0.5% on total practice revenue

Revenue Impact Calculation Example

Example Practice:

• Annual Medicare revenue: $500,000
• Evaluation/re-evaluation revenue: 18% ($90,000)
• Treatment code revenue: 82% ($410,000)

2026 Revenue Projection:

However, this calculation assumes:

• No changes in documentation audit rates (increasing audit frequency may lead to denials offsetting gains)
• No impact from KX modifier threshold increase (patients reaching $2,480 faster may trigger early discharge)
• Stable patient volumes (economic factors may reduce referrals)

When factoring in increased compliance costs, documentation time, and audit risk, the net effective revenue gain for most practices will be closer to 0% to 1%—barely keeping pace with inflation.

Financial Planning Strategies for 2026

Strategy 1: Optimize Your Treatment-to-Evaluation Ratio

Since treatment codes (97110, 97112, 97140, etc.) receive the full benefit of the conversion factor increase while evaluation codes face RVU reductions, practices can partially offset revenue losses by:

Extending episode lengths where clinically appropriate:

• Document continued medical necessity for patients showing ongoing progress
• Avoid premature discharge driven by fear of exceeding therapy thresholds
• Use objective outcome measures to justify extended treatment courses

Reducing unnecessary re-evaluations:

• Medicare requires re-evaluation only when there’s a significant change in patient status or treatment plan
• Avoid reflexive re-evaluations every 10 visits if not clinically warranted
• Use progress notes with updated goals instead of billable re-evaluations when appropriate

Caution: Never extend treatment solely for revenue purposes. All recommendations must align with medical necessity and ethical practice standards.

Strategy 2: Leverage PTA General Supervision for Cost Efficiency

With general supervision now permitted, practices can optimize staffing models:

Higher PTA utilization for ongoing treatment:

• PTs focus on evaluations, re-evaluations, and complex cases
• PTAs handle established treatment plans under general supervision
• Cost benefit: PTAs typically earn 25-35% less than PTs, improving margin per visit

Expanded access through extended hours:

• PTAs can treat patients during early morning or evening hours without PT on-site
• Increases patient satisfaction and reduces cancellations
• Improves utilization of clinic space

Important compliance notes:

• PTA-delivered services are reimbursed at 85% of the PT rate (15% reduction)
• The 15% reduction offsets some (but not all) of the salary cost savings
• Ensure PTA supervision practices comply with your state practice act
• Maintain appropriate PT oversight and documentation co-signature per state requirements

For guidance on billing time-based services correctly, review our Medicare 8-Minute Rule guide.

Strategy 3: Implement Proactive KX Modifier Threshold Management

With the KX modifier threshold rising to $2,480 and the medical review threshold remaining at $3,000, practices must adopt systematic threshold tracking:

Automated threshold monitoring:

• Use EMR systems that automatically track patient-specific cumulative Medicare charges
• Receive alerts when patients approach $2,200 (90% of threshold)
• System-generated KX modifier application once threshold exceeded

Documentation strengthening protocols:

• At $2,000 in cumulative charges: Conduct interim progress review, update goals with objective measures, document expected discharge timeline
• At $2,400 (approaching KX threshold): Enhance documentation of skilled service necessity and functional progress
• At $2,800 (approaching medical review threshold): Create audit-ready progress summary with objective outcome data

Proactive Chart feature: Our platform tracks each patient’s year-to-date Medicare therapy charges in real-time, automatically applies the KX modifier when the threshold is reached, and prompts clinicians to update documentation at key milestones to support continued medical necessity.

Strategy 4: Diversify Your Payer Mix

Practices heavily dependent on Medicare (>60% payer mix) face the greatest risk from Medicare policy shifts. Consider strategies to diversify:

Expand commercial insurance contracts:

• Negotiate favorable rates with commercial payers
• Commercial rates typically exceed Medicare by 130-200%
• Reduces vulnerability to Medicare policy changes

Develop cash-based service lines:

• Wellness programs, injury prevention, performance optimization
• Not subject to Medicare rules or RVU adjustments
• Provides revenue stability and higher margins

Target younger patient demographics:

• Workers’ compensation cases
• Sports medicine (high school, collegiate, recreational athletes)
• Occupational health and ergonomics services

Partner with Medicare Advantage plans:

• MA plans may offer supplemental benefits not available under traditional Medicare
• Some plans include expanded telehealth, gym memberships, or fall prevention programs that create new revenue opportunities

Strategy 5: Conduct Internal Billing Audits

With documentation requirements intensifying and audit rates increasing, proactive compliance auditing protects revenue:

Monthly chart audits:

• Review random sample of 10-15 claims per provider
• Verify 8-minute rule calculations, KX modifier usage, evaluation/re-evaluation medical necessity
• Identify documentation gaps before payers do

Annual external audit:

• Hire external billing compliance specialist for comprehensive practice review
• Typical cost: $2,500-$5,000
• Typical benefit: $15,000-$50,000 in prevented denials and recoupments

Address high-risk areas:

• Evaluation upcoding (inappropriate use of 97163 high complexity evaluations)
• Mixed remainders billing errors (miscalculating units under 8-minute rule)
• Insufficient medical necessity documentation for KX modifier claims
• Inadequate progress documentation for episodes exceeding 12 visits

Strategy 6: Budget for Compliance Costs

The 2026 regulatory environment increases administrative burden:

Anticipated cost increases:

• Documentation time: Additional 5-10 minutes per patient for enhanced progress documentation (especially for KX modifier patients)
• Billing specialist training: CPE courses, webinars, MAC bulletins (budget $500-$1,000 per biller)
• EMR system updates: Ensure your system reflects 2026 fee schedule, KX thresholds, and MIPS reporting requirements
• External consultant fees: Billing audits, compliance reviews, appeal assistance

Total estimated compliance cost increase for small practice: $5,000-$10,000 annually

Proactive Chart advantage: Our system automatically updates fee schedules, tracks KX thresholds, calculates units correctly under the 8-minute rule, and generates audit-ready documentation—reducing external consultant dependency and staff training requirements.

How Proactive Chart Protects Your Practice from 2026 Revenue Risks

The convergence of conversion factor splits, RVU efficiency adjustments, rising KX thresholds, and telehealth policy expirations creates a complex compliance landscape. Proactive Chart was built to help physical therapy practices navigate Medicare complexity while focusing on patient care.

Automatic Fee Schedule Updates

No manual CPT code updates required:

• 2026 Physician Fee Schedule implemented automatically on January 1, 2026
• Conversion factors, RVUs, and geographic adjustments updated in real-time
• Split conversion factor logic (QP vs. Non-QP) handled automatically based on practice enrollment status

Intelligent KX Modifier Threshold Tracking

Real-time patient-specific threshold monitoring:

• Dashboard shows cumulative Medicare charges for each active patient
• Automated alerts at 90% threshold ($2,232), 100% threshold ($2,480), and medical review threshold approach ($2,800)
• Automatic KX modifier application once threshold exceeded—eliminates manual claim denials due to missing modifiers

Enhanced Documentation Prompts

Compliance-driven clinical documentation:

• System prompts for required documentation elements at key milestones (initial eval, 10th visit, KX threshold, discharge)
• Templates include objective outcome measures, skilled service justification, and discharge planning
• Built-in PROM integration for MIPS functional outcome reporting

Built-In 8-Minute Rule Calculator

Error-free unit calculation:

• Real-time calculation as you document each service
• Automatic handling of mixed remainders logic
• Prevents overbilling and underbilling that trigger audits

Audit Risk Dashboard

Proactive compliance monitoring:

• Flags documentation patterns that may raise audit red flags (consistent time rounding, high KX modifier utilization, vague progress notes)
• Generates audit-ready reports with service breakdowns, timestamps, and outcome data
• One-click medical review defense package creation

Ready to protect your practice revenue in 2026? Schedule a demo of Proactive Chart and see how automation simplifies Medicare compliance while improving documentation quality and billing accuracy.

Conclusion: Proactive Preparation Is Essential

The 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule introduces a new level of payment complexity that extends beyond simple conversion factor changes. The interplay of:

✓ Split conversion factors creating differential payment rates ✓ Efficiency adjustments reducing RVUs for evaluation codes ✓ Rising KX modifier thresholds requiring enhanced documentation ✓ General supervision flexibility enabling staffing model changes ✓ Telehealth policy cliffs eliminating remote service options (unless Congress acts) ✓ Enhanced MIPS requirements including mandatory PROMs integration

…demands that practice owners, billing managers, and clinic administrators act now to prepare budgets, update workflows, strengthen documentation, and optimize revenue cycle processes.

Key action items for Q1 2026:

1. Update your budget projections with -0.5% to -1.5% Medicare revenue assumption
2. Review staffing models to leverage PTA general supervision cost efficiencies
3. Implement automated KX modifier tracking to prevent claim denials
4. Strengthen documentation protocols for patients approaching therapy thresholds
5. Monitor telehealth legislation and develop contingency plans for service delivery after January 31, 2026
6. Ensure MIPS compliance if above low-volume thresholds (avoid up to -9% penalty)
7. Conduct internal billing audit to identify compliance gaps before external audits do

The bottom line: While the 2026 changes create financial headwinds, practices that combine strategic planning with compliance automation will navigate these challenges successfully—and may even identify competitive advantages through operational efficiency and documentation quality.

Related Resources

• Medicare 8-Minute Rule: A 2025 Refresher & Cheat Sheet - Master time-based billing unit calculations for accurate claims
• Understanding the KX Modifier and Therapy Thresholds - Comprehensive guide to threshold management and medical necessity documentation
• Audit-Proof Documentation: The SOAP Note Standard - Create defensible clinical notes that withstand medical review
• PT Billing and RCM Guide - End-to-end revenue cycle management best practices
• Physical Therapy CPT Codes for 2025 - Complete coding reference for therapy services
• MIPS for Physical Therapy 2025 - Navigate Medicare quality reporting requirements

Sources

• Calendar Year (CY) 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule (CMS-1832-F) | CMS
• 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule Summary | CMS
• Takeaways From the Proposed 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule | APTA
• RVU Updates 2026: Complete Guide to Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Changes | Spry
• CMS Releases CY 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule | Holland & Knight
• The RVU Shake-Up: How 2026 Medicare Payment Changes Could Reshape Physical Therapy Practice | PT Products Online
• Medicare Payment Thresholds for Outpatient Therapy Services | APTA
• What the Latest Medicare Changes Mean for Your Therapy Practice | NARA
• Per-Beneficiary KX Modifier Thresholds | Noridian Medicare
• Implications of Medicare’s 2025 Final Rule for PTs and PTAs | Summit Professional Education
• PTA/OTA Supervision Guidelines Post-PHE | Net Health
• Government Shutdown Ended: Telehealth Flexibilities Extended Until Jan. 30, 2026 | APTA
• 2026 Medicare Telehealth Updates: Key Changes and FAQs | WCHSB
• Climbing Back Up the Telehealth Cliff: Congress Extends Medicare Flexibilities Through 30 January 2026 | K&L Gates
• CMS Publishes 2026 Policy Changes for the Quality Payment Program | eCQI Resource Center
• 2026 Medicare Rates Cut Physical Therapy Revenue by 14% - Essential Compliance Guide | Spry
• What the 2026 Final Rule Means for Rehab Therapists | WebPT

Disclaimer: This article provides general guidance on Medicare policy changes for 2026. Medicare billing rules are complex and subject to ongoing regulatory updates. Always consult with qualified billing specialists, review current CMS guidelines, and verify policies with your Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) for practice-specific advice. Payment rates may vary by geographic locality and MAC jurisdiction.