What Is Remote Therapeutic Monitoring? Billing Codes and Best Practices For Success

Remote therapeutic monitoring (RTM) services monitor non-physiological health conditions, including the status of the musculoskeletal system, respiratory system, and therapy adherence. 

Over the last few years, new sets of billing codes have been implemented and have been refined by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). This set of codes allows clinicians to be reimbursed for tracking and reviewing patient information using medical devices (including certain software) that can perform remote monitoring.

Why is RTM important?

Providing remote care to patients via high-quality digital healthcare technologies improves access to care, resulting in better patient outcomes, satisfaction, and retention. And with these CPT codes, providers can now be reimbursed for providing that additional care to Medicare patients, which was not possible prior to the update.

Who can bill for RTM?

RTM can be billed for by physicians, mid-level providers, and qualified healthcare practitioners, including PTs, OTs, and SLPs.

What are the RTM billing codes?

According to CMS, the four RTM codes relevant to therapy and their descriptors are:

98975 Remote therapeutic monitoring (e.g., respiratory system status, musculoskeletal system status, therapy adherence, therapy response); initial set-up and patient education on use of equipment.

98977 Remote therapeutic monitoring device(s) supply with scheduled (e.g., daily) recording(s) and/or programmed alert(s) transmission to monitor musculoskeletal system, each 30 days.

98980 Remote therapeutic monitoring treatment management, physician/other qualified health care professional time in a calendar month requiring at least one interactive communication with the patient/caregiver during the calendar month; first 20 minutes.

98981 Remote therapeutic monitoring treatment management, physician/other qualified health care professional time in a calendar month; each additional 20 minutes.

What are the reporting and documentation requirements for each billing code?

Each billing code will have different reporting and documentation requirements that stipulate what qualifies for each code, as well as who is eligible to report under CPT codes.

For example, CPT codes 98975 and 98977 require that a physician or other qualified healthcare professional (such as a PT or OT) must order the service as well as collect data related to signs, symptoms, or functions of therapeutic service.

It’s also important to note that data reported by a patient is allowed, as well as data collected by an objective medical device “as defined by the FDA.”

CPT Code 98975: Device Education and Onboarding

When you perform the initial setup and educate patients on how to use the eligible device(s) they’ll be using (for example, going over a digital home program or helping them get set up in the app), you can report 98975 for this service. Document the specific education and training being provided as well as the type of device being used. You can only report this code once per episode of care, and only report if data transmission occurs over at least 16 days during a 30-day period.

Note: 98975 is not specific to any body system or therapy, and you can report for the initial set-up and patient education in the use of any medical device, as defined by the FDA, that collects information. 

CPT Code 98977: Device Supply (Muskuloskeletal)

98977 is used to report for the cost of using a medical device that is used to transmit data in monitoring of the musculoskeletal system. For example, you can report this when your patient accesses their program from home, each day they complete exercise activity, respond to surveys, or send messages if 16 days of data transmission occurred within a 30-day period. Be sure to document the name and description of the device provided for monitoring of the musculoskeletal system.

Note: 98977 is specific to the musculoskeletal system

CPT Code 98980: Remote Treatment

98980 is to be used for the first 20 minutes of monitoring in a calendar month, and requires at least one interactive communication between the provider and patient (or their caregiver). If the communication is in person or via telephone/video, then it must be synchronous.

Do not report 98980 unless a full 20 minutes of monitoring has occurred, and documentation should include data gathered from the device, the date and time of the interaction, and decisions made as a result of the interaction that impact the patient’s treatment and plan of care. 

Note: 98980 is not specific to any body system or therapy, and you may report for the monitoring of any system or therapeutic response.

CPT Code 98981: Remote Treatment

98981 is to be used for each additional 20 minutes of monitoring in a calendar month, and should not be used unless a full additional 20 minutes has occurred.

Note: 98981 is not specific to any body system or therapy, and you may report for the monitoring of any system or therapeutic response.

Can physical therapy assistants (PTAs) use RTM?

PTAs and OTAs under general supervision can contribute to monitoring time for 98980 and 98981.

Can RTM only be used for patients doing 100 percent digital / virtual care?

No. RTM can be leveraged in a hybrid care model where patients are still coming in-clinic for visits. RTM is designed to cover the care and monitoring your staff does outside visits, and is not tied to what type of care plan a patient is on. Hybrid care provides the best impact and engagement, but Pathways is also a great tool for digitally managing patients who may have run out of visits or can’t make it into the clinic on a regular basis.

Will we get new CPT codes for RTM in the future?

Yes. Recently the AMA approved the creation of two new RTM codes that will become effective in January 2026. The added codes will include a new device code covering 2 to 15 days of data transmission, expanding from the 16 that are currently required for 98977. Another code will cover 10 to 19 minutes of data review time by a clinician, supplementing the 20 minutes required for 98980. 

These two changes will expand the amount of time that is billable and will allow clinicians to get reimbursed for the time they put into providing the service to patients, lowering the risk for the clinician and potentially increasing access to the service for more patients. These new codes will receive values at the RUC meeting in January. 

How does Medbridge help with RTM?

With Medbridge Pathways, you can enable RTM for patients and automatically collect patient engagement data as they progress. Pathways has been built from the ground up to support highly engaging and effective digital care, and we are continuously optimizing and experimenting in Pathways to drive higher engagement in those first 30 days. 

Pathways also provides a hub for providers to monitor patient progress, get feedback, and document their interactions for codes 98980 and 98981. Providers can also interact with patients in Pathways via messaging in between visits, which they can use to check on patients’ status, respond to feedback, and more.

With Pathways, you get a digitally engaging platform for hybrid care that provides a single place to track RTM codes and then easily document it over to the EMR. 

How do my patients benefit from using RTM and Pathways?

• Improved adherence to Pathways programs, leading to better therapeutic outcomes and recovery.
• Improved access to care providers for real-time answers to questions in between clinical visits.
• Maximize valuable support for their condition with limited insurance benefits.

What are some best practices for RTM?

• Medbridge customers with the most success put dedicated monitoring time into the schedule—either through a dedicated care coordinator, converting a PT into a hybrid role, or building in review time for PTs. Ensure your team has someone with bandwidth available for monitoring and engaging patients. Having a dedicated person (either a virtual/hybrid PT or care coordinator) can also simplify the monthly billing process.
• Ask your patient if they are willing and able to digitally engage
  This will keep your clinicians focused on patients who are more likely to reach milestones. 
• Educate patients on the benefits—They will receive monitoring from the PT while outside the clinic as well as timely interventions and adjustments without having to wait for an in-clinic visit. With RTM, they’ll have a partner to ensure they stick to their care plan so that they can achieve their goals. 
• Engage patients early and often—Customers who see the most success with RTM have a proactive process for communication to get patients activated and engaged.
• Use what you’ve learned in the next PT visit—Make remote monitoring a part of the in-person PT visit to help personalize that session and ensure the patient knows you are following their progress .