The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that, beginning January 1, 2026, coverage will be provided for physical activity assessments in the 2026 Physician Fee Schedule. Clinicians can now bill for a five- to 15-minute standardized assessment of physical activity and nutrition, reimbursed at $20.00–$25.00 every six months. This service can be included in evaluation and management, behavioral health and annual wellness visits.
The decision marks a critical turning point in how movement is valued in clinical care.
“This milestone and the impact of this decision will be historical in terms of affirming physical activity as a vital sign and assessment reimbursements and will pave the way for continued advocacy work related to the reimbursement of exercise referrals,” said ACSM President Carrie Jaworski, MD, FACSM.
The assessment is aligned with the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans and supported by the HL7 FHIR Physical Activity Implementation Guide, which enables integration into electronic health records (EHRs) and clinical workflows. Health systems interested in integrating physical activity assessment into their electronic health records and clinical workflows should use the HL7 FHIR Physical Activity Implementation Guide as a resource.
The policy embeds movement into the core of preventive health care, validates physical activity as a clinical vital sign and recognizes physical activity and nutrition as central to whole-person care. The policy also ensures ACSM members and certified exercise professionals are now part of a reimbursable care pathway.
ACSM champions all efforts to ensure this assessment is implemented widely and effectively in health systems, EHR vendors and all who support this important and impactful change
For more information, contact Monte Ward at mward@acsm.org
