Prevention, payment, and practice: Key occupational therapy provisions in the 2027 Medicare Part B Final Rule

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the Calendar Year (CY) 2027 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) final rule on November 4, 2026, outlining significant Medicare Part B policy changes that affect occupational therapy (OT) services beginning January 1, 2027. The final rule includes a major practice expense payment reform, national payment for health and well-being coaching services, updates to remote therapeutic monitoring (RTM), changes to Medicare quality programs, and continued movement toward prevention-focused health care. Several policies reflect priorities advanced by the AOTA regulatory policy team through extensive advocacy throughout the rulemaking process.